806 How to Become a Full Time Influencer with Brendon Burchard, Part 2

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Lewis Howes and Brendan Burchard argue that influencers must stop treating influence as a hobby and build real, automated businesses with recurring revenue, clear models, and CEO-level ownership. They emphasize honoring the struggle, expecting mayhem, using mentors and mindset to stay grounded, and finding meaning through daily presence, service, and love rather than waiting for future success.

Main Topics: Influence as a business, not a hobby (Priority: 5/5): Brendan stresses that creators who only earn from sponsorships or one-off efforts are essentially hired talent, not business owners, and that real influence requires building scalable revenue systems. Recurring revenue and automated monetization (Priority: 5/5): The discussion centers on subscriptions, digital products, online courses, events, and other evergreen systems that can earn while the creator sleeps and provide predictable monthly revenue. Owning the CEO role and taking command (Priority: 5/5): Brendan argues influencers must accept responsibility for their message, business model, and growth instead of waiting for agents, brands, or other people to direct their path. Honoring struggle and anticipating mayhem (Priority: 4/5): He explains that growth brings internal self-doubt and external relationship/business chaos, and that resisting struggle or hating parts of the work will kill momentum. Meaning, reverence for life, and feeling the day (Priority: 4/5): Brendan says sustainable success comes from learning to draw meaning from each day, staying present, and avoiding the trap of postponing happiness until a milestone is reached. Mentorship, community, and mental health (Priority: 4/5): Both speakers highlight that mentors and supportive peers help creators navigate uncertainty, while consistent habits and mindset protect mental health under pressure. Love, service, and legacy (Priority: 3/5): Brendan frames love as an internal resource, says service is the deepest fulfillment, and encourages passing on values and wisdom from one generation to the next.

Key Arguments: Influencers who only rely on sponsorships are not building businesses; they are creating a lucrative job that disappears if brands stop paying. Subscriptions are the strongest default model because they create monthly recurring revenue and allow creators to plan, scale, and support a team. Creators should align message, method, and monetization so the business model fits their strengths and energy. Every major influencer or public figure eventually focuses on business systems because caring for the audience means building durability and reach. Self-doubt is not failure; it is a signal that growth is required and that new capabilities or help are needed. Mayhem is inevitable: success triggers family tension, relationship strain, scammers, and internal anxiety, so creators must prepare rather than idealize the journey. Meaningful work must be paired with daily presence; success without the ability to feel the day leads to exhaustion and emptiness. Mentors and community reduce mistakes and accelerate growth because they reveal blind spots and provide structure during transitions. Love should not be dependent on another person’s validation; removing need is central to healthy relationships and sustainable ambition. True greatness comes from service to others, not from self-focus or achievement alone.

Data Points: Podcast episode: 806 - This is the second part of Lewis Howes’ interview series with Brendan Burchard. Brendan Burchard books: 3-time New York Times bestselling author - Used in the intro to establish Brendan’s authority. Highest chart position: #1 New York Times bestseller - Referenced in the episode intro as part of Brendan’s credentials. Business revenue stability: 3 years - Brendan says his evergreen campaigns would keep revenue the same for three years if he stopped working today. Sponsorship revenue share: 10% - Brendan says sponsorships should not account for more than 10% of an influencer’s revenue. Subscription model cadence: Every single month - He recommends subscription programs where people pay monthly for access to content or live sessions. Event dates: October 10th through 12th, 2019 - Dates given for the Influencer event in San Diego. Event location: San Diego, California - Location for Brendan’s Influencer event. Event pricing deadline: Friday, June 7th, 2019 - Lewis announces prices for Summit of Greatness are going up by this date. Years mentoring in the space: 16 years - Brendan says he has mentored major names in the industry for 16 years. Age of client: 17 - Brendan mentions mentoring a 17-year-old client who reportedly made $40 million. Client earnings: $40 million - Brendan references a 17-year-old client’s earnings as an example of young influencer success. Event attendance scale: Thousands of people - Brendan describes his events as having grown to tens of thousands over time. YouTube sample size: Top 100 YouTubers / 15 clients - He says 15 of the top 100 YouTubers have been significant clients. Hug duration: 2 extra seconds - Brendan recommends holding hugs and pauses slightly longer to feel life more deeply. Brand community size: 5 million - Brendan mentions his Facebook community size. Brain injury year: 2011 - He discusses a brain injury that affected his emotions and marriage.

Pivotal Quotes: "You’re doing a disservice if you don’t build a business." — Brendan Burchard: He argues that creators must monetize responsibly to serve more people. "Anything you apply hate to quickly dies." — Brendan Burchard: He explains why honoring struggle and avoiding resentment is crucial for sustainable growth. "Nothing will ever be more fulfilling than service." — Brendan Burchard: His closing truth about what ultimately brings meaning and legacy.

Implications: Creators who want longevity must adopt business systems, recurring revenue, mentors, and self-management. The future favors influencers who combine service, scale, and presence instead of chasing attention alone.