If you haven’t already, check out part one that goes over how to find the intersection between your passions and skills. And be sure to visit this article by my friend Bryce that has a handy diagram to help you visualize this process.
In this article I’m going to share some thoughts about monetizing that intersection, or, to say it plainly – making money from doing something you love. This is holy grail type stuff for most folks, with good reason. How awesome would it be if you really loved your work? What if you could turn that interesting hobby or talent into an income generating behemoth? Read on…
Luckily for us (us being growth-oriented people), finding ways to make money from our passions isn’t such a difficult thing. And that’s what I’m going to cover first.
There Really Isn’t That Much Competition
Have you ever heard the expression, “the ladder is lonely at the top?” Usually this is meant in a lonely, depressing sort of way. But I take it to mean something else entirely. Simply put, once you reach a certain level of success, there isn’t that much competition. Most people are too busy working their normal, safe jobs to branch out and do something as crazy as making money from doing something they love. Go figure! The more unusual or unorthodox your approach is, the less competition you’ll have.
The truth is, most people don’t have the drive or sheer balls it takes to make money from doing something they enjoy. On one hand, that’s bad news for them, but on the other, that’s very good news for you. 
Essentially, if you’re smart, you’ll find a way. And chances are you’ll succeed.
Think about it. How many people do you know that are making money from one of their hobbies or something they truly, genuinely enjoy? Unless you’ve assembled an all-star group of friends, chances are you don’t know very many.
That leaves a lot of breathing room for people who are capable of stepping back and analyzing life a little bit. If you’re reading this, then don’t worry – chances are you are one of those people. And assuming you’ve read part 1, you’ve already identified something that you both love and are good at.
Now it’s time to make some cash.
How to Monetize Your Passion
Obviously, there are a LOT of different ways to go about this one. Rather than giving you a step-by-step list that is likely to be irrelevant or unactionable with your particular passions and skills, I’m going to share some stories of now-rich businessmen who took real moneymaking principles to heart.
That is, delivering value, taking risks, and having faith.
1. Deliver Real Value
This one is a given. If you want to be paid for something, you need to find a way to deliver value to others with it. In this first example I’m going to use someone I’m sure you’ve heard of – Steve Pavlina. According to data he released himself, he was making $1000/day back in – get this – 2006!
If you looked at his website back then, you’d notice that he wasn’t selling much of anything. His newish products like his book, consultations, and workshops hadn’t come out yet. He also never spent any money on marketing or promoting his own site, yet he was making a small fortune from it. How on earth did he do this? Through delivering genuine value of course – and tons of it.
He didn’t have to create any products of his own, he simply had to help people. Steve’s articles are so interesting and packed full of value that he generated hundreds of thousands of hits per month on his website. When you really live a life where you pursue your passions, you’re going to naturally be able to help others who have similar interests. Think about how you can share passions and skills in a way that delivers maximum value to a maximum audience.
One of the ways do that is to create a website. Doesn’t interest you? Write a book. Can’t write? Hire a ghostwriter. Don’t want that? Then create a seminar. The possibilities are literally endless. No matter what you your particular passion is, you’ll be able to find a way to deliver value if you think hard enough,
Speaking of creating a seminar, read this next story.
2. Take Risks, Lots and Lots of Risks
Tim Ferris, author of The 4-Hour Workweek
As it turns out, Tim had a fairly unique passion/skill crossroads: he loved reading, and he could do it fast – really fast. In other words, he was a speed reader. But how is your average college student supposed to monetize that? By ingenuity and risk-taking, of course.
Instead of taking the safe way out, he decided to take charge and plaster a bunch of flyers around his campus that read “TRIPLE YOUR READING SPEED IN 3 HOURS!” According to Tim, the local students proceeded to write “Bullshit” on all of his posters. Not a good start. Nevertheless, 32 people showed up at his conference for $50 each. That’s $1600. Not bad.
Of course, Tim soon got bored of speed reading and moved on to bigger and better things, but the lesson remains. What kind of risks can you take to monetize your life passion? Can you hold off on getting a boring job and try something more exciting? What about quitting the job you have now? The best thing is, you don’t even need a product – people will pay for knowledge.
3. If All Else Fails, Have An Irrational Amount of Faith
This is one of the most fascinating stories I’ve ever heard. In Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich
While Dr. Gunsaulus was still in college, he had an idea that would revolutionize the educational system. The only thing was, he needed to be the head of the college to make it happen. And in order to do that, he would need exactly one million dollars.
