The Startup Ideas Podcast

Join us for an engaging conversation with Cody Schneider, Co-founder of Swell AI, as we explore a wide range of startup ideas and business opportunities. In this episode, we dive into the potential of LinkedIn short-form video agencies, SaaS startup opportunities, and why AI graphic designer can be huge. Cody shares his insights on why building an audience is crucial for any founder's success. Whether you're aiming to launch your first million-dollar business or are curious about cutting-edge entrepreneurial strategies, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration. Don’t miss this essential guide to launching a successful startup!

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: gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

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Episode Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
06:17 Startup Idea 1: LinkedIn Short Form Video Agency
16:34 Startup Idea 2: Automation Agency
22:52 Startup Idea 3: AI Graphic Designer
29:32 Startup Idea 4: Newsletter in a Box
36:12 Startup Idea 5: Youtube Thumbnail Builder/Directory
45:34 Startup Idea 6: Content as a Service

50:10 Startup Idea 7: Canva Subtitler

52:59 Startup Idea 8: Airline Deals Aggregator

1:00:05 Startup Idea 9: Quickbooks for specific niche

1:07:47 The Goal of SIP

1:11:50 The Power of the Internet

1:16:26 High level Content Strategy

Today, Greg is joined by Michael Karnjanaprakorn, the founder of Skillshare and Otis. He's now taking time off to think and write about life, money and personal holding companies. In this episode, Greg and Mike talk about the thing Mike is *most* uncomfortable talking about: money.

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LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Production Team: https://www.bigoceanpodcasting.com

Michael Karnjanaprakorn: https://twitter.com/mikekarnj

SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
1:12 - How much money does it take to be wealthy?
17:43 - The business of being a content creator
19:51 - How to choose a niche
31:00 - An argument for Personal Holding Companies
45:38 - Michael Karnjanaprakorn peers into the crystal ball

Are you trying to grow your side project from hobby to profession? In today’s episode we examine how building has changed in 2022, share why so many entrepreneurs fall into the same trap, and divulge the secret to scaling a profitable business without VC funding. Hosts Sahil Bloom and Greg Isenberg are joined by guest Noah Kagan, CEO and founder of AppSumo, who was able to build his company with negative Net Working Capital. Noah shares the critical mistakes that led him to succeed, offers insights into where the next era of entrepreneurs will come from, and explains why everyone needs a personal “council of wise men.”

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

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THIS EPISODE

Noah Kagan: https://twitter.com/noahkagan

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Join me as I chat with Dr. Tyler Lemco, known for co-founding Epic Mealtime (600M+ views), where we discuss strategies for building an internet audience from scratch. The conversation covers practical advice for content creators, including bio optimization, platform selection, and content strategy. We explore the balance between algorithmic success and authentic content creation, while emphasizing the importance of starting small and scaling gradually.

Episode Timestamps:
• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:54 - Transitioning from Creative for Hire to Solopreneur
• 07:29 - AI as a Thinking Partner
• 09:03 - How to position yourself within your niche
• 14:22 - Crafting a Compelling Bio
• 26:28 - YouTube Growth Strategies
• 41:30 - AI Tools for Content Production

Key Points:
• Transitioning from being a creative-for-hire to building your own audience
• Framework for effective content creation and social media growth
• Importance of platform focus and consistency in content creation
• Strategy for building audience before community before product

Content Strategy Framework:

1. Pick a platform to focus on
2. Identify what you love doing
3. Study what algorithms favor
4. Find gaps in your niche
5. Commit to consistency

Platform-Specific Insights:
• YouTube Shorts: Good for subscriber growth, lower monetization
• Long-form content: Best for overall revenue and engagement
• Live streams: Excellent for community building, poor for new audience growth

Key Takeaways:
• Start fresh when pivoting content direction
• Focus on audience building before community development
• Test and iterate content strategy
• Be willing to experiment publicly
• Utilize AI tools like Descript for content production

1) The Creative-for-Hire Trap

• Good money but no equity upside
• Easy to get stuck helping others win
• Key is transitioning to building YOUR OWN assets
• Start small, think big

2) Framework for Content That Works:

• Pick ONE platform to focus on (seriously)
• Do what you genuinely love creating
• Study what algorithms reward
• Fill gaps in your niche
• Commit to consistency

3) The YouTube Revenue Reality:

• Shorts: 3M views = $418 (+12k subs)
• Long-form: 1.3M views = $13,580
• Livestreams: 100k views = $1,926

Strategy: Use shorts for growth, long-form for revenue

4) The ABC Growth Framework:

A) Build an Audience first
B) Convert to Community
C) Create Products/Services

Don't try all at once. Master each phase!

