Notes from Chris

Episode 2206

I promise to bring you interesting and novel ideas in pursuit of our mission: today you’re going to hear about suing telemarketers and getting paid. Our caller refers to a story of a guy who earned $7,000 from doing exactly that.

So … is this possible for anyone? What do you need to know? Listen to this episode, and the next time you get an annoying sales call, maybe don’t hang up right away. Just a thought…

“I heard a story of someone who kept getting called by the same telemarketing company even though they’d asked them to stop. Finally, they got fed up and filed a lawsuit, where they won $7,000!

Listen, I hate getting telemarketing calls too, but for $7,000, anyone is welcome to call me anytime. Is there any way to learn more about how to do this?”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2205

Aristotle once posed the question that philosophers have been debating ever since: if you post a selfie on Instagram and no one likes it, does it make a sound?

In these more modern times, this is a real scenario: posting photos that very few people see, even if you have a good following. It’s because Instagram (and of course, other social networks) like to play an active role in what your followers actually see.

One side hustling listener finds this discouraging. Can anything be done?

“I’m struggling with Instagram and I’m not sure what to do. I have a good-sized network there, but most of my posts aren’t being shown to most of my followers. The only posts that get more than 50 likes are selfies—and I don’t want my business to consist entirely of photos of me, you know?

It feels discouraging, like ‘Why should I even bother?’ Is there anything I can do besides pay Instagram for advertising? I know that’s probably what they want me to do, but that would change the whole process for me, and of course it would cost money that I don’t want to spend.”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2204

I believe we can learn as much from failure as we can from success, if not more. It’s with this principle in mind that I offer you a weekly segment called Failure Friday: a collection of short stories all about mistakes, missteps, disasters, and of course, failure.

Just like our Throwback Thursday segment, you’ll hear directly from side hustlers who have struggled to get something off the ground. They’ll tell you a short story of something that went very wrong.

Today’s short story features Thomas from Massachusetts. He’s a fisherman who started his own fishing store.

Let’s hear from him about one of those struggles… I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

SEE ALSO:

• Marketer Creates Six-Figure Subscription Box Success: He looked for a simple solution for a client, and didn’t find one—so he spent the next year building it.
• Comic Book Curator Creates Custom Crate Subscription: A Sacramento-based comic and collectibles owner sparks an interest in reading with a monthly comic book subscription box service.
• A Packed Closet Leads to Secondhand Subscription Boxes: A professional organizer finds a way to stitch her passion for thrift shopping into profits.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2203

Welcome to Throwback Thursday / “Where are they now?” where we take an in-depth look at someone who’s story has evolved considerably since we first featured them.

Last week, we heard from a freelance commercial animator who works on TV shows and other projects worldwide.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll hear from Marvella the Pole Dance Instructor. Let’s get the news directly from her. I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

Listen to today’s episode to hear more…

SEE ALSO:

• Raver Turns LED-Powered Gloves Into Bright Future: When a raver-turned-salesperson falls in love with an underground artform, he turns it into a successful side business.
• Bright Idea Leads Chicago Woman to Million-Dollar Hustle: A Chicago-based plastic recycling sales rep overcomes her fears and doubts to transform her love for DIY lamp shades and $10 in supplies into a multi-million dollar business.
• 3D Printing Brings Cosplay Into 21st Century: With a 3D printer and sense of imagination, a California natural gas industry worker takes superhero DIY cosplay to a whole new level.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2202

While I was working on my new book, I discovered the phenomenon known as Overemployed. I called it multiworking—where people work multiple, full-time jobs simultaneously without either employer being aware of it. This is of course a product of the pandemic remote work lifestyle.

A caller wants to know … what are some tips for doing this successfully?

“I have a secret about my job: I only really work about three hours a day. Honestly, if I worked faster, it could probably be closer to an hour and a half.

Ever since I heard a story of people working multiple jobs at the same time (getting more than one full-time salary), naturally I’ve been wondering if I could do the same.

So: leaving aside whether this is a good idea or not, what are some practical tips for managing the process? I’m thinking of things like trying to avoid meetings that are scheduled for the same time, but there’s probably a lot more that I’m not considering.”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2201

In a few short years, electric vehicles (EVs) have gone from something novel to something that you see everywhere. Most manufacturers either have at least one EV out already, or it’s in the pipeline for the next few years at the latest.

But of course, when there’s high demand and relatively low supply, that creates price pressure. Our caller wants to know if they can take advantage of this.

