November 25, 2025 • 21 mins
If you’ve been getting hammered with “AI income hacks” on Instagram and TikTok, you are not alone. Carly has been targeted so aggressively that she’s starting to suspect her phone can hear her thoughts, so today, she and Joe sit down with Becky Beach, a solopreneur who actually does this stuff successfully.
From AI-powered funnels to Instagram chatbots to wildly profitable printable products, Becky breaks down exactly how she built a decade-long business that lets her make real money while still having time for her family. She shares the mistakes she made early, the systems she relies on now, and what solopreneurs need to know before diving into digital products or automations.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can this AI-funnel thing actually work?”...this episode is your answer.
FAQs From The Episode
Can I actually start with zero list and zero social media following?
Yes, but not overnight. Becky makes it clear this is not a get-rich-quick play. She recommends picking a niche you genuinely care about, creating small pieces of free value, and using those to build your list through lead magnets. Social media helps, but email is what converts.
Do I need design skills to sell printables or digital products?
Nope. Becky happens to be a trained designer, but plenty of sellers rely on Canva, templates, or affiliate programs to get started. You can promote other creators’ printables while you learn, then create your own later.
Are AI funnels and chatbots too saturated now to work?
Not if you bring something unique. Becky explains that even though AI is everywhere, most people execute poorly. Your edge is:
– niching down
– making user-friendly products
– offering consistent free content
– using your story and personality as your differentiator
AI tools help automate and scale, but they only work if your foundation is solid.
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Carly Ries (00:00):
If your Instagram feed has been shouting at you
about AI funnels, chatbots thatsell for you, and making money
while you sleep, well, you'renot alone. And I've been getting
those ads nonstop too. So today,I'm finally getting answers. In
this episode, I sit down withdigital product powerhouse Becky
Beach, who turned a miserablenine to five, a new baby, and
zero guidance into a thrivingsolopreneur business using
(00:23):
simple digital products, smartemail strategy, and yes, AI
powered funnels that actuallywork. She gets real about the
early mistakes, how she built aloyal audience without a huge
following, and what she had tolearn and unlearn over ten years
of growth.
She also clears up the biggestmisconception that this isn't
magic, it isn't instant, and itdefinitely isn't a scam, but it
(00:45):
is doable if you know where tostart. You're listening to the
Aspiring Solopreneur, thepodcast for anyone on the solo
business journey, whether you'rejust toying with the idea,
taking your first bold step, orhave been running your own show
for years and want to keepgrowing, refining, and thriving.
I'm Carly Ries, and along withmy cohost, Joe Rando, we're your
(01:06):
guides through the crazy butawesome world of being a company
of one. As part of LifeStarr, adigital hub dedicated to all
things solopreneurship, we helppeople design businesses that
align with their life'sambitions so they can work to
live, not live to work. Ifyou're looking for a get rich
quick scheme, this is not theplace for you.
But if you want real worldinsights from industry experts,
(01:28):
lessons from the successes andstumbles of fellow solopreneurs,
and practical strategies forbuilding and sustaining a
business you love, you're in theright spot. Because flying solo
in business doesn't mean you'realone. No matter where you are
in your journey, we've got yourback. Becky, we are so excited
(02:26):
to have you on the show today. Itold you offline that this is
actually a topic that I am verycurious about, and I think it's
because I've been getting, Idon't know what I clicked on on
Instagram to be targeted withthis topic, but so I get ads, I
get influencers, just so manythings. I can't wait to dive
into it. But before we do, wehave an icebreaker question for
(02:48):
you. And that is, what do youwish you would have known before
becoming a solopreneur?
Becky Beach (02:53):
Well, I have to be opening a business bank account
because I had my finances in onebank account when I started my
business. I started making moneyfor my business. It was all
going into my personal too. Andthen when it came time for taxes
that year, It was hard to decidewhat was business and what was
personal.
So I think if you're trying tostart a business, you really
(03:15):
need to have a business bankaccount and then a personal
bank. like divide your financesbecause otherwise it could be
hard. Not everybody knows this,especially if they've never been
a business owner. I come from afamily where nobody's an
entrepreneur. Everybody was justa nine to fiver like in my
entire family. Nobody reallyknew to give any pointers on how
(03:35):
to start a business.
Carly Ries (03:37):
Yeah. Such good advice. And I think you are one
of the masses that falls intothat trap when they are first
becoming a solopreneur. Sodefinitely put that in the back
of your brains, listeners. Butlet's get into the meat and
potatoes for today.
You have been very successfulwith AI powered funnels, IG
chatbots and such that servicepassive income. And like I said,
(04:02):
I've been getting targeted withthis idea on social media. And I
think a lot of othersolopreneurs are curious about
this, but are also kind ofskeptical about this and like,
can this be real? So can youexplain your processes and how
you actually do this and howsomebody can actually make
income from these funnels andthese chatbots.
Becky Beach (04:22):
Oh, sure. Well, first and foremost, you do need
to have a social media, like atleast a social media account to
get started with. And also, openup an email service provider
like I use kit.com. I recentlydid a workshop with kit, with a
trainer that they employ . Andit went really well.
So during the training, I wassaying that you just gotta get
(04:44):
your email, your email prostarted up because you don't own
your social media. So you couldhave like a million people on
your social media, but you don'town that. So you really need to
start an email list. It's reallyimportant. So I advise everybody
to get an email list started up.
