Practical guidance to help you start and scale your one-person internet business.

1,012 tech companies have laid off workers in 2023. 
 
21,000 Meta employees - cut. 
 
12,000 Google employees - gone. 
 
The "safe" job might not be as safe as you think it is. 
 
And some people are pissed off. 
 
But behind the anger, there's a bigger opportunity. 
 
An opportunity to prepare. 
 
Because when profit is down, shareholders are panicked, and board members are upset, layoffs are the next thing coming. 
 
One moment you're a valuable piece of the "family", and then suddenly you aren't. 
 
That sucks. 
 
No matter how loved you feel, no matter how close you are to your boss, no matter how much they rolled out the red carpet...in the end? 
 
It's a math decision. 
 
You're a number on a spreadsheet. 
 
I've been there. 
 
Is it fair? Maybe not. 
Is it true? 100% 
 
The earlier you realize this in your career, the better off you are. 
 
So start future-proofing yourself. 
 
If you're fortunate enough to be employed, start building out your online brand, share your thoughts & learnings, and engage with other talented people. 
 
Create small side hustles and projects. 
 
Network like crazy. Make yourself impossible to forget. 
 
Become synonymous with something that can generate a little income should you need it. Anything. 
 
If you've been let go from your job, don't put the "Open for Work" badge on your profile. 
 
Instead, go create something: 
 
- Attention 
- Content 
- Software 
- A newsletter 
- A blog 
- Audio 
- Video 
 
Whatever. Just create! 
 
Don't tell people you're open for work. SHOW them you're worth working with. 
 
Stand out. 
Make noise. 
Be different. 
Be in as many places as you can be. 
 
And when you get hired again, please don't stop. 
 
Always have a plan B. 
 
Always be prepared.

Here’s 2 ways to start: https://lnkd.in/eGzFY6Tg

Justin Welsh

Over the last decade, I helped build two companies past a $1B valuation and raise over $300M in venture capital. 

Then, in 2019, I burned out.

So, I decided to walk away from my high-paying executive job.

But, before I could, I had a hypothesis.

I believed building an audience online would be an incredible asset. That attention was the new currency and would play a major part in my success as an entrepreneur.

So, I started building my brand on LinkedIn in early 2019. 

And the results were pretty phenomenal.

In just 6 months I grew from zero followers to over 20,000.

And on August 1st of 2019, I walked away from my executive role at a fast-growing startup.

Since that day, I've spent my time building a number of one-person Internet businesses.

My mission is to be the "Diversified Solopreneur." 

My results:

→ $4.8M in business revenue at a 92% profit margin.
→ 470k+ people following my journey on LinkedIn
→ 430k+ people following my journey on Twitter
→ 175,000+ people read my weekly newsletter
→ 600M+ impressions in the last 4 years

If you want to learn more about how I did this, you can take one of my self-guided courses.

THE OPERATING SYSTEM DIGITAL COURSE

In this 120-minute course, you will learn the complete LinkedIn operating system that I used to grow from 0 to 470k followers and earn $4.8M+ in income with zero advertisements. Join 16,000+ students and 30 LinkedIn Top Voices in the #1 rated LinkedIn course in the world.

→ GO HERE: www.TheOperatingSystem.co

THE CONTENT OS DIGITAL COURSE

In this 85-minute course, you will learn the 8-part content creation machine behind 600M+ impressions on LinkedIn and Twitter, and building a 175,000+ subscriber newsletter. If you're looking for systems to produce 10-15 pieces of high-quality written content every single day, this is the course for you.

→ GO HERE: www.justinwelsh.me/the-content-os

Email: support@justinwelsh.me
X: @thejustinwelsh

The Diversified Solopreneur | Building my one-person business to $5M in revenue. Posts & articles about the process.

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A clear sign of personal growth: 
 
You want everyone to win. 
 
Whenever I see people bashing others, I know I'm dealing with an immature little kid. 
 
