We all love marketing. It's an essential function within any business. But it's just one piece of the puzzle. To succeed with any startup, more business disciplines need to be developed.
We're talking about skillsets including business modeling, strategic planning, cash flow management, team building, culture development, and fundraising—just to name a few. Such business development disciplines aren't nearly as glamorous as social media or influencer marketing, though they possess an inward beauty all their own. More importantly, they prove time and again to be the real make-or-break dynamics in any business that aspires to find stability, operate sustainably, and scale responsibly.
We're excited to explore these subjects as a major new branch in our educational content. There's a lot of ground to cover. We'll traverse these topics across our in-depth guides, online courses, podcast shows, and more.
This page exists to serve as basecamp for all things business development here at SPI. Below, you'll find:
- Our inaugural business development guide, The SPI Guide to Business Fundamentals
- Popular podcast episodes that touch on various inner workings of business dynamics
- A beginners course on rooting your business model in a clearly defined market with a validated idea
- The one business platform we absolutely, positively could not exist without
Our free guides are up first. Check those out and let us know what you think. We look forward to hearing your feedback! And we can't wait to publish more content on business development disciplines soon.
Free Guides
Guides to showcase what it's really like to run a business
Courses and Workshops
Courses to develop your business sense and skills
Smart From Scratch®
$199
Email Marketing Magic
Grow your list, make more money, and automate like magic with this course on establishing an email marketing program. Ideal for anyone new to or frustrated with email marketing.
$499
Pricing for Profit Workshop
A pro workshop to help you learn and apply smart pricing methods to optimize your profit and grow a healthy and sustainable business.
$99
Productivity with Purpose Workshop
This workshop helps you get the right things done and bring balance to your life and work.
$99
Articles
Good reads about dynamics at the core of business
How to Start Freelancing (And Get Your FIRST Client!) [Updated May 2022]
Freelancing is the number one way to get started with online business. Here's why, plus how you can make more money doing it and transform your side hustle into a full-time, scalable business.
learn more
Why You Shouldn't Build a Website (Before You Do This)
Here's what you need to know *before* you start building a website for your business.
learn more
How to Create Your First Remote Team-Building Event
Looking to plan your first remote team-building event? Here's what you can learn from our experience.
learn more
The Five Keys to a Successful Team Retreat in the Age of COVID
This fall, our team got together in Denver. Yes, in person! Here are the five most important considerations that went into planning and executing our 2021 team meetup.
learn more
How to Build an Audience-Driven Brand
If you can embrace the shift toward becoming an audience-driven brand, it'll become a superpower that fuels your growth. Plus, learn more about our very first Audience Driven Summit, Oct 12-13! Visit www.audiencedriven.co.
learn more
Hybrid Events: What They Are and How to Get Started
Should you host your next conference or meeting both in-person and online? Here's what to keep in mind if you're considering creating a hybrid event.
learn more
Recommended Tool
Gusto
Gusto makes running our SPI business a breeze. It starts with payroll, which is critical to get right for a growing business. We also use Gusto for benefits administration, paid time off (PTO) tracking, feedback surveys, important document retention, and more. Oh, and their concierge support team is dynamite.
Try Gusto
Podcasts
Podcast episodes all about business development
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Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn
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AskPat 2.0
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Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn
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AskPat 2.0
Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn
Weekly interviews, strategy, and advice for building your online business the smart way.
Featured Episodes:
November 6, 2019SPI 396: Not So Fun Business Stuff (But in a Fun Way)
August 14, 2019SPI 384: An Essay to All Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, and Marketers
May 1, 2019SPI 369: Top 5 Major Business Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make
January 16, 2019SPI 354: The Next Big Steps in Business—with Matt Gartland from Team Flynn
December 14, 2016SPI 244: Bootstrapping a Startup with Nathan Barry from ConvertKit
AskPat 2.0
A weekly coaching call on online business, blogging, marketing, and lifestyle design.