The Solopreneur: He Makes $1.7M With 0 Employees

Summary

Justin, a successful solo entrepreneur, shares his journey of building a $1.7 million business with no employees, relying solely on knowledge-based products. His business revolves around online courses, a high-performing newsletter, and subscription email content. He reveals his marketing strategy, focusing on organic social media growth through Twitter and LinkedIn, and offers insights into creating valuable content. Justin emphasizes the importance of starting, experimenting, and learning through trial and error. With a lean approach, using minimal software tools, he explains how small steps and consistency led to his rapid growth, offering advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Justin built his online business to $1.7 million a year working only 5 hours a day, with no employees.
• 😀 He runs his entire business on a budget of less than $700 a month, primarily investing in software and tools.
• 😀 Justin’s business focuses on knowledge entrepreneurship, offering online courses, newsletters, and subscription emails.
• 😀 Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are key drivers for Justin’s marketing strategy.
• 😀 By consistently creating content on multiple platforms, Justin has built a large following, leading to significant sales.
• 😀 His business model involves offering value through content and then presenting affordable, non-aggressive offers.
• 😀 Tools and systems like Kajabi, Trello, Notion, and publishing tools are crucial to maintaining organization and content creation.
• 😀 Justin's journey from a high-stress tech career to becoming an entrepreneur was marked by a serious panic attack that led him to quit his job.
• 😀 He’s never run paid ads and rarely works with freelancers or contractors, focusing mainly on content creation.
• 😀 To generate new content ideas, Justin leverages aggregator newsletters, popular YouTube videos, and ideas from various media.
• 😀 He emphasizes the importance of starting and learning by doing, rather than overthinking the process or waiting for perfection.

Q & A

How did Justin build his business to $1.7 million in revenue with no employees?

Justin built his business by focusing on content-driven strategies. He leveraged social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, consistently posting to build an audience. His content is educational, and he offers online courses, a newsletter, and a subscription email. By generating trust with his audience and offering valuable products, he has turned his business into a multi-million dollar venture without any employees.

What is the main way Justin makes money through his business?

Justin primarily makes money through selling online courses on topics like how to use LinkedIn to build a business and how to create a content system. Additionally, he monetizes a newsletter with nearly 100,000 subscribers by selling sponsorships and offers a subscription email with copywriting techniques.

What tools and systems does Justin use to manage his business solo?

Justin uses a range of tools to manage his business efficiently. Some of the key tools include Kajabi for marketing and website management, publishing tools like Hype Furious, and organizational tools such as Notion and Trello to keep track of ideas and move projects forward.

Why did Justin leave his job in the tech industry to start his own business?

Justin left his job due to burnout from the high stress and anxiety of working in a demanding tech company. After experiencing a panic attack in 2018, he decided to shift to building his own online business, which allowed him to regain control over his life and work on something he was passionate about.

How does Justin manage his marketing strategy with social media?

Justin's marketing strategy revolves around being present on two platforms, LinkedIn and Twitter, posting two to three times a day. He focuses on Discovery (getting discovered by new people), Trust (building trust through longer-form content), and Expertise/Authority (providing value through his newsletter and articles), before presenting an offer. His approach is straightforward and non-aggressive.

What is the typical structure of a day in Justin's life?

Justin's day is regimented. He wakes up early, engages with his social media audience, and posts content. Afterward, he spends time at the gym, and his creative work begins around noon or 1 p.m. Each day is focused on specific tasks like writing newsletters, creating content, or working on strategic projects, with Fridays dedicated to meeting new people and brainstorming.

How does Justin come up with so many content ideas?

Justin draws content ideas from various sources, such as aggregator newsletters, YouTube channels, and podcasts. He also takes inspiration from popular videos and topics in his industry, putting his unique spin on them. He keeps track of new ideas through his phone and remains open to inspiration from everyday situations.

What advice does Justin have for those wanting to build an online business like his?

Justin advises aspiring entrepreneurs to first identify something they love and are competent in. The most important step is to start—engage with an audience online, share your journey, and learn by doing. He emphasizes that practical experience will teach far more than reading or listening to advice.

What is the role of content in Justin's business model?

Content is the core of Justin's business. He uses it to build trust and authority with his audience, which ultimately drives sales. His content includes daily posts, a weekly newsletter, and longer-form articles, which lead to customer engagement and the promotion of his products.

What is Justin's stance on using paid advertising to grow his business?

Justin does not use paid ads in his business. Instead, he focuses on organic growth through content and social media engagement. His approach has been to rely on building a strong following through valuable content and trust-building rather than spending money on advertisements.