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How to Make Money Online
Episode 073R

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Posted by Choose FI

Episode Guide

Episode Summary:

Jameela Saffron's journey towards a fully funded lifestyle change before reaching financial independence resonates with Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett as they explore how to continue growth after leaving the traditional job market. They emphasize the importance of 'failing forward', where setbacks are seen as learning opportunities, and connect this idea to their experiences. This episode provides actionable insights into monetization strategies for online income, including membership sites, online courses, affiliate marketing, and more. Jonathan and Brad discuss how these strategies can create impactful revenue streams while simultaneously solving community problems. They illustrate these concepts with real-life examples, encouraging listeners to take meaningful steps toward achieving financial independence through diverse online ventures.

Episode Timestamps

Embrace the Journey to Financial Independence

Building a pathway to financial independence is not just about accumulating wealth; it’s about embracing challenges, learning from failures, and designing the life you want. In this article, we’ll explore actionable strategies drawn from the journey of inspiring individuals like Jameela Lissafront and how you can apply them to your own life.

The Power of Failing Forward

One crucial mindset that can reshape your understanding of success is the concept of "failing forward." This philosophy emphasizes that setbacks are not dead ends but rather stepping stones leading to growth.

Embrace Failure as a Teacher

  • Shift Your Perspective: Understand that every failure carries lessons that can propel you towards success. Whether it's an online business that didn’t thrive or an investment that didn’t yield expected returns, treat these experiences as invaluable learning opportunities. Jonathan Mendonsa states, "Without failure, there cannot be progress."

  • Encourage Risk-Taking: If you or your children are not experiencing failures, you may not be pushing your boundaries. The road to financial independence often requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Brad Barrett highlights, "If you're not failing at something in life, you're probably not trying difficult enough things."

Building Your Online Income

Creating multiple streams of income is imperative for achieving financial independence. Here are several strategies to consider:

Monetizing Your Passion Through Blogging

  • Start a Blog: If you’re knowledgeable about a specific topic or passionate about sharing experiences, create a blog. Your blog can serve as a platform for affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or product sales.

  • Affiliate Marketing: This strategy allows you to earn commissions by promoting products or services. Transparency with your audience is crucial; only promote products you believe in, establishing trust with your community.

Establish Membership Sites

  • Offer Exclusive Content: A membership site is an effective way to generate recurring income. By providing valuable content or community support, you can charge for access. Think about BiggerPockets, which has built a thriving community around real estate investing.

  • Combine Memberships with Courses: If you have expertise in a particular area, consider creating courses to complement your membership offering. This hybrid approach can drive substantial value for your members while creating additional revenue streams.

Community Support: A Cornerstone for Success

Building a strong community around your goals can significantly enhance your journey towards financial independence.

Find Your Tribe

  • Engage with Similar Individuals: Surround yourself with people who share your aspirations. Engage with local or online communities that focus on financial independence and personal growth.

  • Leverage Community Knowledge: A supportive community can provide motivation, accountability, and diverse perspectives that can shape your strategies. As Brad Barrett notes, “Trust is everything; it really is the underpinning of this entire process."

Purpose-Driven Living: The Key to Fulfillment

While the pursuit of financial independence is essential, pursuing your passions and connecting with your purpose adds richness to the journey.

Design Your Future Thoughtfully

  • Set Clear Intentions: Define what financial independence means for you. What type of lifestyle do you seek? Write down your goals, aspirations, and the kind of life you envision. Jonathan Mendonsa says, "Designing the future you want to live into is key to fulfillment."

  • Integrate Purpose into Your Financial Journey: Your personal finance strategies should align with your values and life goals. Consider how each financial decision brings you closer to a life that feels purposeful and fulfilling.

Summary and Final Thoughts

As you embark on your journey to financial independence, remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace failures, engage with your community, and continually align your financial strategies with your purpose.

By doing so, you will not only build wealth but also cultivate a fulfilling life. Reflect on the mindset of failing forward, leverage your passions, and ultimately design the life you’ve always wanted ahead of financial independence.

Take action today. What is one step you can take to embrace failure, start building community support, or design a future filled with purpose? The journey awaits; begin moving forward!

A quick review of Monday’s interview with Jamila Souffrant, followed by a dive into seven ways to make money online.

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What you will learn from this episode:

  • Brad is excited to have sold his house for more than asking price, after he and his family moved to a larger house, which is better for his family.
  • Is it better to rent v buy, taking into consideration taxes, closing costs, etc.?
  • Brad is headed to Nebraska to attend the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting.
  • What does it mean to fail forward, as Jamilla talked about it Monday’s episode?
  • If you’re not failing, you might not be challenging yourself.
  • What considerations can help you develop and grow out of a failure?
  • How did Brad and Jonathan fail forward so far in their life?
  • Following up from episode 69R about starting a blog, how can you monetize your presence online?
  • Seven ways to make money online + a bonus:
    • Membership sites: charging a fee for access to part or all of the content on a website. Site owners have to find a way to provide value to customers.
    • Digital courses: create a course that lives online for customers to pay to access.
    • Create a product or service: marketing your preexisting business online or developing a service or product to be marketed on your site.
    • Advertising: use Google ads (or other advertisers) to put a banner on your site, from which you will receive a very small payment. Advertising is simple, but most lucrative when you have a high traffic website.
    • Sponsorship: an outside business or person will contribute money, to sponsor your site, product or services.
    • Listener/Reader Supported: consumers donate to the site if they’re finding value in the site’s content.
    • Affiliate Marketing: you refer products to consumers, and if consumers click on links or choose to purchase a product, your site earns a commission.
    • BONUS – grow your brand and watch what opens up to you.
  • Combine and overlap these methods to best interact with and monetize your site.
  • What is drop shipping and how did Brad use it to sell fire wood holders?
  • How can you find businesses and products to work as an affiliate?
  • The key to a successful online business: the purpose.
  • Why does ChooseFI opt for affiliate marketing?
  • Voicemail from Fritz at The Retirement Manifesto.

Resources mentioned (there's a bunch of them):

Membership Sites

Paid Courses Mentioned in the show (for which we are an affiliate)

Advertising

Listener/Reader Supported

Books

  • Grit
  • Thinking Bets

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