The Startup Ideas Podcast

Greg Isenberg
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The Startup Ideas Podcast

Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out. For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    How to get 145k followers on LinkedIn in 1 year

    I share my experience growing from zero to 145,000 LinkedIn followers in 14 months, generating millions in revenue. I detail specific strategies for LinkedIn growth, including leveraging the new video tab, creating engaging story posts, and utilizing infographics. The presentation explains how to properly monetize a LinkedIn following through strategic content posting and lead magnet implementation. This talk was given at Andrew Wilkinsons IP2 conference Learn more about IP3Andrew's Newsletter: https://neverenoughnewsletter.kit.com/signupAndrew's Twitter/X: https://x.com/awilkinsonAndrew's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeverEnough2024 Episode Timestamps:  00:00 - Intro02:05 - The ACP Funnel Explained02:50 - Case Study: BoringMarketing.com04:42 - Tactical Tips for Going Viral on LinkedIn06:10 - Leveraging Video Content on LinkedIn08:10 - Crafting Compelling Stories for Engagement09:46 - Using Infographics to Boost Engagement10:31 - Monetizing Your LinkedIn Audience12:16 - Creating Effective Lead Magnets Key Points:• LinkedIn in 2024 is comparable to Twitter in 2020 for viral growth potential• Three main strategies for LinkedIn growth: video content, storytelling posts, and viral infographics• Monetization through strategic lead magnets and post-editing techniques• Building the ACP (Audience-Community-Product) funnel for business growth 1) The ACP Framework:• Audience first• Convert to Community• Build Product for themExample: Boring Marketer → Free community → $8M ARR SEO tool business 2) Why LinkedIn in 2025?"LinkedIn right now is 2020 Twitter - it's fishing with dynamite"Greg grew 125K followers in 14 months with just 15 hours of work  3) LINKEDIN HACK #1: Video Content  LinkedIn just added a video tab. Nobody knows this yet.Two options:• Faceless content with AI voiceover (use @elevenlabs)• Record yourself Pro tip: Videos are getting INSANE reach right now 4) LINKEDIN HACK #2: Stories that Convert• Get someone to interview you• Extract 15 career stories• Focus on vulnerable moments• MUST pair with photo of yourself• Use storytelling frameworks 5) LINKEDIN HACK #3: Viral Infographics• Find previously viral infographics• Repost with credit• Add universally agreeable caption• Example: "This year's gonna be great" → 151K likes 6) THE MONETIZATION STRATEGYDon't put links in original posts!Secret sauce:• Post content• Wait 4 hours• If more than150 likes, EDIT post to add link• LinkedIn won't suppress it 7) LEAD MAGNET MASTERY:Don't sell directly. Create valuable free content.Example:• Made startup ideas database• 5,000 downloads in 30 days• Segment in ConvertKit• Nurture → Monetize later 8) KEY TAKEAWAY:2025 will be HUGE for LinkedIn.Start now while organic reach is insane.Even 15 hours can build a massive following that drives millions in revenue. Notable Quotes:"LinkedIn is fishing with dynamite right now." - Greg"I grew from zero to 125,000 followers with probably like 15 hours of work in 14 months." - Greg 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 FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

    15 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    The framework for building AI startups from a product design genius

