The Ultimate Guide to Starting an Online Business

Ramit Sethi’s Ultimate Guide to Starting an Online Business is a must-read for aspiring online business owners, taking you from having no idea how to start a business to launching your own business in seven in-depth steps. Plus, it’s free!

Ramit is one of the smartest entrepreneurs in the business, so I highly recommend that you check out his amazing guide.

Create Awesome Online Courses

This free cheat sheet delivers 7 Steps to a Successful Online Course, and is a great place to get started if you want to build online courses.

This is from David Siteman Garland and his awesome online courses material. David is one of the most popular guests on the SPI podcast.

Pat’s Step-by-Step How to Start a Podcast Tutorial

Here is my completely free, step-by-step tutorial for starting a podcast. In six videos, I show you everything you need to start a podcast, from gear selection, through recording and editing, to submitting your show into iTunes. Many podcasters have used this tutorial to get their first podcasts on iTunes.

Pat's Step-by-Step How to Start an Email List Tutorial

Another one of my completely free, step-by-step tutorials! This one will teach you how to start an email list, which I consider your business’s most valuable asset—this is the key to connecting directly with your audience. I walk you through the technical setup and teach you how to write and promote your email list.

Will It Fly?

This is my newest book all about validating your next business idea without wasting your time and money. Thanks to you and the SPI community, it is a Wall Street Journal bestselling ebook.

Let Go

This is my number one best-selling small business and entrepreneurship book! It recounts the details of how I lost my job in 2008 and became a full-time entrepreneur. I hope it will inspire you.

The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

This book has been a source of inspiration for me, as I know it has been for thousands of other entrepreneurs.

Ask by Ryan Levesque

Ryan Levesque’s Ask explores an essential aspect of business we often forget about: asking open-ended questions. By doing this, as Ryan explains, you can truly understand your audience’s pain points so you can deliver a top-quality service or product that’s 100 percent matched to their needs.

The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau

Chris’s book is a sweet blend of The 4-Hour Work Week (but more realistic), and Rework (but more actionable). He draws upon a wide variety of on- and offline businesses for his examples.

The Pat Flynn Book Club

In this monthly email newsletter, I share a book that has helped me to improve my business. Join the list to receive book recommendations and occasional extras.

LegalZoom

This company will assist you with easy online incorporation or LLC creation. They are not a law firm, but can connect you to a lawyer near you if you need one. I’ve used them for business incorporation.

USPTO Trademark Search

Before you create a business, I highly recommend that you search through the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s search tool to make sure that the mark you want hasn’t already been registered or applied for.

The Niche Site Duel Hub

This is where eighteen other people and I shared the journey of building a niche site from scratch and doing our best to rank number one in Google and make money. Check out how I got my niche site to a number one ranking and began earning an income in about two months!

Bluehost

All of my niche websites are hosted on Bluehost. Why? Because they make it incredibly easy to get a new site up and running with their one-click automatic WordPress Blog installation. Even SmartPassiveIncome.com started on Bluehost’s easy-to-use and extremely affordable hosting platform.

You can use your Bluehost account to host multiple domains so there’s no need to pay more for hosting when you’re ready to start another website. Also, they provide outstanding customer service!

I highly recommend using Bluehost for your first website, and you can get started now at only $2.75/month, which is an exclusive deal you can only get here!

SPI Pro Theme on StudioPress

For years, people have asked me to create a WordPress theme that is easy to use, effective, and looks great.

Now, thanks to my partnership with StudioPress, an industry standard in premium WordPress themes and plugins, you can have the same exact WordPress theme that helped me grow my business online from December 2013 and April 2016.

Try it today for a one-time fee! You can even demo it for free!

Sucuri

My websites are my business and my livelihood! I don’t want any intruders, so I pay a yearly fee to make sure that if anyone tampers with my sites, it’ll be taken care of right away, with alerts/notifications letting me know what’s up. Sucuri is definitely great for peace of mind, if anything.

Limit Login Attempts

Install this plugin to limit the number of times someone can attempt to login to your WordPress admin panel before getting blocked. This helps to stop those who keep trying to break in by logging into your website with different passwords (and there are tools to help speedup this process).

ConvertKit

ConvertKit is my number one recommendation for email list management.

ConvertKit makes managing your email list and setting up autoresponders so easy and user-friendly. Segmenting my email subscribers into groups so that they get content specific to their individual needs has never been more simple.

I highly recommend using ConvertKit for your email list building.

Pat's Step-by-Step How to Start an Email List Tutorial

Another one of my completely free, step-by-step tutorials! This one will teach you how to start an email list, which I consider your business’s most valuable asset—this is the key to connecting directly with your audience. I walk you through the technical setup and teach you how to write and promote your email list.

