Pat Flynn: Software as a business

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Want to know how to make $5,000 dollars in a weekend via a $10 Facebook ad?

Too bad. You can’t.

If you’re like me, you are probably so numb to these type of flash in the pan marketing schemes. Even more so, sick of seeing ads from “web marketers” that are renting 7 series BMW’s to shoot infomercials with. 1-click WordPress install, some FB ads here and a squeeze page there…

It’s so easy!

Pat Flynn is NOT that marketer, but he does use WordPress and he’s launching a new product for it. I’ve been a fan of Pat’s for a while now and I respect his approach to our industry. His authenticity bleeds into his brand which is something a lot of us are afraid to do. We’re going to talk about that and how this web marketer has transitioned to software as a business.

Sit back and relax — this is a great episode!

Interview with Pat Flynn: Smart Podcast Player

Pat Flynn is not a typical webmarketer. He is expanding his operation into the technology arena of webmarketing. In addition to his website being powered by WordPress, Pat engaged his developer to create a custom function that supported his own need of the for sharing his podcast content. After getting requests from his audience about the podcasting function, Pat decided to offer the function as a plugin. The plugin is appropriately named Smart Podcast Player. During the development of Smart Podcast Player Pat acquired a new appreciation about the amount of time and effort needed to product a quality WordPress software product.

Software takes time and money to create a great user experience. It’s not a quick way to make money.

Focus on a specific business niche. When you are able to speak in your customer’s language, you will be able to help them better define their problem and accept your recommended solution.

Listening options

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What was discussed during the interview

(Times correspond to video)

1:45 What differentiates Pat from the typical web marketer?

4:30 How is Pat putting together a local team to scale his business?

6:30 What lessons did Pat learn from his recent DDOS attack? What good thing came out of it?

When you rely on your website to run your business, be sure you are proactive not reactive when selecting the supporting technology tools.

10:45 Is creating and selling software the next frontier in webmarketing?

15:00 How can you use a Minimium Marketable Event to engage your audience?

16:30 What are the legacy issues with offering lifetime support to earliest customers? What is a better approach?

21:15 What would Pat have done differently in selling the initial group of licenses for the podcast plugin?

24:00 How does Pat see his company growing into a software company?

26:15 Which resources does Pat use to keep new feature ideas organized and prioritized?

27:30 As a freelancer, how can you promote your WordPress business idea when you are very new to the marketplace?

31:15 After building the plugin, how has Pat’s perspective changed towards WordPress community?

List of Resources Mentioned

Smart Podcast Player

SPI Episode 119

SPI Episdoe 78

James Schramko interview on MattReport

Yoast plugins

Lindoe

LeadPages

Lean Startup book

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