    Join me as I chat with Mike Hudack, CEO of Sling Money, as we deep dive into AI startup strategy by discussing frameworks for building AI companies, product development approaches, and go-to-market strategies. The conversation covers practical advice for entrepreneurs considering AI ventures, from choosing between B2B and B2C models to pricing strategies and competition analysis. Hudack shares insights from his experience at Facebook and current venture Sling Money. Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:12 - AI agent framework and startup ideas08:19 - Discussion of successful AI companies16:20 - B2B vs B2C strategy19:28 - Product development philosophy25:20 - How to think about Competitors 28:40 - Go-to-market strategies33:46 - Pricing and monetization discussion39:16 - Mark Zuckerberg's Perspective on AI Key Points:• Framework for AI agents: single clear action, instant feedback, bounded decisions, zero friction• Three promising AI companies discussed: Greenlight (fin-crime), Granola (note-taking), Gradient Labs (customer service)• B2C vs B2B strategy: B2C has higher potential but higher risk, B2B offers more predictable outcomes• Product development approach: focus on solving genuine pain points and building with meaning 1) On picking AI startup ideas: Look for repetitive, time-consuming tasks that:• Have clear actions• Provide instant feedback• Make bounded decisions• Create zero friction Examples: Flight booking, restaurant reservations, scheduling 2) The most promising AI companies right now: • Green Lite - Automating financial compliance• Granola - AI-powered collaborative note-taking• GradientLabs - Next-gen customer service• Domu - AI debt collection with empathy All solving specific, manual problems with tight feedback loops. 3) Framework for choosing what to build: Run a "regret minimization" exercise:• Imagine yourself 5-10 years in the future• Consider all possible outcomes• Pick something meaningful you'd be proud to work on• Must be excited to wake up for it every day 4) On B2B vs B2C products: B2B:• Easier to validate• Clear path to revenue• Lower failure rate• Smaller outcomes B2C:• Bigger potential upside• Harder to get right• Need to catch lightning• More glory (if it works) 5) On pricing AI products: Formula:(Human labor cost saved + Emotional damage prevented) × (20-50% discount) = Your price Pro tip: You CAN raise prices later if you build something people truly love. 6) Go-to-market strategy for AI products: • Build in public• Create early waitlists• Find your core believers• Let them help shape the product• Focus on native content for your audience's platform 7) On competition: Don't be afraid to copy primitives (basic features everyone needs) BUT:• Stay true to your vision• Keep a mental tab on competitors• Don't get sucked into being reactive• Maintain consistent narrative Most important lesson: Build something YOU deeply care about. The most successful products come from genuine passion, not just market opportunity. Notable Quotes:"We don't make services to make money, we make money to make better services." - Mike Hudack (citing Walt Disney/Facebook)"If you build a thing which is beautiful and people love and has a place in their lives, you can charge more for it later." - Mike Hudack 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/ FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND MIKE ON SOCIAL Mike’s Website: https://hudack.com/X/Twitter: https://x.com/mhudackLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhudack/Sling Money: https://sling.money/

    43 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    How to get your first customers (even with ZERO audience)

    Join me as I chat with Jonathan Courtney, Co-Founder and CEO of AJ&Smart, as we dive deep into various lead generation strategies. Jonathan shares his strategies and frameworks for building a client pipeline without having a large online following.  00:00 - Intro03:13 - The Dream 100 Strategy11:01 - The Canvas Strategy (for reaching out)18:12 - Go Where Your Audience Lives27:21 - The Power of Strategic Gifting36:33 - Content Creation (if you choose to)40:47 - Key Mindset Shift around Content Creation 1) The Dream 100 Strategy:• Make a list of 100 people/orgs who already talk to your target audience• Research their platforms, reach, content• Focus on building relationships with them• Can start with just 10-20 names Example: Web design agency targeting founders? Start with podcast hosts, community leaders 2) The Canvas Strategy (for reaching out):• Don't just ask for favors• Focus on providing extreme value first• Make thoughtful, detailed pitches• Show you've done your homework• Be patient and play the long game 3) Go Where Your Audience Lives:• Join paid communities ($149/mo is nothing if you land 1 client)• Lurk in Reddit threads• Answer Quora questions in detail• Participate in Discord servers• Be the MOST valuable member No promotion, just pure value. 4) The Power of Strategic Gifting:• Doesn't need to be expensive ($5-50 can work)• Make it personal and meaningful• Think long-term relationship building• One mentor landed a huge deal with a $50k guitar gift• Small gestures = big memories 5) Content Creation (if you choose to):• Focus on MASSIVE value over production quality• Create 5+ hour detailed tutorials• Answer common questions exhaustively• "Low quality, high effort" is the new formula• Example: mastering . com's 11-hour tutorials 6) Key Mindset Shift: Stop obsessing over:• Social media metrics• Personal branding• Complex marketing funnels Start focusing on:• High-leverage relationships• Direct value creation• Being present where your audience is 7) The ROI is INSANE:• Single partnerships can generate millions• One webinar can outperform months of ads• Relationship-based leads convert better• More sustainable than viral marketing• Less stressful than being an "influencer" Pro Tip: Review your Dream 100 list every quarter. Most businesses forget this and focus on low-leverage tasks instead. Links Mentioned:  The Dream 100 Google Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a7d1GSZoJq_pT2Ptbvc9HsZWPxNsQDhRcUvT6d1V2Jw/edit?gid=0#gid=0 The Canvas Strategy Ep: https://youtu.be/fr5xG_bTV44 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 FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JicecreamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/AJ&Smart: https://ajsmart.com/

