AskPat 2.0: A Weekly Coaching Call on Online Business, Blogging, Marketing, and Lifestyle Design

Gayle has a question about podcasting. Should she start that way to connect with her audience, even if she’s just starting out? Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. If you’re looking to go deeper into podcasting, I can show you how to start a great show from the ground up before the end of the year. Check out http://poweruppodcasting.com to sign up for the...

Today’s question comes from Yukari. She’s trying to get some reviews for her podcast, but has been unsuccessful so far. How can she encourage her audience to leave some reviews? Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. In this episode I recommend checking out https://mypodcastreviews.com/, a tool for collating all of your podcast’s reviews into one place. Today...

Monica has a big question today: How does she know when she’s ready to quit her job? Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

Today’s question comes from Charvee. Her niche is shifting and she’s concerned that if she begins to market her website with a new focus area, it will discourage or confuse her audience. What should she do? In this episode, I recommend checking out https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/convertkit, an amazing tool for building an email list. [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate...

Today’s question comes from Jeff, who asks: How far in advance should I schedule my social media posts? Jeff's website is http://newmiddleclassdad.com. In this episode I mention CoSchedule—http://askpat.com/coschedule—the tool my team and I use for scheduling social media and blog posts. It’s a great tool for editorial planning; check it out! [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensati...

Today’s question comes from Tsh, who asks if I have any ideas for marketing courses or enrollment sites, especially when they have short enrollment windows. What outside-the-box ideas do I have on this subject? Find Tsh online at http://theartofsimple.net/. Do you have a question about online courses? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps busines...

Russ has a question about starting his online business. He tends to find a lot of free or open-source tools, rather than spending money where he doesn’t have to. At what point is it best to spend money on a tool, rather than finding a cost-free solution? Russ' site is http://russkahle.com. Do you have a question about starting an online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponso...

Today’s question comes from Walter and Francis. Do I write my blog posts based on podcast episodes, or vice versa? Find Walter and Francis online at https://activerecall.co/. If you want to go deeper in your own podcasting journey, check out my course, Power-Up Podcasting. You can sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com. Do you have a question about content strategy? Record it at...

Ros has a question about his online business. He is a multimedia advisor, but sometimes feels overwhelmed by the competition. How can he differentiate himself from his competitors? Ros’ website is https://www.mpresta.com/. Do you have a question about business competition? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from...

Today’s question comes from Ali. She’s building her first website and needs some advice. How long does it take to get a website up and running? How should she pace herself? Ali’s site (still in the works!) is TeacherTransition.com. In this episode I mention my new, free five-day challenge and course: Build Your Own Brand. In this course I walk you through the process of creating a foundational web...

Today’s question comes from Aaron, whose site is https://pickakit.com. How can he provide value to his site’s affiliates without being biased in his recommendations? Do you have a question about affiliate marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can rec...

Today’s question comes from Amir. How can he create leads in a market where there is a lot of competition and lots of free content? Do you have a question about online content? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their...

Adam has a question about competition. How should he handle it? What’s the best way to talk about competition in a positive light? Adam’s website is https://acepodcasts.com/. Do you have a question about competition? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section for more inf...

Today’s question comes from Joey. How can he start an online fund for his wife’s veterinary clinic? Two crowdfunding platforms I recommend for philanthropy are https://indiegogo.com and https://gofundme.com. Do you have a question about philanthropy or fundraising? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the...

Tina has a question about online marketing: How does she share her progress without having other people copy her? Do you have a question about online marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

Today’s question is from Jeff, whose site is https://newmiddleclassdad.com. He’s noticed that Twitter brings his website the least amount of traffic; should he curtail his activity on Twitter? Do you have a question about social media? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” s...

Ron has a question about starting out. He wants to enter the personal development niche: How would I advise him to get started? Do you have a question about niche websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is DesignCrowd: A website that helps businesses crowdsource designs from over 500,000 designers worldwide. AskPat listeners can receive a free download and $100 off their nex...

Emanuel has a growing team for his business, Italy Made Easy, and he’s having some growing pains. How should he organize his growing team and how many tools do I personally use in my business? Find Emanuel online at https://www.italymadeeasy.com/. Do you have a question about team management? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. In this episode I mention several tools that I and my team use for pr...

Today’s question comes from JT. He owns a handyman business in Colorado and is looking for guidance as far as doing coaching and/or creating an online course. What advice can I give him? Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. In this episode I mention my book, Will It Fly? In it, you'll learn how to test your business ideas so that you don't waste your t...

Today’s question comes from Borja: How do I measure the impact of giving away t-shirts or selling them online? Find Borja’s podcast online at https://www.borjagiron.com/podcast/. In this episode I mention my Serve First t-shirt, which I sell for Pencils of Promise (https://pencilsofpromise.org/), a charity I'm an advisor for. Check out the t-shirt at https://servefirst.io/. Do you have a question...

Today’s question comes from Steve. He has a website for basketball coaches, but so far it has grown in steps. How can he establish a curve of growth for his business? Steve’s website is http://www.teachhoops.com. Do you have a question about online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today’s sponsor is FreshBooks. Go to http://www.freshbooks.com/askpat and enter “Ask Pat” in the “How Di...

Mar is a meditation teacher in Mexico City. She has a podcast; how can she increase the amount of downloads her podcast receives? You can find Mar’s podcast online at http://www.mardelcerro.com/medita-podcast/. In this episode I suggest trying http://wavve.co, a cool way to turn your audio into videos for social media. Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. T...

Today’s question comes from Jonathan who has a question about podcasting. How many podcast episodes should he have cued up before he launches his podcast? Jonathan’s website is http://jonathangaby.com. If you want to go deeper into podcast strategy, check out my course, Power-Up Podcasting. You can sign up for the waitlist at http://poweruppodcasting.com. Do you have a question about podcasting? R...

Today’s question comes from Luis, who has a question about idea validation. He has a lot of ideas for startup businesses, but doesn’t know which one to pick. How can he get past the discomfort and and make a decision? If you’re looking for a great way to validate your business ideas with proven methods, sign up for the waitlist for my course, Smart From Scratch. Go to http://smartfromscratch.com/....

Chris has a question about websites. He asks: What is the advantage to having a page hosted as a standalone website as opposed to a redirect within your own website? Chris’ website is http://safetydawg.com. Do you have a question about websites? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to ZipRecruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting j...