Arvid Kahl talks about starting and bootstrapping businesses, how to build an audience, and how to build in public.
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211: Writing with a Nemesis: Using ChatGPT to Strengthen Your Arguments
Using ChatGPT as a writing partner helps strengthen arguments by acting as an editor, proofreader, and devil's advocate. It prompts the AI to provide counterpoints and can detect emotional subtext, highlight missing pieces of the argument, and suggest better examples. This adversarial writing approach with generative AI results in writing that is both in the author's voice and accessible to a wider readership.00:00:14 Intro00:01:33 ChatGPT as a writing buddy00:03:13 Bias-busting with a Devil's Advocate00:04:48 Other uses of ChatGPT00:06:13 Fact-checking00:07:22 Emotional arcsMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/writing-with-a-nemesis-using-chatgpt-to-strengthen-your-arguments/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/562c4b5fThe video: https://youtu.be/3Rk17om7crUYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!
210: Dr. Sherry Walling — The Reality of Burnout for Entrepreneurs
Few people had an impact on my founder journey as Dr. Sherry Walling — and she didn't even know. But I got to tell her! We discussed burnout, imposter syndrome, and stress among founders. Sherry explained the need for mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges of entrepreneurship and shared that burnout is a diagnosable issue. While entrepreneurs have more control over their work, long hours and hustle culture can still lead to burnout. Her book, "The Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together," helped me during a period of burnout while selling my business. Now, you get to learn from her and her deeply actionable insights into founder psychology.00:00:00 Introduction to Sherry Walling00:03:13 Mental health in the entrepreneur community.00:09:17 Do entrepreneurs have control over their destiny?00:15:22 How do you find good mastermind groups?00:21:52 Mental health is not always called mental health00:28:20 Grief is the emotional reaction to loss00:34:06 You can have relationships with people who don’t get it.00:40:24 Mental health apps are not a replacement for therapy.00:45:59 Why aren’t more people talking about mental health?The WIRED article about mental health apps: https://www.wired.com/story/are-mental-health-apps-worth-trying/My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/dr-sherry-walling-the-reality-of-burnout-for-entrepreneurs/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc436cce The video: https://youtu.be/hIwaExsScWkYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comThis interview is sponsored by Acquire.com
209: MicroConf US '23 Recap — What Happens When 250 SaaS Founders Meet
This week, I got on my first post-COVID trip and headed to Denver, Colorado for MicroConf 2023.It.Was.Awesome.Unsurprisingly, being in the same room with 250 other bootstrapped SaaS founders is one of the nerdiest things you can do. And it was as enlightening as it was nerdy. I just arrived back home in Canada a few hours ago, so I took the opportunity to share my insights from the conference on my podcast. Enjoy!00:00:14 Intro00:02:26 What is MicroConf? 00:08:42 STIR00:11:21 The talks00:16:34 The speaksessionsers00:19:19 My session on mental health00:25:43 Feeling isolated00:28:31 How to start a conversation about your own experience.00:34:37 Mental health as a founder is paramount.00:37:25 MicroConf is more than just a conference00:43:28 Things outside the conference hallMy MicroConf EU 2019 attendee talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TheiytjsZoYMicroConf Connect: https://microconf.com/connectMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/microconf-us-23-recap-what-happens-when-250-saas-founders-meet/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9d12dbc0The video: https://youtu.be/8ty4NNbVnMoYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!
208: Louis Nicholls — Growing Your Newsletter
When it comes to building an "owned audience," nothing beats an email list. Louis Nicholls is a newsletter expert, and he shared with me how to monetize a list, how to grow it reliably, and why cold emails are often done spectacularly wrong.Louis will show you how to do email right.00:00:00 Why did you choose to build SparkLoop?00:05:23 Grow an audience, monetize a list00:09:07 How do you maintain customer quality in a network?00:14:55 Advice on how to cross-link your knowledge with other channels.00:18:48 How much is too much in terms of "buying" subscribers?00:21:59 What makes a newsletter word of mouth-worthy?00:27:48 Struggling with self-promotion00:31:51 What makes a good or a really bad cold email?00:36:44 Why all cold emails look the same00:42:57 Why a good message is never cold00:48:57 Borrowed audiences always have riskMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/louis-nicholls-growing-your-newsletter/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8e4bcbf9The video: https://youtu.be/FNolzZtXjLIYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com
207: ChatGPT: Goldmine or Minefield for Indie Hackers?
