Episode #37 – 5 Listener Questions about Location Independence and Business

by Dan on July 29, 2010

Post image for Episode #37 – 5 Listener Questions about Location Independence and Business

I’ve been spending so much time responding to emails it finally dawned on me that I could respond with a podcast. WOW. Sometimes I am slow. That’s the new policy. In most cases we’ll answer questions that can benefit the whole community. Not only is this more valuable to everyone listening to the show, but I’m sure it will work out well for the person asking the question as well. I have opinions, but I’m absolutely certain that our collective audience knows way more about these issues than me alone. I just proofed parts of this episode and there are even things in there I could phrase a totally different way or see from a different angle– I’m sure there are some things in there we are just flat WRONG about… that’s gonna happen a lot. I’m cool with being wrong– its way better than not publishing a podcast. Enjoy the show !

We’ve made a lot of broad sweeping generalizations about entire countries in this episode. I’m interested to hear your opinions about some of these questions….

Big Pool

Playing With Boats in Subic Bay

Driving in the Philippines, Just North of Manila

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People in this episode:

Call us with your questions or comments at 888-554-8428 .

Episode length: 23:10

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If you’ve found the podcast at all helpful or entertaining, we’d love if you could click over to our iTunes page and give us a positive review. This will help us to get more listeners and invest more in the podcast! If you know some ways we can make it better, please send us an email. Dan at lifestyle business podcast . com.


The Podcast Sounds Better with Beer. Its a fact.

*I’m hoping this helps explain why this post might be extra hip, cool, and sleek. If not, srry for the typos@!

Tagged as: email, honey, internet, John Mayer is the best thing on Youtube, makin' money, NYC people are nuts, we are certified jerks

  • Whether I'm emailing, texting, IM-ing, or leaving comments on a blog, I always try and use correct grammar, punctuation and captilization. Why? Because I judge those who don't use it...and I judge them harshly! :)

    I can't tell you how many times I've gotten emails from people in my industry (Business Intelligence) who have sent emails that look like a pre-schooler sent them. What's worse is when I've received these emails from people coming to me looking for a job. About the quickest way to fail in that attempt.

    You'd be surprised how many resumes I've received that fail to use correct capitalization and punctuation too!

    David
    [This comment was sent from my more bad-ass HTC EVO]

    ;)
  • TropicalMBA
    hehe.... I'm constantly amazed by the low quality of cover letters and resumes I receive for all kinds of jobs (actually an exception at the Tropical MBA most applications were great).
  • Hey Guys!
    Great Podcast as always. Love the Pomodoro technique, I'm guetting way more stuff done right now. There's also a Mac OS dashboard widget (http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/pomodorowidget.html), but I'm not really satisfied with that.
  • TropicalMBA
    Yeah buddy I imagine its tough to get stuff done in Mindoro otherwise ;)
  • Dmckeegan
    Guys,

    Great podcast as ever. Wanted to let you know that I have now listened to your podcast on 3 different continents and in 5 different countries (Brazil, Uruguay, USA - both East and West coasts, UK and now in Spain). My wife and I have been traveling the last 7 months with our now 10 month old son.

    One idea for a future podcast I had was how to keep your spirits up and motivation levels high when everything seems to be going off plan. One of the ways I have done this is by listening to your (and other) podcast to try and get some helpful ideas for solving / avoiding problems.

    Keep up the great work.

    David
    Greenback Tax Services
    www.GreenbackTaxServices.com
  • TropicalMBA
    David that's so cool to hear. I love your suggestion for the podcast Ian and I really spend a lot of time solving problems and getting through rough patches but we haven't yet talked about that much on the podcast (aside from Ian's blood pressure!). We'll brainstorm some ideas and put them in the show. Sometime in the very near future we need to talk about your company I'm interested to learn from you.
  • Hi Guys,
    I'd just like to add +1 to the total girl count who listen in on your podcast. Actually as scary as it seems, I try to listen to a few podcasts a week. Your easy manner about this subject matter is really motivating. I love the way you harp on about "hussle" get on the phone and do it. I'm sure that's where most online businesses go wrong.

    I am just starting an e-commerce site selling XXX na not going to tell, but it's a great untapped market online here in Aussie land and I don't want someone crushing me at it. Just yesterday I hired a a lady from the Philippines full time..after signing up to John Jonas membership site. So I'm really at the beginning of this adventure.

    I can't remember which podcast episode it was but the best bit of advice I'm taking from you guys right now is to get a blog up and gather together an audience of people who will want to buy from the website once it's open.