And then from there, you couldthen begin to sell products to
that email list. And on socialmedia, you could create
Instagram reels and TikTokvideos. Both of them get really
(05:06):
high reach. And they'll evenreach people that are not
following you. So it's reallyimportant to get those videos
out.
And you could just use yourphone and just talk about your
product. and then say, like, goto my profile for a link to my
product in the video and supereasy, like anybody could do
this.
Carly Ries (05:23):
How did you get started with this? Like what
piqued your interest andpersuaded you to hit the ground
running?
Becky Beach (05:30):
Well, at the time, I had a new baby. And I was
working a dead end nine to fivejob. Well, not really dead end.
It was my career. I was a seniorweb developer and I just hated
that job.
I did go to school for graphicdesign but I couldn't find a
graphic design job. So, Idecided to teach myself coding
and and development so I couldget a job and move out of my dad
(05:52):
and stepmom's house. So, I justhad a really miserable time at
these jobs and then I got thisreally horrible job when I had a
new baby And the boss hated thatI went off on leave for three
months. So then when I got back,he just made my life a living
Like, H E Double hockey sticks,like he was just giving me all
this work and telling me that Ineeded to, you know, step up and
(06:13):
I didn't deserve my title and Iwas worthless.
Like, he would say the utmosthorrible things and I thought, I
just don't want to live likethis. I have a young baby now
and I can't keep doing this. Youknow, it was fine before I had
my child but now I got my child.I don't need time for him. I'm
only spending like maybe an houror two with him each day because
I'm working sixty hour weeks andserving this ungrateful boss and
(06:34):
he would come to work drunk.he was just a really miserable
guy and I just had to leave andso I thought, what can I do? I
need to, make money somehowbecause I'm like the sole
breadwinner. My husband doesn'tmake enough to support us. So
then that night, was lookingonline for just ways to make
money, and I stumbled upon thisguy. Like, he makes 30,000 a
month from his blog.
I thought, you know, that's areally interesting way to make
(06:55):
money. Maybe I could, start ablog. So then I started one, and
just that's how it came about.
Joe Rando (07:02):
So Becky, what year was that?
Becky Beach (07:03):
Oh, that had to be like let me think. Like, my son
was born in 2015. So around 2015to 2016 is when I got started
with with my blog. And now it'sten years old and, but I wasn't
really making much money fromthe blog at first because I was
just relying on ads andaffiliate income.
(07:24):
It wasn't until I startedselling products like
printables, like printableplanners and financial
spreadsheets. that's where Ireally started to earn good
income.
Carly Ries (07:34):
so it sounds like you freed up a lot of your time
to be a mom but also make a goodincome. How do you find the
products that you're selling?
Becky Beach (07:43):
Oh, sure. Well, I like to use Etsy as a way to
just see what's currentlytrending on there and also
Google Trends. I use this appcalled Sales Samurai. I'm also
an affiliate. If you go to SalesSamurai and type in PLR Beach,
you'll save $2 a month.
So it's a really good way tolook to see what's trending on
Etsy and also Google trends. Andit gives me so much product
(08:04):
ideas like you just type inprintable and all these trending
printable ideas come up.There are lots of sub niches of
printables. And as right now,we're headed into q four. So,
like, a lot of holidayprintables are selling like
Halloween planners andThanksgiving planners and then
Christmas planners, you know,Christmas party planners, and
Christmas games because, youknow, people need games to do at
(08:27):
parties and, like, those type ofprintables are really hot
selling right now.
Carly Ries (08:31):
So are these affiliate links that you use
from Etsy and you find theproducts that you want and then
use the affiliate and send outthrough an email and then on
your social? Is that how itworks?
Becky Beach (08:39):
No. I may make them myself. I did graphic design in
college. I'm like a trainedgraphic designer. So I'll make
them myself and then use Canvato create the printables.
And I also hired a VA who alsomakes the products too. Or
shoot, you can. If you don'thave any design experience, you
could use Etsy affiliate programto promote other people's
(09:02):
printables, which is fine.
Carly Ries (09:03):
So because Etsy is such a crowded I would say like
Etsy, Shopify, those are crowdedspaces. I mean anywhere on the
internet is a crowded spaceright now. So how do you stand
out from the other holidayprintables, the other templates
that you can create?
Becky Beach (09:20):
Well, you just have to make them very user friendly.
Because when I was doing webdevelopment, I also hear user
experience design to make surethe apps were properly user
friendly and everybody can usethem. But, you'll get some
printables on Etsy and they'renot user friendly at all. Like,
they're confusing. You don'tknow what to do and there's no
instructions and even somepeople will put images on
(09:41):
writable areas.
You can't even use it really.It's kind of a waste of money.
So I make my printables veryuser friendly. I highly
recommend everybody try that.You know, just make sure your
printables are easy to navigateand understandable, and then
people will just keep buyingfrom you. I have customers on
Etsy that are repeat buyers andalso sell the printables on
Shopify and also have lots ofrepeat buyers as well.
Joe Rando (10:04):
So Can I ask a favor just to kinda, you know, the
dumb question? define aprintable. What is a printable?
Becky Beach (10:11):
Oh, sure. Well, a printable is like a PDF of a
planner or just something thatyou could write on or use it to
plan or even there arechecklists, there are trackers.
