It is the 50th episode of Late Night Internet Marketing, and Mark celebrates by calling Pat Flynn for a spontaneous conversation about getting started online. They cover the question every aspiring entrepreneur asks, share what frustrates them about the internet marketing industry, and offer advice for people who need money now versus those building for the long term.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- Pat Flynn's advice for people getting started in online business
- The freelancing bridge strategy for people who need income immediately
- Why every overnight success story has years of work behind it
- What bothers both Mark and Pat about the internet marketing industry
Episode Summary
Mark and Pat recorded this conversation the same week Pat's Smart Passive Income website was taken down by a denial-of-service attack. Pat uses the experience to reinforce a key point: internet business is hard, and passion is what gets you through the hard parts.
The conversation covers two main scenarios. For people with a day job who want to build something on the side, the advice is to start with what you know, create valuable content, and build an audience over time. For people who need money immediately, Pat recommends freelancing — using skills you already have to earn income while reserving time to build a longer-term business.
Both Mark and Pat express frustration with internet marketing sales pages that prey on desperate people by promising instant wealth. They emphasize that legitimate online business requires sustained effort and that the “overnight success” narrative always conceals years of grinding.
The full interview continues in the companion transcript episode with detailed discussion of passion, meta-passions, Pat's security guard site, and strategies for different starting situations.
Key Takeaways
- Getting started online begins with what you already know — create value first, monetize later
- If you need income now, freelance with existing skills while building your long-term business
- Legitimate online business takes time — be wary of anyone selling shortcuts
- Connecting with others on the same journey provides essential encouragement and accountability
What's Changed Since This Episode
Pat Flynn continued to grow Smart Passive Income into one of the most recognized brands in online business education before eventually pivoting to new ventures. His journey from this 2013 conversation to building a media company validates every principle he and Mark discuss here.
The freelancing economy has exploded. Upwork (the merger of Elance and Odesk that Pat mentions) now facilitates billions of dollars in freelance work annually. The freelancing-to-entrepreneurship path is now a well-documented and respected career trajectory.
Resources Mentioned
- Smart Passive Income — Pat Flynn's legacy resource
- Late Night Internet Marketing Podcast
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Related Episodes
If you found this episode helpful, you might also enjoy:
- LNIM050 Transcript — Getting Started Online With Pat Flynn (Full Transcript)
- LNIM052 — Finding A Niche That You Love
Listen and Subscribe
Listen to Late Night Internet Marketing on Apple Podcasts or subscribe at latenightim.com/internet-marketing-podcast/. Have a question for Mark? Call the digital recorder at 214-444-8655 or drop a comment below.
Great episode Mark and Pat. I trust you survived your 5 am conf. call Mark – was that with the Nova Scotia branch? Wow. My big takeaway on this show was the principle of not expecting overnight riches, aka — this won’t replace your monthly income tomorrow – particularly if you have a desperation mindset, which so many do unfortunately.
I’ve stated before — I’m hot and cold on Pat’s Monthly Income Report. I do believe it’s a completely honest and motivating publication from someone trying to help others. The problem is — the numbers are so staggering (particularly the BlueHost income) – it can become counter-productive.
It’s unfortunately kind of like the old multi-level marketing days when the top income earners would wave their 5 figure check in front of crowd to show them the possiblities, and then scream that “you can’t do this overnight, it takes hard work” etc. – except everyone had stopped listening to that part. I guess I conclude there’s good and bad to it – take the good and move on. Thanks again Mark and Pat.
Thanks Kent.
I agree with you on most things, and I see your point on Pat’s income report. But I don’t agree that the fact that people can have a counter-productive mindset is an argument for not doing the income report. In fact, that counter-productive thinking is an argument for people transitioning to a more abundant mindset.
I do know what you mean about MLM. That makes me throw up in my mouth a little.
The thing is, Pat is not saying that you can duplicate his success with SPI. MLM guys said do what I did and get what I got. Pat never says that — He does not teach that people should duplicate SPI. He is saying that you can duplicate his success with stuff like SecurityGuardTrainingHQ.com, and I think people really can. He is also talking about what works for him. But he is not saying “be like me” and make $50K/month. That is what the MLM guys did.
Just my take.
Really appreciate your support and thoughtful comments.
Regards,
Mark (self-admitted Flynn FanBoy.)
Mark,
Great show! Loved the Bill Clinton into… I’m going to guess that was you (since it still says something about a Bill Clinton voice on Skype) lol. Post that on Fiverr and I’ll buy that gig!
On a slightly more serious note, a huge congrats on 50 episodes!!! Huge milestone! You and Pat are juggernauts of the Internet world and I’m a better entrepreneur because I listen to you guys.
Mark,
Once again, great content! You never let me down.
By the way.. I assume that was you doing the Clinton impression? Epic!
You and Pat are internet Juggernauts, keep up the awesome work!
LOL — nope. Believe it or not, that was a Fiverr gig!!!
Thanks for the kind compliment. Appreciate your support very much!
Congratulations on the 50th episode ~ very enjoyable episode 🙂
Thanks! You think the episode is great, you should see the transcript!!!
I just left a review on itunes. Another great episode..
I personally respect Pat Flynn so much. He is one of those few internet marketers who know what they are doing and i was really sorry for him when his SPI went down and was really happy when he managed to solve the issue and get it back after 12 days. Thank you Mark and thanks Pat.
Yep — Pat is definitely one of the good guys. And I know he appreciates your support.
Thanks Ali.