Because the best and brightest have an infinite-game mindset. 
 
"There's a big enough pie for all of us." 
 
They root for others. 
 
Plain and simple. 
 
Here are 4 common things I see smart people doing: 
 
1. Sharing the spotlight 
2. Hosting collaborations 
3. Supporting people publicly 
4. Connecting great people together 

Here’s the “support playbook” I run: https://lnkd.in/entiSac5
 
Remember: Lift others to lift yourself. 
 
Or don't — and waste this massive opportunity. 

Consider reposting ♻️ if you think more people should be collaborating.

Ever wonder why companies want you to come back to the office? 
 
Or spend all day at your desk? 
 
Me too. 
 
Sure...I understand the camaraderie. 
 
And some things are more easily done in person than virtually. I get that. 
 
But here's something else I think: 
 
Success is not about long hours in the office. Or sitting at your desk from 9 to 5. 
 
It's about good ideas and sharp execution. 
 
And sometimes, the best ideas come when you're away from your desk. 
 
Like at the dinner table, on a run, or playing with your kids. 
 
Spending time with family isn't just nice, it helps us think better. 
 
Don't get stuck on the old idea that more hours at work means more success. 
 
Try something different. 
 
Spend more time living life, and you might find you're better at your job. 
 
Take a step back and think about this. 
 
Maybe a new way to measure success is in the quality of our ideas, and how we execute on them - not the quantity of our hours. 
 
Your desk isn't going anywhere, but your life is. 
 
Build life-work balance. Not the other way around.

Here’s how: https://lnkd.in/ewg6y-i5
 
Repost ♻️ if you think being forced back to the office & desk is silly.

A miserable job eats your soul. 
 
We've all been there. 
 
And working for yourself is no walk in the park either. 
 
But have you ever compared it to the feeling of waking up each morning dreading the day ahead? 
 
I have, and I can tell you, the latter takes a much heavier toll on your spirit. 
 
The struggles of working for yourself are real, but they're challenges you choose. 
 
So if your corporate job drains your soul, consider investing in your own future through solopreneurship. 
 
And start building something that truly matters — to you and your tribe. 
 
Not someone else's.

→ Here's how to start: https://lnkd.in/eu4p6Tye

Over the last decade, I helped build two companies past a $1B valuation and raise over $300M in venture capital. 

Then, in 2019, I burned out.

So, I decided to walk away from my high-paying executive job.

But, before I could, I had a hypothesis.

I believed building an audience online would be an incredible asset. That attention was the new currency and would play a major part in my success as an entrepreneur.

So, I started building my brand on LinkedIn in early 2019. 

And the results were pretty phenomenal.

In just 6 months I grew from zero followers to over 20,000.

And on August 1st of 2019, I walked away from my executive role at a fast-growing startup.

Since that day, I've spent my time building a number of one-person Internet businesses.

My mission is to be the "Diversified Solopreneur." 

My results:

→ $4.7M in business revenue at a 92% profit margin.
→ 465k+ people following my journey on LinkedIn
→ 430k+ people following my journey on Twitter
→ 170,000+ people read my weekly newsletter
→ 600M+ impressions in the last 4 years

If you want to learn more about how I did this, you can take one of my self-guided courses.

THE OPERATING SYSTEM DIGITAL COURSE

In this 120-minute course, you will learn the complete LinkedIn operating system that I used to grow from 0 to 465k followers and earn $4.7M+ in income with zero advertisements. Join 16,000+ students and 30 LinkedIn Top Voices in the #1 rated LinkedIn course in the world.

→ GO HERE: www.TheOperatingSystem.co

THE CONTENT OS DIGITAL COURSE

In this 85-minute course, you will learn the 8-part content creation machine behind 600M+ impressions on LinkedIn and Twitter, and building a 170,000+ subscriber newsletter. If you're looking for systems to produce 10-15 pieces of high-quality written content every single day, this is the course for you.