And you print it off on yourhome printer. And you don't have
to go to the store and buy anexpensive notebook or planner. I
bought this planner over therein Conjuring and it's like a $50
(10:32):
planner.
But you can actually buy aprintable planner that's dated.
Like, I actually sell a datedprintable planner. And you could
get that instead and print itout and only sell it for $7 and
get hole punched and then put ina three ring binder or get it
bound and you have a planner forthe whole week. This is a weekly
planner too, and it was $50. Soa lot of people don't have the
money to spend on expensiveprinted planners.
(10:55):
They'd rather just use theirhome printer to just print
things out.
Carly Ries (10:59):
so you put it on social, but you also say that
you email every day. So whatdoes that email look like? But
also how did you build thatlist? Oh, sure. Yeah. like today
before this call, actually sentout three emails. because now I
have four email lists, because Inow have four different
businesses. And I didn't get achance to email my mombeach.com
(11:21):
list yet.
Becky Beach (11:21):
That's my mom blog that I've been running ten
years. So yes, I'll probablysend that email afterwards. I'll
email that just about every day.And I have a new shop called
beckybeach.ai where I sell AImasterclasses. I got really
involved in AI and then I alsowill sell GPTs in that store too
(11:42):
and so I have an Email list forthat store and I try to Email
that one Monday through Friday.
It just depends on the list andthe plrbeach.com list sells PLR,
commercially used Canvatemplates that people can
customize and resell. And I'llemail that list every single day
even on weekends. And now I justgot into a big habit of emailing
that list. I just love thatlist. I mean, they're so
(12:02):
receptive.
They'll respond back to me asfriends, and I chat to them like
I wanna coffee with them. And Ijust love that list. Think
that's my favorite list to writeto.
Carly Ries (12:12):
And how did you build that list? Is that through
platforms like Etsy or is thatcompletely separate? Yes. Well,
when you put out free content,like I would put out free blog
content and then I had an emailform that offered a printable of
like a few pages and peoplewould sign up. And then once
they signed up to get that freeprintable since their email
list, they would get prompted toget an upsell of a paid
(12:34):
printable like bundle. And thatpaid printable bundle had like 7
to $17 and I'll make money onthat like all day. I decided to
throw the notifications forShopify into a filter because my
email was just flooded.
Becky Beach (12:48):
Because every time you get a sale, get an email. It
was just flooded with Shopifypayment notifications. So I had
to, filter that out. And I guessthat's a good problem to have.
But you know, just hard to seethe other emails in there.
And, yeah, I'll do free contentbecause if you put free value
out into the universe, you'llget back, like, you'll get back
(13:08):
money kinda like you get whenyou put something out there,
you'll get it back. But if youjust keep to yourself and don't
wanna give out any free valueand are selfish and just say,
oh, I don't want to give out anyfree value. I just want to sell
stuff. I don't want to, youknow, give anything for free.
Then you're not gonna get anymoney because people aren't
gonna get a taste of what youhave to offer.
Because if your free contentcould help you help them in some
(13:28):
way wherever your zone of geniusis, like maybe you're an expert
at teaching or you're reallygood at making printable
products or you're good atmaking courses and just as
everybody has unique things theycould do. Even you, you probably
have something really uniqueabout you that you could offer
that nobody else really can. Andif you start, just giving a
little taste of yourself, thenyou'll get people on your list.
(13:49):
It will just happen.
Carly Ries (13:51):
So you've been in this now for ten years. What has
changed? I mean, a lot haschanged technology wise in the
past ten years, in the pastyear. So how have you pivoted?
What has changed? What have youhad to do to change with the
trends of these funnels, ofthese lists and everything?
Becky Beach (14:10):
Well, really had to get involved with AI. I started
like about 2022 is when I reallythe the heavy AI content. I make
AI courses and, you know blogposts, social media posts,
podcast episodes, like gearedtowards AI. I got really
involved into it. I noticed itwas trending at the time when I
was involved in it and not manypeople really trusting of it and
(14:31):
a lot of people just disregardit saying oh it's just a
newfangled trend that will goaway.
But now everybody and theirbrother I see is trying to do AI
content out there. Like it'sjust gotten really saturated.
And now well it kind of sets meapart because I got started so
early. I'm more thought of aslike an AI expert in today's
(14:51):
space. You know, especially forentrepreneurs because I've been
doing AI content for three yearsnow.
Even when I was working atVerizon, I did machine learning
because I come from a webdeveloper background. So I even
knew how to use AI back then. Ikind of bring a lot of expertise
to the table, because you alwaysneed to have a unique mechanism
to set you apart from yourcompetition. Like something that
(15:13):
you can offer that nobody elsereally can. I think because I
have a really strong backgroundin IT and also graphic design, I
think that really helps helps meout, in my business.
Carly Ries (15:25):
So for the solopreneurs out there that are
like, I don't have a list. Idon't have a social media
following. I wanna do this, itsounds great. it sounds like a
good way to save some time, butalso get some money in
relatively quickly. What wouldyour first piece of advice be
for them?
Becky Beach (15:40):
Oh no. It's not a get rich quick scheme at all.
Like you're not gonna be able toget money quickly doing this.
I'll just tell you that rightnow. It takes time to earn
customers trust.
