How about this statement?
Work a lot in your free time and maybe you can earn something in the future.
Something? How much can I earn?
Let’s rephrase that:
Work a lot in your free time, and maybe you can earn something in the future.
And, perhaps, it could be more than you make in your current job.
Hum, now it’s better. But how much risk is involved?
Another version:
Work a lot in your free time, and maybe you can earn something in the future.
And, perhaps, it could be more than you make in your current job.
Further, if you work with what you love, at least it will be fun.
Well, sounds good. But only if you can continue loving these tasks for a very long time.
So, a last increment:
Work a lot in your free time, and maybe you can earn something in the future.
And, perhaps, it could be more than you make in your current job.
Further, if you work with what you love, at least it will be fun.
But it’s better to pay me before you earn something.
Pay you before? Now, it sounds like a scam.
But it could be a sincere slogan from Google or Facebook.
Regardless, whether the passive income trend was created by Big Tech or not, the truth is that they need your content to attract an audience. And you have to pay for ads before you start to sell. Therefore, the “creates a passive income” mantra sells a lot of ads.
So, go ahead. Live your dream. Start your business. But only if you want to work hard.
If you don’t want to work hard, just invest.
Let’s face the facts. Sometimes, working extra hours, having two jobs, or freelancing can generate more surplus than a “passive income”. Next, put the extra in a simple risk-contained way like ETF investments.
Only open your mouth if you have something new to add.
Or, at least, a better way to say it.
Don’t be a copycat of great content creators. Especially meta-content courses. Everyone wants to sell an online course about how to create an online course. If you are not the best, you are probably the beast. The winners take almost all.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying to never create content! I’m inviting you to evaluate the benefits, costs, and risks before starting.
Let’s consider some things.
How much do you love what you do?
I’m not talking about your boss, coworkers or workplace. If you hate them, the answer is to find another job.
But, how accomplished do you feel after finishing your tasks? How high is your energy and fulfillment?
If you really love what you do, extra hours is not a punishment. And thus, more active income from what you love is lovely.
How much is your effort compensated?
If you are a dentist and want to earn more, it’s easy. Just expand your schedule.
But if your extra hours only serve to prevent you from getting fired, maybe it is time for Plan B.
For how long can you keep working healthy?
It depends on your skills. An actor can work even in his eighties without substantial effort.
Bricklayers are not in the same boat. In this case, expanding your options with a “passive income” can be an insurance policy.
How reclusive and discrete are you?
For better or worse, content creators become famous. Are you and your family willing to pay for it?
Conclusion
Keep in mind that content creation can be fun, worthwhile, but never passive. To stay ahead of marketing promises, thinking is the supreme skill.
I guess the more passive a small business is, the less lucrative or more riskier it tends to be. But I have no numbers to prove it. What do you think about it?