Being a clergy man, Gunsaulus was a far cry from being rich. But he would not diverge from his plan. It became an obsession for him, a “burning desire” as Hill puts it. He had faith that his plans would come to fruition, and he would not stop until they did.
For almost 2 years, Gunsaulus carried this obsession with him, until he had an epiphany one night in his room. Here is the story, in his own words, quoted directly from the book:
“I made up my mind, then and there, that I would get the necessary million dollars within a week. How? I was not concerned about that. The main thing of importance was the decision to get the money within a specified time, and I want to tell you that the moment I reached a definite decision to get the money within a specified time, a strange feeling of assurance came over me, such as I had never before experienced. Something inside me seemed to say, ‘Why didn’t you reach that decision a long time ago? The money was waiting for you all that time!’”
Gunsaulus decided in that moment that the money would come to him. He immediately began working on a sermon entitled, “What I Would Do If I Had One Million Dollars.” He gave the sermon the next morning, and after it was done, a man came up and said, again quoted:
“To prove that I believe in you and your sermon, if you will come to my office tomorrow morning, I will give you the million dollars. My name is Philip D. Armour.”
How incredible is that? It goes to show how important faith is in the money generating process. It’s a simple law of attraction thing. If you truly believe and align yourself with a certain intention, you will assuredly get it. If your intention is to generate money by doing something you love, then that will come true.
When you align all three of these principles, that is – creating value, taking risks, and having faith – you are sure to succeed. Never let your inability to perceive an outcome stop you. Hold onto your goal, regardless of if you know how its fruition will come about or not. That part will take care of itself. Your job is to get it started and believe in the process.
So what are you waiting for? Get started now!
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I tend to subscribe to all three methods. I have, what many would consider, an irrational amount of faith (I just KNOW shit is going to work out), I deliver tons of value, and I’ve always been a risk taker (although, the meaning of the word “risk” is very subjective.) So often, what I consider to be exciting on maybe just a little bit scary, others would consider to be a huge risk.
In the end, if we want to make money, I think Seth Godin said it best: Just ship it. You have to be willing to sell something, to set up a blog, to write that book, to put the value out there somehow. Just dreaming about it won’t make it happen. At some point, you have to bite the bullet.
Nicely done Fred! This comes at a great time for me. I’m just setting up an online shop and am getting ready to “ship” the first little trial product, with a view of my first real product launch in January. Scary? Hell yes. But somehow, I KNOW it will be ok. Failure has never been an option for me. Sometimes the road is rockier than I’d planned, but I always get there in the end. And that thought helps me through the scary bits.
Hugs!
Melody
Melody | Deliberate Receiving recently posted..Becoming a Money Magnet – How To Make Money Your Bitch
That is awesome Melody.
I definitely agree on the notion of just shipping. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of creating an e-book for the last couple of weeks. Once my job settles down I’ll begin work. It’s a little scary I suppose, but really a lot of fun.
Like you, I seem to have an irrational amount of self-confidence – I just KNOW what I want to work will work. And in the few times it doesn’t, well, I just ignore those – they don’t count!
Great one Fred. I think your blog is acually much more informative and down-to-earth than steve pavlina’s.
Hah, why thank you Jesse.
I try to be as practical and down to earth as I possibly can. What I REALLY can’t wait to do is get my own place so I can do a lot more life experiment type things, like becoming a vegetarian for a month and stuff like that.
Hi fred,
Interesting post! I have read the 2 books you mentioned and know Steve Pavlina website, but I never have put them together in the way you do here.
I also remember the inspiring story Dr Gunsaulus in Napoleon Hills book. It was as incredible as the story of the (almost) deaf mute son of Napoleon who learnt to hear because of the faith of his parents.
As they can do it, why could should we not be able to do our own miracles ourselves
Thanks for the inspiration!
Absolutely, thanks for the comment Marc.
I actually found that story of Napoleon’s kid while I was thumbing through the book trying to find the story I mentioned here about the clergyman raising $1 million. It’s a really amazing story, as you mentioned, and it just goes to show the power of having faith and belief in what you want to achieve.
Here here to our own miracles!
Fantastic article Fred. I’m glad you’re back blogging regularly again. I think your writing has greatly improved since you’ve been back.
