Noah Kagan

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Hating your job

  “If you have a day job that you hate (and I HATED my day job) that's awesome.”

  Our noteNoah discusses how a disliked job can actually fuel entrepreneurial drive.

• Reacting to choices

  “There are very few bad choices in life, it's how you react to them which matters”

  Our noteNoah reflects on the anxiety of making big decisions like buying a domain.

• Productizing Your Expertise

  “Take what you're great at and make it easy for other people to do, too.”

  Our noteNoah discusses how Gary Vee turned his speaking expertise into a booking agency for others.

• Increasing video embeds

  “The simplest and most effective way to get more embeds is to embed your videos on your own blog or website”

  Our noteNoah explains a simple SEO tactic for YouTube videos.

• Sponsoring niche bloggers

  “We found smaller bloggers with passionate readers and sponsored their blog for periods at a time.”

  Our noteNoah describes a specific tactic for building relationships with influencers.

• Creative Marketing Opportunities

  “Many people will be scared and pulling back. This makes it easier to get creative. What new marketing activities can you do?”

  Our noteNoah discusses how fear in the market creates space for creative entrepreneurs to stand out.

• Valuing your time

  “He runs a lot of businesses and could be making money by running his own courses or seminars - so if someone else wants his time, he charges appropriately for it.”

  Our noteNoah explains why high-level entrepreneurs must charge a premium for their limited time.

• Company Culture Standard

  “Don't build your company culture around the lowest denominator”

  Our noteNoah highlights a key lesson from Sam Corcos about maintaining high standards in company culture.

• Prioritizing content quality

  “The audio quality of this episode may not be that good, but the content was so FIREEE that I had to share it with you guys.”

  Our noteNoah explains why he released an interview despite technical audio issues.

• Value of automation

  “It saves you tremendous amounts of time. Over 1 year alone just those 2 things is nearly 40 hours, which makes it a full-time job for an entire week to do what could be automated in seconds.”

  Our noteNoah explains why he invests in home automation to save time on repetitive tasks.

• Minimalist environment

  “I don't want more cables or power plugs in my place. These are clutch in keeping your counters minimal.”

  Our noteNoah discusses using specific USB switches and cables to reduce clutter.

• Power of focused goals

  “Without goals, it's impossible to manage your time effectively and achieve your dream life. For example, at Sumo.com , we have one annual goal.”

  Our noteNoah explains how having a single clear goal simplifies decision-making and time management.

• Mastering your time

  “Knowing you're going to die someday can inspire you to stop wasting your time, eliminate anything stunting your growth, and follow your interests.”

  Our noteNoah discusses using mortality as a motivator to focus on what truly matters.

• Leadership Goal

  “Number one goal as a leader - develop a work environment consisting exclusively of stunning colleagues.”

  Our noteNoah highlights the importance of talent density in a successful organization.

• Creative Compensation

  “For operational roles you can pay an average salary and your company will do very well. BUT for creative jobs we would pay one incredible employee at the top of her personal market, pay tremendously.”

  Our noteNoah discusses the strategy of paying top dollar for creative talent.

• The scale of beginnings

  “Large companies start somewhere. Large companies start at 1 person. I think as these companies grow most people think they were born large.”

  Our noteNoah emphasizes that global giants were once just individuals with an idea.

• Contrarian strategy

  “When the market is going one way, and everyone is doing the same thing, that's a sign it's time to try something new.”

  Our noteNoah advises founders to look for new channels when existing ones become overcrowded.

• Problem solving business

  “Help solve other people's problems - that's always a great way to get business.”

  Our noteNoah explains the core mindset for starting any successful side hustle.

• Customer First Approach

  “This is the customer-first approach (find your customers first, then get your product) which we talk about lots here.”

  Our noteNoah explains the importance of validating demand before creating a product.

• Controllable metrics

  “I try to look more at the things I can control in terms of the metrics. And then also just checking in on how people are doing.”

  Our noteNoah explains why he stopped checking raw stats first thing in the morning.

• Balancing Directing and Listening

  “I'm still learning as a CEO where I should be saying something, and where I should let the team say something.”

  Our noteNoah reflects on the struggle between giving orders and letting the team decide.

• State Change Strategy

  “Moving around and changing up the scenery changes up your vibe.”

  Our noteNoah talks about how physical movement helps reset a bad day.

• Recession as opportunity

  “In times of economic uncertainty, contractors are often the first to go. But, this ALSO means it's a GREAT time to be a freelancer as MANY companies are looking to cut costs and innovative solutions.”

  Our noteNoah explains why economic downturns can actually benefit freelancers and small businesses.

• Annual Reset Strategy

  “I delete all my emails, calendars, and todo list. It's a great feeling to go in the new year without weight or doing things just because we've been doing things.”

  Our noteNoah explains his 'purge' tactic for starting the new year with a clean slate.

• Scheduling Big Goals

  “Once you set your goals, add the bigger ones to your calendar. It makes it easier to know when you're going to get them done by.”

  Our noteNoah emphasizes the importance of moving goals from a list to a calendar.

• Strategic learning

  “Reading and studying strategy can get you to the next level.”

  Our noteNoah highlights that intentional study is necessary to break through plateaus.

• Empowering the team

  “And how do I back off and let them be their own CEOs, so they have the power to choose how to spend their day”

  Our noteNoah discusses the importance of delegating responsibility to team members.

• Changing your environment

  “Sometimes in life it's good to change things up to see how it affects the experience.”

  Our noteNoah decided to move his mat closer to the Shaman to change his perspective.

• Email Marketing Value

  “I've found email marketing to be the ONLY consistent, reliable and scalable channel for growing a business.”

  Our noteNoah explains why email is the most important channel for any online business.

• Focus on leverage

  “I've learned to focus on similar high-leverage items - and ignore the rest - while building my 8-figure business Sumo”

  Our noteNoah discusses his strategy for scaling Sumo by prioritizing high-impact tasks.