It takes time to build yourlist. it takes time to see what
kind of products will work bestfor you. You have to determine
what your niche is gonna be.Like it's really useful to niche
down. I got involved in the momaudience when I had my child.
(16:04):
And I obviously spoke to hermom, sold to other moms. So you
need to pick a niche. You knowthat would really speak to you.
And, that's really important.And to have something you're
passionate about because if youjust get involved in a niche
that makes money, you're notgonna keep doing it if you're
not making money from it. Iwasn't making money I believe at
all my first year.
(16:24):
I was gonna quit because I justwasn't making enough money and I
was actually spending more thanI made that first year and my
friends and family were saying,hey, you need to stop this.
You're just wasting your time.i Mean, you got a promising
career as this web developer.You're making 6 figures at your
job. Like, why are you wastingyour time doing this blog?
And my husband said, I wasliving a pipe dream and so like
(16:45):
everybody was against mebecause, I think I said before
the call or during the call thatI come from a family of nine to
fivers and they didn'tunderstand, entrepreneurship.
Like they say, why is she doingthis stuff, working so hard and
not making any money and she'sjust gonna waste her time. so
you really gotta put that inperspective too. Like you're
gonna have family members andfriends, they're gonna be
(17:06):
against you if you're a newentrepreneur. See, you got to
get into the right mindset andjust say, hey, I'm gonna do this
and I want a better life.
I want freedom. I don't wantsome awful manager breathing on
my neck and like making me dothings I don't wanna do every
day. who wants to live likethat? I'm sorry, I'm just on a
soapbox I guess, but yeah, Ijust was doing it twenty years
and having, these horriblebosses, and you're kinda playing
(17:29):
Russian roulette, but you don'tknow if your boss is gonna end
up being a complete jackass too.Because what happens is
sometimes you get nice bosses.
Like, I've had really nicebosses. I'm still friends on
Facebook with, you know, and itjust depends.
Joe Rando (17:41):
Yeah. Can I add something? Then ten years later
when you're successful likethis, you got lucky. Right? Is
that what they say now?
Becky Beach (17:50):
No. Not at all. Like, I have students that I've
seen success. they're like, Ihave a business beach club
membership, and I've
Joe Rando (17:56):
no, no, you misunderstand. I'm just saying,
like, people that were naysayingthey're telling you you're crazy
to do this, then when you do itand you become successful, now
they say well, got lucky. I'veheard that one.
Becky Beach (18:08):
Oh, really?
Joe Rando (18:10):
Yeah. You know, like, oh, yeah. You know, first, they
don't believe, you can do it,and then later, you got lucky.
And, yeah, you can't listen toother people.
Becky Beach (18:19):
You can't listen to other people. Yeah. The friends
and family that were telling me,you know, like, my sister now
she's also doing what I'm doingwith it, selling printables, and
she's making enough money toleave her teaching job. And she
was the one that told me that Iwas wasting my time, so I,
taught her how to do this. Andshe's a teacher, now she wants
to leave her teaching job.
Joe Rando (18:37):
She's a convert. There you go.
Becky Beach (18:39):
Yeah. Really. Because she sees how much money
you could make.
And especially if you are ateacher, you're making
educational printables. Like,there's this platform called
teacherspayteachers.com, and youmake a lot of money. I've had
people in my business beach clubthem like $10,000 from that a
month. Like it's really easy toget started with that.
Carly Ries (18:59):
Yeah. it's funny you say that. I was talking to a
friend of mine about that andwhat a great organization it is
for teachers. Well, Becky, overthe last ten years, you have
found success for yourself,following these bundles, doing
these printables, and that's sogreat. So we have to ask, which
we ask every guest, what is yourfavorite quote about success?
Becky Beach (19:18):
Oh, sure. Yeah. Like every email that I send out
each day ends with a quote. Andit's usually based on, success.
It just depends.
I use Goodreads to find goodquotes. And this one that really
stands out to me is by SteveMariboli. And he says, don't
give up. It's not over. Theuniverse does balance.
Every setback bears with itsseeds of a comeback. And that
(19:40):
really speaks to me because Iwas going to give up my first
year because everybody wasagainst me. And they were
saying, no, you're not going tobe able to do this. so five
years ago, ten years ago. Peoplearen't making money with blogs
anymore.
You're just wasting your time.You focus on your nine to five
and because you have a new babyand all that jazz. I didn't
listen. I just kept on. And Imade like 80,000 last month.
(20:03):
And I just keep going and onemonth I made 100,000. I just
don't let anybody, tell me whatto do anymore. I just did
everything. I mean, my husbandtells me what to do, of course,
but you know.
Carly Ries (20:14):
Yeah. Well, that is incredible. Becky, where can
people learn more about allthis? Where can they learn about
you? Give us all the links.
Becky Beach (20:21):
Oh, yeah, you could go to
coachbeckybeach.com/freebie andget a free workbook on how to
sell your first digital product.It also comes with a GPT that
will help you create a funnel tosell that product. So again,
that'scoachbeckypeach.com/freebie.
Carly Ries (20:39):
Love it. Well, thank you so so much for coming on the
show today. like I said, I'vebeen so curious about this and I
know many others have too. Andwe actually haven't really
talked about this on the show,Joe. This is a first time topic
which is kind of rare.
So thank you. Thank you. Thankyou.
