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Michael Frew is a seasoned engineer-turned-entrepreneur who specializes in acquiring SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. In this episode, we dive into Michael's journey and his role in managing a portfolio of SaaS businesses for WebStreet.  Michael shares the nitty-gritty of why buying a SaaS business is often better than building one and offers valuable insights on everything from the acquisition process to dealing with the psychological impact of selling a business.  Whether you're a developer concerned about AI taking your job and looking for alternatives, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable advice.  We also talked about: * Michael’s transition from developing to acquiring businesses and how it changed his career. * The process and criteria Michael uses to identify and acquire SaaS businesses. * The role of WebStreet in facilitating passive investments in software businesses. * The importance of steady growth and business fit in successful acquisitions. * Preparing for business acquisitions, including financial planning, due diligence, and transition planning. * The impact of AI on the acquisition process and its potential for both internal improvements and external risks. * Advice for potential operators and sellers, emphasizing mindset shifts and comprehensive business evaluation. Tune in to this episode to learn how to build a successful SaaS portfolio and transform your approach to business growth.  Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/]. RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Michael Frew’s website: michaelfrew.com [https://michaelfrew.com] * WebStreet: webstreet.com [https://webstreet.com] Get regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/] about growing your business.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Have you ever spent hours crafting content, only to wonder if it's hitting the mark with your audience? I found myself in that exact spot while creating a lead magnet, struggling to pick the perfect hero image.  Ever been there? Stick around, because in today’s episode I'm taking a look at a game-changing method for getting quick, actionable feedback on your content. I talk about: * The challenges of getting timely feedback: Why it's so tricky to get people to respond to your surveys and polls. * Traditional vs. modern feedback methods: From asking family and friends to leveraging social media and online communities. * Tools and platforms: Exploring various tools like Hotjar and PickFu for gathering insights. * Personal experiences: My own journey using PickFu to refine content and improve engagement. * Types of PickFu polls: Detailed look at different polling options and how to use them effectively. Ready to transform how you gather feedback and make better content decisions? Tune in to this episode and don't miss out on future insights—sign up here to be notified about upcoming episodes [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/]. RESOURCES MENTIONED * PickFu: Get good feedback fast for your content [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/pickfu] (affiliate link) * Hotjar: Tool for capturing user interactions on your website [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/hotjar] (affiliate link) * Copyblogger Blog Post:  How To Write A Headline That Drives More Clicks [https://copyblogger.com/how-to-write-headlines-that-work/?utm_source=ForTheInterestedNewsletter] * Episode 168:  The Art Of Asking:  Understanding The Role Customer Feedback Plays In Business Success with Justin Chen [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/project/ep-168-the-art-of-asking-understanding-the-role-customer-feedback-plays-in-business-success-with-justin-chen/] Get yourself regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/] about solving challenges and growing your business.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Have you ever thought about turning your personal stories or opinions into a profitable side hustle? Even in a world dominated by AI and shifting economies, if you can string together sentences that get people wanting more, it's absolutely possible.  In this episode, we're diving deep into the secrets of getting started as a freelance writer with Lindy Alexander, an award-winning freelance travel writer who turned her writing passion into a successful career. With her rich background that includes social work, sign language interpretation, and a Ph.D., Lindy brings a unique and holistic approach to freelance writing.  We Also Talked About: * How Lindy transitioned from social work to full-time freelance writing. * The importance of networking and community in sustaining a freelance writing career. * Practical tips for pitching and landing high-paying writing gigs. * How to leverage personal essays and opinion pieces to get published quickly. * The impact of AI on the writing industry and how to stay relevant. * Overcoming mindset blocks and building confidence as a writer. * The value of having a diverse portfolio, including both content writing and feature writing. * Strategies for managing the business side of freelance writing. Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories. Listen now and sign up to be notified about upcoming episodes. Sign up here: Newsletter [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/] Resources Mentioned * Website:  https://thefreelancersyear.com/ [https://thefreelancersyear.com/]  * Lindy's Free Guides:   * 10 Successful Magazine Pitches [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/Successful-Magazine-Pitches] (affiliate link) * 5 Easy Magazine Features [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/easy-magazine-features] (affiliate link) * Paid Short Course on Travel Writing:  Get Started With Travel Writing In Under 2 Hours [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/break-into-travel-writing] Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here: Newsletter [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

At just 24 years old, Greg Berry was elected as a city councilor and quickly spotted a major problem: government organizations were struggling to get fair value for their surplus items when they sold them. Determined to find a solution, Greg leveraged his IT expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to create Municibid, an online platform that has since revolutionized government auctions. His innovative approach not only solved a persistent issue but also transformed the way surplus items are bought and sold in the US and some parts of Canada. Greg joined me on the show to talk about his journey as well as share what he’s learned along the way. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT: * Greg's journey from city councilor to entrepreneur and the challenges he faced. * The inefficiencies in government auctions and how Municibid addresses them. * The development and scaling of Municibid, including marketing strategies and technological integration. * The importance of data analytics in optimizing auction sales and identifying trends. * Greg's new venture, Surplus.com, and its potential for global expansion. * Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on finding mentors and leveraging life experiences. Tune in to hear Greg's interesting story and get inspired to tackle your own business challenges!  Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/]. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Government auction website:  Municibid.com [http://municibid.com] * B2C surplus goods auction website:  Surplus.com [http://surplus.com] * Customer engagement platform:  Customer.io [http://customer.io] * AI customer service platform:  Intercom.com [http://intercom.com]  * Self-service business intelligence platform:  Holistics.io [http://holistics.io] *  Google Cloud’s enterprise data warehouse:  BigQuery [https://cloud.google.com/bigquery] Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Ever wondered if your emails are disappearing into a digital abyss, never to be seen or read by the people on your list? Imagine how bad that would be for your business if your carefully crafted messages never reach their destinations.  In this episode, we dive deep into the world of email deliverability with tech expert MV Braverman to ensure your emails not only send but also land exactly where they should. MV Braverman is not just an expert on email systems; she's a seasoned warrior in making sure digital communications hit their mark. With extensive experience in IT support and a deep understanding of email marketing, MV joins us to demystify the often confusing world of email deliverability and the recent changes that could be affecting your communications. We also talk about: * The key differences between email delivery and deliverability. * The importance of setting up proper email authentication to avoid being marked as spam. * How setting up DMARC reporting can reveal issues you might never notice otherwise. * Real-world consequences of poor email practices and how they can silently impact your business. Tune into this episode to ensure your email strategies are up to date and effective. And remember, if you want to stay ahead with the latest insights and tips from successful online entrepreneurs, subscribe and get notified about upcoming episodes [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/].  RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Online Business Launchpad podcast, Episode 149:  Useful Ways To Use Zapier To Automate Boring Repetitive Tasks With MV Braverman [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/project/ep-149-useful-ways-to-use-zapier-to-automate-boring-repetitive-tasks-with-mv-braverman/] * MV’s DIY Email Authentication Guide  - https://diyguide.inboxwelcome.com [https://diyguide.inboxwelcome.com/] * MV’s Website:  https://inboxwelcome.com/ [https://inboxwelcome.com/]  * Google Workspace:  https://workspace.google.com/ [https://workspace.google.com/]  * Brevo:  https://www.brevo.com/ [https://www.brevo.com/]  * Email management tools: * ConvertKit [http://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/convertkit] (affiliate link) * MailChimp [https://mailchimp.com/] Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here: Online Business Lift Off Newsletter [https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.