Notes from Chris

Episode 2689

Guerrilla marketing tactics can be a great way to generate buzz and attract customers without breaking the bank. The key is to come up with memorable, shareable ideas that resonate with the local bike scene and get people talking.

In this episode, we’ll brainstorm some unconventional marketing strategies to help Jon launch his bike repair and customization side hustle with a bang. From pop-up events to eye-catching social media campaigns, we’ve got plenty of ideas to get those wheels turning!

“Hi, this is Jon from Colorado. This state is all about bikes, and I’ve got this idea for a repair and customization service. Money’s tight though, so I’m leaning towards guerrilla marketing. What are some out-of-the-box ideas that could get people talking and bring them right to my doorstep? And how do I make sure it’s a hit with the local bike community, especially in Denver or Boulder?”

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 2688

G’day, side hustlers! We’ve got a question from Shelly in Melbourne, Australia, who’s ready to tantalize taste buds with an international snack box subscription. She’s got a finger on the pulse of the local foodie scene but needs some guidance on making the most of her limited advertising budget.

Paid ads can be a powerful way to reach new customers, but they can also quickly eat up your funds if you’re not careful. The key is to be strategic about where you advertise, who you target, and what message you put out there.

In this episode, we’ll dive into some tips and tricks for crafting irresistible ad copy, stretching those ad dollars, and getting the most bang for your buck. We’ll also explore some creative ways to get the word out about your snack box subscription without blowing your budget. So, let’s get cracking!

“Hi, it’s Shelly from Melbourne, listening to your show over in Australia. Here’s my idea AND my challenge. The local foodie scene is ripe for my international snack box subscription, but I’m on a shoestring budget. What’s the best bang for my buck when it comes to paid ads? And how do I craft messages that’ll have food lovers signing up in droves? Any tips for stretching those ad dollars? Thanks so much for your show and all you do.”

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 2687

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.

The stories will vary, but often it starts with an idea, what they thought would happen and what really happened—and of course, what they learned.

Today’s short story features Eric from Omaha, Nebraska. As you might guess, their business has had a couple of challenges.

Let’s hear from them 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 2686

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 New York City book editor who leaves her publishing job after having a child and now works freelance.

Today, in our latest feature, we’ll reconnect with a part-time wedding officiant who has found success by focusing on personalizing ceremonies and crafting memorable stories.

What’s happened since? Let’s hear directly from them. 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 art form, 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 2685

Today, we’re talking about a challenge that many skilled professionals face when starting a consulting side hustle: how to package and sell your expertise effectively.

Our listener, Isabella from Salt Lake City, is a marketing consultant who believes her unique skill set could be valuable to businesses. However, she’s not quite sure how to define her niche, create a compelling service offering, or attract clients to grow her side hustle.

If you’re a consultant or expert struggling to monetize your knowledge, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll break down some strategies for defining your niche, packaging your services, and marketing yourself effectively to potential clients.

“Hello! I’m Isabella, a marketing consultant from Salt Lake City. I have a unique skill set that I believe could be valuable to businesses, but I’m not quite sure how to package and sell my services as a side hustle. How can I define my consulting niche, create a compelling service offering, and attract clients to grow my business?”

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 2684

Hey there, side hustlers! Today, we’re talking about a topic that’s close to many parents’ hearts: starting a side hustle while juggling the responsibilities of raising kids.

Our listener, Amanda from Denver, is a stay-at-home mom who’s eager to launch a side hustle during her little ones’ nap times and after they’ve gone to bed. The catch? She doesn’t have a ton of startup capital to work with.

Plenty of stay-at-home parents are in the same boat, looking for flexible ways to earn extra income without breaking the bank. So, let’s dive into some low-cost side hustle ideas that could be a great fit for Amanda and other parents in similar situations.

“Hey, I’m Amanda, a stay-at-home mom from Denver. A fellow mom in my playgroup mentioned your podcast, and I’ve been listening ever since. I’m eager to start a side hustle that I can work on during nap times and after the kids are in bed, but I don’t have a lot of startup capital to spare. What are some flexible, low-cost side hustle ideas that could work well for someone in my situation?”

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 2683

Today’s episode is part of a feature we call ‘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 an ex-spy who turned a unique skillset into a thriving business on staying safe in a world of surveillance.

Let’s hear it from Charlie. 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 2682

Greetings to our global audience! Today’s episode ventures into the heart of Tokyo’s gaming world, spotlighting the innovative realm of custom avatar designs. As the digital landscape evolves, so does the opportunity to connect with audiences through creative collaborations.

We’ll navigate the ins and outs of influencer marketing, offering a blueprint for artists and creators like Hiroki to amplify their work. Join us as we explore strategies for finding the perfect influencers, crafting irresistible offers, and fostering partnerships that transform digital personas into gaming icons.

“Tokyo’s gaming scene is just the right place for my custom avatar designs, and I’m thinking influencer marketing could really take this to the next level. But how do you even start with something like that? How do I find influencers who understand what I’m about, and how do I make them offers that they find compelling enough to accept? Thanks for your time and consultation.”

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 2681

Hey there, side hustlers! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant as our population ages: starting a side hustle that caters to seniors.

Our listener, Jackson from Tampa, is a retired IT professional who’s interested in offering services like running errands or providing tech support to seniors. He wants to know how to start a side hustle that meets the specific needs of this demographic and how to market his services effectively.

With more and more baby boomers entering their golden years, there’s a growing demand for services that help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life. In this episode, we’ll explore some ideas for side hustles that cater to this unique market and share tips on how to connect with potential clients.

“Hi, I’m Jackson, a retired IT professional from Tampa. I’m looking for side hustle ideas that cater to the growing senior population. I’m considering offering services like running errands or providing tech support. What advice do you have for starting a side hustle that serves the unique needs of seniors, and how can I market my services to this demographic?”

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 2679

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.

The stories will vary, but often it starts with an idea, what they thought would happen and what really happened—and of course, what they learned.

In this week’s Failure Friday segment, we hear from a freelancer who sought community and collaboration in a coworking space, only to find isolation and unmet expectations. Her story reveals the gap between the promise of coworking spaces and the reality of solitary office rental.

Let’s hear from them 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,