The Startup Ideas Podcast

Will the Metaverse replace the internet? Today's guest brings in a diverse background at the intersection of technology, society, and creativity to help us answer this question and sort the signal from the noise. In this episode, we explore the secret to success, examine how the Metaverse will revolutionize the world, and predict just how this new world will look. Host Sahil Bloom is joined by guest Matthew Ball; the CEO of Epyllion, a managing partner at Ball Metaverse Research, and a thought leader on all things Metaverse. Matthew explains why the worlds smartest are building in Meta, shares what he looks at for investments and founders, and divulges secrets from his new book “The Metaverse: And How it Will Revolutionize the World.”

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THIS EPISODE

Matthew Ball: https://twitter.com/ballmatthew

Sahil Bloom: https://twitter.com/SahilBloom

Production & Marketing Team: https://penname.co/

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Why are you waiting to build your community? In today's episode, we explain why the time is now to start creating, share the five tests to prove community exists, share how to have community members engage with one another, and so much more. Hosts Sahil Bloom & Greg Isenberg, are joined by Natalie Ellis, a self-taught entrepreneur who bootstrapped her way to a community-based company that generates over $6 million per year in recurring revenue. You won't want to miss this episode.

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►► This episode is brought to you by Retool https://retool.com/

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LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:

Natalie Ellis: https://twitter.com/natalieellis91

Sahil Bloom: https://twitter.com/SahilBloom

Greg Isenberg: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Production & Marketing Team: https://penname.co/

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Web: https://trwih.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aB0v6amo3a8hgTCjlTlvh

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-it-happens/id1593424985

SHOW NOTES

00:00 Sneak Peek

00:57 Loving Cold Exposure

05:36 Why Start-Ups are like Ice baths

07:30 Natalie’s First “Little” Business

13:57 Creating Products from Community

17:47 Community VS Audience

23:05 Generating Engagement & Creating Culture

28:40 The Messy Middle

37:50 Content to Grow, Build, or Sell

41:00 Optimizing Funnels and Adding Value

46:46 Building and Safeguarding the BossBabe Brand

54:05 The Laws for Community Building

58:50 Finding Natalie Ellis

1:00:42 Thanks for Listening

Join us for a jam session where I break down several startup ideas from the SIP community. I’ll share my insights on why these ideas are promising or problematic, and reveal the frameworks and strategies I’d use to grow these businesses. In this episode, we explore diverse opportunities, including affiliate websites, loyalty programs, DTC brands, and more. Discover the evaluation techniques and growth strategies that can help you build your next successful startup. Whether you're aiming to launch your first million-dollar business or are interested in entrepreneurial tactics, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration. Don’t miss this essential guide to launching a thriving startup!

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Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
01:25 First business: Newsletter focused on summarizing scientific journals
08:38 Second business: Loyalty program for gamers
11:48 Third business: Carnivore snacks DTC brand
15:29 Fourth business: Content website for plugs and adaptors
17:56 Fifth business: Newsletter focused on QSBS and 83b startups
19:41 Sixth business: Fantasy League for real-life physical activities

In the first episode of Where It Happens, Howard Lindzon (@howardlindzon) -- the man behind StockTwits and early Robinhood investor -- helps us rethink the financial industry, places big bets on Web3, and presents a new way to think about investing. And, hosts Sahil Bloom (@sahilbloom) and Greg Isenberg (@gregisenberg) provide the Where It Happens community with a task that kept Greg up all night.

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Special thanks to our sponsors Mercury and AppSumo.

Join me as I chat with John Rush, a serial entrepreneur, as we dive deep into how to build and scale directories. John shares his strategies and frameworks to for how to use AI and SEO to build and scale cash flowing directories.

Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:12 Why directories
02:59 How to find directory ideas
08:43 Building your directory
19:47 Promoting your new directory:
23:27 SEO for Directory
29:53 Data/Content for Directory
34:25 How to monetize Directory
42:29 What are the multiples for Directory
45:20 How large can a directory became

1) Why directories are hot right now:
• More content online = higher need for curation
• People trust well-curated directories
• Less SEO competition than other niches

2) How to find directory ideas:
• Use Google Keyword Planner
• Look for high search volume, low competition keywords
• Find available domain names that match or are close to target keywords

3) Building your directory:
• Use no-code tools (like Unicorn Platform) for speed
• Start simple - focus on listing items, not features
• Use AI to generate initial content and structure

4) Promoting your new directory:
• Share on relevant Reddit threads (carefully!)
• List your directory in other directories
• Engage on social media, especially Twitter
• Focus on SEO after initial validation

5) SEO strategy for directories:
• Start with ~10 high-quality articles
• Use tools or AI to generate SEO-optimized content
• Focus on internal linking and site structure
• Add trending items quickly to capture search traffic

6) Monetization strategies:
• B2B sponsorships and featured listings
• Affiliate links (especially for high-ticket items)
• Sell anonymized data or insights
• Charge for premium listings or access
• Brand sponsorships for established directories

7) The power of directories for SaaS:
• Easier to win SEO traffic than direct SaaS marketing
• Use directories to funnel traffic to your main product
• Consider buying relevant directories for instant traffic

8) Realistic expectations:
• $5K MRR achievable as a side project
• Up to $20K MRR with focused effort
• Million-dollar potential exists (but rare)

9) Why start with directories:
• Lower failure rate than SaaS
• Faster dopamine hits (traffic, first sale)
• Great way to learn digital product development

Pro Tip: Don't fall in love with one idea. Launch multiple directories, see what sticks after 30 days, then double down on winners!

Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)

Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

Work with me and my team: LCA — world’s best product design firm to build apps, websites and brands people love. https://latecheckout.agency

BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/

BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers [BoringMarketing.com](http://boringmarketing.com/)

Community Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses http://communityempire.co/

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John’s directory guide: https://johnrush.me/directory-guide/