5 Ways To Make $1 Million As A Writer - Nicolas Cole

Sponsored by Huel - go to www.huel.com/deepdive and with your first order you’ll get a free t-shirt and shaker.
Sponsored by Trading 212 - download the Trading 212 app trading212.com/promocodes/ALI and use the promo code "ALI" after signing up and depositing to receive a random free share worth up to £100. This is not financial advice. Investments can fall and rise. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Other fees may apply*. Capital is at risk.
Sponsored by Brilliant - visit brilliant.org/DeepDive/ and the first 200 of you will get 20% off Brilliant's annual premium subscription.
📚Check out my New York Times Bestselling book Feel-Good Productivity!
Amazon: geni.us/JFhDr5?...
Website: www.feelgoodproductivity.com/...
Nicolas Cole is a renowned writer, entrepreneur, and mentor in the Ship 30 for 30 community. With a passion for concise writing, he has become a driving force in helping writers develop their craft and personal brand. Nicolas's best-selling books, entrepreneurial expertise, and dedication to continuous improvement have made him an influential figure in the world of storytelling. In the episode we discuss how you can make money on the internet through online writing, including everything from getting started to building an audience. Enjoy!
00:00 Intro
01:38 Using language to change how people think / how you got into writing
20:47 Your journey to online writing
22:49 How to monetise your writing
29:00 How to find your niche
34:18 Advice for consistency
47:44 Hang around the hoop
50:12 Practical tips for enjoying the journey
54:14 1 - Ghostwriting
59:00 2 - Copywriting
01:16:12 Productising yourself
01:19:20 Pricing your service
01:23:55 3- Sales copywriting
01:32:50 Building an agency
01:41:12 4 - Paid newsletters
01:47:13 Moving from 6 figures to 7 figures
01:49:48 5- Writing books
01:57:41 Lean writing
02:51:07 Blogging advice
02:05:20 How to find your platform
02:06:55 How to decide what to write
02:14:40 What if I don’t have expertise?
02:17:05 Identifying your target market
Season 6 Episode 2
🔗 CONNECT WITH NICOLAS
🐦 Twitter - / nicolascole77
📸 Instagram - / nicolascole77
💻 Website - www.nicolascole.com/about
🔗 CONNECT WITH ALI
🎥 KZbin Channel - / aliabdaal
🐦 Twitter - / aliabdaal
📸 Instagram - / aliabdaal
💻 Website - aliabdaal.com
👥 Linkedin - / ali-abdaal
📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Art and Business of Online Writing: How to Beat the Game of Capturing and Keeping Attention by Nicolas Cole - geni.us/nt08E
Confessions of a Teenage Gamer by Nicolas Cole - geni.us/UuLvR
The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss - geni.us/AmbhM4
Oversubscribed: How To Get People Lining Up To Do Business With You by Daniel Priestley - geni.us/aD0wlh
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson - geni.us/xP6Q
Ryan Holiday - ryanholiday.net/
Jordan Peterson - www.jordanbpeterson.com/
📄SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
Visit the website for the transcript and highlights from the conversation - aliabdaal.com/podcast/
🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST
Deep Dive is the podcast that delves into the minds of entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people to uncover the philosophies, strategies and tools that help us live happier, healthier and more productive lives.
Want to start your own podcast? We use Transistor! go.aliabdaal.com/transistor
🎧 LISTEN FOR FREE
Apple Podcasts - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/7gZkflC...
RSS - feeds.transistor.fm/deep-dive
🙏 LEAVE A REVIEW
If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we'd love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show :) podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH
You can also Tweet @AliAbdaal with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you've learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏
PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from 😜

[@DeepDivewithAliAbdaal]

📚Pre-order my book to get an exclusive ticket to The Feel-Good Productivity Annual Planning Workshop Website: www.feelgoodproductivity.com/... Amazon: go.feelgoodproductivity.com/n...

[@munchingmogul]

Very curious , if anyone has actually emailed / DM’d you since watching this video and said that they have consumed your content and written the 1st 5 chapters of your ebook. I need an update lol

[@ManFindsMeaning]

As a 44 year old with kids, who wants to change direction and make meaningful content instead of grinding out the same job I've had for 20 years, I'm on my third watch through of this video. Thank you Ali and Nicolas.

On my 2nd run now :)

[@the_artisan]

Same for this 48 year old with a kid

[@_kmCarter]

SAME

[@RetoB1976]

47y, two young kids here. Let‘s do it Guys!

[@franciavioletaestacio8921]

Absolutely agree with you, I'm also starting my content and book writing.

[@KenMakunga]

After watching your podcast with Nicolas Cole I immediately ordered his book The Art of Online Writing. I'm turning 60 this month, I've spent over 30 years in the aviation industry as an aircraft engineer by trade, but I've basically been canned by the industry and can't get a job any longer due to age. I feel like writing is the last frontier, probably the only way left for someone over the hill like me to be able to pull a "Colonel Sanders kind of comeback. I'm really encouraged by your channel and this particular podcast that everyone can write. Thanks again for the great content and I'll be reading the book cover to cover tonight!

[@stephanel4770]

Go for it Ken. Ageism is so sneaky in this economy. I wish you all the best. I am 57 myself and starting to consider transitioning to ghostwriting as we’d like to have more freedom in our lives and combine this to traveling to cool places. Show them what you got, Ken. We cheering you here.

