Work Less, Earn More

I put all my effort into building an amazing course and thought that alone would be enough. Well, it wasn't- and it cost me a year or two of spinning my wheels before anything sold. In this episode, I'm breaking down everything I wish I knew before I ever tried to sell an online course. After almost ten years of doing this (eight of them actually profitable), I've learned the hard way what makes some courses actually sell while others just sit there. This one's for anyone who has an online course idea, is building one right now, or already has one that isn't converting the way they hoped. In This Episode, I Cover: Why a great course is almost never enough to make it sell on its own The real reason people buy a course (and it's NOT the content inside it) Why cramming in more modules and bonuses usually backfires Why pricing based on your hours of video is quietly costing you money The uncomfortable truth about giving away your best material for free Why your first launch is guaranteed to teach you more than it earns you The one thing that can quietly wipe out your course business's profit margins FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: Free Audio Course ($100K Method): https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Small Business 101 (Free Course): https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Work with Gillian Perkins: $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Connect with Gillian: Website: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianzperkins/ Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram Stories, and tag @gillianzperkins — I love seeing which lessons resonate most. Until next week — stay focused and take action.

In this episode, podcast coach and God-Led Business host Stefanie Gass joins me for an honest, unscripted conversation about the changes we've each made in our businesses over the last year - new platforms, overhauled teams, and product lines we simplified (or didn't, lol). If you're running an online business and wondering whether it's time to shake something up, this one is for you. In This Episode, I Cover: Why Stefanie added YouTube after years of podcast-only growth, and what changed when she did The real reason we both overstaffed our teams, and how we knew it was time to cut Why offering a cheap "dip your toes in" option is quietly costing you sales What happened when Stefanie stopped niching down on a specific topic... and let faith lead her content instead The unstructured, no-slide format that still converts better than anything polished How to know when one product has earned the right to become your whole business Stefanie's Free Podcast Bootcamp: 5-Day Profitable Podcast Bootcamp, free with code GILLIAN: https://stefaniegass.com/gifts Listen to God-Led Business: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-led-business-make-money-online-work-from-home-passive/id1437868374 Gillian's free $100K Method audio course: https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Connect with Gillian: Website: https://gillianperkins.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gillianzperkins Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianzperkins/ Connect with Stefanie: Website: https://stefaniegass.com Instagram: instagram.com/stefaniegass Screenshot this episode and share it to your Instagram Stories - tag @gillianzperkins so I can see it. Until next week - stay focused and take action.

This week I'm breaking down a policy change YouTube announced a few weeks ago that's about to reshape how every creator reads their own analytics. It's a quick, practical episode for anyone who publishes on YouTube - or watches their view count as a signal of how they're doing. In This Episode, I Cover: Why YouTube changed how Shorts views were counted a year before this update What actually counts as a "view" starting August 24, 2026 Where your old, more honest view count is still hiding in your analytics Whether this change touches your monetization or Partner Program status Why I still don't care about a view under three seconds long Which channels are about to see the biggest (and smallest) jumps Free Resources to Grow Your Online Business: Early Access - Why Your Audience Isn't Growing: https://www.gillianperkins.com/early-access $100K Method (free audio course): https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Small Business 101 (free course): https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Work with Gillian Perkins: Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Connect with Gillian: Website: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Screenshot this episode and share it to Instagram Stories - tag @gillianzperkins so I can see it. Until next week - stay focused and take action.

