Thank You Episode — and Answering Your Questions

I want to take a moment to say “thank you” to each and every one of you. 🙏

2017 has been an amazing year:

• I launched Noah Kagan Presents and it’s had 1,087,571 downloads (so far)
• My YouTube channel has grown to over 28,000 subscribers
• I took a trip to Israel to learn about my family and culture

If it wasn’t for all of you who listen, watch my videos, and read my content I couldn’t have achieved my goals for this year.

Y’all are AMAZING.

As a way to say thanks, I’m answering some of your BIGGEST questions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What I did after I was fired from Facebook
• My thoughts on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency
• How to find purpose when you’re lost and confused (Yeah, I’ve been there)

Plus, I’m shouting out EVERYONE who left their name and website last week. 👋

Listen my special podcast episode below:

BONUS: 100+ more answers to your toughest business questions

How to start from ZERO

“If you lost everything, and only had a hundred dollars and a laptop what would you do?” — Jake Marshall

I LOVE this question because I think it can apply to anyone out there.

If I’m really starting from zero, the first thing I need is income.

People try and over complicate this. “Oh, Noah, I want to make money. Should I buy this $4,000 course and start guest blogging?”

No!

Go to where people are OFFERING you money to do something.

For example:

• Check the Craigslist gigs section for help people are willing to pay you to help them with
• Do as many $5 projects on Fiverr as possible, and start building up projects
• Sign up to Uber / Lyft and become a driver (if you don’t have a car, look for a free one on Craigslist)

Other ideas — like blogging, creating a SaaS business, or selling taco t-shirts — usually take time.

If you need money right away or you’re just starting out, you need to take small steps.

By using platforms like Craigslist and Fiverr, you’re able to instantly find people who are looking to spend money.

If I started on Craigslist or Fiverr, I’d work my ass off in order to make as much money as possible. As JT McCormick said:

“What it all boils down to is simple: Working hard and doing the best job you can possibly do.”

Once I could cover my bills and pay my rent, then it’s time to work on a side hustle.

The size of your email list doesn’t matter

“What’s the best way to build an email list if you don’t have high website traffic?” — Jordan Moorhead

Talking about the size of your email list is like talking about the size of your…

Nevermind, my mom might be reading. Sorry, Mom! 🤓

My best advice for email is to stop worrying about the size of your list.

Focus on QUALITY.  

Here’s something I noticed recently…

My OkDork email list is 130,000+ people. But TONS of these people are inactive.

Sending emails to them means a lot of ignored emails… and hurt deliverability.

When I started sending to smaller segments of 30,000, my deliverability and results greatly improved.

List size is less important than you think.

Instead of thinking about how you can grow a BIG list, think about how you can grow a list of 1,000 people who REALLY dig your work.

Once you have a formula that works and a bunch of true fans on your list, then think about how you can scale.

And to get your first subscribers, you don’t need much (or any traffic) to start growing your list.

Here are a few things you can try:

• Personally email people you know and ask if they’ll join your list
• Answer relevant questions on Quora and link back to your list
• And 15 other actionable steps to grow your email list (even if you have no traffic)

There’s no one-size fits all marketing tactic

“What is an example of a marketing effort that works for Sumo but doesn’t work for AppSumo (or vice versa)?” — John Hill

What works for me might not work for you.

Even crazier… what works for AppSumo might not work for Sumo or OkDork.

For example, content marketing has been a killer growth channel for us with Sumo.

But for AppSumo, content just doesn’t work. People care about saving $$$ with deals instead. 💰 🤑

Because AppSumo focuses on a more price-sensitive customer, we drive TONS of paid Facebook ads ($2+ million).

Marketing will NEVER be a one-size-fits-all problem.

Try a bunch of stuff. LinkedIn, Quora, Facebook, guest posting, standing on a sidewalk spinning a sign… see what works for you.

You need to test out LOTS of channels and tactics to see specifically what works for you and your business.

You need to learn to say “no”

“Do you have a mantra that lets you say no to a project?” – Juan Ramirez

There are two ways I stay on track…

First, I review my calendar weekly.

Every Sunday evening I open my calendar. If there’s anything on there I’m not excited about (and can skip… I hate calls with lawyers, but you gotta do it), I cancel.

Second, set some goals.

If you have a goal, it’s much easier to say “no” if it doesn’t get you closer to the goal.

For example, my 2017 goal with Sumo is revenue.

If something doesn’t get me closer to that goal, I’ll come back it. #hitmeupin2018

Without a goal it’s easy to get caught up saying “yes” to a ton of stuff that isn’t taking you or your business in the right direction.

Want answers to 30+ other questions about business, marketing, and failure?

Check out the whole episode of Noah Kagan Presents to hear more Q&A:

• What my dream vacation looks like
• How I learned to be comfortable with public speaking
• How many hours per week I work at Sumo

Plus tons more…

Want more business, life, and other crazy questions answered?