    50 min

  4. 11 DEC

    Inside the Brain of a 17-Year-Old $1M/Month AI Founder

    Join me as I chat with Zach Yadegari, Co-Founder of Cal AI, as we discuss his frameworks and strategies for building and scaling viral AI Apps. Learn his step-by-step formula creating viral apps.  00:00 - Intro01:40 - Concept Behind Dr. AI and App Feature Overview05:37 - Designing the User Experience08:42 - Inspiration and Primitives in App Design11:10 - User Experience and Simplicity16:05 - Gamification and User Engagement17:26 - Shareability and Marketing Potential20:07 - History Feature and User Retention21:14 - Symptoms Quiz Design23:58 - Incorporating Sources and References24:39 - Chatbot Functionality25:33 - Marketing Strategy and Influencer Outreach28:34 - Prompting for AI Responses33:15 - Go-to-Market Strategy Discussion37:14 - Identifying Target Influencers41:04 - Pricing Structure and Revenue Models 1) The Core App Features: • Skin scan for diagnosis• Symptoms quiz• Medical chatbot• History tracking Key insight: Keep it SIMPLE. Basic features done well better than complex features done poorly. 2) UX Design Strategy: - Start with basic wireframes• Copy "primitives" from successful apps• Design for influencer marketing• Put app name on key screens• Make results instantly digestible Pro tip: Design screens thinking about how influencers will showcase them in content. 3) Growth Strategy: Target audience = concerned parentsBest channels:• Mom influencers• Family content creators• Parenting communities Look for creators with 250k+ views/videoBudget: $4-5k per 1M views 4)Monetization Structure: Weekly pricing model works best:• $4-7/week• No free trial initially• A/B test different prices• Optimize for repeat users Strategy: People will delete/resubscribe when needed 5) Technical Implementation: - Use ChatGPT API with custom prompts• Bypass medical disclaimers creatively• Build clear diagnosis displays• Include danger levels (1-5)• Add sources for credibility 6) Marketing Angles: - Target anxious parents• Focus on peace of mind• Show quick diagnosis stories• Emphasize "should I see a doctor?" use case• Leverage influencer storytelling 7) Key Success Factors: • Heavy disclaimers• Accurate diagnostics• Simple UX• Clear value prop• Strong retention hooks 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 FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND ZACH ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/zach_yadegari

    49 min

  5. 9 DEC

    3 AI app ideas that are goldmines (and how to grow them)

    In this episode, I am joined by Dan Shipper, co-Founder and CEO of Every, as we explore a wide range of AI startup ideas and business opportunities Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro01:12 - Startup Idea 1: Advanced Voice Notes 08:59 - Startup Idea 2: N of 1: Personalized Data Science Marketplace 16:12 - Startup Idea 3: Great Books Reimagined28:28 - Trend to Watch: Voice-First Products 34:33 - Distribution Strategy for AI Apps 1) Advanced Voice Notes  Imagine voice notes you can actually talk to!- Record your thoughts while walking• AI creates smart summaries• Team members can "interview" the recording• Get deeper context without endless follow-up questions The future of media might be media you can talk to. 2) N of 1: Personalized Data Science Marketplace  Remember Netflix's $1M algorithm challenge?Now ANYONE can be a data scientist with GPT-4.- Post personal/business datasets• Set bounties for predictions• Perfect for health tracking• New way to do personalized science Market size: Think Kaggle but for everyone. 3) Great Books Reimagined  Classic literature is valuable but hard to digest. The opportunity:• AI-powered modern translations• Format classics for specific audiences• Create multimedia versions• Add interactive elements Two markets:- Students (massive TAM)- Business intellectuals (high willingness to pay) 4) The Luxury AI Paradox  Key insight: As AI makes things cheaper, human-made becomes luxury. Examples:• Broadway shows• Handmade clothing• Mechanical watches Opportunity: Look for what AI is making cheap, then create premium human-made alternatives. 5) Voice-First Products  Huge trend: Kids growing up with voice interfaces (Apple Watch + Siri) Opportunities:• Voice-first travel booking• Conversational commerce• Voice-native discovery engines TAM: Could capture 1-5% of existing markets just by being voice-first. 6) Distribution Strategy for AI Apps  Dan's approach:• Build media presence first• Target like-minded audience• Use early adopters for feedback• Start with YouTube → funnel to email• Product-led growth after initial traction 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 FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND DAN ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/danshipperLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danshipper/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EveryInc/videosEvery: https://every.toSpiral: https://spiral.computer/Sparkle: https://makeitsparkle.co

