The "Copycat" Method That Helped Me Earn Over $1.4 Million
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Chapter 1: The Journey to Becoming a Successful Creator
Since leaving my traditional job in February 2015 to pursue a career as an independent creator, I have achieved over $1.4 million in revenue. Depending on your viewpoint, this might seem like a modest or substantial amount. Personally, I find it remarkable that individuals can earn a sustainable income from their innovative ideas. However, while the potential for financial success as a creator exists, it is not guaranteed. In fact, many creators struggle to achieve even a modest income.
For instance, a report revealed that only 7.6% of writers on Medium earned more than $100 a month in May 2019. Yet, there were those who made thousands that month, with one writer even exceeding $9,700. This pattern is prevalent across various content creation platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Etsy, where some individuals manage to thrive while a majority do not find similar success.
If you find yourself among those struggling to achieve financial stability as a creator, I want to help you change that today.
Can I Pose a Question?
When you come across the statistic that only a small fraction of Medium writers earn significant sums, do you resonate more with the notion that most people struggle, or do you see the possibility that others are making substantial income? If you align with the latter perspective, congratulations—you’re already ahead of the game!
However, if you often succumb to negative thoughts or believe you will never exceed average results, you are inadvertently setting yourself up for a self-fulfilling prophecy. I understand this struggle; we've all faced discouragement from others that can affect our confidence. Whether it comes from a parent, teacher, or friend, such criticism can be particularly disheartening, especially when it comes from someone in a position of authority.
But it’s crucial to challenge these opinions. Many have deemed my ambitions unrealistic or foolish, particularly when I expressed my desire to become a lawyer despite my average grades. My guidance counselor advised me against applying to law school, believing my chances were slim.
Let me clarify that community college or trade school paths are perfectly valid. However, had I accepted her perspective, I wouldn’t have pursued my goals. Instead, I focused on how I could enhance my chances of success. I sought examples of others who had overcome similar challenges, recognizing that factors such as standardized test scores were crucial.
In the end, my hard work paid off, leading to a full scholarship for college and later acceptance into law school with a partial scholarship.
The same determination fueled my transition in 2015 when I left my legal career to become a full-time content creator. Many around me were skeptical, echoing sentiments such as "Writers don’t make money" or "You’re too old to gain traction on social media." Ironically, those expressing doubt had never attempted such pursuits themselves—they were projecting their own limitations onto me.
Copying the Success of Others
These days, unsolicited advice comes from everywhere, often from those least qualified to give it. It’s essential to disregard the opinions of those who aren’t actively pursuing similar goals. Instead, seek out individuals who have succeeded and learn from them.
Studying the strategies of successful creators became a personal obsession for me, and it’s a key reason I’ve generated over $1.4 million in revenue. For instance, when I first quit my job, I was unsure how to monetize my content. After self-publishing a book that only earned $25 monthly, I began studying successful online creators, including Amy, a well-known figure who generates millions through digital products and affiliate marketing.
While I never purchased her products, I meticulously analyzed her marketing techniques. I observed how she attracted newsletter sign-ups and dissected her sales strategies. I even created a dedicated folder on my computer for her materials.
This meticulous study allowed me to design my own approach for selling digital products, which ultimately led me to earn enough to cover my expenses within months. By repeating this process with other successful individuals, I continued to grow my business annually.
It’s worth noting that I never reached out to these figures for guidance or purchased their courses. Instead, I focused on their actions rather than their words, implementing their strategies in my unique way.
If you’re feeling stagnant or wish to join the ranks of successful creators, identify a few mentors to emulate and start experimenting with their methods.
A Word of Caution
I acknowledge that the internet is rife with scams, so it’s vital to use discernment. I’ve never invested in courses or coaching on making money, and I encourage you to avoid them as well. Look at what successful individuals are actually doing and not just preaching.
Adopt a scientific approach: form hypotheses, test them, analyze outcomes, and iterate. Also, don't shy away from being a little “delusional.” Realism has rarely yielded remarkable achievements. My guidance counselor was merely “being realistic.” What if believing in your unconventional ideas leads you to success?
Have faith in your capabilities and allow yourself to dream big!