Askpat 2.0: A Weekly Coaching Call On Online Business, Blogging, Marketing, And Lifestyle Design

Today is a little bit different. A kind, anonymous caller let me know about a website that is copying me. I've seen this before, both with my own site and sites of others. In this episode, I share my thoughts on copying and getting copied. Do you have a question about starting your own business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

Today's question comes from Kyle, who has trouble sticking with his ideas. How can he learn to stick with his ideas? In today's episode, I talk about Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/war). Do you have a question about getting a new business started? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat.

Today's question comes from Ileana, who asks about BlogTalk Radio. Why didn't I publish my podcast with BlogTalk Radio? If you're considering starting a podcast, check out my free tutorial (http://podcastingtutorial.com/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information.

Today's question comes from Jamal, who asks about validating a niche selection. How can he tell if the niche he has chosen is a valid choice for a business? In this episode, I reference Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art. Do you have a question about keyword research? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

Today's question comes from Lea, who is using both ConvertKit and LeadPages. What is the best way to use these services together, or does ConvertKit replace LeadPages? Lea's site is http://www.leapica.com/. In this episode I discuss my Smart Passive Income Podcast interview with Clay Collins (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session78). To enter to win the AskPat t-shirt, send a tweet with #AskPat600 by 05/15. Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information.

Today's question comes from Eric, who has two hours available each day to dedicate to his business. How should he spend those two hours? The phases I mention in today's show are covered in my new book, Will It Fly? (http://willitflybook.com). Do you have a question about prioritizing your time? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information.

Today's question comes from Bob, who has spent a lot of money in online business courses, but with no result. Where can he find business partners? In this episode, I mention Internet Business Mastery Academy (http://smartpassiveincome.com/ibm), Youpreneur from Chris Ducker (http://www.chrisducker.com/youpreneur/), Michael Hyatt's Platform University (https://platformuniversity.com/influence/), and Fizzle (http://askpat.com/fizzle). Do you have a question about getting started in online business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Active Campaign. To learn more about their integrated, automated marketing campaign and to get a free trial, visit http://activecampaign.com/askpat.

Today's question comes from Paul, who asks how to make his course sales process more professional. Does he need to take the time to learn how to manage each element, or should he take the time to hire out help? Paul's website is https://safetysolutionsacademy.com/. In this episode, I recommend finding developers on Upwork (http://upwork.com). If you have experience with the tool, Magento, that Paul mentions, share your advice with #AskPat597. Do you have a question about improving your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Harry's, who provides great razors and shaving products. Go to http://www.harrys.com/ and use the promo code "AskPat."

Today's question comes from Vladimir, who has a question about blog post email subscriptions. Should he send readers the full text of the post or should he only send an excerpt? Do you have a question about email marketing? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to Zip Recruiter for sponsoring today's episode. Go to http://www.ziprecruiter.com/pat to get started posting jobs today.

Today's question comes from Mark, who has built up an audience by providing free content. How can he transition his audience from free content to paid content? Mark's site is http://www.healthynomics.com/. Do you have a question about beginning to sell to your audience? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information.

Today's question comes from Martie, who asks about sponsorships for podcasts and videos. How do I find my sponsors? Martie's site is http://letsbuildwp.com/. I discussed podcast sponsorship with my guests on Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 180 (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session180). I work with The Midroll for some of podcast sponsorship (http://www.midroll.com/). Do you have a question about podcast sponsorships? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information.

Today's question comes from Priscilla, who has a website that she has been working on for five years. What does she need to do to start making money from her site? Priscilla's site is http://www.africancurls.com/. To help with website security issues, I recommend WP Curve (http://wpcurve.com/) and/or start using Securi (https://sucuri.net/). I recommend creating a course on Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/). Do you have a question about monetizing your website? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Today's sponsor is Freshbooks. Go to http://www.GetFreshBooks.com and enter "Ask Pat" for more information.

Today's question comes from Gil, who asks about using a podcast or live stream to drive affiliate sales. Find Gil on Twitter at https://twitter.com/gilliamwallace. I share my thoughts on how to build a business based on affiliate sales. Do you have a question about affiliate sales? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Thanks to our sponsor, Harry's, who provides great razors and shaving products. Go to http://www.harrys.com/ and use the promo code "AskPat."

Today's question comes from Brad, who asks about keyword research. Is this still a good way to find ideas for new businesses? Do you have a question about researching business ideas? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/. Check out my new book on validating your idea for a business, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com.

Today's question comes from Scott, who asks about masterminds. Is it acceptable to invite a competitor to join his group? Scott's site is http://freeteachertech.com/. Listen to Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 180 to hear two competitors who are in the same mastermind group (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session180). Do you have a question about masterminds? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

Today's question comes from Brendon, who has a heavy metal band. On the band's website, not only do they provide fan content, but also advice to other aspiring bands. Should he create a separate website for the entrepreneurial content, or keep it on the same site as the music content? Brendon's site is http://www.claimthethrone.com/. Do you have a question about promoting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

Today's question comes from Luke, who is planning to create a podcast. What should he include in his pre-launch strategy? Luke's site is http://lukeguy.com/. My interview with Daniel Decker on the Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 198 talks about book launches, but absolutely applies to launching a podcast (http://smartpassiveincome.com/session198). I also mention the ConversionCast podcast (http://podcast.leadpages.net/). Do you have a question about podcasting? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

Today's question comes from Kevin, who asks about providing free value vs. paying for traffic to sales pages. Kevin's site is http://hyperlush.com/. I share my thoughts on businesses built around cold traffic. Do you have a question about marketing your products? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

Today's question comes from Sean, who is having trouble convincing people to use his project-sharing site. How can he get users to understand the appeal of his site? Sean's site is http://www.simplecove.com/ I mention some exercises for finding your unique selling proposition from my book, Will It Fly?, at http://willitflybook.com. Do you have a question about marketing your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.

Today's question comes from Daryl, who is planning to start a business. He shares a name with a famous singer—is this a positive or a negative when starting a business? In this episode, I talk about my SPI TV interview with Sean McCabe, who uses a different name professionally (http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/tv/how-sean-mccabe-focused-his-way-into-entrepreneurship/). Do you have a question about starting your business? Record it at http://www.askpat.com/.