    42 min

  6. 4 DEC

    Growth Genius Leaks Million Dollar SEO Plan

    Join me as I chat with Jacky Chou, a serial entrepreneur, as we dive deep into growth hacking opportunities. Jacky shares his strategies and frameworks for how to growth hack businesses using SEO and keyword research. Timestamps00:00 Intro01:46 Most AI companies are leaving money on the table11:04 Paid Ads for InteriorAI15:04 Jacky's million dollar SEO plan with Reddit21:13 Other Neglected Platforms to beat VC-funded startups24:57 Startup Idea 1: NSFW AI O.F. 35:31 Community Building in 2024 1) Most AI companies are leaving money on the table Case study: InteriorAI (by Pieter Levels) - Missing out on ~50K/month- Could monetize through affiliate content- Should create blog targeting high-value keywords- Opportunity for "retail rank & rent" ($1-2K/month per placement) 2) Jacky's million dollar SEO plan with Reddit: - Find keywords where Reddit ranks #2 (tons right now!)- Share your product as a "user" (no links!)- Target all related long-tail keywords- Look at AI-related terms (massive growth)- Replicate across Quora, Medium, LinkedIn 3) Keyword Research Gold: "AI video generator" trends: - Search volume is exploding- Reddit ranking #2 consistently- CBC around $1.50- Huge opportunity for indie hackers- Most big players ignoring UGC platforms 4) Dark Horse Opportunity: Adult AI Market - Extremely low keyword difficulty (KD: 2)- High search volume- Most competitors doing poor execution- AI chat + OF management tools needed- Mid 6-7 figures/month potential(Not for everyone, but opportunity exists) 5) Community Building in 2024: - @JackieChou hitting $80K/month- Built from 15K YouTube subs- Key: Sell transformation, not just community- Focus on membership benefits- Bundle partnerships/tools Key Takeaway: To win in 2024: Do what VC-funded startups won't: - Target neglected platforms- Create authentic content- Build real communities- Ignore "brand concerns" early- Focus on actual user value 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 FIND ME ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND JACKY ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://x.com/indexsyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacky-chou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@indexsy/videosAdvise: https://advise.so/apply/