→ GO HERE: www.justinwelsh.me/the-content-os

Email: support@justinwelsh.me
X: @thejustinwelsh

You don't get paid for effort. 
 
You get paid for value. 
 
Unfortunately, there are thousands of stories of people who spent hours upon hours building, crafting, tweaking, and launching... 
 
Only to find out that nobody wanted what they built. 
 
That's depressing. 
 
So, please don't let this happen to you. 
 
Instead, create a simple, fast MVP that you can get feedback on. 
 
Here's how: 
 
- Domain: $12/yr (Google) 
- Landing page: $19/yr (Carrd) 
- Payment processing: 2.9% (Stripe) 

I can usually validate that an idea is valuable in 24 hours.

(And I'll never spend more than $31)

Here's my process: https://lnkd.in/eBFxHrTd
 
Give this process a try...
 
Don't become another story of effort without value.

How to stop wasting thousands of hours:
________

If you liked this, consider joining my weekly newsletter. 

You’ll learn how to build your audience and grow your business revenue in less than 4 minutes per week.

Join 165,000+ creators here: https://lnkd.in/eZn7GUi5

Self-confidence isn't optional. 
 
It's your lifeline as an entrepreneur. 
 
Through the ups and downs of my life, I've come to see how critical self-confidence is.  
 
It's not just a feel-good term — it's the backbone of every successful person.  
 
Working for yourself is hard. 
 
Doubt creeps in easily.  
 
But trust me, investing in your own confidence isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.  
 
So, take that course, read that book, or seek that mentor.  
 
Your future self will thank you.

→ Here’s my recipe for improving self-confidence: https://lnkd.in/edXGJfkJ

I paid a guy $130 to move a treadmill in 30 minutes. 
 
It all started with a simple Google search: 
 
"Heavy furniture move 37206" 
 
Found the guy, reached out, paid him, and he came over. 
 
In and out — 30 minutes. 
 
Said he had 8 moves that day. 
 
Do the math. 
 
Have you made $1,040 in one day? 
 
Everyone wants entrepreneurship to be fancy. 
 
Sometimes it's just movin' treadmills. 
 
Maybe your idea is fancy. 
 
Maybe it isn't. 
 
Either way...go for it.

Here’s how to start: https://lnkd.in/eS4T44xE

Stop selling.  
 
Start solving problems. 
 
Selling can often feel like a daunting task.  
 
We're told it's about convincing people to buy what we're offering.  
 
But that's a silly misconception.  
 
The real art of selling isn't about persuasion; it's about positioning.  
 
Make your product so good, so tailored to solve specific problems, that it becomes the only logical choice for your target audience. 
 
When you start hearing: 
 
"How do I get started?" 
 
Then you know you've nailed it.

If you want to sell (without being sales-y), here are 6 simple tactics anyone can use to sell more: https://lnkd.in/eKq4DS8J

Most successful entrepreneurs I know: 
 
- Aren't that smart 
- Don't have MBAs 
- Don't come from money 
 
They are just regular ol' people with a lot of confidence and a heavy bias for action. 
 
If you believe you can do it? 
 
And you take small steps to get there? 
 
You can do it, too. 
 
Take one small step today.

Start here: https://lnkd.in/ewkUU2ry

P.S. Consider resharing ♻️ this if you outperformed everyone's expectations.

Bet on yourself. 
 
Pursue your passions & ideas on your own terms. 
 
Be accountable for the wins & losses, making the decisions, and steering toward success. 
 
- No team 
- No waiting on approval 
- No bureaucracy to manage 
 
Just pure drive and focus on your ideal life. 
 
Slightly more risk. 
 
Infinitely more rewarding.

More here: https://lnkd.in/e3hgcAws

The hidden cost of working for a poorly managed company: 
 
1. Loss of Freedom: 
 
Your routine is often dictated by someone else’s inefficient schedule. 
 
Even your personal activities are often forced to fit around this kind of job. 
 