ChatGPT is everywhere. But can we build businesses on it? What risks will we face? Let's dive into the future of entrepreneurship in a world where AI is ubiquitous.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/chatgpt-goldmine-or-minefield-for-indie-hackers/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/efd69983The video: https://youtu.be/J4eNi1uqxUIYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!
206: Marie Poulin & Benjamin Borowski — Digital Permaculture
Marie and Ben are a power couple. Together, they run Notion Mastery, an intense workshop for people who want to use Notion professionally and productively. In our conversation, we'll dive into platform risk, building a sustainable educational business, how to work together as a couple, and why social media distribution matters a lot to educational founders. Enjoy!00:00:00 What can we learn from permaculture? 00:04:55 How do you make it profitable?00:10:57 Building an info product on top of a shifting platform?00:13:28 How do you keep your courses relevant in the future?00:19:14 Perfectionism is a huge problem00:22:12 How do you speak to an audience that is so diverse?00:27:33 Are you a user or are you a builder? 00:29:52 Channels that have worked the best.00:33:55 Partnerships00:37:16 How to build a business with yout partner.00:43:08 What is needed to keep a long-term event like this running?00:46:34 The breathing businessMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/marie-poulin-amp-benjamin-borowski-digital-permaculture/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/faf48b60The video: https://youtu.be/Dr0Uty8heyo You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/
205: Artificial Scarcity Damages the Creator Economy
Artificial scarcity, a marketing tactic that fosters urgency in customers, can lead to short-term financial gains but raises ethical concerns and negative consequences in the creator economy. Drawbacks include damaging relationships, promoting impulsive purchases, and exacerbating global inequality. While there are exceptions, such as outcome-oriented communities and front-loading financial gains, adopting an abundance mindset and cultivating genuine relationships is a more sustainable long-term strategy in the digital realm.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/artificial-scarcity-damages-the-creator-economy/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/37d137dbThe video: https://youtu.be/0ypM30tG1MgYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Pinto Financial. Check out their demo!
204: Josh Spector — Saying Less and Making More
Most of Josh Spector's newsletter issues are just a few sentences. Sometimes, just a link. And still, advertisers and readers alike flock to Josh's emails. In our conversation, you will learn why brevity is so attractive, how to make sure you're telling the right stories to the right people, and how to build systems that keep people coming back for more.00:00:00 How to think about scarcity00:04:16 Josh's newsletter(s)00:08:49 Ads that feel less like ads00:12:21 Why you need to know what you want to sell00:16:20 How Josh got started00:22:02 Advertising is just another way for people to connect00:26:32 Maintain and improve the quality of your audience00:30:51 How to get people to subscribe to your newsletter00:34:54 Why you need to shorten your email newsletter00:39:28 How to use video as part of your content strategy00:48:12 Empathy with the needs of your audience00:51:31 Helping your reader00:57:16 Having an audience centric approach to businessMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/josh-spector-saying-less-and-making-more/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/6bbf0f6eThe video: https://youtu.be/AND8f7I_Tr0You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/Sponsored by Acquire.com.
Bonus: Arvid on "First Class Founders" by Yong-Soo Chung
This is probably the most concentrated and well-produced podcast I've been on in a long while. And I want to share it with you here today as a bonus episode.Kudos to @YongSooChung for putting his money where his mic is. He spent a lot of time, money, and energy to make this episode happen. This is a great ep, and if want to learn about my whole founder journey, I recommend a listen.Here's the original show: https://www.firstclassfounders.com/life-changing-wisdom-with-arvid-kahl-from-selling-a-saas-business-to-becoming-a-creator/Yong-Soo Chung on Twitter: https://twitter.com/YongSooChung
203: The Art of Naming Your Business
What are the factors involved in choosing a solid business name? From securing an available domain to choosing a unique name for SEO reasons, I delve into the linguistic and cultural considerations of choosing a business name, including avoiding potentially offensive or negative connotations in various markets.I also emphasize the importance of trademarking the business name and domain to protect from infringement and legal disputes. Future-proofing a business name involves securing social media handles and reevaluating and possibly undertaking a rebranding process if the business's direction changes significantly or the target audience's preferences shift over time.This podcast episode offers practical insights and tips on choosing a fitting business name that represents your brand's identity and promise. https://namemesh.pro/ : Generates domain name suggestions based on your keywords. https://www.shopify.com/tools/business-name-generator Offers a variety of business name ideas based on your input. Lean Domain Search: Matches your keyword with thousands of potential domain names. Namium is great, too.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-art-of-naming-your-business/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9c485402The video: https://youtu.be/HDGSrHBrLtk You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This episode is sponsored by Localazy! use the coupon ARVID for 25% off.