[@kingsleymarion]

so where are you at 2 weeks later?

[@WhatMakesBritainGreat]

Go for it Ken I'm same age and still 100% energy to learn and produce. You could really kill it with that much experience under your belt (and I bet there's some great and funny stories to tell). And there's a number of You Tube aircraft channels which are doing fantastically too, start one up.

[@amyoungil]

Good luck to you. 60 seems not inherently old or incapable in any form. I wonder if it's that they don't want to pay for experience and the knowledge and judgment.

[@Eternal-Student]

As a 64-year-old woman who has built up a high five-figure writing business online over the past five years, this is one of my favourite videos. I could listen to this (young to me!) man all day. Hopefully this help will get me to six figures next year. He just highlights what is possible. I know I’m small fry, but I’m proud anyway. I’ll be tickling those clouds! Lots of us oldies out here changing our lives and never working that hard for anyone else EVER again! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It’s pure gold xx

[@Qthekat1984]

🥰❤

[@huzar7336]

Wow... may you keep moving forward. Can you share what you do and how you do it.

[@shawn.harris]

So encouraging for us young folks LOL (I'm 53). I'm just trying to reclaim my time and location freedom in the next 18 months, then grow from there. $75k-100K is plenty for me to live and save for my older years while I split my time between the US and S.E. Asia.

[@Eternal-Student]

Good luck, (young) man 😀

[@dameanvil]