Everyone's using AI to make more content, but Kimberly Ann Jimenez has taken a different path - she used it to rebuild how her entire business runs, and now she does more in half the time with a smaller team than ever. Today I'm sitting down with Kimberly to talk about her AI strategies and systems. She’s the COO of The Business Lounge and a woman who's spent about a decade helping service providers, coaches, and small business owners turn their content into consistent customers. We get into how AI has shifted buyer behavior, what people still need from real humans in an AI world, and - my favorite part - exactly how she built a team of AI "thought partners" and agents that know her business, her offers, and her voice. In This Episode, We Cover: From accidental entrepreneur to CMO - how Kimberly went from a background in academia (and zero interest in business) to managing over 100 social media channels and a multi-seven-figure ad budget in corporate, then building her own company with her husband Chris Why she scaled down on purpose - how her core community grew to serve over 10,000 people, and why she moved from "really large" to a more boutique, three-tier model (community, small-group coaching, and just four one-on-one seats a year) How the buyer changed after COVID and after ChatGPT - the three waves she watched play out: wanting more one-on-one connection, growing more sophisticated, and now craving in-person, "look over my shoulder" access - plus why old-school tactics like Facebook ads are trending back in a "throwback season" Information overload vs. the age of insight - why long-form podcasts and deep content are winning, and why AI's confident-but-wrong answers are sending clients back to real experts (one client burned $1,000 on a Gemini-built Facebook ad plan before Kimberly's team fixed it) Her AI "thought partners" - how every team member has a trained Claude project (named Rosalina, Edie, Harvest) tied to a central knowledge hub in ClickUp, so the whole team stays in sync through "context handoffs" 3 files that instantly upgrade your AI - the ideal client avatar, your offers, and your goals. Keep your conversations inside one project with these three files and, in Kimberly's experience with clients, results improve by at least 50% 3 simple agents to start with - an inbox agent (turned her 2-hour email slog into 5 minutes), a podcast/content research agent (Google Trends + VidIQ), and a lead-research agent that briefs her on new leads before she reaches out Connect with Kimberly Ann Jimenez: 📺 YouTube - Kimberly Ann Jimenez: https://www.youtube.com/@KimJimenez 🎙️ The Business Lounge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-lounge-podcast-with-kim-chris/id1207088296 📲 Instagram: @kimannjimenez Work with Gillian Perkins: 👉 Startup Society membership: https://gillianperkins.com/join-startup-society FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: 🎧 Free audio course - The $100K Method: https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup 📚 Free course - Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Connect with Gillian: 🌐 https://gillianperkins.com 📺 https://youtube.com/gillianperkinsonline/ 📲 Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Screenshot this episode, share to Instagram Stories, and tag @gillianzperkins - I'd love to see you listening! Until next week - stay focused and take action.

What if you could reclaim 10+ hours a week without working harder, waking up earlier, or finally finding the perfect productivity system? Grab my free 10-episode series, The $100K Method, for the systems that let me build a business that doesn't need me in every corner of it: https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Delegation sounds simple: hire help, hand things off, get your time back. In reality, it often creates more questions and more management, unless you build the right structure around it. This week I'm joined by Gina Cotner, founder and CEO of Athena Executive Services, one of the top US-based executive assistant agencies. Gina's spent the last decade pairing highly skilled EAs with busy founders and executives, and she doesn't just treat delegation as an outsourcing task. She teaches leaders how to build trust, transfer real ownership, and create accountability so their business runs better without them doing everything. In This Episode, I Cover: Why delegating a task doesn't automatically buy you your time back The one habit that turns a hire into a task-doer instead of a real partner Why the first 30 days with a new hire matter more than any month after The exact three questions Gina uses to hand off a project and make it truly theirs What a US-based executive assistant actually costs, and how that compares to overseas VAs and solo freelancers How to tell early whether you've hired the wrong person for the role Special Offer for Work Less, Earn More Listeners Receive 5 free hours of service added to your first full month of work with Athena Executive Services (AES) — a $275 value! Just mention this offer during your first call with them. Connect with Gina Cotner: Website: https://www.athenaexecutiveservices.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/athenaea/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aes_executive_assistants Grow Your Online Business: Free training, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ The $100K Method (free 10-episode podcast series): https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Connect with Gillian: Website: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