    45 min

  7. 2 DEC

    Build a high traffic startup using AI, Webflow and Zapier

    Join me as I chat with Omar Choudhry, a serial entrepreneur, as we dive deep into how to build and scale directories. Omar shares his strategies and frameworks for how to use AI and SEO to build and scale cash flowing directories. Episode Timestamps00:00 Intro04:26 Overview of GuiltyChef.com06:56 The Power of Schema in SEO14:04 Traffic 18:07 Monetization Potential24:34 Overview of bestdubai.com32:09 Live Cooking Session: Building a Directory35:47 Using Apify for Data Scraping39:54 Using Claude for organizing information and data44:01 Setting Up Zapier for Automation55:26 Formatting data on Claude 1:06:42 Building a Comprehensive Directory 1) First directory: GuilteyChef.com - AI-generated recipes from top restaurants- Went from 0 to 100k monthly visitors in 7 months- Built in ONE week as a side project- Already monetizing with $2.99 recipe packs Key insight: People want to recreate restaurant dishes at home 2) Second directory: BestDubai.com - Bought domain for $1.2k (incredible deal)- Competing with TripAdvisor in just 30 days- AI-generated reviews & scores- Automated everything Smart move: Added referral tags to outbound links = restaurants see traffic source 3) The Tech Stack  - Webflow for website- Zapier for automation- Claude AI for content- Apify for data scraping- Google Sheets as input- Python snippets for formatting No coding experience needed! 4) The Secret Sauce: Schema markupOmar uses AI to generate perfect schema for each page Why it matters:- Helps Google understand content- Gets rich snippets in search- Ranks above established sites- Most competitors do this wrong 5) The Process: 1. Get place ID from Google Maps2. Scrape data using Appify3. Format data for Claude4. Generate content with AI5. Push to Webflow CMS6. Auto-generate everything One place ID = complete page with images, content & SEO 6) Monetization strategies:- Premium recipe packs- Restaurant partnerships- Ingredient affiliate links- Sponsored listings- Brand partnerships- Custom AI tools Pro tip: Let restaurants find YOU through analytics 7) Key Learning:You can now compete with giants like TripAdvisor using:- Smart AI automation- Proper schema markup- Geographic targeting- Language optimization- Clean UX design Budget needed: Under $2k  The future of directories is here. Time to build! 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 FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND OMAR ON SOCIAL 5 Day Sprint - Build with AI: https://www.skool.com/5-day-sprint/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarchoudhry/X/Twitter: https://x.com/OmarChoudhryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarchoudhry/?originalSubdomain=uk

    1h 29m

  8. 27 NOV

    How This Guy Makes His Entire Year's Revenue in Black Friday WEEK

    Join me as I chat with Jonathan Courtney, Co-Founder and CEO of AJ&Smart, as we dive deep into Black Friday Campaign strategy. Jonathan shares his strategies and frameworks for leveraging Black Friday regardless of what type of business you run.  Episode Timestamps00:00 - Intro01:15 - The Importance of Black Friday for Businesses04:21 - Types of Black Friday Sales05:01 - Case Study: Endel's Renewal Strategy08:49 - Comparing Strategies: MagicMind and AG112:48 - Apple's Unique Approach to Black Friday14:25 - Creative E-commerce Strategies20:12 - Bundling Products for Black Friday22:51 - Startup Idea 1:  Black Friday Agency27:55 - Gamifying Promo Codes29:59 - Our Black Friday Buys31:41 - Live Streaming as a Sales Strategy 1) The Store Credit HackInstead of basic "20% off" - tell customers they have $21.63 in store credit expiring soon Why it works:• Feels like "their money"• Specific numbers boost authenticity• Creates urgency 2) The Premium PlayHow luxury brands do Black Friday:• No discounts• Give gift cards with purchase• Example: Apple gives $200 creditKeeps brand prestige while driving sales  3) The Bundle BuilderFour Sigmatic's genius approach:• Interactive bundle builder• Unlocks bigger discounts at $59/$99• Shows real-time savings• Makes shopping funSteal this for your store  4) The Bonus StackMagicMind's approach:• Start with core discount• Add digital product access• Include physical gifts• Stack more bonuses as week progresses Psychology: Value over Discount 5) The Subscription PushSaaS playbook:• Offer renewal discounts• Add exclusive bonuses• Example: Endel does 50% off + premium gifts• Works for any subscription business 6) The QVC StrategyModern twist:• Run 12-hour livestream sales• Show limited quantities• Create FOMO• Add exclusive bundles• Perfect for influencer brands 7) The Campaign TimelineSmart businesses:• Plan 6 months ahead• Start ads 3 days before• Build waiting lists• Layer in bonuses• Peak on Friday 8) The Profit RealityTruth bomb:• Could make 1-2 months revenue in 1 week• Some brands make yearly revenue• Even "bad" years saved by Black Friday• Ignoring it = leaving millions on table Remember: Black Friday isn't just a discount day.It's a strategic revenue event that can make your entire year.Don't flub it 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 FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JicecreamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/AJ&Smart: https://ajsmart.com/

    36 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out. For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

Information

  • Creator
    Greg Isenberg
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    183
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Startup Ideas Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Startup Ideas Podcast

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