“What’s up, Chris! I’m enjoying the show from my home in Toronto. Don’t skip us on the next tour!

Alright, here’s my question: we all know that electric vehicles are in fashion now, and some of them are hard to get. The waiting list for popular models can be a year or more.

So it made me wonder … what’s the reselling market like—are people joining the wait list and then flipping the car or truck as soon as they get it? If not, why don’t they? It seems like an eager market! But I also imagine it comes with some complications, so I’m curious to know if you’ve noticed anything.”

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2200

Today’s episode is part of a new feature we’re doing in 2022 called ‘Your First $1,000.’ As you might surmise from the title, this is all about how someone made their first $1,000.

How did they get to that point? Not their first $100,000—that’s cool, but it would probably be a long story.

With that in mind, today’s feature comes from Tascha in New Mexico. She makes and sells her own line of essential oils, bringing in at least $2,000/month on the side.

But what about her first $1,000—how did she make that happen, what did it feel like, and what did she learn?

Let’s hear it from Tascha. I’ll be back at the end to wrap us up.

SEE ALSO:

• Military Spouse Starts Subscription Box Mission:When an HR Director’s husband is away on military deployment, she uses the alone time to march toward a subscription box.
• Think Inside the Subscription Box:Looking for more community, a North Carolina web agency owner starts a subscription box for female entrepreneurs. It’s supposed to be a referral tool for her agency, but it ends up becoming a full-time business of its own.
• Nature-Loving Neighbors Create Kids Subscription Box: When two couples can’t figure out how to get their kids outdoors and away from electronics in the winter, a personal challenge blossoms into an unbeLEAFable side hustle.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2199

Today’s caller is looking for some tips on making a killer sales page. That’s a page that converts well—your #1 goal with such a page is to increase conversion and overcome the objections of anyone who looks at it with interest yet skepticism—which is how most of us feel when we’re thinking of buying something.

So let’s give them some tips! And if you’d like a sales page that converts better, I bet you can apply at least one of these right away and see some improvement.

“I need to make a sales page, and I want it to convert really well. Are there any tips or best practices to achieve this goal?

Also, I see a lot of templates out there—anything wrong with using one? I’m not sure if you think it’s better to start from scratch or go with the tried-and-true. “

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2198

Today’s caller wants to offer a “stop smoking course” based on techniques that worked for them during their own struggle. They’d like to know they can sell it more effectively, or at least position it better.

It’s an interesting challenge—they’ll explain why—and I’ve put some thought into my answer. Let’s see if I can be helpful. Remember, you can apply these lessons to your own ideas as well.

“Hey Chris and team, this is Angela. I really enjoy the show.

Here’s my side hustle idea: after quitting smoking after a ten-year habit, I’ve now spent a lot of time documenting my journey and creating a program that I want to sell. But I’m also a little stuck in the process of pitching it.

I feel like it’s a conundrum, because clearly this is an important topic, and one that a lot of smokers value (well, at least the ones who want to quit).

I also believe the program is effective—so much so that I’m willing to offer a 100% effectiveness guarantee. Basically, if you aren’t able to quit smoking by following the program, you get your money back.

Still, I feel like it could be a hard sell. Committed smokers usually feel skeptical about these programs because they’ve tried to quit before and failed. “

Listen to today’s episode to learn more…

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Seattle Couple Creates New “Income LiveStream”: When a married couple runs into logistical problems at their wedding, it leads to an innovative service that other engaged couples need during the pandemic.
• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

Notes from Chris

Episode 2197

I believe we can learn as much from failure as we can from success, if not more. It’s with this principle in mind that I offer you a weekly segment called Failure Friday: a collection of short stories all about mistakes, missteps, disasters, and of course, failure.

Just like our Throwback Thursday segment, you’ll hear directly from side hustlers who have struggled to get something off the ground. They’ll tell you a short story of something that went very wrong.

Today’s short story features Reyna from Hermosa Beach, California. She’s an event planner specializing in weddings.

Everything goes perfectly at weddings, right? Okay, maybe not … let’s hear the story from Reyna.

SEE ALSO:

• Marketer Creates Six-Figure Subscription Box Success: He looked for a simple solution for a client, and didn’t find one—so he spent the next year building it.
• Comic Book Curator Creates Custom Crate Subscription: A Sacramento-based comic and collectibles owner sparks an interest in reading with a monthly comic book subscription box service.
• A Packed Closet Leads to Secondhand Subscription Boxes: A professional organizer finds a way to stitch her passion for thrift shopping into profits.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,