00:00 📚 The reader is the main character, not the writer. Serving the reader is crucial in writing. 00:13 🎙️ "Deep Dive" podcast discusses strategies and tools with inspiring individuals to help build a fulfilling life. 00:28 💻 Nicholas Cole shares insights on making money through online writing, emphasizing the need to understand readers' needs. 00:41 💡 Distinguishing between writing what you want and addressing reader's questions is crucial in making money as a writer. 01:09 📖 Anyone can become a writer with practice and learning essential skills. It requires investment in time and effort. 01:23 🤝 The hosts express excitement as they welcome Nicholas Cole to the podcast after a year of online interaction. 01:36 💰 Nicholas Cole defines his role as using language to change how people think, highlighting the power of a few impactful words. 01:49 🎮 Nicholas Cole reminisces about his background as a World of Warcraft player and how it influenced his writing journey. 02:03 📝 Nicholas Cole recalls starting as a ghostwriter/content writer, learning the value of concise, impactful writing. 02:18 🖋️ Nicholas Cole emphasizes the importance of writing a few powerful words that guide the direction of a larger piece. 02:31 🌬️ Writing has the potential to change the course of thoughts, making it a powerful tool in influencing perspectives. 02:45 📚 Nicholas Cole's book "The Art and Business of Online Writing" explores strategies for successful online writing, a recommended resource. 02:59 🎮 Nicholas Cole shares his origins as a World of Warcraft player, offering relatable experiences to many gamers. 03:13 💡 Nicholas Cole's insight on monetizing writing: Challenge assumptions, try various approaches, and seek answers to reader's questions. 03:26 💰 Nicholas Cole's breakthrough in monetization: Recognizing that writing valuable answers to reader's questions can lead to income. 03:54 💸 Nicholas Cole leveraged Quora by turning frequently asked questions into ebooks, demonstrating the value of addressing specific needs. 04:08 💡 Key takeaway: Success in writing is tied to addressing readers' needs and providing valuable information, rather than writing for personal satisfaction. 04:21 📘 Nicholas Cole's early journey taught him the importance of self-education in the business side of writing and monetization strategies. 05:04 💼 Nicholas Cole emphasizes the need to differentiate between writing for personal satisfaction and writing to meet the needs of a specific audience. 05:42 💡 Key takeaway: Consistent, disciplined writing is essential for measuring progress and determining the effectiveness of one's approach in the writing industry. 05:56 💰 Nicholas Cole's breakthrough in monetization: Writing ebooks that directly address readers' pressing questions led to immediate financial success. 06:09 🌟 Nicholas Cole's early success with ebooks highlights the power of creating content that directly serves the needs of a specific audience. 06:24 💡 Key takeaway: Monetizing writing involves creating content that directly addresses readers' questions and needs, providing tangible value in return. 06:38 🌍 Nicholas Cole's realization: The internet offers freedom from the traditional model of waiting for validation, enabling writers to take initiative and serve their audience directly. 19:50 💡 Focus on niche interests: Instead of trying to cover everything, find a niche with a market demand and focus on it. This prevents competing with giants like Amazon and allows for a specialized approach. 21:21 💸 Make your niche your moneymaker: It's crucial to identify a niche that can generate income. This niche should be the primary focus for financial stability. Other interests can coexist, but don't expect the same outcomes. 27:55 🤔 Overcome fear of wastedtime: Fear of wasting time often hinders committing to a skill or interest. Recognize that time invested in learning or practicing is never truly wasted. It's an investment in personal growth. 30:39 🌟 The power of the first dollar: Making your first dollar online is a significant milestone. It signifies a shift in mindset and opens up new possibilities. Start small, and once you see an alternative path, it becomes easier to continue. 39:21 📚 Surround yourself with like-minded people to accelerate your progress. Being part of a community pursuing the same goal makes it easier to fit in and achieve your objectives. 43:08 💡 Tracking income from your side hustles builds trust in your ability to generate consistent revenue outside of your main job. 45:10 💼 Ghostwriting can be a lucrative side hustle. Identify individuals or businesses that could benefit from your writing skills, and help them articulate their ideas. 01:00 💡 Start by offering your services for free to creators or entrepreneurs to build trust and showcase your skills. 02:14 💼 When offering free work, focus on creating high-quality content to demonstrate your capabilities effectively. 03:42 💼 The ROI of free work is often exponential, leading to more opportunities and paid projects down the line. 07:34 📘 By productizing your services, you can remove the constraint of being paid solely for your time and effort. 09:12 📘 Provide as much value as possible in free calls or consultations to showcase your expertise and build trust with potential clients. 14:25 📝 Consider structuring deals as a sales copywriter based on the outcome you can drive, rather than the time or effort invested. This can lead to higher earnings. 01:19:08 💰 Being a sales copywriter involves writing content that prompts action or purchases, and you should be rewarded for mastering this skill. 01:19:50 🖋️ Gary Halbert's style is compared to Hemingway's, both being terse and minimalist, but Halbert focused on selling products while Hemingway took the novel route. 01:20:04 💡 The fastest way to learn sales copywriting is by writing content that encourages purchases, then analyzing what worked and what didn't. This builds your own effective framework. 01:20:46 💼 Scaling a freelance writing business into an agency can lead to challenges. The "Valley of Death" often occurs when transitioning from a freelancer to a small agency. 01:21:29 💡 Scaling a writing agency can lead to overhead challenges, especially with subjective services like ghostwriting. It's important to have a powerful sales machine to compensate. 01:22:40 💼 The "Valley of Death" for agencies is the period between 1 to 10 million in revenue. Margins shrink, profitability decreases, and the sales machine needs to be highly efficient. 01:25:54 🔄 Optimize for fun, freedom, and flexibility by capping your team size at around 12. Beyond that, it can lead to unnecessary complexity and stress for the owner. 01:26:23 💼 The mistake of equating success with headcount can lead to a bloated organization with high overhead costs. It's more important to focus on revenue-critical roles rather than sheer numbers. 01:27:43 💡 Freelancers and specialized writers can often earn more by scaling their pricing and expertise individually, rather than building an agency. Agencies may not always lead to higher income. 01:37:13 💡 Paid newsletters are not about selling the asset (the newsletter itself), but about offering a valuable outcome-either time-saving or expert-level insights. Subscribers seek specific benefits. 01:39:33 💡 To make six figures as an internet writer, treat it as a business focused on serving readers rather than just writing what you want. 01:40:00 💰 Differentiating between six and seven-figure income as a writer requires a clear focus on your niche and audience. 01:42:23 📚 Self-publishing offers more control and potentially higher earnings compared to traditional publishing, especially for niche authors. 01:45:37 💡 Building an audience is not about quantity, but about delivering consistent value to the right people andrefining your approach based on feedback. 01:47:43 📈 Take a data-driven approach to writing, constantly learning and adjusting based on what resonates with your audience. 01:53:48 🚫 Starting a blog as the main platform might not be the most effective strategy; consider social media platforms with existing engaged audiences. 01:57:56 📌 While your website can host your best work, prioritize writing where your audience is already active, such as Twitter or LinkedIn. 01:58 💡 On social platforms, audience size doesn't determine visibility. Posts are initially shown to a small group, and interaction ratios decide further exposure. 02:00 📝 Before writing, ask yourself "for who, so that" to clarify your target audience and desired outcome. This framework helps in creating content with purpose. 02:26 📚 Building an email list becomes crucial when you want to productize yourself, like selling books or paid newsletters. It's a direct line to your audience. 02:34 📈 Success in writing online is often measured by building a library of content. It allows you to scale yourself digitally and save time by not repeating the same information in person. 02:50 💥 Niche down and focus on specific questions or topics. Don't aim for a broad audience. Success comes from being specific and solving particular problems effectively. 02:18:20 🖋️ Anyone can become a writer with time, practice, and learning the necessary skills. Invest the time to learn and put these skills into practice. 02:18:34 🐆 Next time, explore topics like category design and fascinating subjects like snow leopards.

[@KyleXLS]

Thank you for doing this!

[@laizerwoolf]

How did you summarize the whole podcast, did you do it in batch?

[@gmaryam5474]

Wow that's awesome, thanks for your effort

[@multivideos951]

Thank you so much dude!!!

[@paulhoosen9414]

Super helpful Thanks a lot ❤

[@kortyEdna825]

Thank you. Just what I needed to watch. My hubby and I are directors of our farm business and own property, plus small pensions. I am nearly 52, hubby is 55. We have started to save to retire from the farm, and possibly live on rental income, I'd really appreciate you go LIVE and talk about how to earn passive income online and retire comfortably, let’s say $1M.

[@carssimplified2195]

I totally agree, I'm 60 and newly retired with about 1.2 million outside retirement funds, no debt, and very small dollars in retirement funds compared to my portfolio balance over the past 3 years till date. tbh, the role of the invt-advisor can only be overlooked, not denied. just have to do your research in finding a reputable one.