5) Social Bio Formula:

• Show Credibility
• Create Intrigue
• Clear Value Prop

Pro tip: Write for non-followers, not existing ones

6) Starting Fresh vs Legacy Account:

• 94 engaged followers is better than 31,000 dead ones
• Algorithm favors engagement %
• Don't let ego stop you from starting over
• Fresh start = clean slate

7) Content Market Fit Truth:

• Takes 6-24 months to find
• Must experiment publicly
• Embrace the uncomfortable
• Better to ship than perfect

Bonus: For creators starting out - just START. You figure it out by doing, not planning.

The only difference between launching and not launching is deciding you've launched.

Notable Quotes:
"The goal of every solopreneur should be to not be a solopreneur." - Greg
"The only difference between launching and not launching is deciding that you've launched." - Tyler Lemco

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

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products 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 http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses [https://www.startupempire.co](https://www.startupempire.co/)

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Join me as I chat with Niels Klement, CMO of Perspective, we discuss how agencies are building highly profitable productized services using AI. He explains that the most successful approach involves focusing on a specific industry niche, creating a repeatable funnel template that delivers consistent results, and using AI to automate fulfillment. The discussion covers funnel optimization techniques, the importance of mobile-first design, and how interactive elements like quizzes significantly improve conversion rates.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:44 - Overview of productized services and funnel building
03:21 - How to build a niche-focused service
07:59 - Implementation of funnel templates and ads
11:10 - Funnel Strategies in 2025
14:43 - How to make a great VSL
18:54 - Funnel Strategies in 2025 pt2
21:05 - Where to use funnels
23:51 - Demonstration of Perspective funnel building
29:48 - Using funnels to validate startup ideas

Build your next sales funnel: https://try.perspective.co/4i8i3dkviavy

Key Points:

• Agencies are building highly profitable productized services ($10K-100K/month) by focusing on specific niches and using AI and funnel tools like Perspective
• The most successful agencies target industries that aren't tech-savvy and focus on business-critical services like recruiting and lead generation
• High-converting funnels use interactive elements, personalization, and quiz formats to achieve 26-28% conversion rates on cold traffic
• AI can automate much of the service delivery, allowing small teams or solo founders to scale to significant revenue

1) The Productized Service Revolution

Agencies are shifting from service-heavy to product-heavy models using AI + automation.

Some are scaling to $1M/MONTH with 80% profit margins by:
• Targeting specific niches (bakeries, lawyers, etc)
• Delivering business-critical results
• Using ONE killer funnel template

The best part? You can run this with just 1-2 freelancers + AI agents.

2) The Two Most Profitable Service Models

Across thousands of agencies using Perspective, two business models consistently outperform:

A) RECRUITING FUNNELS
Help businesses find talent through automated systems

B) LEAD GENERATION FUNNELS
Deliver qualified prospects to businesses

3) The "One Funnel, Sell Twice" Strategy

The most successful agencies:

• Pick ONE industry (preferably not tech-savvy)
• Create ONE funnel template that delivers results
• Use AI to customize it for each client
• Automate fulfillment with AI agents

Top agencies in Perspective convert at 26-28% on COLD traffic!

4) What Makes High-Converting Funnels Work?

The best performing funnels focus on:

• SPEED: Pages loading less than 1 second convert 2.5X better
• INTERACTIVITY: Quiz elements that create engagement
• PERSONALIZATION: Tailoring content based on responses
• CONSISTENCY: Matching ad messaging to landing page

These elements create a "dopamine hit" similar to social feeds.

5) The VSL (Video Sales Letter) Framework

For creating high-converting video content:

• Focus intensely on the HOOK (first 5 seconds)
• Provide genuine EDUCATION and value
• Show PROOF that builds credibility
• Create a natural progression to the OFFER

6) How To Build Your First Funnel

The process is simpler than you think:

1. Start with a mobile-first approach (95% of paid social traffic is mobile)
2. Use quiz elements to qualify leads
3. Personalize follow-up based on responses
4. A/B test continuously (Perspective makes this easy)

7) The Startup Validation Strategy

1. Build an audience on social
2. Create a funnel to test messaging
3. Send organic traffic to validate
4. Collect quiz data to understand pain points
5. THEN build your product

KEY TAKEAWAY:

The future of services is PRODUCTIZED.

With tools like Perspective + AI, you can build a highly profitable, low-overhead business by:
• Focusing on one niche
• Delivering one critical result
• Using one killer funnel
• Automating with AI

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products 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 http://boringmarketing.com/

Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co

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