    I feel super confident in most of the website side of all this, but how do I go about approaching suppliers to sell their products when I have nothing to show them yet? That's my main concern right now. Cheers Guys, and your podcast may be good with a beer, I prefer it over music when walking the dog. Take Care. G
  • TropicalMBA
    Yeah! Glenys thanks for listening to our show. I think dogs are a nice compliment to the show.
  • Glenys
    Having to walk the dog, is such a terrific way of escaping the rug rats for an hour and leaving them with dad. Aaww. She's a nice compliment to my sanity.
  • Ian
    Excellent that you've decided to join the hustle! If I'm understanding right you don't have a website live and you are wondering how to approach suppliers for pricing/ photos/ descriptions.... Most of the time I think you'll find suppliers will give you what you need even though your site isn't up. You will probably have a harder time negotiating pricing if you don't have sales history but that's OK. If you are reselling hard goods a lot of times the prices are pretty much set at quantity levels. Once you start crashing the sales boards you can go back and negotiate the terms. Hopefully you can put up a nice landing page -- try to avoid contacting them from @gmail @yahoo @msn... accounts.
  • Glenys
    Ian, I registered a business name and have 2 keyword rich domain names. Using an email address though one of them and including a virtual business card signature and wonder of wonders suppliers are very happy to talk with me. :) Thank you!
  • TropicalMBA
    Wow dude you sound like you've done this before!
  • Glenys
    Yep that's where I'm at, thanks for the tips!
  • Great stuff as usual guys.

    The Pomodoro Technique is something that I've used in the past. Not a huge fan. I used to be into productivity systems and such but really figured out that the best one is to just do what you have to do. That's it. Just do it. If you don't want to, really evaluate whether or not you need to be doing it or not. The best productivity system I've ever used is eliminating distractions. It really gets more to the roof of the problem. Glad it's working well for you though!

    And I have question for future episodes... Will you ever be revealing what market(s) you're in? I'd like to see a live site that you guys actually work on. I understand it's quite a big thing to ask for, but hey, worth a shot :-)
  • TropicalMBA
    Yeah I go back and forth with this stuff. I like to ride the waves of inspiration as well, lately I've been really trying to listen to the part of myself that just wants to chill out !

    In terms of talking about our businesses we might start doing that eventually. Probably within the year. Right now its a big liability. Perhaps you can get me on the phone sometime and we can discuss :)
  • Hey guys,
    Nice podcast..as always.
    Think I might give Egg Timer a shot..that and I need to shut off email alerts! :-)
    Thanks for the shout out....I'll get some more 'chicks' over here...they're missing out!
    Have a great weekend,
    Kim
  • Ian
    Thanks for the generous itunes review! I still wake up some nights thinking I hear my phone buzz through an email. You deserve more Kim, only have it alert you when you make a sale!
  • TropicalMBA
    Yeah Kim! There are a bunch of alternatives out there, none of which I know! Tony mentions one below: "This is the timer tool I use. http://www.focusboosterapp.com/" Enjoying it so far thanks you too:)
  • I agree with your comments about punctuation in emails. If you can't be bothered to capitalize letters then what does that say about your work ethic? I know pushing that shift key can be tough but get with it!

    Keep up the good work guys!
  • TropicalMBA
    No shift key = no money!
  • Refreshing beer + Beautiful Pool = Good Times!

    I'm lovin' the promodoro technique. This is the timer tool I use. http://www.focusboosterapp.com/

    Once again, great podcast!
  • TropicalMBA
    yessir!
  • Loved the breakdown of the different cultures Dan. I like to hear about the travel side of things from your end and to know that you're just not holing up in a hotel every single night. You're actually experiencing the culture. I like that. Want to go traveling sometime?

    I liked how Dan's tip last week was to delete emails and Ian's this week was answer them 24/7. I don't know which policy to follow!

    A funny twist on the "sent from my iPhone" tagline I've seen is "sent from my iPad nano." It's a little tongue in cheek way to acknowledge your'e sending it from your iPhone, but overall I think the best route is to just get rid of it in general.

    Egg Timer is great. I've been looking for something like this so I can try out the pomodoro technique. I actually found this specific link that does the pomodoro cycles. Check it out --
    http://e.ggtimer.com/pomodoro

    Sorry for the long comments, but great show as always.

    -Joel
    [p.s. thanks for the shout -- you guys are awesome.]
  • TropicalMBA
    Joel I've been really ramping up my traveling lately, especially now that I'm on the outs with the office. I do want to go traveling! On the consistent messaging, we are always changing out minds no 100% right way to do things for me. Love the iPad nano thingie haha

    Dan
    [this comment was written on my badass Macbook pro]
  • Hi Dan your link to download is to episode 36 and not 37.
  • TropicalMBA
    Thanks Deano, should be cleared up. Hows things in PP. Getting bored or settling right in?
  • Things are fine down here in PP, just got my visa extension today, took 15 mins. 2030 Pesos + 1000 Peso express fee. You don't have the option not to go by express down here :O Still it was very quick and easy.
    I'm reckoning on a few more weeks here, then I'm going to go and do some exploring :-D
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