[@shannonsally455]

@@carssimplified2195 That's fascinating. How can I contact your Asset-coach as my portfolio is dwindling?

[@carssimplified2195]

@@shannonsally455 My Financial adviser is ‘’JULIE ANNE HOOVER’’ she’s highly qualified and experienced in the financial market. She has extensive knowledge of portfolio diversity and is considered an expert in the field. I recommend researching her credentials further. She has many years of experience and is a valuable resource for anyone looking to navigate the financial market

[@shannonsally455]

@@carssimplified2195 Thank you for this tip. It was easy to find your coach. Did my due diligence on her before scheduling a phone call with her. She seems proficient considering her resume.

[@PS-ic4bp]

Read the simple path to wealth by j l collins

[@suvendroseal1724]

Cole has been the most impactful force in my life as writer. Ali you must bring him on again! There is not a single writer in the world who understands the digital writing space better than Cole, he is an absolute mechanical beast when producing tactical information.

[@johncanonizado9238]

Yes! And when's the Dickie Bush episode coming out!?!?

[@mirembenatashawinnie6783]

​@@johncanonizado9238😊

[@shaunconyers]

Hi Ali, as a 43 year old business person, in the process of changing my mindset around money, business and entrepreneurship, your videos are fantastic and inspiring. I want to start my journey and share my unique story and experience in leadership gathered in the last 15 years. Its jaw-dropping to see 20+ and 30+ aged youngsters disrupting entire industries and the limiting beliefs we have around them. Thank you!

[@abiye_lawson]

"I use language to change how people think". Not even 5 minutes in and Cole is already defining my life's mission

[@jeanpaulfiligrana6182]

You are one of the only people I actually sit and take the 2 hours to listen through a whole podcast. You are a gold mine Ali and I hope that contributes to your feedback loop. Keep bringing in more of these amazing people, the information they provide is priceless.

[@fasting50plus]

Possibly the best interview I've seen as someone on the verge of starting a one-person business. Thank you so much to both of you! Not enough people focus on what steps work at the beginning stages. They may briefly touch on it, but this deep dive really helps me out.

[@gregoryhirsch4520]

This is one of the absolute best podcast episodes I've ever seen (on this channel AND otherwise)! Thank you so much for all of this amazingly well-laid out information!

[@aliabdaal]

Thank you!!

[@philiswa1]

Yho! This is a game changer interview. I’m from South Africa and I’ve been back and forth in my thinking about writing online. I knew the internet is a space that I can explore but didn’t know where exactly to begin in terms of platform. What I want to write is outside of the conventional approaches to writing in my industry. Thank you Ali and Nicolas. Thank you so much for the transparency. Thank you for your honesty.

[@stosta123]

This is so much golden information here. I'm not even a writer - this is universal.

[@idunusegoogleplus]

Around @59:05 was exactly the type of career advice I needed to get started. I was not aware of how much demand there is out there from content creators to have help with turning their content into written format that can then be productized. This alone was worth watching the whole two hours.

[@gspia]

That advice created a shift in my mindset as well.

[@servandopatlan6150]

Phenomenal not just for aspiring writers but for helping us understand how to navigate the digital marketplace and to understand what legacy mark place practices to leave behind. Bring him back please.

[@aspiretoinspireothers6363]

Thanks much Ali for introducing Nicolas to us... Thanks to you and your guest, Mr. Cole... for generously sharing your learning and insights that really help your viewers in many ways... This particular video touches not only on income opportunity and writing skills but also a source of personal growth.. an inspiration to reflect, learn with action points.. To move forward no matter how small the step. Worth watching and taking notes and create action points. Powerful key words/phrase: 1. START ( a stationary ship is hard to maneuver) whether it's to write, or learn a skill, or create a video.. Start with what you have recently learned (2 days, 2 months, or within this 2 years) 2. EXPERTISE - As you start doing it, skills develop in time and adds in your own library of portfolio. If I may add... Confidence builds up naturally. 3. READER CENTERED vs what I want to write. You are to answer a question or provide a solution for others. 4. EVALUATE. Learn to read your DATA and use it in deciding. Numbers may be vital but the quality & depth of the COMMENTS on your videos are great indicators on what people want, need and learn from you ... thereby, guiding you on what to focus on. Winning vs losing themes/topics. 5. FOR WHO.. SO THAT: Who are you writing to.. So that (outcome) they can have what they need/ solution to their problem ( Become a better writer, earn extra..) There's a lot more in there... - AHA Moment 6/29/23

[@rollierollout]

Wow! Fantastic! Great flow to this episode! I could listen to for another 2 hours, no problem. I love how Ali is able to go through specific scenarios with a guest, like a beginner who doesn't know their niche, and stick with that scenario to a healthy conclusion. The line of questioning isn't abandoned mid-way through the scenario as it so often is on other podcasts, and I really appreciate that!!

[@savvyvenice]

Wow! The conversation is so complete. Ali and Nicolas Cole hit every topic about writing, business, balance, decision making plus knowing when to stop. It's not about getting all the money but doing what they love. Perfection. Thanks!

[@ninap.6133]

Incredible episode. One of the best you’ve done. ENORMOUS value - thank you both!!!

