3 Reasons I’m Focusing on Digital Content Creation — And Why You’ll Reap the Reward

Follow along, benefit from the experiments, and let’s grow together.

This past year has been a huge shift in my online presence and my mindset.

Instead of just lurking on LinkedIn and Twitter, I started writing and sharing publicly.

What started out as a challenge (Ship30for30) turned into a life passion.

My interest in creating and sharing didn’t actually start 15 months ago — I have ideas documented going back at least six years) — but it did actually start and I have dozens of articles to prove it. And that’s what actually matters.

My next phase and focus will be even more challenging to me, but also more educational and fulfilling (I hope!). As well as possibly useful to anyone who follows along.

The Plan

For the next 12 months, I’m going to focus on digital content creation.

Actual products that I create and (try to) sell. While documenting the process, tools, and lessons in my Medium writing and YouTube videos.

Why the dedicated focus on digital products? It comes down to 3 reasons.

1/ Fascination with digital content and the creation process.

The Process

As I mentioned, I’ve been capturing ideas for digital products and content ideas for over six years. I have a fascination with the process of creating digital products, but I’ve never acted on it.

Instead, I’ve continued to fill my time with watching other folks build their products — watching, reading, and following along. Being jealous and inspired, but not actually creating myself.

Recurring Money

I’m also interested in making reoccurring money from product creation.

Imagine creating something, then having it (potentially, let’s be realistic) provide income forever. Wow!

Currently, I’m paid by the hours and days I work. Not paid for past work.

New Technology

And lastly, I’m a fan of new technology and tools. But only to a level of understanding and figuring out their usefulness.

I don’t want to be an expert, but I like to fiddle around with all the new tech and apps.

2/ Dreaming of how the future could look.

Earlier Dates

I’ve been sharing my plan to reach Coast FIRE. The opportunity to move from my traditional 9–5-until-retire life to one of freedom and flexibility.

I’m 2.5 years away from reaching this point…but what if I could accelerate the date to earlier?

There’s no expectation that this will happen, but it’s possible — and that creates a financial motivator to actually start the digital product journey.

Ideal Life

Then I really start dreaming — Could I make enough money to live off of this?

That would be the ideal life:

• Reach Coast FIRE and leave my 9–5.
• Already have a steady income from digital products that cover my living costs.
• Live anywhere I want, work with whomever I want, and spend time on my personal priorities.

Ultimate Freedom

This then drives my stretch dream — Would this allow me the freedom I’m seeking?

Creating digital products doesn’t require being in a specific location, as long as I have my computer and the internet.

Location freedom? Check.

I can work on them based on my own schedule during the day and week. I could take a Tuesday off. I could work on a Saturday.

Time freedom? Check.

I could collaborate with other creators, or continue the solo work. I can stop for months while traveling off the grid. I could give as much or as little energy to work as I want.

Work freedom? Check.

3/ Challenging myself to learn in public.

Creative Is as Creative Does

I don’t think of myself as a creative person, but I’ve also never challenged myself to be creative outside of my traditional hobbies and work.

I like the idea of being creative. I think being creative brings a lot of life satisfaction and positivity. So I’m forcing it until becomes a habit.

Failure is real life.

Everyone likes to share when they’re successful — and I love to be inspired by the stories. But that’s only one half of the path.

There are always failures along the way. And when the reality isn’t shared — those tough moments, the struggles, and the flops — then we build up too much of an expectation that everything is easy.

With this in mind, I want to publicly share both my successes and failures in public. The good and the bad. The ups and the downs. It won’t always feel good to share the wasted time or poor product results, but it’ll be the honest truth of the process.

Community Building

I love the idea of being comfortable sharing with, and learning from, others.

Let’s grow together. We don’t have to be opponents, but rather support groups. We can all be creators and still be successful.

I know I’ve learned a lot over the years from other creators (and I plan to continue to), so I want to give back to the community and those on the fence like I was.

Time for Action!

Combine all of this together and I don’t have a lot of excuses to put off my digital product journey any longer.

Whether it’s low- or medium-content books, courses, guides, eBooks, templates, or videos, I’m ready to build and experiment (in public)!

I also want to share the journey itself — through my writing and videos. The tools I use, the results, and whether I feel like it is worth it or not.

I’m figuring out the actual plan — but not spinning on it, starting is the priority for me — and will be sharing more details in the next week.

I hope you follow along and get a bit of inspiration yourself!

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