The Three Monetization Streams I Focus On

Whenever you are a content creator you need to start creating streams of revenue/income. That monetization is your stability, and your escape into financial freedom. While I'm personally still on that journey, there are a few ways I focus on right now. As we have to start somewhere.

Most bigger creators, i.e. Linus Tech Tips or Alex Hormozi, they might disclose how they make their income from content (outside of their actual businesses). However they don't really explain always, that you have to start from 1-2 sources. Then grow it out from there, you can't make the octopus all at once, as you need to grow each arm individually. Alex has sort of said this, but probably not enough.

How to use this post.

I wanted to make this post for transparency on my journey, and also a bit of guidance for people at my level or lower. Although I should note that even creators who are bigger than me may not be doing well enough with these monetization streams. These are the three that I chose, as they are the simplest to get started with. The #3 one might not be for everyone, but the initial set up cost is so low compared to some other options... That I simply thought it would be a good fit for a lot of creators or streamers.

Stream #1: Memberships

Honestly, I think a lot of my following does not know about this, and I NEED to do a better job at marketing it. This is my first line of bringing people into my private content ecosystem.

I have made a ton of really great in depth posts, that are resource heavy, detail rich, and those are the only kind that I felt comfortable enough asking for money for. Sure even posts like this one is helpful, and I think plenty of creators would feel justified to have it on a paid newsletter. However I'd rather give you a bunch of good will upfront, and let that lead you into wanting to pay for my advanced posts.

For example this year I have plans for a "Beginner's Guide to Self-Education", which would be the first in a series of: Beginner, Intermediate, and Ultimate Guides. With the latter being paid, and then other similar funnels for other tags on this site.

Additionally, there are times where I go down deep dives into certain topics. I.e. when the metaverse was a big thing, or as of late I've been getting into "De-Googling" your life. Then I take all that I learned, and make it into a mega-post for your holistic understanding of the topic.

👾 PolyPRO - Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]

Supporting me on this site gains you access to super-posts on the site. These mega-value, long form posts were often made in the state of flow. - This page has all of the posts that were made to be dense, immensely useful, and talking about unique concepts. Stuff that I don’t even touch on in regular posts. There are a few for free members to check out how amazing these posts are, but the rest are only available to PolyPRO memberships subscribers.

Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator

Stream #2: Sponsorships and Affiliate Marketing

These are technically two different methods, but they are intertwined as you generally start with Affiliates.

I don't mean like signing up for amazon affiliates and calling it a day. Although if you have a lot of physical goods, that you make content about, then you should probably sign up for that.

I mean things like I use Magicpages for my hosting of this site, or OpusClip for my content repurposing. Things like that! (Links at the bottom of this post if you're curious about any tools mention).

Hopefully as time goes on I'll be able to get more sponsorships, either from tools I use, or even from tech companies. One endeavor I hope to achieve is to pitch various smartglasses companies. Particularly the ones that can record, and then I'll be able to take them to conferences.

Upcoming Sponsor: Nuelink

Nuelink - Social media scheduling with automation super powers (and AI)

Nuelink is a social media scheduling and automation for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google My Business and Pinterest…

Social media scheduling with automation super powers (and AI)

This is another way of monetization, by simply just asking the reader/viewer to support the work. I have nearly 900 blog posts on this site, and only about 2 dozen of them are "PolyPRO" paid posts. While I'll make more posts for the paid members over time. My point is that I have made all of this content for Free, and it was intentional too because I want to help people.

This tipping option is simply for those people who feel really grateful for the work I've made!
Cheers, -Dustin PolyInnovator

Stream #3: Merch (Fourthwall)

I think that having a reliable source of income, even if it takes a long time for it to grow. This is just one of those that as long as you put out more great products, and you intertwine it with your social channels (while being respectful to your audience), that you will have a great source of consistent income.

It will take a while like I said, but when you have multiple income streams you want to have at least a few that you can expect on a regular basis.

Fourthwall happened to be a tool that I feel modernizes the merch process, even more so than printful or shopify.

Bonus: Digital Products

Now technically for some people this might be their pre-cursor to Merch, and who knows maybe I'll end up doing more digital goods before physical goods. However I want to start my merch store as soon as possible.

Digital items could pertain to things like the Books I mentioned in the video ^, or it could be things like digital courses, ai prompts, or even for some people artworks.

Why did I choose these?

You have to think about the initial cost and/or set up time of each income stream.

Not to mention the balance of how much you "right hook" pitch your audience. Some of these streams will be in your description, some might be in the video, and others might even be the topic of your content itself.

Maybe you can get away with just wearing your own merch, and quietly persuading people to be interested. However if Linus Tech Tips methodology of pushing their merch is anything to go by, then I think you have to be pretty frequent to remind your audience it exists.

Sponsorships are a traditional way of bringing in income, but they are a reliable one. That is if you know what to ask for, how to pitch, and which companies to choose.

Here is a resource on how to do just that:

Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore

“Sponsor Magnet” is the definitive guide for anyone looking to transform their influence into a lucrative business through brand partnerships.

What should you take away from this?

I'll make more posts on how to do each of these streams on their own, but for now just think about which one you would want to start with.

Then think about how you can start sowing the seeds for the other two. Then start executing. Make content, put the links in your posts, and try to push it more than you think you can.

If you don't push it out there, then who will?

Affiliate Links

You know I thought maybe I should share a list of tools that I cared enough about to get affiliate links for, and if you have a need for any of the tools then you can help support me by using them.

This isn't a part of the post, but I just thought why not!