[@ngoutcha1]

Thank you so much Ali and Nicolas, I felt so inspired. I wanted to start my blog and KZbin channel since last year and have being hesitating about how to make money out of it. Now I learned that it is about all the skills, we acquired and about the outcomes. Thank you so much for reminding me all . I appreciate your time and advices.

[@priyankam6507]

I literally cannot stop listening because it's the magnetic Ali-Cole combination

[@user-ic3wt7cu2w]

I love how on every video I watch on Ali's channels, I learn one or two little tips that make the paths to my goals (and the goals themselves) so much clearer.

[@humblewell]

Wow!! 😄 This was so good. I can't believe it was over 2 hours long. I have 2 pages of notes, and I'm ready to start this journey toward my goal of writing everyday on substack (not on a blog or website, which surprised me) to save my readers time and hopefully money. ✌️

[@KaneTauri]

I have been into self-development for years, and I love learning new skills and knowledge. I have been trying so many different ways to make money online. This interview here has linked so many pieces to the puzzle that I have been trying to figure out for so long. Thank you so much. I am following your channel and will share this video.

[@DaMusicluvT]

Just came from you “6 side hustles students can start in 2023” to this video/podcast. Very informative and inspirational. As much as I love to write, I would start online but never finished. Nicolas said it best when he said, “your goal is to write or create something that is so specific, it’s universal to all the people that are like that person.” 2:10:25. Now I just need to start again. Thank you both for taking the time. Definitely worth watching.

[@emilyjanice7029]

Just subscribed for Deep Dive. After following you for a while on your main KZbin personal channel. This has been my favorite interview. Thank you so much Ali and Nicolas.

[@TheBlessingReport]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📚 Realize that as a writer, your main focus should be serving the reader, not just writing what you want. 02:18 🖊️ Great writers don't get paid to write lots of words; they get paid to write a few words that influence the direction of a larger piece. 05:04 🎮 Nicholas Cole's background as a World of Warcraft pro gamer and early interest in writing. 11:42 💰 Initial struggles with monetization as a writer and the conventional publishing model. 15:13 💡 Realization that successful writing is about providing answers to questions and serving the reader. 17:31 🎯 Your niche as a writer should revolve around your reader's needs and not just your personal interests. 19:50 🤔 Realize that niches are associated with people because they consistently create content in that area. You can have multiple interests and niches. 20:55 💰 Your money-making niche doesn't have to be your only focus; you can pursue other interests, but don't expect the same financial outcomes. 25:35 🔥 Committing to daily actions and acquiring new skills is about curiosity and embracing the journey; there's no wasted time in learning. 31:21 🚀 Embrace unlikely intersections of interests as they often lead to unique opportunities and differentiation. 38:11 🤯 Overcoming the fear of being different while deep down wanting to fit in is key to playing the creativity game and creating opportunities. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can help. 40:15 🚀 Ghostwriting can be a lucrative side hustle. Many content creators and business professionals need writers to help scale their online presence with words. 55:16 💡 The first step in ghostwriting is to have a conversation with the client to understand what they want to communicate. It's about distilling their ideas and presenting them effectively. 58:28 📝 Ghostwriters can extract written content from a creator's existing work, making it a fast and accessible way to enter the field. Offering to work for free initially can be a great way to get started and impress potential clients. 01:01:16 💡 Start by offering your writing services for free to prove your skills and build opportunities. Don't be afraid of giving away your work for free as it removes friction for potential clients. 01:02:56 💼 Even when you're successful, consider doing some work for free if it benefits you in the long run and builds valuable relationships. 01:04:06 🤝 The return on investment (ROI) for free work can be exponential, leading to paid opportunities and stronger connections. 01:06:13 📚 Consider productizing your skills by turning your knowledge into courses, ebooks, or other digital products, allowing you to scale yourself. 01:11:48 💰 Successful individuals think differently about money, valuing their time and the outcomes more than the price tag. 01:16:50 💻 Sales copywriters can earn significant income by getting compensated for the outcomes they drive for businesses, rather than the hours they work. 01:19:37 📖 To become a successful sales copywriter, study the works of great copywriters like Gary Halbert and learn by writing and experimenting with your own copy. 01:20:18 📝 Starting as a ghostwriter, you can quickly make money by offering your services and impressing clients with your work, leading to referrals and steady income. 01:20:46 🏢 Transitioning from a freelancer to building an agency can lead to success, but it can be challenging, especially in the "valley of death" between $1 million and $8 million in revenue, where overheads increase. 01:22:40 💼 Growing an agency past $10 million can be extremely stressful, and many agency owners find themselves struggling and stressed in the process. 01:25:54 💪 Limiting your team size to around 12 full-time employees can help reduce stress and increase efficiency in running an agency. 01:28:24 🧠 When deciding to scale an agency or business, focus on the levers that directly contribute to profitability rather than just increasing headcount. 01:31:54 💰 Paid newsletters should either save readers time through timely content or offer deep expertise in a specific area to be successful. 01:34:00 📬 When starting a paid newsletter, you're in the business of serving readers with valuable content, so be clear about whether you're saving them time or providing expert insights. 01:40:43 💡 To make money as a writer, consider self-publishing books over traditional publishing, as self-publishing can be more profitable in terms of royalties. 01:45:09 💰 When deciding whether to take a traditional publishing deal, consider factors like the book's genre (e.g., personal development or personal finance) and the potential for hitting bestseller lists. 01:46:21 🎙️ Building an audience as a writer requires a data-driven approach, focusing on delivering value, and scaling information through writing. 01:52:08 🌐 Starting a blog may not be the most effective way to reach a broader audience, and instead, focus on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn for distribution. 01:58:09 📝 When writing on social platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn, the size of your existing audience matters less; content quality and engagement determine distribution on these platforms. 01:59:57 📚 Start every writing project by asking "for who so that" to clarify your target audience and desired outcome. 02:00:40 💡 It's not a lifelong commitment; you can change your niche over time. Use data-driven lean writing to test different audiences and outcomes. 02:01:22 📊 Let data guide your content creation. Analyze which writing performs well with your target audience and focus on that. 02:02:46 🧪 Experiment and adapt to your audience's preferences and your own interests. It's not a marriage decision. 02:07:28 📧 Building an email list becomes more crucial when you're productizing your expertise, like launching a paid newsletter or writing a book. 02:16:43 📈 Success in writing online is about creating a library of content and scaling your expertise. It doesn't always rely on audience size but content quality and relevance. 02:17:51 🚀 Success stories include building large Twitter audiences, generating millions of views, launching products, and making substantial income from writing online. 02:18:06 ✍️ Digital writing levels the playing field, allowing anyone to become a writer. It's about investing time to learn and practice the necessary skills. Made with HARPA AI