202: Peter Askew — Domain Expertise
Peter knows how to get good domains and turn them into businesses. He's selling onions, helps dude ranchers get clients, and will share his approach to monetizing domains as well as purchasing them on the cheap side. Peter's been building online marketplaces for a while, and he'll teach you how he approaches setting up profitable businesses.00:00:00 Peter’s unique approach to building a business.00:02:59 The right mindset to become an entrepreneur.00:05:46 Getting into domain name investing.00:11:11 The domain name investing path.00:16:20 The importance of having a domain first.00:20:08 What’s a directory marketplace like?00:26:43 The domain-first approach is genius.00:30:00 The importance of no-brainer pricing.00:33:37 How to use a domain portfolio to build your business00:39:22 Peter is not afraid of going into a new industry.00:44:21 The importance of having a good domain name.00:52:13 Industries to avoid00:58:48 Peter's worldMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/peter-askew-domain-expertise/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/da30dbceThe video: https://youtu.be/vGN8fPLg4Nw You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/Sponsored by Acquire.com.
201: How I Stay Consistent
Here are my personal strategies for achieving consistency in content creation, which encompass implementing accountability systems, connecting with my audience, and reaping financial and lifestyle rewards. Additionally, I explore the difficulties of maintaining motivation and the vital role of community in this process.I recount my own story, beginning with the launch of a blog and ultimately leading to the development of a self-perpetuating content creation cycle. Throughout this journey, I've expanded my income sources by securing sponsorships and authoring books. By highlighting the significance of consistency, I aim to inspire others to adopt it as a guiding principle in their own creative endeavors.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/how-i-stay-consistent/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7bd407f4The video: https://youtu.be/K3qSwVT1Sh0 You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/
200: Justin Jackson — Bootstrapping Transistor.fm on Open Standards
Justin Jackson has been successfully bootstrapping Transistor.fm with a small team throughout the ups and downs of a shifting economy. He even rejected massive clients to be able to keep running a calm and self-funded business. Find out just how important it is to stay independent, resilient, and nimble, and what building on open standards has to do with that.00:00:00 Justin Jackson00:01:24 The world of ideas00:10:32 Understanding the context of advice.00:15:58 The importance of attribution00:20:49 What’s the most important metric?00:25:29 What’s your company for?00:29:56 Having a team that can execute at the highest level00:35:34 The repercussions of decisions00:40:41 Simple things are more resilient than complicated things00:45:26 Platform risk00:51:22 The problem with centralized discoverability01:00:53 The importance of open standardsMy new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/justin-jackson-bootstrapping-transistor-fm-on-open-standards/ The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1740724b The video: https://youtu.be/y0yIZ-O8nNQYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/Sponsored by Acquire.com.
199: The SaaS Solution-Workflow Fit
Looking to build a successful SaaS business? Don't just focus on product-market fit. In this video, learn about the Solution-Workflow Fit, a crucial element to consider for success. Discover why the medium in which your solution is implemented and the workflow of your customers matter just as much as the technical side of your solution. See real-life examples and learn how to research your target industry's existing workflows, design your solution to fit between existing tools, and adapt your solution to fit your customers' needs. Achieving solution-workflow fit is key to creating a successful SaaS business that truly helps and empowers your customers.My new podcast project: Arvid & Tyler Catch Up / https://catchup.fmThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-saas-solution-workflow-fitThe podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f9bf24a1The video: https://youtu.be/eb5cS5Z1vBkYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/
198: Rob Fitzpatrick — Tinkerers, Thinkers, and Teachers
Rob Fitzpatrick is a serial entrepreneur, a writer, a community leader, and a very curious human being. I talk to Rob about building an incredibly complicated business, the world of self-publishing, what AI tools can and will do for humanity, and how to build communities that can run by themselves.00:00:00 Rob Fitzpatrick00:03:38 The challenges of building the Useful Books business00:10:01 A rare breed00:14:47 The passion discount00:21:12 What’s changed in self-publishing?00:26:43 What’s your pet peeve of the publishing industry?00:32:48 Knowledge production00:39:06 Short-term wins are not going to be around for long00:42:21 Different voices for the same content00:47:39 Prose be gone00:54:26 Staying accountable in an accountability community00:57:45 Late-stage communities01:02:26 Rob’s passion and the purpose of communitiesBrandon Sanderson's class on Indie Publishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHdYX418PaAThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/rob-fitzpatrick-tinkerers-thinkers-and-teachers/The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/fd014e11The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPF3a0px68You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comFind me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/This interview is sponsored by Acquire.com