Becky Beach (20:53):
Oh, it's really exciting. Thank you.
Carly Ries (20:55):
And listeners, thank you so much for tuning in. As
always, please leave that fivestar review. Share this episode
with a friend that you thinkwould think it's useful, which
you should. And subscribe onyour favorite platform including
YouTube, and we will see younext time on the Aspiring
Solopreneur. You may be goingsolo in business, but that
doesn't mean you're alone.
(21:15):
In fact, millions of people arein your shoes, running a one
person business and figuring itout as they go. So why not
connect with them and learn fromeach other's successes and
failures? At LifeStarr, we'recreating a one person business
community where you can go tomeet and get advice from other
solopreneurs. Be to sure join inon the conversations at
community.lifestarr.com.
If your Instagram feed has been shouting at you
about AI funnels, chatbots thatsell for you, and making money
while you sleep, well, you'renot alone. And I've been getting
those ads nonstop too. So today,I'm finally getting answers. In
this episode, I sit down withdigital product powerhouse Becky
Beach, who turned a miserablenine to five, a new baby, and
zero guidance into a thrivingsolopreneur business using
(00:23):
simple digital products, smartemail strategy, and yes, AI
powered funnels that actuallywork. She gets real about the
early mistakes, how she built aloyal audience without a huge
following, and what she had tolearn and unlearn over ten years
of growth.
She also clears up the biggestmisconception that this isn't
magic, it isn't instant, and itdefinitely isn't a scam, but it
(00:45):
is doable if you know where tostart. You're listening to the
Aspiring Solopreneur, thepodcast for anyone on the solo
business journey, whether you'rejust toying with the idea,
taking your first bold step, orhave been running your own show
for years and want to keepgrowing, refining, and thriving.
I'm Carly Ries, and along withmy cohost, Joe Rando, we're your
(01:06):
guides through the crazy butawesome world of being a company
of one. As part of LifeStarr, adigital hub dedicated to all
things solopreneurship, we helppeople design businesses that
align with their life'sambitions so they can work to
live, not live to work. Ifyou're looking for a get rich
quick scheme, this is not theplace for you.
But if you want real worldinsights from industry experts,
(01:28):
lessons from the successes andstumbles of fellow solopreneurs,
and practical strategies forbuilding and sustaining a
business you love, you're in theright spot. Because flying solo
in business doesn't mean you'realone. No matter where you are
in your journey, we've got yourback. Becky, we are so excited
(02:26):
to have you on the show today. Itold you offline that this is
actually a topic that I am verycurious about, and I think it's
because I've been getting, Idon't know what I clicked on on
Instagram to be targeted withthis topic, but so I get ads, I
get influencers, just so manythings. I can't wait to dive
into it. But before we do, wehave an icebreaker question for
(02:48):
you. And that is, what do youwish you would have known before
becoming a solopreneur?
Becky Beach (02:53):
Well, I have to be opening a business bank account
because I had my finances in onebank account when I started my
business. I started making moneyfor my business. It was all
going into my personal too. Andthen when it came time for taxes
that year, It was hard to decidewhat was business and what was
personal.
So I think if you're trying tostart a business, you really
(03:15):
need to have a business bankaccount and then a personal
bank. like divide your financesbecause otherwise it could be
hard. Not everybody knows this,especially if they've never been
a business owner. I come from afamily where nobody's an
entrepreneur. Everybody was justa nine to fiver like in my
entire family. Nobody reallyknew to give any pointers on how
(03:35):
to start a business.
Carly Ries (03:37):
Yeah. Such good advice. And I think you are one
of the masses that falls intothat trap when they are first
becoming a solopreneur. Sodefinitely put that in the back
of your brains, listeners. Butlet's get into the meat and
potatoes for today.
You have been very successfulwith AI powered funnels, IG
chatbots and such that servicepassive income. And like I said,
(04:02):
I've been getting targeted withthis idea on social media. And I
think a lot of othersolopreneurs are curious about
this, but are also kind ofskeptical about this and like,
can this be real? So can youexplain your processes and how
you actually do this and howsomebody can actually make
income from these funnels andthese chatbots.
Becky Beach (04:22):
Oh, sure. Well, first and foremost, you do need
to have a social media, like atleast a social media account to
get started with. And also, openup an email service provider
like I use kit.com. I recentlydid a workshop with kit, with a
trainer that they employ . Andit went really well.
So during the training, I wassaying that you just gotta get
(04:44):
your email, your email prostarted up because you don't own
your social media. So you couldhave like a million people on
your social media, but you don'town that. So you really need to
start an email list. It's reallyimportant. So I advise everybody
to get an email list started up.
And then from there, you couldthen begin to sell products to
that email list. And on socialmedia, you could create
Instagram reels and TikTokvideos. Both of them get really
(05:06):
high reach. And they'll evenreach people that are not
following you. So it's reallyimportant to get those videos
out.
And you could just use yourphone and just talk about your
product. and then say, like, goto my profile for a link to my
product in the video and supereasy, like anybody could do
this.
Carly Ries (05:23):
How did you get started with this? Like what
piqued your interest andpersuaded you to hit the ground
running?
Becky Beach (05:30):
Well, at the time, I had a new baby. And I was
working a dead end nine to fivejob. Well, not really dead end.
