Podcast
Side Hustle Suitcase
Hosted by Paul Gowder · EN
Side Hustle Suitcase is your podcast for building a side hustle that fits your real life.
Hosted by Paul Gowder, each episode brings actionable tips and simple strategies to help grow something on the side without burning out or feeling like you have to go full-time to “make it.”
Paul brings 30 years of experience building online community and turning ideas into lasting businesses.
Join Paul to unpack this suitcase of tools, tips, and strategies to explore what actually works.
Pack light. Build smart. Let’s get on the way.
Learn more!
https://gowdersareonthego.com
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Someone Saved My Emails for 20 Years. Here’s Why That Matters
Mar 1800:09:43Tap to summarizeNot everyone in your community is loud. Some of the most loyal people you have may never comment, never reply, and never join your paid group, but they still feel connected to you through your emails. In this episode, I talk about the hidden power of those quiet readers, why they matter more than you think, and how to write emails that feel more like relationship-building and less like just another marketing message.Join our community - www.onthewaycommunity.com
Transcribe →Removing 10,000 Subscribers Improved My Email Marketing
Mar 1000:10:16Tap to summarizeWhat would you do if you logged in and saw that more than 10,000 people had unsubscribed from your newsletter?Most people would panic.In this episode of Side Hustle Suitcase, I’m sharing why that kind of email list cleanup can actually be one of the smartest things you do for your business.I break down two simple email marketing changes that can make a big difference in your opens, engagement, deliverability, and subscriber relationships.First, I talk about how adding personalization back into my emails led to more replies and stronger engagement. Then I show why pruning inactive subscribers is not something to fear, but something that can help your list perform better and even lower your email platform costs.I’ll also show how easy it is to set this up inside Kit, including using automation to identify cold subscribers, send re-engagement emails, and automatically remove people who are no longer opening.Build your newsletter on Kitpaulgowder.com/kitEcamm - ecamm.com/powwowsWant help building a strategy like this? Join the community: www.onthewaycommunity.com I'm an affiliate with Kit and Ecamm.
Transcribe →SEO Changed: Short-Form Video Is the Fastest Way to Get Indexed
Mar 300:07:23Tap to summarizeSEO has changed, and if you’re only thinking “blog posts,” you’re missing one of the fastest ways to get discovered right now: short-form video.In this episode of Side Hustle Suitcase, I’ll show you how search behavior is shifting, why Google is indexing video insanely fast, and how you can use a simple “b-roll + voiceover” format to get your content found quicker.I share two real examples:A test live stream from the Last Bear Moon Powwow that showed up in Google search results within minutesA short-form video about the 2026 Powwow Calendar that now appears when people search “2026 powwow calendar”The takeaway: take your pillar content (the topics you want to be known for) and turn it into strategic short-form videos that are easy for both people and search engines to understand.Want help building a strategy like this? Join the community: www.onthewaycommunity.comWant a step-by-step system to create content fast? Join the challenge: paulgowder.com/facebookchallenge (26 pieces of Facebook content in 10 days, delivered by email)If this helped, subscribe for more practical tips on content, community, and growth.My Studio SetupSony A6300 camera - https://amzn.to/4tSIwrl Sigma 16mm f/1.4 lens - https://amzn.to/3OvPuTe Elgato Cam Link - https://amzn.to/4azfHJ7 Ecamm Live - https://ecamm.com/powwows Shure SM7B mic - https://amzn.to/478uZ5c Stream Deck - https://amzn.to/46qcVU4 Elgato Key Light - https://amzn.to/3N1Yfnt Elgato Key Light Air - (Now called Neo) - https://amzn.to/3ZULxda VariPole - https://amzn.to/4ruoUIA
Transcribe →My Desktop Studio Setup for YouTube, Podcasts & Live Streaming
Feb 2500:06:39Tap to summarizeWant a better home studio setup for YouTube, podcasting, or live streaming?In this episode of The Side Hustle Suitcase, I break down my desktop studio setup and show you how I create a clean, professional look with:Sony A6300 camera - https://amzn.to/4tSIwrlSigma 16mm f/1.4 lens - https://amzn.to/3OvPuTeElgato Cam Link - https://amzn.to/4azfHJ7Ecamm Live - https://ecamm.com/powwowsShure SM7B mic - https://amzn.to/478uZ5cStream Deck - https://amzn.to/46qcVU4Elgato Key Light - https://amzn.to/3N1YfntElgato Key Light Air - (Now called Neo) - https://amzn.to/3ZULxdaVariPole - https://amzn.to/4ruoUIAI’ll also share a few tips on building your setup over time so you do not feel like you have to buy everything at once.Check the links below for all the gear and tools I mentioned (affiliate links).
Transcribe →I Changed One Setting and Gained 100 Subscribers (No Paid Ads)
Feb 1800:04:42Tap to summarizeI’ve been testing a simple little tweak in how I schedule Facebook posts and it’s quietly added 100 new email subscribers for me, without paid ads and without grinding out extra content.In this episode of Side Hustle Suitcase, I’m walking you through the exact change, why it works, and how to set it up inside your Facebook scheduling tool so your posts do more than get likes and comments, they actually send people to your email list.If you’ve been posting consistently but your list isn’t moving, this is an easy shift that can start working with what you’re already doing.Start using Smarterqueue - paulgowder.com/smartqPodcast Produced Using Ecamm 🎁 Save 15% with my code: powwows 👉 https://ecamm.com/powwows My Home Studio Hardware https://www.amazon.com/shop/powwowscom/list/1T3Q1TTAUFRRK?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_08VXCS0MJZG18AY8JCT5_1 Have questions about how I use Ecamm for my setup? Drop them in the comments!