Making a life out of your passions can be a very scary and challenging road. Although worth every single step, it can really be an emotional roller coaster ride.
But what you say is true. No matter how many road blocks or setbacks you have while walking this path, persistence and faith will get you to the other side.
Never give up.
Absolutely, Sean.
I’ve been back at it for a while – where have you been!? I see you have a new website now, that is awesome. I’ve been meaning to set up a similar kind of affiliate site for a while now. I’ve seen your site before but I’ll check it out again, after all I always pay extra attention when I see those infomercials about colon cleanse type products. They seem like they would be very useful.
I’m glad to see a comment from you again. I wonder if there’s a way for me to comment on your site?
Hey Fred,
Great article buddy.
I agree, you need to do the unexpected, the extra.
You need to go the extra mile, be ready for anything and work at it all the time!
Daniel M. Wood recently posted..ANNOUNCING: The Time Management Expert Course
Yes! Thanks very much Daniel.
I think the most important part of the process is found in the first part of this little series. Finding your passion and really loving it will open the gateway for everything else.
Take care.
Hey Fred – your writing cannot fail to inspire me – I came away from reading this full of inspiration – thank you so much
Charlie Aden recently posted..Is it time to reassess your priorities?
Thanks Charlie! That means a lot.
Awesome pic man.
I was talking to friend of mine today who wanted to sell his artwork. He had only sold a few of his photos in some local stores but not much to really make a difference.
I suggested to him to start a website featuring his artwork and I even told him that I would help him with getting his website up and running. Well, only if he signs up using my HostGator affiliate link.
I think I will start on my my blog post titled: “What I would Do If I Had A Million Dollars.”
Justin | Personal Growth recently posted..Are Reptilian Entities Manipulating Humans And Earth Affairs
Lol, the picture was rather unrelated to the article but it was so great I included it anyway. Did you catch the title on it? Hover your mouse over it if you didn’t.
Haha Justin – jerk!
Nah, actually, I’d do the same thing. “The ONLY way I’m going to help you buddy is if you give me 50% of your profits…”
I would have to second the comment about you delivering not just value and inspiration but warmth.
pea recently posted..Sustainable Woodland Home
Jeez pea, I sort of feel like Internet blushing right now…
“Making the decision” seems to be the crucial factor. Just commiting and making up you mind without being wishy-washy, and “having faith” that somehow or another it will be fulfilled.
I sometimes am really drawn to something out of the blue, something I’ve given zero time, thought or consideration to, that just pops up and says,”Buy Me.” A good example of this is when I took my professional intuitive training course with Slade Roberson. It cost a lot of money, which I did not have at that moment, and probably my husband would kill me if he knew I was buying it, I thought, but it was like a rare compulsion that just sort of overtook me. Very shortly thereafter, the fees came back to me from two different people, unexpectedly (almost to the penny). That is manifestation at it’s best – it’s the alignment with who you really are and what you are meant to do next that makes it work, I think.
Julie | A Clear Sign recently posted..Answers From The Universe Come In Funny Packages and Rarely Walk A Straight Line
Julie – nice! Just don’t go thinking that you intuitively need a new Porsche or something – your husband probably would find that one out.
I absolutely agree with what you said. There is a lot of power and simply choosing something right then and there and getting to work on it. I love the concept of “definite purpose” that Napoleon Hill talks about in his book. Doing something with an unwavering, definite purpose can create real miracles.
Inspiring Fred, thanks. I’m experimenting with irrational amounts of faith lately, along with listening to a handful of Pavlina podcasts on the nature of reality.
When you meditate and really dive into it, and try conjure an irrational amount of faith in something, it’s amazing how you’ll feel inner resistance. It’s new territory for me so it’s fun. I’m a constant inner-adventurer.
Louis Savalli recently posted..Free to Be – Part 1
I love how you are such an inner-adventurer. I’m kind of that way too, is why your articles resonate with me.
I’ve heard a couple of the Pavlina podcasts. I really like the one about using different kinds of “lenses” to help you see things in different ways. So instead of being an atheist or a Christian, you can be both, and pull out whichever lens is most effective for you.
When I heard that podcast it really blew my mind. It’s like that way of thinking is a step up from anything most people ever do. Imagine not really identifying with your positions, but instead stockpiling them for your advantage. How powerful is that!
