Sorry, Haters — Online Products Can Still Make You $1,000 a Month in Passive Income
Here’s how I do it & how you can too
Let me introduce you to Sam.
Sam is a classic online hater who likes to sh*t on your ideas under the guise of being helpful.
They’ll leave comments like this:
(The ten claps came from me.)
And when you challenge them on why they’re wrong, you’re met with silence. It’s like when Homer Simpson backs into a bush.
Oh, and how many followers do they have?
I wouldn’t usually bother outing haters like this. I just want to hammer home a couple of points:
- Online haters like to sh*t. That’s a reflection of them — not you. (Luckily, they’re in a minority.)
- Passive income is still possible, even in 2023.
Alright, that’s enough of the haters.
But before I show you how you can make $1,000 a month in passive income…
Let’s Reframe Passive Income
Unlike a job, online products give you a return on your time.
They’re assets.
I like Simmy’s “front-loaded labour” description:
Now I’ll be the first to admit that $1,000 a month isn’t enough for me to live off. (80% of my income still comes from freelancing.)
But my online products are passive — bar one.
All I have to do is:
- Update my products once a year (about 20 hours of work)
- Respond to student questions (< 1 hour a week)
- Write on Medium (which isn’t really work)
So how do I make passive income?
The Online Products That Make Me $1,000 a Month in Passive Income
Online Courses
I host my courses across four platforms: Udemy (2 active courses), Skillshare (1 course), Notion (1 course), and Zero To Mastery (1 course).
Someone on the Zero To Mastery team found my Udemy courses.
They cherry-pick instructors.
AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME: $500-$600
“PASSIVITY”: Fully passive
Affiliates
I only promote products I use.
My current affiliates include Semrush, ConvertKit, and Justin Welsh. When appropriate, I slip links into my Medium articles.
AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME: $200-$300
“PASSIVITY”: Fully passive
Self-Published Ebook
I promoted my book on launch day at 50% off for 48 hours.
It made ~$100.
And although it’s now part of my automated email funnel, I haven’t pushed it much. (I probably should!)
I typically sell one copy a month.
AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME: $10
“PASSIVITY”: Fully passive
Medium
Okay, so this isn’t passive. Not really. If I stopped writing, my old articles wouldn’t surface.
However, I enjoy writing (so I don't consider it work), and I only publish when I feel like I’ve got something to say — so typically 1–2 articles a week.
Plus, some of my old articles still make me $$.
AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME: $300–$500
“PASSIVITY”: Old articles are passive
What Would I Do Today if I Were Starting From Scratch?
If you want to build a company with thousands of employees and corporate offices and plans to dominate the world —go for it.
But if you’re reading this article, I suspect that’s not the case.
You want to make a little passive income, right?
Here’s my roadmap.
Step #1: *Shock* — Make Content
I repeat this advice time and time again:
Put out at least 50 pieces of content on one platform for the next 6–12 months.
If you like writing, try Medium. Video your thing? Shoot for YouTube. Podcasts are your friend if you’ve got a voice for radio.
Oh, and don’t expect anything in the first 12 months.
No praise. No money. No fanfare.
Nothing.
I churned out 30 articles before people noticed. It took another 70 to find my voice. If you want to build a skill, there’s no shortcut.
It takes time to get good.
Step #2: Connect, Connect, Connect
Treat people online like you would in person.
If they leave a nice comment, say thanks.
If they ask a thoughtful question, give a response.
Because spoiler alert: As well as making friends, these people will become your allies.
You may even end up dating one of them (that’s a whole other story!)
Step #3: Make an Online Course
I know, I know — easier than it sounds, right?
This article will help you:
And remember — people who shoot you down are projecting their own insecurities.
What do you have to lose by trying?
Here are the objections I hear most often:
- “I don’t know what to teach.” Answer this: What would you feel comfortable talking to a stranger about on a two-hour flight? This is something you could teach. And if you’re not sure, ask your family and friends.
- “It’s too competitive.” Yeah, it’s competitive, but I’ve got news for you: Making money online isn’t easy. Don’t let those YouTube ads tell you otherwise.
- “I don’t know where to start.” Start with the article above. My course-creation list is also helpful.
Step #4: Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Opportunities
Opportunities find you when you show up.
Here are just a couple that have come my way:
- My online courses have attracted high-value clients without me really trying.
- Sam took my outsourcing course and found it helpful. She then became a client of mine. I also delivered a workshop to her mastermind.
And you may get messaged out of the blue by your favourite creators.
I can’t promise this — but it happens!
Step #5: Rinse and Repeat
I love this advice from Niharikaa:
For the record, I’ve never received a 50th article either.
(Maybe you could break the trend!)
Takeaways
Is passive income real? Is it still possible in 2023? What steps should I take?
I hope I’ve answered these questions for you.
And $1,000 a month is just the beginning. I have plans to make more. Just know that making your first $1 online changes the game.
Here’s my passive income roadmap:
- Step #1: *Shock* — Make Content — Put out at least 50 pieces of content on one platform for the next 6–12 months. And don’t expect anything to happen.
- Step #2: Connect, Connect, Connect — Online friends can become your allies.
- Step #3: Make an Online Course — It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just get it out there.
- Step #4: Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Opportunities — And when they appear, grab ’em with both hands!
- Step #5: Rinse and Repeat — Follow steps 1–4 for two years and watch your life change forever.
Get my free 19-page guide: Everything I Did to Quit My 9–5 Job & Transition Into Profitable, Sustainable Solopreneuring :)