If your launches have been underperforming, the problem probably isn't your offer — it's the strategy around it. Today I'm sitting down with Shannon Matson, founder of The Social Bungalow and former corporate VP of marketing, to talk about what's actually working in online business launches right now. Shannon has built an eight-figure business helping online entrepreneurs build a signature offer and sell it consistently. In this conversation, she breaks down the exact launch framework she's using today, why the old playbook isn't cutting it anymore, and the subtle mindset shift that makes buyers feel like they came to the decision, rather than being sold to you. In This Episode, We Cover: The Double Milestone Approach: How Shannon structures a private podcast + live event sequence to warm and pre-sell audiences before cart ever opens, and why it converts so much better than a cold webinar Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation: Why flipping the 80/20 ratio (less urgency, more conviction) is the key to lower refunds and higher referrals Low-ticket self-liquidating offers: How Shannon uses a paid asynchronous product between launches to build a pool of buyers (not just subscribers), and why a price tag actually increases conversion into the main offer The deposit + bonus month structure: A specific payment plan design that reduces buyer friction, increases completion rates, and builds in a natural renewal conversation The Popcorn Theory: Why most business owners quietly run out of new customers and don't notice until it's too late, and what to do about it (hint: it's not more Instagram content) Connect with Shannon Matson: Free private podcast WTF Is Happening in the Online Space : https://thesocialbungalow.com/wtf-is-happening-online Instagram: @thesocialbungalow FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: Is your online business making as much as you hoped it would? If not, listen to my free private podcast series Stuck at Zero: Why Your Online Business Isn’t Making Any Money (And What to Do About It) https://gillianperkins.com/stuck Connect with Gillian: 🌐 https://gillianperkins.com 📺 https://youtube.com/gillianperkinsonline/ 📲 Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Screenshot this episode, share to Instagram Stories, and tag @gillianzperkins — I'd love to see you listening! Until next week — stay focused and take action.

In this episode, I'm telling the full story of how one $27 live class turned into a $100,000/year business, and breaking down the exact process I'd recommend if you want to do the same with your own idea. In This Episode, I Cover: Why testing beats planning when you're picking your first product idea The exact 3-email sequence that got 50 signups with barely any audience The relaunch move that keeps momentum building instead of fading out Why raising your price sends the opposite signal of what you'd expect The 10-step framework for building a six-figure digital product from scratch Work with Gillian Perkins: Free podcast series, The $100K Method (10 episodes on building an evergreen sales funnel): https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: 3 Secrets to Reach 1,000 Subscribers and Get Monetized in Just 3 Months (free workshop): https://creatorfasttrack.com/workshop-registration Small Business 101 (free course): https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Connect with Gillian: Website: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianzperkins/ Until next week - stay focused and take action.

Wondering which funnel platform to finally commit to - ClickFunnels, Kajabi, GoHighLevel? Before you pull out your credit card, listen to this. 👉Grab my free $100K Method audio course here: https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup After nine years and just about every funnel setup you can imagine, I've landed somewhere that surprises most people: you almost certainly don't need funnel software at all. In this episode I walk through what a sales funnel actually is, the few tools you genuinely need to build one, and why the "convenient" all-in-one platforms usually cost you more money and more time than they save. In This Episode, I Cover: The wrong question - why "what's the best funnel software?" sends most business owners down the wrong patWhat a sales funnel actually is - the simple path every customer walks, from discovery to checkout The tools you really need - a website, email marketing, a way to host live events, and a payment processor (and that's it) The two-tool trick - why an all-in-one platform is really only replacing your website and your email software What I actually use - Squarespace, Kit, and the cheaper alternatives worth knowing about Free ways to start - the indefinite free plans on Kit and MailerLite, up to 10,000 and 2,000 subscribers The thing that actually matters - why your strategy, not your software, decides how profitable your funnel is Work with Gillian Perkins: $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: The $100K Method (free audio course): https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Small Business 101 (free training): https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Connect with Gillian: Website: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram Stories, and tag @gillianzperkins. Until next week - stay focused and take action.

