In 2009, the author was laid off from his 9-to-5 job as an audio engineer during the Great Recession. Despite having no experience as an entrepreneur, he used the setback as an opportunity to grow his side hustle as a freelance music producer for indie bands. Today, he has built two online businesses – a music education company and a business coaching brand, generating around $160,000 per month in passive income while working less than five hours a week. He has shared his knowledge with over 3,000 clients and wrote a book about his journey, offering valuable advice for those looking to start a side hustle.
Initially, the author focused on what he calls “the hustle method,” spending 32 hours a week cold calling, emailing, and reaching out to potential clients to offer his services. However, despite putting in a lot of effort, he was only making $2,000 a month. Realizing the limitations of this approach, he shifted his focus to automation, creating discoverable content online, growing his audience, and finding ways to monetize that content strategically. This shift allowed him to make more money and have more free time, leading to the success he enjoys today.
The author’s automation method consists of four components: discoverable content (such as YouTube videos, blog posts, and podcasts), free gifts to move audiences onto his email list, email autoresponders to provide value and build relationships, and digital products to sell knowledge and expertise. By setting up this system, he was able to generate passive income and scale his business easily and sustainably. He emphasizes the importance of creating evergreen content that remains valuable over time and can be monetized effectively.
One of the author’s favorite ways to monetize his content is through digital products, particularly online courses. He explains that filming doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive, as some clients have filmed courses over a weekend using just their iPhone. Digital products like online courses, e-books, or affiliate products allow for automation and can help free up time while growing income. By creating a scalable and sustainable business model, entrepreneurs can build a side hustle that can thrive in the long run.
Whether you are starting a side hustle in music production, business coaching, or any other field, the key is to ask yourself if you are building something that can scale easily, cheaply, and sustainably. By following the automation method outlined by the author, you can create a profitable business that generates passive income while requiring minimal time investment. Ultimately, building a side hustle that prioritizes evergreen content, email marketing, and digital products can lead to long-term success and financial freedom. The author’s journey from a laid-off audio engineer to a successful online entrepreneur serves as inspiration and valuable guidance for anyone looking to start their own side hustle.