Transcribe →You’re Being Scammed by “Facebook Experts” - 3 Myths Exposed
Feb 200:05:39Tap to summarizeEver feel like Facebook is playing games with your reach?You’re not alone, and a lot of the “advice” out there is straight up holding creators back.In this episode of Side Hustle Suitcase, I'll unpacks three of the biggest Facebook myths you’ve probably heard:Using a scheduler hurts your reachPosting links gets you no reachPosting too often gets you punishedHere’s the twist: the tool isn’t the problem. The algorithm isn’t out to get you.I'll show you how I still get millions of organic views - and still breaking all these myths.Want to put this into action right now?Join our 26 in 10 Challenge and post with a plan for the next 10 days: paulgowder.com/facebookchallengeJoin my creator community: https://onthewaycommunity.com
Transcribe →Gear Doesn't Grow Your Business - But This Will!
Oct 1400:08:45Tap to summarizeAt a recent creator conference, I heard @thelizwilcox say something that hit me hard:“You’re spending money on the wrong stuff.”And she’s right.We’ll drop hundreds (or thousands) on cameras, lighting, or mics — but hesitate to invest in the tools that actually grow our business.In this episode of The On The Way Show, I’m talking about how creators need to start thinking differently about spending… and why your email platform should be one of your first investments.If you’ve ever said, “If money wasn’t an issue, I’d pick Kit…” — then you already know it’s the right choice.👉 Links & Resources:• Learn more about Kit: paulgowder.com/kit• Join my creator community: onthewaycommunity.com
Transcribe →Creator Camp Takeaways - Are Conferences Worth It?
Oct 800:15:34Tap to summarizeI just got back from Creator Camp in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, hosted by Ecamm. In this video I share who the event is for, what I learned, and how I am simplifying my setup and my idea process so I hit record more often.Creator Camp is a great fit if you are a creator who uses video to grow your business and community. Not every session is about cameras. The focus is on making video that actually moves your goals forward.My big takeaways• I am not the only one who struggles to publish consistently, which is oddly motivating.• Remove friction everywhere. Simple studio, prebuilt Ecamm scenes, and a repeatable outline.• Keep an ideas bank so I never face a blank page.• Commit to consistent outputs so momentum builds.The best part of conferences is the people. Hallway conversations with speakers and creators sparked new ideas and even opened doors for future projects. Special shoutouts to Phil for idea frameworks, Lou for community inspiration, Luria for an all-in-Ecamm presentation that gave me studio ideas, Brandon for pure energy, and Jeff for AI tools I am testing now.We also squeezed in a side trip to Salem with friends. The city goes all in for spooky season. Portsmouth itself was a win, too. Walkable, great food, and Kelli did a harbor tour while I was in sessions.Want to keep these hallway conversations goingJoin me in the On The Way Community. www.onthewaycommunity.comWe swap ideas, workshop workflows, and help each other hit record. onthewaycommunity.comEcammecamm.com/powwowsCreator Camphttps://www.ecamm.com/camp/Creator News Livehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr7ikPI6KikMomentumhttps://www.loumongello.com/momentum/Thanks for watching. Tell me in the comments what is stopping you from hitting record and what you want to see next.Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. It will not cost you anything and it helps support the channel.
Transcribe →My Favorite Online Business Communities
Mar 14, 202500:10:52Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode of OTW, I’m sharing my favorite online business communities—the places I return to every week to stay informed, get the latest tips, and see what’s working right now.From forums to Facebook groups, podcasts to newsletters, these communities help me stay up to date, engage with like-minded entrepreneurs, and continue learning. I truly believe that finding the right community—where you have accountability partners, friends, and people who challenge you—can be a game-changer for your business growth.Tune in to hear where I hang out online and how these spaces can help you level up your business too!Walt Disney World Wallpapershttps://powwows.thrivecart.com/walt-disney-world-mobile-wallpapers/📩 Want to grow your own engaged community?Join my CommunitySpark Newsletter for weekly insights on building your audience through email & social media!👉 www.paulgowder.com/communitysparkLou Mongello's Hub and Momentumhttps://www.loumongello.com/mini-course/Creator News Live With Jeff Siehhttps://socialmedianewslive.com/Liz Wilcox Email Marketing Membershiphttps://powwows--lizwilcox.thrivecart.com/email-marketing-membership/Stupid Simple Blogginghttps://powwows--stupidsimpleseo.thrivecart.com/stupid-simple-blogging-bd/64cd1d705c638/I am an affiliate for several of these communities - and a paid member.
Transcribe →Celebrate Your Wins—And Grow Your Community! 🎉
Feb 26, 202500:10:11Tap to summarizeHitting a big milestone? Don’t just celebrate—bring your community along for the ride!In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m celebrating 100,000 YouTube subscribers with an interactive Spin to Win game, where my readers can score a YouTube Play Button sticker.The best part? You can do the same! For less than $1 per winner, you can run a fun giveaway that boosts engagement, drives traffic, and grows your email list—all while celebrating your success with your audience.Tune in to learn how to turn your wins into more connections, more engagement, and more growth!Level Up Your Giveaway Coursepaulgowder.com/giveaways30% Off - Coupon Code - spintowinCommunity Spark Newsletterhttp://paulgowder.com/communitysparkWork with Paul to Level Up Your Business1:1 Coachinghttps://go.oncehub.com/PaulGowderMy 3 Favorite Tools For Growing Your Email Listhttps://paulgowder.com/emailtoolsMy Home Studio Setuphttps://www.paulgowder.com/homestudioConvertkit Free Planhttps://www.paulgowder.com/convertkitMy Shirtshttps://www.paulgowder.com/threadin-the-magic-my-disney-shirts-from-rsvlts/ @RSVLTS
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