It was my career. I was a seniorweb developer and I just hated
that job.
I did go to school for graphicdesign but I couldn't find a
graphic design job. So, Idecided to teach myself coding
and and development so I couldget a job and move out of my dad
(05:52):
and stepmom's house. So, I justhad a really miserable time at
these jobs and then I got thisreally horrible job when I had a
new baby And the boss hated thatI went off on leave for three
months. So then when I got back,he just made my life a living
Like, H E Double hockey sticks,like he was just giving me all
this work and telling me that Ineeded to, you know, step up and
(06:13):
I didn't deserve my title and Iwas worthless.
Like, he would say the utmosthorrible things and I thought, I
just don't want to live likethis. I have a young baby now
and I can't keep doing this. Youknow, it was fine before I had
my child but now I got my child.I don't need time for him. I'm
only spending like maybe an houror two with him each day because
I'm working sixty hour weeks andserving this ungrateful boss and
(06:34):
he would come to work drunk.he was just a really miserable
guy and I just had to leave andso I thought, what can I do? I
need to, make money somehowbecause I'm like the sole
breadwinner. My husband doesn'tmake enough to support us. So
then that night, was lookingonline for just ways to make
money, and I stumbled upon thisguy. Like, he makes 30,000 a
month from his blog.
I thought, you know, that's areally interesting way to make
(06:55):
money. Maybe I could, start ablog. So then I started one, and
just that's how it came about.
Joe Rando (07:02):
So Becky, what year was that?
Becky Beach (07:03):
Oh, that had to be like let me think. Like, my son
was born in 2015. So around 2015to 2016 is when I got started
with with my blog. And now it'sten years old and, but I wasn't
really making much money fromthe blog at first because I was
just relying on ads andaffiliate income.
(07:24):
It wasn't until I startedselling products like
printables, like printableplanners and financial
spreadsheets. that's where Ireally started to earn good
income.
Carly Ries (07:34):
so it sounds like you freed up a lot of your time
to be a mom but also make a goodincome. How do you find the
products that you're selling?
Becky Beach (07:43):
Oh, sure. Well, I like to use Etsy as a way to
just see what's currentlytrending on there and also
Google Trends. I use this appcalled Sales Samurai. I'm also
an affiliate. If you go to SalesSamurai and type in PLR Beach,
you'll save $2 a month.
So it's a really good way tolook to see what's trending on
Etsy and also Google trends. Andit gives me so much product
(08:04):
ideas like you just type inprintable and all these trending
printable ideas come up.There are lots of sub niches of
printables. And as right now,we're headed into q four. So,
like, a lot of holidayprintables are selling like
Halloween planners andThanksgiving planners and then
Christmas planners, you know,Christmas party planners, and
Christmas games because, youknow, people need games to do at
(08:27):
parties and, like, those type ofprintables are really hot
selling right now.
Carly Ries (08:31):
So are these affiliate links that you use
from Etsy and you find theproducts that you want and then
use the affiliate and send outthrough an email and then on
your social? Is that how itworks?
Becky Beach (08:39):
No. I may make them myself. I did graphic design in
college. I'm like a trainedgraphic designer. So I'll make
them myself and then use Canvato create the printables.
And I also hired a VA who alsomakes the products too. Or
shoot, you can. If you don'thave any design experience, you
could use Etsy affiliate programto promote other people's
(09:02):
printables, which is fine.
Carly Ries (09:03):
So because Etsy is such a crowded I would say like
Etsy, Shopify, those are crowdedspaces. I mean anywhere on the
internet is a crowded spaceright now. So how do you stand
out from the other holidayprintables, the other templates
that you can create?
Becky Beach (09:20):
Well, you just have to make them very user friendly.
Because when I was doing webdevelopment, I also hear user
experience design to make surethe apps were properly user
friendly and everybody can usethem. But, you'll get some
printables on Etsy and they'renot user friendly at all. Like,
they're confusing. You don'tknow what to do and there's no
instructions and even somepeople will put images on
(09:41):
writable areas.
You can't even use it really.It's kind of a waste of money.
So I make my printables veryuser friendly. I highly
recommend everybody try that.You know, just make sure your
printables are easy to navigateand understandable, and then
people will just keep buyingfrom you. I have customers on
Etsy that are repeat buyers andalso sell the printables on
Shopify and also have lots ofrepeat buyers as well.
Joe Rando (10:04):
So Can I ask a favor just to kinda, you know, the
dumb question? define aprintable. What is a printable?
Becky Beach (10:11):
Oh, sure. Well, a printable is like a PDF of a
planner or just something thatyou could write on or use it to
plan or even there arechecklists, there are trackers.
And you print it off on yourhome printer. And you don't have
to go to the store and buy anexpensive notebook or planner. I
bought this planner over therein Conjuring and it's like a $50
(10:32):
planner.
But you can actually buy aprintable planner that's dated.
Like, I actually sell a datedprintable planner. And you could
get that instead and print itout and only sell it for $7 and
get hole punched and then put ina three ring binder or get it
bound and you have a planner forthe whole week. This is a weekly
planner too, and it was $50. Soa lot of people don't have the
money to spend on expensiveprinted planners.
(10:55):
They'd rather just use theirhome printer to just print
things out.