CoSchedule

This is my new favorite toy! CoSchedule is a tool that allows you to schedule posts ahead of time, but it’s much more than an editorial calendar. It’s a complete marketing engine for your blog posts as well, allowing you to advance-schedule tweets and social posts promoting your content as you’re publishing your post. It’s also is a great tool to collaborate over your entire content schedule with your team. CoSchedule is a must-see for any blogger.

Google Docs

This is the distraction-free word processor that I use to write anything. It’s the best and easiest way to write and keep track of my content. And it’s free!

Grammarly

This is spell-check on steroids. Through my browser, anything I write automatically goes through their database of spelling and grammatical checks to make sure I write properly.

The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Using Images on Your Blog

This is a post I wrote with everything you need to know about using images on your website. It’s important to know that you can’t just pull any ol’ image from the internet and use it—you could get in trouble! Read this to stay safe and worry-free.

iStockPhoto

This is where I purchase royalty-free images that I use on my sites. There’s never a shortage of really great images to choose from.

Flickr Creative Commons

This is where you can get free images for your website, but there are some rules that go along with it. Read my Ultimate Guide above to make sure you know how Creative Commons works.

Pat's Step-by-Step How to Start a Podcast Tutorial

Here is my completely free, step-by-step tutorial for starting a podcast. In six videos, I show you everything you need to start a podcast, from gear selection, through recording and editing, to submitting your show into iTunes. Many podcasters have used this tutorial to get their first podcasts on iTunes.

The Smart Podcast Player

This WordPress plugin is one of my own products! Many of your podcast listeners will stream your podcast directly from your website—but most web-based podcast players are dumb. Not the Smart Podcast Player! This player keeps users on your site longer, is better looking, and has better social sharing.

Music Radio Creative

Get high-quality custom intros, outros, and commercials designed for your podcast. You can choose from a wide range of styles and voices. I used Music Radio Creative to design the intro for the AskPat Podcast.

TwentyFourSound

Do you need help with podcast (or other audio) editing? TwentyFourSound can create your podcast intros and outros, as well as help you with your ongoing podcast editing.

ScreenFlow (for Mac users)

This is the screen capture software I rely on to create high quality, cleanly edited tutorial videos. If you’ve watched any of the software walkthroughs on SPI TV, then you’ve seen what Screenflow can do. It’s a great teaching tool.

Camtasia Studio (for PC users)

PC users, this is the screen capture tool for you. It offers many of the same features as Screenflow, but designed for PCs. Use it to create walkthrough videos to teach your audience.

Bamboo Pen and Tablet

This is the pen and tablet I use to make drawing on the screen extremely easy.

SplashEO

This company creates professional intros and outros for your videos. Gideon Shalwick, the owner, is a good friend and I was totally blown away both by the quality and turnaround time.

Canon Rebel T4i

This is the camera I use to record videos on my own. While I always recommend to start shooting video with your smartphone, when you’re ready to upgrade to a DSLR camera, this is a great choice. I like the auto-focus feature (in video mode while recording, which is rare), and the flip out screen so you can see yourself and make sure you’re where you want to be on screen.

DIY Video Guide

My videographer, Caleb Wojcik, has created a comprehensive guide to shooting your own video. His instructions are clear and easy to follow. I rely on Caleb for help with all my questions about video.

Gear for Live Streaming

Whether it’s Periscope, Facebook Live, or something else you’re doing live, here’s the gear you can use to make it easy, and make it look GREAT!

Dropbox

Dropbox not only allows you to safely and securely storage your business files, but, if you’re working with other people, it makes it easy for you to collaborate on shared documents. The basic plan is free.

LeadPages

LeadPages is by far my favorite tool for creating high-quality landing pages quickly and easily.

LeadPages helps you convert viewers into subscribers or buyers. Best of all, it works both with WordPress and non-WordPress sites.

I highly recommend using LeadPages for your first info product.

SamCart

SamCart is the easiest to use shopping cart you can use to sell your online products. From courses to eBooks and more, SamCart has amazing features such as sales page templates for easy setup, 1-click upsells, and more! I’m also an advisor for the company, so it definitely has the Pat Flynn stamp of approval!

Click the link for an exclusive 60-Day Free Trial to SamCart!

Gumroad

This is my favorite digital product distribution system. On my niche site FoodTruckr.com, I use Gumroad to manage both the sale and distribution of my digital guides.

Gumroad is highly focused on providing a good experience, both for you and your customers. Their affiliate program rocks too.

Paypal

Paypal is just okay as a solution for selling products, but you’ll need to create an account in order to receive payments from the previously mentioned shopping carts.

Google Adsense

Make money by placing relevant ads on your website, generated from advertisers using Google Adwords. This is free to use, but you have to register for an account.

Google Adwords

If you want to begin advertising on Google, use Adwords to select keywords and locations, and then pay each time someone clicks on your advertisement.