How many times have you rearranged a family outing because of an unexpected work call? 
 
2. Burnout: 
 
With the merging of home space and workspace, we are constantly 'on.' 
 
And with poor management at bad companies, work hours are no longer restricted to 9-5. 
 
This constant availability leads to chronic stress and burnout. 
 
3. Health Issues: 
 
Sitting in front of the computer for hours on end, eating rushed lunches, and the strain from continual stress crushes people's physical health. 
 
The worse the company, the more they expect you at your desk, nonstop, and lack the resources to help keep their employees healthy and happy. 
 
4. Lack of Fulfillment: 
 
Ask yourself this honest question - are you working on something you genuinely care about? 
 
Or just completing tasks to get a paycheck at the end of the month? 
 
If you work for a bad company, there's never been a better time to start working on something of your own on the side. 
 
Take the paycheck and use it as capital to build your own side business. 
 
Work that until you're 60% to 70% of your current salary. 
 
Then...hire yourself as CEO and create the dream culture you never had.

Here are 7 dead-simple steps to get started: https://lnkd.in/eWTw9gCi

Consider reposting ♻️ this to save someone from a sh*tty job.

Don't let fear of risk paralyze you. 
 
You'll be forever haunted by the 'what-ifs.' 
 
In the world of solopreneurship, playing it safe can sometimes be the riskiest move. 
 
Take it from me: 
 
- Be bold in your choices 
- Embrace calculated risks 
- Learn from each step, risky or not 
- Avoid being trapped in a 'safety bubble' 
 
You don't need to play it safe to be successful. 
 
But you do need a strategy to turn risk into reward. 
 
So, remember to aim for a life of asymmetric bets. 
 
A life you won't regret.

Here’s how: https://lnkd.in/egpRbkNu

Prediction for 2024: 
 
More high performers will view one-person internet businesses as a viable alternative to traditional work. 
 
More flexibility, higher income potential, 100% ownership, zero office requirement & the ability to be present for their partner and children. 

Here’s how you start: https://lnkd.in/eFCpM-dh

Remember: Life-work balance. 
 
Not the other way around.

Over the last decade, I helped build two companies past a $1B valuation and raise over $300M in venture capital. 

Then, in 2019, I burned out.

So, I decided to walk away from my high-paying executive job.

But, before I could, I had a hypothesis.

I believed building an audience online would be an incredible asset. That attention was the new currency and would play a major part in my success as an entrepreneur.

So, I started building my brand on LinkedIn in early 2019. 

And the results were pretty phenomenal.

In just 6 months I grew from zero followers to over 20,000.

And on August 1st of 2019, I walked away from my executive role at a fast-growing startup.

Since that day, I've spent my time building a number of one-person Internet businesses.

My mission is to be the "Diversified Solopreneur." 

My results:

→ $4.2M in business revenue at a 94% profit margin.
→ 435k+ people following my journey on LinkedIn
→ 405k+ people following my journey on Twitter
→ 150,000+ people read my weekly newsletter
→ 500M+ impressions in the last 4 years

If you want to learn more about how I did this, you can take one of my self-guided courses.

THE OPERATING SYSTEM DIGITAL COURSE

In this 120-minute course, you will learn the complete LinkedIn operating system that I used to grow from 0 to 435k followers and earn $4.2M+ in income with zero advertisements. Join 15,500+ students & 30 LinkedIn Top Voices in the #1 rated LinkedIn course in the world.

→ GO HERE: www.TheOperatingSystem.co

THE CONTENT OS DIGITAL COURSE

In this 85-minute course, you will learn the 8-part content creation machine behind 500M+ impressions on LinkedIn and Twitter, and building a 125,000+ subscriber newsletter. If you're looking for systems to produce 10-15 pieces of high-quality written content every single day, this is the course for you.

→ GO HERE: www.justinwelsh.me/the-content-os

Email: support@justinwelsh.me
Twitter: @thejustinwelsh

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