[@KerlindaBlah]

This is one of the best episode of the podcast. I love, love the ideas and insights that are being shared here. Nicholas answered most of the questions I had in my head about writing. Thank you Ali for having him on the show.

[@shawncollins7130]

This is fantastic. I used to freelance write using elance, fiverr and other sites like that but my approach was clearly wrong. I went into IT and have been doing that for the last 11 years. I've grown to...I wouldn't say hate it, but it's not fulfilling, and I want to leave a legacy for my kids and work for myself again while having control of my income and not be beholden to some company. These 2 hours were fantastic and motivating and I've allowed me to clarify my vision and how to go about firing back up my writing.

[@KerlindaBlah]

I listen to the full podcast… twice! I have never heard of Nicolas Cole before but I think I will now.

[@BARBUSNESS]

This got meaty towards the end. Truly inspired. Thanks, Ali, for being so genuine & vulnerable w your questions. Brings out great & useful information. You got a new follower! Hope to learn more & grow in this space

[@shfizzle]

this has to be the best video on the subject and I've never heard anyone more sincere and down to earth than Nicolas Cole

[@gs24x7]

This was incredible, Ali ! Took me a few weeks to finish but every topic you covered is just stellar. Thanks!

[@Pearladjavon]

Love this so much. Never watched an interview over 2 hours long and thought it ended way too soon. Simply loved it. So much learnt. Thank you so much for such in-depth content.

[@stephanel4770]

My goodness. This podcast has everything. All the questions that popped in my mind as I was listening were answered later on. Where to find customers? How to approach them with a value prop they can’t refuse? You two highlighted the business need very clearly with the “if someone would contact me like this with their free offer like this, that would amazing”. Thanks for opening my eyes to this.

[@abiye3241]

Anytime I'm sad, I open KZbin, search for this video and skip to 1:56:10 -1:56:19 Coles genuine displeasure with this group of people gives me so much joy 😂😂😭

[@ivannayurchenko9393]

This interview was enlightening in so many ways. Huge thank you to both Ali and Nicolas - everything you talked about really broadened my perception of business, money, and the right mindset one should have to build their own brand or even start writing. I also like all the points about finding your niche - just write and see what works! It's so easy but also a little bit scary. So many gems in this interview, thanks once again

[@aliciamulwa8801]

It's always such a treat to stumble on such content after being away for a while. Kudos Ali for all the knowledge you share on this platform. Lots of love from Kenya🥰

[@gardenandcalico]

I've always wanted to be a writer but I've never had the luxury of time wealth to spend a year writing and years waiting. It's only recently I learned there are other paths. This video is probably the most valuable set of information I've found in my research so far. Thank you guys so much for publishing this for free.

[@rchipangura]

I have been thinking about writing online and stumbled on this Podcast on Twitter. So many nuggets in this interview!😮 I will probably need another 2 hours to listen to it again and digest the so many learning points. 😀I have also enjoyed reading the comments. Thanks to Ali and Nicolas!🙏

[@ascia158]

he really gave so much important information here . i can say this is the best eposide in this podcast ever!

[@richardcarr3172]

New to this channel but it's quickly becoming required viewing. Really interesting guests, good questions, insightful and thought provoking answers. Nice!

[@medalprose]

I get sunk up in this content, Nicole is so good, I have learnt so much more than what I have learnt in most sales book I have read so far. Thanks Ali. Hope you would bring him back. By the way, I am reading his book "The Art and Business of Online Writing"

[@bltrn]

Although I’m not a writer, I’m gaining so much from this! 🔥

[@maryamnasir8326]

This is one of the best and most informative episodes of your podcast Ali. So many things to learn. I actually took notes. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@CMFbroadcast]

Thanks Ali and Nicolas, it was an awesome interview! Really thought provoking, well structured and giving useful pointers. I am really happy a friend of mine sent me to your channel.