Work with Gillian Perkins: 👉 Apply for 1:1 coaching to grow your audience past 5,000 followers in 6 months: https://gillianperkins.com/apply-to-grow Everyone repeats the same advice: just be consistent and everything will click. I followed it for 2 years - posting as consistently as I could - and at the end of it my audience had barely grown and I wasn't making any real money. Sound familiar? In this episode I want to take the pressure off and tell you the truth about consistency. It's not that you're lazy, undisciplined, or somehow broken. It's that consistency on its own was never the thing that grows an audience. Being consistent with a strategy that isn't working just helps you waste time faster. What actually changes everything is having a strategy you're confident in - because once you believe it's going to pay off, showing up every week stops being a fight. In This Episode, I Cover: The consistency trap: why "try harder and just show up" quietly costs creators years, and how I lost 2 years to it myself The 3 most common reasons your content isn't growing: you're not actually being consistent, you're picking topics that aren't popular enough, or the quality isn't high enough yet Confidence over willpower: how belief in your strategy makes consistency almost automatic (even when you're traveling or sick) My 18-month experiment: the break I took to study YouTube like a scientist, analyzing thousands of channels to find what actually predicts growth What to do instead: stop muscling through, start experimenting, then double down on what's actually producing results Work with Gillian Perkins : 👉 Apply for 1:1 coaching to grow your audience past 5,000 followers in 6 months: https://gillianperkins.com/apply-to-grow FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: 🎧 Free audio course: Stuck at Zero - https://gillianperkins.com/stuck 📚 Free course: Small Business 101 - https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Connect with Gillian: 🌐 https://gillianperkins.com 📺 https://youtube.com/gillianperkinsonline/ 📲 Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Most people hire help too early, delegate the wrong things, and wonder why they're somehow busier than before. I've made every one of those mistakes - so this episode is the conversation I wish I'd heard back when I was hiring my first team members. This one's a little different. My friend Sarah Noked, founder of OBM School , had me on her OBM Show to talk about the client side of a long-term OBM relationship: what actually happens after the honeymoon phase, after the first launch together, after you've handed over real ownership. I've worked with my online business manager, Cortni , for almost eight years now, and I loved the conversation so much I wanted to bring it here to Work Less, Earn More. We get into when you're truly ready to hire an OBM (hint: it's not a revenue number), the difference between hiring help and hiring leadership, and why more time won't save you if nothing in your business is working yet. In this episode, I cover: The real difference between hiring a VA and hiring an OBM The one sign you're actually ready to hire (it's not a revenue number) Why more help won't save a business that isn't working yet What made me pass on the cheaper candidate and never regret it How trust really gets built with an operational leader The work you should never hand off, no matter how busy you are Resources: Get matched with an accredited OBM: https://www.obmschool.com/matchmaking/ Become an accredited OBM: https://www.obmschool.com/gillian-perkins/ Find out more about Sarah: https://www.sarahnoked.com Work with Gillian Perkins: Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com The 100K Method - my free limited podcast series on building an automated sales funnel: https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Is your online business making as much as you hoped it would? If not, listen to my free private podcast series: 👉 Stuck at Zero: Why Your Online Business Isn’t Making Any Money (And What to Do About It) 🔗 https://gillianperkins.com/stuck Most people who are trying to grow their audience aren't failing because they're lazy or untalented. They're failing because of a handful of very specific, very fixable mistakes. In this episode, I break down the five most common ones — and I'll be honest, I've made most of them myself. Whether you're building on YouTube, podcasting, Instagram, or a blog, these patterns show up the same way. And once you can see them, you can fix them. In This Episode, I Cover: Poor packaging: Why the appearance of your content matters more than almost anything else, and what "packaging" actually includes beyond just design Inconsistent output: This isn't just about posting on a schedule; it's about topic, tone, and the experience people expect when they find you Doing too much: How spreading across too many platforms (or producing too much content) dilutes your results and prevents the snowball effect from ever starting Content that's too vague: Why general "success" or "mindset" content struggles to attract subscribers, and how to make your content more specific and sticky Unpopular topics: The balance between being specific and making sure there's actually an audience for what you're talking abou Work with Gillian Perkins: 👉 Build Your Audience Bootcamp (6-month program — join the waitlist!): https://gillianperkins.com/build Startup Society (membership): https://startupsociety.com $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Learn “The $100K Method” with our free audio course - https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup

In today's episode, I’m sharing a conversation with content strategist Jana Osofsky all about how to simplify your content marketing strategy while increasing conversions. Jana explains her “capsule blog library” approach — a system built around creating a small collection of intentional, evergreen content that helps your audience feel ready to buy. We discuss why repetition matters more than constantly creating new content, how to repurpose long-form content effectively, and why blogging can still be one of the most powerful low-lift marketing tools for digital entrepreneurs. Listen to the full episode to hear: Why creating 12–20 intentional blog posts can outperform constantly publishing new content How to repurpose long-form content into emails, social posts, collaborations, and sales assets The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make with content marketing — and what to focus on instead Why repetition and clear messaging help you become known for your expertise faster How creating content helps refine your offers, messaging, and overall business strategy Want to quit your job in the next 6-12 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck! https://gillianperkins.as.me/?appointmentType=57013246 FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: Grab our free course: Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101 Learn “The $100K Method” with our free audio course: https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society : https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Is your online business making as much as you hoped it would? If not, listen to my free private podcast series: 👉 Stuck at Zero: Why Your Online Business Isn’t Making Any Money (And What to Do About It) 🔗 https://gillianperkins.com/stuck Want to grow your business without a massive personal brand or a big ad budget? Chandler Bolt did it — to the tune of $75 million — and in this episode, he breaks down exactly how. Chandler is the founder of Self-Publishing School, which has helped over 7,000 authors publish their books and has done over $75M in gross revenue. His secret? Books and partnerships. In this conversation, he shares the full strategy — including how one book has generated $7 million in the last 12 months alone. Listen to the full episode to hear: Why a book is the new business card — and why giving it away for free actually makes you more money, not less The 5 Ps of the 8-Figure Profit Bridge — Chandler's framework for thinking through every stage of business growth (paying customers → product market fit → profit → people → process) The $6–8M partnership playbook — how Chandler's team does 40–70 speaking events per year and runs webinars with partners to drive the majority of their revenue The 4 Ps of a bestselling book — person, pain, promise, price — and why getting clear on these before you write a single word changes everything The 30-day rough draft challenge — write 1 hour a day for 30 days, and you'll have most of your book done Book vs. paid program — why writing a book on the same topic as your course won't cannibalize sales (book = strategy; program = tactics) Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society : https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Learn “The $100K Method” with our free audio course - https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup

Is your online business making as much as you hoped it would? If not, listen to my free private podcast series: 👉 Stuck at Zero: Why Your Online Business Isn’t Making Any Money (And What to Do About It) 🔗 https://gillianperkins.com/stuck If you've built any kind of following on Instagram — even a small one — you've probably noticed the same pattern: people like your posts, watch your stories, maybe even comment. But when it comes time to sell? Crickets. In this episode, I explain exactly why that's happening and share the strategy I use to bridge the gap between Instagram engagement and actual revenue. In This Episode, I Cover: The three reasons your Instagram followers aren't buying — low engagement on sales posts, followers who aren't ready to buy yet, and the friction created by the infamous "link in bio" Why common fixes don't work — posting more consistently, upgrading your content quality, chasing more followers, and rewriting your sales page all miss the root problem The fix that actually works — using Instagram comment automation (via ManyChat) to turn engagement into email subscribers, without a link in bio or a hard sell Why I close 90% of my sales via email — and why converting Instagram followers into subscribers is the highest-leverage move you can make on the platform Two specific ways I use this strategy — to fill free webinars and workshops, and to grow my email list from every single post Want to get more out of your Instagram following? Get 30 days of ManyChat free → https://manychat.com/creators?utm_source=influencer&utm_medium=cold&utm_campaign=GillianPerkins&utm_content=YT — use code GILLIANPERKINS at checkout. Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society : https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Learn “The $100K Method” with our free audio course - https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup

Is your online business making as much as you hoped it would? If not, listen to my free private podcast series: 👉 Stuck at Zero: Why Your Online Business Isn’t Making Any Money (And What to Do About It) 🔗 https://gillianperkins.com/stuck In today's episode, I’m breaking down the best free and affordable online course platforms in 2026. Teachable used to be the clear winner for new course creators, but with its free plan gone and prices rising, it’s time to look at better options — especially if you’re trying to launch lean. Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Teachable may no longer be the best starter option for course creators How to use tools you already pay for — like Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, WordPress, SamCart, ThriveCart, Kit, or MailerLite — to host your course The best truly low-cost options, including YouTube memberships, Patreon, Skool, and Gumroad Which dedicated course platforms are still relatively affordable, including Thinkific, Zenler, and Kartra How to choose the right platform based on what you already have and what you’re trying to build Why building an audience matters more than choosing the perfect course platform Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society : https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Learn “The $100K Method” with our free audio course - https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup

Is your online business making as much as you hoped it would? If not, listen to my free private podcast series👉 Stuck at Zero: Why Your Online Business Isn’t Making Any Money (And What to Do About It) 🔗 https://gillianperkins.com/stuck In today's episode, I’m sharing the one simple thing you should do right now if you dream of starting your own business someday. Even if you’re months or years away from launching, getting your email list set up today can give you a huge advantage and make growing your business so much easier when the time comes. Listen to the full episode to hear: Why having even a tiny email list puts you far ahead of most aspiring entrepreneurs How to quickly set up a free email list using Kit (formerly ConvertKit) (Get it here: https://gillianperkins.com/kit ) The difference between a landing page and a form — and which one to use first Simple ways to customize your signup page to start attracting subscribers How to create a free resource that encourages people to join your email list Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society : https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Learn “The $100K Method” with our free audio course - https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup

YouTube has changed more in the past year than in any year before it — and it's mostly because of AI. Not just creators using AI to make content, but YouTube itself using AI to power the algorithm. That means a lot of the advice you've been following? It's already outdated. In this episode, I'm breaking down the 7 biggest shifts happening on YouTube right now and exactly how to adjust your strategy so you can grow your channel — even if you're starting from scratch. Here's the thing: yes, there are more creators on the platform than ever. But there are also more viewers than ever. And if you know how to work with the new algorithm, this might actually be the best time to grow. In This Episode, I Cover: Why subscribers matter less than ever — and what actually signals to YouTube that your content is worth promoting The new algorithm trifecta — click-through rate, retention, AND viewer satisfaction (this third piece is changing everything) Why specificity is winning — how to stop chasing broad appeal and start creating content that speaks directly to one person The smart way to use Shorts — why going all-in on Shorts is a mistake, and how to use them strategically to grow your long-form channel YouTube as TV and podcast — what this shift means for video length, format, and why audio quality is now non-negotiable Why AI slop is getting deprioritized — and how to use AI as a tool without losing the authenticity that actually drives views Trust as a ranking factor — why your real stories, specific numbers, and honest opinions are more powerful than ever Supercharge Your YouTube Strategy: Watch my free one-hour masterclass on how the YouTube algorithm works and how to build a channel strategy that gets results: https://creatorfasttrack.com/workshop-registration Connect with Gillian: 🌐 Website: gillianperkins.com 📸 Instagram: @gillianzperkins 📺 YouTube: Gillian Perkins Enjoying the show? Screenshot this episode, share it to your Instagram Stories, and tag @gillianzperkins — it helps more entrepreneurs find the podcast. And if you love Work Less, Earn More, leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help even more people discover it. Until next week — stay focused and take action.