Carly Ries (10:59):
so you put it on social, but you also say that
you email every day. So whatdoes that email look like? But
also how did you build thatlist? Oh, sure. Yeah. like today
before this call, actually sentout three emails. because now I
have four email lists, because Inow have four different
businesses. And I didn't get achance to email my mombeach.com
(11:21):
list yet.
Becky Beach (11:21):
That's my mom blog that I've been running ten
years. So yes, I'll probablysend that email afterwards. I'll
email that just about every day.And I have a new shop called
beckybeach.ai where I sell AImasterclasses. I got really
involved in AI and then I alsowill sell GPTs in that store too
(11:42):
and so I have an Email list forthat store and I try to Email
that one Monday through Friday.
It just depends on the list andthe plrbeach.com list sells PLR,
commercially used Canvatemplates that people can
customize and resell. And I'llemail that list every single day
even on weekends. And now I justgot into a big habit of emailing
that list. I just love thatlist. I mean, they're so
(12:02):
receptive.
They'll respond back to me asfriends, and I chat to them like
I wanna coffee with them. And Ijust love that list. Think
that's my favorite list to writeto.
Carly Ries (12:12):
And how did you build that list? Is that through
platforms like Etsy or is thatcompletely separate? Yes. Well,
when you put out free content,like I would put out free blog
content and then I had an emailform that offered a printable of
like a few pages and peoplewould sign up. And then once
they signed up to get that freeprintable since their email
list, they would get prompted toget an upsell of a paid
(12:34):
printable like bundle. And thatpaid printable bundle had like 7
to $17 and I'll make money onthat like all day. I decided to
throw the notifications forShopify into a filter because my
email was just flooded.
Becky Beach (12:48):
Because every time you get a sale, get an email. It
was just flooded with Shopifypayment notifications. So I had
to, filter that out. And I guessthat's a good problem to have.
But you know, just hard to seethe other emails in there.
And, yeah, I'll do free contentbecause if you put free value
out into the universe, you'llget back, like, you'll get back
(13:08):
money kinda like you get whenyou put something out there,
you'll get it back. But if youjust keep to yourself and don't
wanna give out any free valueand are selfish and just say,
oh, I don't want to give out anyfree value. I just want to sell
stuff. I don't want to, youknow, give anything for free.
Then you're not gonna get anymoney because people aren't
gonna get a taste of what youhave to offer.
Because if your free contentcould help you help them in some
(13:28):
way wherever your zone of geniusis, like maybe you're an expert
at teaching or you're reallygood at making printable
products or you're good atmaking courses and just as
everybody has unique things theycould do. Even you, you probably
have something really uniqueabout you that you could offer
that nobody else really can. Andif you start, just giving a
little taste of yourself, thenyou'll get people on your list.
(13:49):
It will just happen.
Carly Ries (13:51):
So you've been in this now for ten years. What has
changed? I mean, a lot haschanged technology wise in the
past ten years, in the pastyear. So how have you pivoted?
What has changed? What have youhad to do to change with the
trends of these funnels, ofthese lists and everything?
Becky Beach (14:10):
Well, really had to get involved with AI. I started
like about 2022 is when I reallythe the heavy AI content. I make
AI courses and, you know blogposts, social media posts,
podcast episodes, like gearedtowards AI. I got really
involved into it. I noticed itwas trending at the time when I
was involved in it and not manypeople really trusting of it and
(14:31):
a lot of people just disregardit saying oh it's just a
newfangled trend that will goaway.
But now everybody and theirbrother I see is trying to do AI
content out there. Like it'sjust gotten really saturated.
And now well it kind of sets meapart because I got started so
early. I'm more thought of aslike an AI expert in today's
(14:51):
space. You know, especially forentrepreneurs because I've been
doing AI content for three yearsnow.
Even when I was working atVerizon, I did machine learning
because I come from a webdeveloper background. So I even
knew how to use AI back then. Ikind of bring a lot of expertise
to the table, because you alwaysneed to have a unique mechanism
to set you apart from yourcompetition. Like something that
(15:13):
you can offer that nobody elsereally can. I think because I
have a really strong backgroundin IT and also graphic design, I
think that really helps helps meout, in my business.
Carly Ries (15:25):
So for the solopreneurs out there that are
like, I don't have a list. Idon't have a social media
following. I wanna do this, itsounds great. it sounds like a
good way to save some time, butalso get some money in
relatively quickly. What wouldyour first piece of advice be
for them?
Becky Beach (15:40):
Oh no. It's not a get rich quick scheme at all.
Like you're not gonna be able toget money quickly doing this.
I'll just tell you that rightnow. It takes time to earn
customers trust.
It takes time to build yourlist. it takes time to see what
kind of products will work bestfor you. You have to determine
what your niche is gonna be.Like it's really useful to niche
down. I got involved in the momaudience when I had my child.
(16:04):
And I obviously spoke to hermom, sold to other moms. So you
need to pick a niche. You knowthat would really speak to you.
And, that's really important.And to have something you're
passionate about because if youjust get involved in a niche
that makes money, you're notgonna keep doing it if you're
not making money from it. Iwasn't making money I believe at
all my first year.
(16:24):
I was gonna quit because I justwasn't making enough money and I
was actually spending more thanI made that first year and my
friends and family were saying,hey, you need to stop this.
You're just wasting your time.i Mean, you got a promising
career as this web developer.You're making 6 figures at your
job. Like, why are you wastingyour time doing this blog?