Hi Fred,
I really like this article. I agree with you having faith and taking a risk are crucial for success. Like you mentioned Steve Pavlina did it. I read that now he makes over $100,000 a month for his online business which is really very impressive. I also love the example from Hill’s book. With constant praying and having strong desire, we will achieve our goals. Thanks for sharing
Dia recently posted..How to reach your goals
Hey Dia, Thanks a bunch for the comment.
Faith and trust and belief in ourselves is really one of the most important things. I think the main key to success is to simply be consistent, and that’s easiest done when we are truly passionate about what we are doing. I really like success stories like the ones I mentioned here – they get me pumped up to great things!
Take care.
Hey fred! I really liked what you said in the topic making money from your passion! I am discovered my one of my own passions, that’s in the personal development world and self-help world! I really believe like the people who are making money it took a lot of focus and action for them to get to the place that you want to be! Thanks for posting! I like this, I am going to share this on my page!
Tyler J.Logan recently posted..If something doesn’t feel right, you have the right to question it Part I
Hey there Tyler,
Absolutely – making money from what we are truly passionate about is the only way to go.
Thanks a lot for sharing it on your page – I really appreciate that. Keep on rocking!
Pictures speaks and thousand words and inspire a million lives. I am with Justin on that picture right at the start of your post even though you claim there is nothing to do with the content. It was the first thing that captured my attention.
Anyway, great post. I think I need to work on faith more. As I was reading this, I could sense my inner voice saying to me that I do not trust the universe enough. That’s why I am getting limited results. I have ebooks to sell, seminars to conduct and value to give, but it is just stuck now. Guess what excuse am I using? I need more time blogging.
Ok enough said. Action time.
Cheers
Jimmy recently posted..Should a Personal Development Program be Taught in Schools?
That is awesome Jimmy. Obviously I liked the picture or I wouldn’t have used it, but I didn’t really take the time to appreciate it until just now. It really is quite a picture, isn’t it?
Yes! identifying that small but constant fear of success is the first thing to do. Then you can take action and prove to yourself that you really can do it and that fear will start to subside. Getting over ourselves and simply taking action towards our goals is half – if not more than that – of the battle.
Take care buddy.
Sorry for coming to the party late. Fred this is AWESOME work and thank you sooo much for linking to the article I wrote.
It’s not as simple as it seems to make a living in your passion, so thanks for the excellent advice.
I know you just started your new job, you’ll have to let us know how you like it and your thoughts.
Thanks,
Bryce
Bryce Christiansen recently posted..Are You Grooming Others For Success? (And Why Avoiding It Can Cost You a Job)
Hey Bryce, no problem – I love linking to articles that are relevant and really good. Yours is definitely both.
Ahhh, as far as my job. Well, I’m still in training right now. I’ll be there next week as well. It’s cool that I’m getting paid to sit there and do nothing, but I’d like to get on with the show and finally get to work.
I’ll be a mail carrier for the USPS – a rural carrier associate in particular. I chose this job specifically because it works well with my personality (I like to be autonomous) and it’s part-time with more hours if I need them.
I don’t have much more to update you on right now because I haven’t started it, but I simply can’t wait!
Wow Fred, great post.
I also have a whole heck of a lot of faith but with faith comes taking action. So as long as you are doing your best to work toward what you love, eventually it will all fall into place.
Like I mentioned in my comment in part one, I never knew what my passion was but I knew I loved to help people. You can always find a way to do what you love, it just might be through different methods.
So inspiring my friend and thank you for that. We all need to keep that level of belief in ourselves and you help us do just that.
Have a blessed day!
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..What I Learned On The “How To Recruit Like Crazy” Webinar
Thanks Adrienne.
Having faith in ourselves is probably the most important thing in any endeavor. Not only does it help in a mystical LOA type of way, but it serves as the fuel that keeps our productivity engines humming.
Woo hoo!
That picture is something they use in Nelson Berry’s subliminal videos.
*eyes you suspiciously*
Deliver real value, hmm? Oh god, I sounded like Sel there. Anyway, I agree with delivering real value derived from your passion. What I hate is marketing. Oh, don’t get me wrong.. I DO support people in their end — I am rambling. Again.
Ah, but Fred.. you have such a passionate spirit and here I am with my issues and problems! I wish writing was enough. I need to get that passion back again. Writing is part of my passion, actually.. but.. the marketing.. stuff..
