The Content Creator's Guide to Monetization in 2023

This letter is for that content creator wondering how to make money from all these, especially when it seems working with clients has become harder than an elephant passing through the eyes of a needle.

Game afoot!

Look around you. Creators are winning. A group of them is literally dominating.?

They're bringing in millions with their content, courses, products, and services that you can only marvel at.

And you're wondering how they're doing it.

Thing is...

Creating content is one thing, but making money from it is another thing entirely.

Here are some strategies for monetizing your content as a creator:

Let's start with the prep…

The why behind your creation is your point of entry and departure in this journey

Why do you create? Why do you want to succeed? What does this whole thing mean to you?

Your WHY gives your creation purpose and meaning.

So many creators are stuck on the "what." They're so focused on their content that they've forgotten to ask themselves why they're making it. And that's the beginning of their end.

Just like a startup company has its "value proposition" or an artist has his "motivation," so should you, dear creator, have yours.

Before you can start to dominate the digital world, you need to know why you're doing it. Is it for the love of creation, to make a difference in the world, or to make a living doing what you love? Understanding your "why" will help you stay focused, motivated, and on track, especially when it gets tough.

Your Personal Story Never Goes Out of Style?

Don't be scared of sharing your messy middle, process, failures, and everything in-between.

We live in a world where everyone tries to be the best and fights for the top spot. But when it comes to standing out online, only your personal story can help you stand out.

Start by thinking about what makes you unique. What are some things that have happened in your life that make you different from everyone else? Use these stories as the basis for creating content to help people understand who you are as an individual & business owner.

That means finding the intersection between what makes you different from everyone else and what people need from you. This will help you create a brand identity that stands out from the crowd, builds trust with your audience, and sets the stage for selling to them.

You can't outdo people in their stories, but you can always stand out by being true and authentic to yourself.

Discover Your Blue Ocean

Treat as urgent!

If you think that the only way to succeed in this world is to out-compete everyone else, then you are dead wrong.?

Competition makes your brand and products look like a commodity, limiting your potential to dominate.

Sometimes, it can feel like we're stuck in a sea of sameness where everyone's doing the same thing, and no one's getting anywhere.

And if you want to stay afloat in this new, digital ocean, you must find your own blue ocean. You have to make yourself stand out from the crowd and become a destination for people looking for what you have to offer.

A blue ocean is an area of untapped potential, surrounded by competitors who are too busy vying for their little red oceans to pay attention to your actions.

If you can find a way to create something different. Not necessarily new… then you can have your blue ocean all to yourself.

So how do you find your blue ocean?

• What can you do differently?
• What makes YOUR product or service unique??
• What makes YOUR voice uniquely yours??
• To offer a different product or offer the same product differently?

My blue ocean as a copywriter is being a sales funnel strategist at the same time. I'm offering what others are offering and more. My client can easily get a copywriter to help with their sales copy, but not one who understands the intricacies of a sales funnel and can give them a better working strategy. That alone sets me apart.

NOW, LET'S GO WHERE THE MONEY IS...

5 Ways to Make Money as a Content Creator

1. Build Your Email List

Can you still make money without a list? Yes, but…

The Money is In Your Email List.

Platforms will fail. The algorithms will disappoint you. But your list is always there for you.

You can launch to them, promote to them, run affiliates and sponsored posts through them and they'll never get tired of you (especially when you do it the right way).

Building a list is the most important thing you can do to build your business.

With an email list, you can keep your subscribers updated on new content, products, and services and even sell to them directly. In fact, email marketing has been shown to have a higher ROI than any other marketing channel.

Start with a free lead magnet that gives them access to something exclusive. They'll give you their email address in exchange for the value you're giving them. Nurture the list with daily or weekly educational emails.

Then, create your offers and sell to them.?

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to monetize your content without having to create your own products. I couldn't create a product yet, so I started promoting others' products for commission through my unique affiliate links.?

To be successful with affiliate marketing, choose products or services that align with your niche and audience or look at paid advertising. I know many creators in this niche who built 6-7 figure businesses just promoting other people's products for a commission.

3. Create Digital Products

This is a great option for those with something to offer and the strength to create their offers.

Creating and selling digital products is a great way to monetize your content. This can include e-books, online courses, memberships, webinars, and digital downloads. Digital products are great because they can be created once and sold multiple times, making them a scalable source of income.

To be successful with digital products, you need to create something that provides value to your audience. This could be solving a problem they have or teaching them a new skill.?

4. Sponsored Posts / Influencing Products

Sponsored content is a great way to monetize your content and collaborate with brands that align with your values and niche.

To start, research and identify brands that fit your audience and content well. Reach out to them with a pitch that showcases the value you can provide through sponsored content, such as increased brand exposure, access to your engaged audience, and high-quality content creation. You can also consider using a platform that connects creators with brands, such as AspireIQ or CreatorIQ.

5. Coaching and Consulting

Be bold enough to position yourself as an expert if you have great knowledge in your field.

Coaching and consulting are great ways to monetize your expertise and knowledge. You can offer one-on-one services to clients who need help with a specific problem or goal.

To succeed here, you must have a clear niche and target audience. You also need to have a proven track record of success and be able to demonstrate the value you can provide to your clients.

The Truth of the Matter...

The power to create meaningfully lies within each and every one of us. Whether writing, designing, creating videos, or anything else, there's no shortage of opportunities to express your creativity and make an impact.?

Let your creativity soar, take risks, and don't be afraid to fail. Because, in the end, what matters is that you're creating something that's uniquely yours and making a difference in the world.

Love,

Goodness.

This is the Game Changing Concepts, the ultimate newsletter for those who love to dare.