Facebook Ads for Newbies

Rick Mulready is a genius when it comes to Facebook advertising. I highly recommend his Facebook Ads for Newbies course, which will help you create killer Facebook ads on less than $10 per day!

Deadline Funnel

Deadline Funnel gives you a way to automate your business marketing funnel by giving each prospect a unique and authentic deadline so they have a valid reason to buy—and buy now!

ConvertKit

ConvertKit is a powerful email marketing platform that does a tremendous job of automating processes in email list management, allowing me to focus my efforts elsewhere while it hums along beautifully.

How to Launch a Website

Get ready for your ultimate guide to launching a brand new website for your business! I wrote this article to help you tackle all the things you need to know to launch a website, from setting goals to creating your pre-launch buzz.

How to Not be a Newbie Blogger

Even if you are a newbie blogger, in this article I’ll show you how not to be one—from creating a professional website domain name to formatting your blog posts to adding video and everything in between.

How to Write a Book

In my very first episode of SPI TV, I covered How to Write a Book: The Secret to a Super Fast First Draft. If you’re anything like me, you have an idea for a book but you just can’t seem to get started. I’ll show you how you can write a book—and fast!

SumoMe

From the creative minds of AppSumo comes an amazing suite of free tools to help grow your blog and increase traffic. Over 10,000 blogs (and counting!) use these free tools.

LeadPages

I know that I also listed LeadPages with the launch tools, but LeadPages is also a great tool for growth. LeadPages helps you convert viewers into subscribers or buyers. Best of all, LeadPages works both with WordPress and non-WordPress sites.

Click here for a free webinar replay that demos the software and shares tips to help you grow your email list rapidly.

Typeform

Typeform is an excellent tool for creating surveys and forms to embed on your website. I use Typeform to power my contact page. It’s as easy to use as Google Forms—but it’s much prettier. Their free plan is pretty powerful, and you can unlock additional features (like skip logic) with a paid plan.

THE Backlinking Strategy That Works

One of my most popular posts, which goes into detail about my backlinking strategy and how I was able to climb a brand new niche site to number one in Google. This is an up-to-date version (2014) of one that was originally written in 2010.

WebinarNinja

I am a huge fan of WebinarNinja, the best tool for running webinars for your business. If you aren’t using webinars, you should. They are powerful means to promote your business. And be sure to check out my WebinarNinja Demo in SPI TV Ep. 49!

How to Master a Webinar

On SPI Session #29, I invited the webinar master, Lewis Howes, onto the show to discuss how you can conduct (and master) a webinar. Lewis will guide you through all the webinar tricks, tips, and techniques you can use to really make webinars worthwhile for  your business.

3-Part Video Series

There are many ways you can promote your business. One of them has been tested and honed by one of the greats, Amy Porterfield. On SPI Session #137, Amy explained how you can promote a product launch with a 3-part video series!

Secrets of a Successful Product Launch

On SPI Session #170, Ramit Sethi is back again to give you the secrets you need to know to launch a successful product, from the dos and don’ts of preparing your launch to generating maximum profit and impact on your launch.

SEO Keyword Ranking

This is an excellent tool to keep track of the keywords you’re working on. It has an easy-to-use interface perfect for beginners.

Long Tail Pro

This top-of-the-line keyword research tool is the one I recommend for anyone new to keyword research. Many SPI users have told me that it’s more user-friendly than Market Samurai. I’ve tested it myself, and it’s hard to disagree.

I’ve interviewed the owner, Spencer Haws, on Episode 66 of the SPI Podcast. He’s a great guy who is always looking to improve this piece of software for his users.

Click this link to get a special discount off the regular price!

Upwork

Formed by the merger of Elance and oDesk, Upwork connects you with freelance writers, programmers, and web designers around the world.

Virtual Staff Finder

Virtual Staff Finder is the best and quickest headhunter service on the web if you’re looking for high-quality virtual assistants (VAs). It’s run by my buddy, Chris Ducker, and I highly recommend it.

WP Curve

If you run your website on WordPress, WP Curve is a lifesaver. By signing up, you’ll have instant access to thousands of WordPress developers who can help you with boosting your web presence, increasing your search engine traffic, and more.

System.ly

System.ly is a great tool that enables you to scale your business faster with proven marketing automation systems. Try a free consultation!

Deadline Funnel

Deadline Funnel makes it possible for you to create real-life urgency and scarcity for your potential customers.

Rev

Rev is a quick and simple-to-use transcription service I’ve used for my podcasts and videos. It’s pretty inexpensive too.

Succession Planning Essentials for “Solo Entrepreneurs”

This is a guest post that shows you how to plan for your business’s future. What would happen to my online business if I died?

Life Insurance Essentials for Businesses

This post covers the ins and outs of life insurance for business owners, including how to protect your family with life insurance as well as protect your business in the event of an unexpected death of a key employee or partner. Chris Huntley is my personal life insurance agent.