[@personalfinanceabundance]

Ali, thank you so much for introducing me to Cole, such a knowledge, wisdom, key lessons, filled interview. Thanks “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” ― Charles R. Swindoll

[@ilanos05]

Really appreciate Nicolas's honesty and the truth with which he shared his story and insights. Ali, watching your channel gives so much learning. Keep up the good work!

[@mmasoomali]

Being a nerd and eager to write for digital space Cole is another addition to my list after Alex Cattoni and Mark Manson. Thanks Ali keep adding value.

[@LindyL]

Theres so much value in this podcast. Im only half-way through the podcast and I just messaged a local business if they want me to write for their blog XD

[@thetaurean4932]

Are blogs still relevant? I was thinking it is getting outdated

[@hamzanocap]

@@thetaurean4932 Written content has existed for 1000's of years, and will continue to exist for a 1000 more. Don't get caught up in passing trends, writing is an eternal artform. Look up Adam Enfroy for the current state and future of blogging.

[@allahverdiyevruslan]

A huge thank you to Ali for inviting such a wonderful person to your podcast. A big thank you to Nicholas for sharing his experiences with us. I really enjoyed listening to this podcast. Thanks again, guys.

[@AtabakIranizad]

One of the best episodes, thanks Ali! Nice to meet Nicolas!

[@christo2333]

Ridiculously rich interview. So many great insights and plenty of concrete practical info. Thank you!!

[@wordcharm2649]

Really invaluable podcast. Just read 22 laws of digital writing right after watching this interview. I liked how succinct it was. Onto reading his second book The Art and Business of Digital Writing.

[@Filosopha]

Thank you so much for this... very insightful on how to be successful in the digital space. I would love to see more interviews from Nicolas Cole. He has such a clear way of explaining things.

[@reinopuchannel]

Agree!

[@_andrewpeacock]

This might have been my most valuable deep dive for my current life transition. Not going to lie - I was working on a website to hold some articles (and hopefully courses long-term)… but I think I’m going to pump the breaks in that, use sub stack in the near term (virtually no set up) and then instead focus on the content creation itself!

[@fungsho12]

My husband is a writer but he is stuck in the traditional way of showcasing his work. I am trying to get him to go online and produce content but I dont know where to start. The online space is overwelming, especially for him who doesnt have socials or focus on the online world.

[@rahulsinghrajput111]

So much of useful advice here. One observation I have is most of the Successful people have some framework that they apply while taking decisions!

[@philippfarmer]

This might be one of the most helpful videos I’ve watched in a long time! Thank you both!

[@9891angel]

What an incredible episode, being a working mom I took around 5 days to complete the video but it was worth it! Thank you so much Ali got inviting Nicolas Cole, and Nicolas Cole thank you for sharing such smart advice. I thought the 2 year one was brilliant

[@KongCapital]

This is amazing, thank you!

[@chipcook5346]

Thank you, Nicolas, for "Practicing in Public." Thank you, Ali, for yet another fine interview.

[@shabgerye]

The most valuable interview with great tips. Also he's radiating calmness!

[@williss1192]

I think I can consider myself an experienced writer. However, this is really an enlightening video, such an in-depth unique perspective from someone who had so much success. "Using language to change the way people think" "The reader the main character" "The power of words" "Every question is a writing prompt" or " I still haven't made it out as a writer, the feeling never goes away" "It doesn't matter what you achieve, it will never be enough, get comfortable with that feeling."

[@PhilippKroiss]

Awesome! Love both of you guys. Just finished "The Art and Business of Online Writing" a few days ago and was very positively surprised then to meet Nicolas again here on this podcast, which is one of my favorite ones. I am just a bit "sad" that you didn't talk about the one BIG question in writing these days: "How will KI change the whole game?" Any thoughts about that? Thank you so much

[@bylineraza]

Good interview Ali. Jotted down lots of points given by Nicolas. Top lines: ROI on free work is exponential; Follow the data; Write consistently, generate lots of data points; Is this a trade for my time or my expertise; and, For who-So what. The points on how to understand my niche that resonates with me by following the data points that need to be generated by my published content is a big takeaway. Thanks.

[@hectorxanders]

From the bottom of my heart i want to thank you guys for really bringging this information out here on the internet. For so long i thought a lot of information on the internet was a scam. maybe due to some traumas from my past i had blocked myself to learn and listen, realy pay attention and see other ways to make income and make a better world. I hope one day i get to be at your studio and talk about it, but for now its time to get all the books i have in my mind to the world and help those who have been at the same position like me . share my experience. Kudos to you all.

[@syv0nne]

this was an incredible conversation and gave me so many ideas. Thank you so much to you both!!

[@orinyoutubes]

This is gold. Thanks for making it happen.

[@monaabdelmeged]

Thank you very much, this is very helpful and insightful.

[@veyseldoganer7584]

Thank you Ali,a great conversation, a good guide to content writing

[@matthewlawrencescigousky]

Great advice! I have been writing for 4 years and now implementing many of the things discussed. Well done!