…I am starting to see a pattern here.
Hahaha, no subliminal messages here. Or is there? * eyes self suspiciously*
One of the reasons why I really enjoy doing the whole blogging thing is that I like marketing. I find it fascinating. I like to drive down the road and notice all the billboards and think about what makes them effective.
If that isn’t your particular idea of a good time, and it sounds like it isn’t, that doesn’t mean you can’t blog. Steve Pavlina himself didn’t market his blog at all – he just wrote such great content that people were naturally inclined to share it. Maybe that’s all you need to do.
Or maybe you should ask Sel. By the way, I imagine her being an upper-class British gal. I don’t know why.
Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss this further, I enjoy our chats.
Sel has the answers as always. She’s smart that way. She also has the.. err.. yes, she’s quite ‘upper class English gal’ in some ways.
Hmm.. driving down the road and looking at billboards? See anything interesting that hasn’t been done before?
I shall now embark on the quest to read your other blog posts and receive 4223 XP and a half.
Haha, not really anything too interesting. Actually, I did see a dog dressed in a bumblebee outfit with the heading “bee noticed”. But it was on a bench instead of a billboard, so doesn’t count.
You’re leveling up quite quickly with all the XP you’ve gained lately!
Hi Fred,
Unfortunately, Hugh Heffner as already cornered the market on what I really want to do.
Todd | Channelingmyself recently posted..Oracle Cards for Dummies
Lol! Me too… Me too.
He’s getting pretty old though. It’s time for a young buck to step up to the plate.
I think I have found my soul purpose here in this life.
Can you elaborate?
Hi Fred, I’ve been so lucky online since I started back in 2007. I love reading blog tweeting and social sharing. the sad part is I enjoy that aspect more than blogging itself. I’ve been so lucky to make money with blog engage and I’m thankful for it all the time. Generating revenue from something you love so much is an amazing feeling especially when it’s a lot of money.
bbrian017 recently posted..A Marketing Magazine For Entrepreneurs
Absolutely Brian.
I’m kind of the opposite in that I love blogging and I’m just getting into tweeting and social sharing.
We should combine our powers and become some sort of mega-super-awesome blogging marketing superstar.
It’s funny I was just reading a comment you left on another blog about how you only have a part time job so you can work on creating more passive online income. You also stated how ridiculous it was how much we work. I have to agree it’s crazy and I’m really getting sick of it. Live your entire life to work for someone else 5 days a week. What a shame… I’m hoping blog engage will support me finally in the next two years and it’s a goal I must reach 100%. I agree work should be abolished!
bbrian017 recently posted..A Marketing Magazine For Entrepreneurs
Hi Fred,
Loved your post…I put off reading it until I had enough time so I could really digest every word fully and give it the attention it deserved! LOA exercise, right!?
You really helped me find my personal way since stumbling upon your site in March and your resent articles are just what I need to resonate with as I begin my own business…I’m not a blogger but a huge fan reader… I also enjoy reading all of your friends in the comment section, too.
Be well.
Wow! Thanks Christine.
It really means a lot to me that you took the time to comment. It’s funny because it’s so easy to forget how many people are reading my articles that don’t often leave a comment. Those very same people might be the ones who are impacted the most. This reminds me that I need to spend as much time as possible making everything I write as quality and packed full of as much value as it can be.
Be well too!
Back then in 2006 it was lot easier there is no doubt in my mind I think that the game has changed a lot and that there are many good players now and with all
that recession going on, people are more hesitant when buying. It’s certainly good to focus on the things you love doing but I’m not so sure about delivering real value
in the sense that the public will appreciate it, really not sure about that one.
People tend to follow each other and sometimes really strange ideas are followed, even by millions.
Considering the irrational amount of faith, Castaneda comes to my mind. There was a teaching about intention and how powerful this is. So, if you decide to do something and you feel it inside of you, chances are you’re on a good path of accomplishing that intention, like if a good part of it is done already,
kind of brings that assurance that Gunsaulus talked about.
Hey there Thomas,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Yeah, I agree that there’s more to it than just delivering real value. You also have to market that value and find a way to sell it. It may be tougher now, but it’s still definitely doable.
I love what you said about intention and feeling inside by the way. There’s a certain intuitive knowing that follows something that is sure to work.
Take care.