And my husband said, I wasliving a pipe dream and so like
(16:45):
everybody was against mebecause, I think I said before
the call or during the call thatI come from a family of nine to
fivers and they didn'tunderstand, entrepreneurship.
Like they say, why is she doingthis stuff, working so hard and
not making any money and she'sjust gonna waste her time. so
you really gotta put that inperspective too. Like you're
gonna have family members andfriends, they're gonna be
(17:06):
against you if you're a newentrepreneur. See, you got to
get into the right mindset andjust say, hey, I'm gonna do this
and I want a better life.
I want freedom. I don't wantsome awful manager breathing on
my neck and like making me dothings I don't wanna do every
day. who wants to live likethat? I'm sorry, I'm just on a
soapbox I guess, but yeah, Ijust was doing it twenty years
and having, these horriblebosses, and you're kinda playing
(17:29):
Russian roulette, but you don'tknow if your boss is gonna end
up being a complete jackass too.Because what happens is
sometimes you get nice bosses.
Like, I've had really nicebosses. I'm still friends on
Facebook with, you know, and itjust depends.
Joe Rando (17:41):
Yeah. Can I add something? Then ten years later
when you're successful likethis, you got lucky. Right? Is
that what they say now?
Becky Beach (17:50):
No. Not at all. Like, I have students that I've
seen success. they're like, Ihave a business beach club
membership, and I've
Joe Rando (17:56):
no, no, you misunderstand. I'm just saying,
like, people that were naysayingthey're telling you you're crazy
to do this, then when you do itand you become successful, now
they say well, got lucky. I'veheard that one.
Becky Beach (18:08):
Oh, really?
Joe Rando (18:10):
Yeah. You know, like, oh, yeah. You know, first, they
don't believe, you can do it,and then later, you got lucky.
And, yeah, you can't listen toother people.
Becky Beach (18:19):
You can't listen to other people. Yeah. The friends
and family that were telling me,you know, like, my sister now
she's also doing what I'm doingwith it, selling printables, and
she's making enough money toleave her teaching job. And she
was the one that told me that Iwas wasting my time, so I,
taught her how to do this. Andshe's a teacher, now she wants
to leave her teaching job.
Joe Rando (18:37):
She's a convert. There you go.
Becky Beach (18:39):
Yeah. Really. Because she sees how much money
you could make.
And especially if you are ateacher, you're making
educational printables. Like,there's this platform called
teacherspayteachers.com, and youmake a lot of money. I've had
people in my business beach clubthem like $10,000 from that a
month. Like it's really easy toget started with that.
Carly Ries (18:59):
Yeah. it's funny you say that. I was talking to a
friend of mine about that andwhat a great organization it is
for teachers. Well, Becky, overthe last ten years, you have
found success for yourself,following these bundles, doing
these printables, and that's sogreat. So we have to ask, which
we ask every guest, what is yourfavorite quote about success?
Becky Beach (19:18):
Oh, sure. Yeah. Like every email that I send out
each day ends with a quote. Andit's usually based on, success.
It just depends.
I use Goodreads to find goodquotes. And this one that really
stands out to me is by SteveMariboli. And he says, don't
give up. It's not over. Theuniverse does balance.
Every setback bears with itsseeds of a comeback. And that
(19:40):
really speaks to me because Iwas going to give up my first
year because everybody wasagainst me. And they were
saying, no, you're not going tobe able to do this. so five
years ago, ten years ago. Peoplearen't making money with blogs
anymore.
You're just wasting your time.You focus on your nine to five
and because you have a new babyand all that jazz. I didn't
listen. I just kept on. And Imade like 80,000 last month.
(20:03):
And I just keep going and onemonth I made 100,000. I just
don't let anybody, tell me whatto do anymore. I just did
everything. I mean, my husbandtells me what to do, of course,
but you know.
Carly Ries (20:14):
Yeah. Well, that is incredible. Becky, where can
people learn more about allthis? Where can they learn about
you? Give us all the links.
Becky Beach (20:21):
Oh, yeah, you could go to
coachbeckybeach.com/freebie andget a free workbook on how to
sell your first digital product.It also comes with a GPT that
will help you create a funnel tosell that product. So again,
that'scoachbeckypeach.com/freebie.
Carly Ries (20:39):
Love it. Well, thank you so so much for coming on the
show today. like I said, I'vebeen so curious about this and I
know many others have too. Andwe actually haven't really
talked about this on the show,Joe. This is a first time topic
which is kind of rare.
So thank you. Thank you. Thankyou.
Becky Beach (20:53):
Oh, it's really exciting. Thank you.
Carly Ries (20:55):
And listeners, thank you so much for tuning in. As
always, please leave that fivestar review. Share this episode
with a friend that you thinkwould think it's useful, which
you should. And subscribe onyour favorite platform including
YouTube, and we will see younext time on the Aspiring
Solopreneur. You may be goingsolo in business, but that
doesn't mean you're alone.
(21:15):
In fact, millions of people arein your shoes, running a one
person business and figuring itout as they go. So why not
connect with them and learn fromeach other's successes and
failures? At LifeStarr, we'recreating a one person business
community where you can go tomeet and get advice from other
solopreneurs. Be to sure join inon the conversations at
community.lifestarr.com.
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