[@treywillis]

Man that was so good. So many nuggets. Thank you guys

[@chineduemmanuel7882]

This podcast is literally the best I've ever watched. Nicole is just so good. Will definitely rewatch this for a good number of times❤

[@maelynayala]

Love this video! I'm a freelancer and would like to create an agency. Thankful I watched this video, now I know that building an agency is not the best way to take my freelancing business to the next level.

[@fernandosilva3051]

Wooow, this is one of the best Podcast I ever listened! Thanks Ali, always so deeply question and good approaching for the gest

[@EddyMerlyBorja]

This is one of the most valuable videos I've ever watched on writing. And it's for FREE. Thanks for this.

[@maque08]

Thanks for your podcast! As a beginner of blogging, i really dont know what to write. But after hearing the podcast, i have a new thought : Answering the question of your reader, they are the best source for your ideas. Thanks again for creating this podcast!

[@SelenaPersad]

One of the best interviews I have seen on the podcast. Which says a lot as you have great guests!

[@BoldBrainWay]

Awesome episode as always, thank you. I have learned a huge amount of actionable things from it and it seems to be a commonality in your content, Ali: it's always actionable, raw, playfield -leveling content. Again, many thanks!

[@manpreet0784]

Amazing podcast! Thanks a ton, Ali. I'm even a bigger fan now. Thanks a lot to Nicolas Cole too. May God bless you both always.❤❤

[@mariomaro7]

This was an invaluable pod, absolutely loved it!

[@thetruthseekerswithrandymc5850]

I'm an hour in and this is a game-changer for me. I'm listening while working on my first e-book. Thanks for your good content.

[@reinopuchannel]

Good luck for your first e-book

[@ipshitabose3159]

I watched this video in several installments today. Thank you so much for this amazing informational podcast.

[@the_innovation_grid]

Ali, I'm not sure how often you read these comments, but I wanted to express my gratitude for your videos. I've consumed a lot of your content, and it has inspired me to embark on my own entrepreneurship journey. As always, I've taken a lot of notes from this podcast episode and now have some work to do. You're an inspiration and a true source of knowledge. Keep up the amazing work; you and your team change lives. You've definitely changed mine. Cheers, and I hope you're taking care of yourself.

[@aliabdaal]

Awh thank you ❤

[@pastapins1263]

Deep dive definitely grew to be my absolute favorite podcast for productivity

[@josephbailey4463]

Very timely for me. As a retired teacher looking for a new challenge, this was helpful to point me in a good direction to go with my writing. Lots of useful resources here.

[@Authentic_Ankii]

Thank you so much it was very helpful and resourceful 😇🙏 I am gonna start writing online in 2024. It was very practical advices. I took notes of some things. I would like more of these podcasts dedicated to Traditional Publishing, Self Publishing and one for the Novel or Fiction Writers. Like one podcast on each topic in detail

[@melyndacostenoble1922]

I'M so happy I made productive decisions about my finances that changed my life forever, hoping to retire next year... Investment should always be on any creative man's heart for success in life.

[@RiosCosma]

I agree with you and believe that the secret to financial stability is having the right investment ideas to enable you earn more money, I don't know who agrees with me but either way I recommend real estate or crypto and stocks.

[@albertkristensen2957]

​@@RiosCosmaYeah!! It would be more beneficial and yield more profit if you actually trade on cryptocurrency, I've been trading since the dip, I've made so much profit trading.

[@Martina73823]

​@marysienka208trading is easier with proper guidance, especially from a professional, Newbies who are not aware of how crypto truly works and wish to make profits from it, I would advise to invest with a professional like Jeffrey kathryn, It helps secure and minimize the possibilities of losses.

[@user-im3pk5sn4i]

​@neritankola722哇你也认识她？我什至认为我是她唯一帮助我度过外汇交易的恐惧和失败的人。

[@dritazane6837]

Started my trade in Crypto as a newbie, with Zero knowledge of what i am doing but meeting Mrs Jeffrey Kathryn has been Amazing and a blessing to me

[@LoisLeonora]

My lord this is a great interview.

[@nszack4468]

That was great amout of information and motivation for 2 hours; Thank you Ali!

[@nabilaref8080]

Priceless. This podcast has brought so much value to my writing journey. Thank you so much. I love how insightful your podcast are in general and how you ask really interesting questions. Keep the good work. Thanks.😊

[@kiburamaha7715]

So I finished this video and i mean all of it!!! it has been a while since I actually sticked on one video for more than two hours but what I noticed is that I was tempted to stay because of the fear of what information I will be missing from coal if I go to another of ali's video with harmonzi, which he mentioned around the middle (definitely my next one to watch). But I learned a lot from this video from coal and thank God ali keeps asking the questions. The do it for free at first and to experiment on finding a nich by writing different things and seeing the data is an amazing advice. This video is worth a revisit.

[@__nav]

learned so much from this; one of the best videos ever watched. thanks both.

[@BSPoK]

Nicolas Cole knows his stuff!

[@temitopef]

Just wondering how Ali could fit so much value in to one video, enjoyed the part talking about the value of money to different people and businesses 🙌

[@mom-and-son]

SO MANY 💎💎💎💎!!! Thank you so much guys!!

[@DanielleGlick]

This video was packed with gold! Thank you!

[@whynamibia]

Deep, insightful and inspirational content. Thank you!