4. Content Creation (Blogging, YouTube, Newsletter)
What It Is
Creating content — whether it’s blog posts, YouTube videos, or newsletters — can be turned into a business. Once you have an audience, you can monetize through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.
Why It Costs $0 to Start
Many platforms are free to use:
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Blogging: Use free platforms (e.g., Medium) or free-tier blogging tools.
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YouTube Shorts or TikToks: Use just your phone.
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Newsletters: Use free plans on platforms like Beehiiv or Substack.
How to Get Started
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Pick your medium (blog, video, newsletter) based on what you enjoy and your strengths.
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Define your niche (personal finance, productivity, hobby, etc.).
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Create consistently, even if early content is simple.
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Grow your audience: share on social media, forums, or use SEO.
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Monetize when you have traction: affiliate links, sponsorships, or paid subscriptions.
Earnings Potential
This can start small but compound significantly. For example, building a newsletter with 300–500 engaged subscribers can be monetized with affiliate links or paid subscriptions.
YouTube can also generate ad revenue once you hit the platform’s monetization thresholds.
Pros & Challenges
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Pros: Very scalable, creative freedom, passive potential.
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Challenges: It usually takes time to build an audience, and consistent content creation is needed.