In this episode, Gillian Perkins breaks down her real-world experience trying over a dozen different online business models—sharing what worked, what didn’t, and which ones are actually worth your time today. From affiliate marketing and dropshipping to courses, memberships, and YouTube, she walks through the pros, cons, and earning potential of each model based on years of hands-on experience—including multiple seven-figure successes and a few costly failures. As you listen, you’ll gain clarity on which business models are best for beginners, which ones scale, and how to choose the right path based on your strengths, goals, and personality. Ready to finally turn your business idea into real sales? Our 8-week accelerator program Validate helps students launch and earn their first revenue, and we're gearing up to run it again this spring! Put your name on the waitlist to be the first to know when enrollment opens: https://gillianperkins.com/validate FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method Grab our free course, Small Business 101 : https://www.gillianperkins.com/101 Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society . Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck! Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society : https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Businesses I’ve Tried (Wins & Failures) 01:27 Affiliate Marketing (Pros, Cons, Earnings) 04:01 Coaching (High Income, Low Scalability) 06:40 Etsy (Creative but Competitive) 07:56 Dropshipping (Time-Intensive & Risky) 09:02 Courses (Scalable & Highly Profitable) 10:50 Memberships (Recurring Revenue Model) 13:17 Validate Program Mention 16:02 Print on Demand (Flexible but Quality Matters) 18:19 Freelancing (Hard to Differentiate) 20:02 Agencies (Scalable but Not for Everyone) 21:37 Shopify Stores (Powerful but Requires Marketing) 23:31 Blogging (SEO-Driven & Competitive) 26:02 YouTube (Best Growth & Revenue Driver) 27:53 Podcasting (Indirect Monetization) 29:18 Which Online Business Should You Start?

An audience is the #1 thing that will make or break your business's success... but do you have one? If not, check out this early release video (not yet available on YouTube) about the biggest reasons your audience might NOT be growing: https://gillianperkins.com/early-access/ In today's episode, I’m sharing an *interesting* conversation with entrepreneur and coach Moe Choice about rebuilding after setbacks, redefining success, and creating a business that supports the life you actually want to live. Moe opens up about his journey through multiple businesses, personal reinventions, and why he ultimately chose a simpler, freedom-focused approach to entrepreneurship over traditional hustle culture and constant scaling. Listen to the full episode to hear: How Moe rebuilt his life and business after major personal and financial setbacks Why solopreneurship and high-ticket consulting became more appealing than traditional business growth The mindset shifts that helped Moe redefine success around freedom and fulfillment Practical strategies for using LinkedIn outreach to land consulting and coaching clients Why simplifying your business can lead to more meaningful and sustainable success FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: Get early access to my latest YouTube video (free!): https://gillianperkins.com/early-access Grab our free course: Small Business 101 - https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101 Learn “The $100K Method” with our free audio course - https://www.gillianperkins.com/100k-method-signup Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, Gillian Perkins highlights the transformative effects of professional photography on branding. Sharing her own journey, she discusses how quality images boosted her confidence and improved her brand perception. Gillian offers essential tips for planning a shoot and addresses budget concerns, emphasizing the value of hiring experienced photographers. She encourages entrepreneurs to invest in professional imagery and underscores the critical role of photography in business success. Chapters: 0:00 The Power of Professional Photography 1:27 My First Photo Shoot Experience 4:46 The Cost of a Business Photo Shoot 5:38 Why Not Use a Friend? 7:28 The Value of Professional Photography 10:07 Planning Your Photo Shoot 11:48 Finding the Right Photographer 16:26 Final Thoughts on Professional Photography 17:13 Turning Ideas into Profitable Businesses Get access to some of my videos EARLY, before they're released on YouTube, right here: https://gillianperkins.com/early-access FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business: The $100K Method Podcast Series: https://www.gillianperkins.com/the-100k-method Grab our free course, Small Business 101 : https://www.gillianperkins.com/small-business-101-free-opt-in Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Want to quit your job in the next 6-18 months with passive income from selling digital products online? Check out Startup Society . Have you already started your business, but it isn’t generating consistent income? Schedule a free, 30-minute strategy session with our team to get unstuck! Work with Gillian Perkins: Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society : https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins