Passive Income Shifts & My Marketing DNA Test Results
Life Takes an Unexpected Turn
Whew! Life took an unexpected turn in early March, shifting my focus from being a full-time entrepreneur to a full-time caretaker. My dad, who had maintained near perfect health, fell severely ill, going from perfect health on March 2nd to being near death by March 6th due to a severe kidney infection. The infection spread to his bloodstream, causing septic shock and shutting down vital organs one after another.
Before realizing the severity of his condition, he experienced dizziness and fell in the bathroom, breaking both ankles. Yes, both! This left him unable to put any weight on either leg and confined to a wheelchair. It’s been nearly two months since then, with numerous doctor approvals needed before he could undergo ankle surgery. As active as he once was, this situation is driving him crazy, having to sit idly and rely on family for support.
Gratitude for the Online Business
Despite these circumstances, I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to have my online business. Most of March was dedicated to caring for my dad, but surprisingly, it has been one of my best years in recent memory. In February, I achieved a $10K revenue month with Merch By Amazon and a total print-on-demand revenue of over $13K across various platforms (Amazon, Etsy, RedBubble, Spreadshirt, Zazzle, etc.). This marked the first time my print-on-demand income surpassed my largest affiliate source (GoDaddy’s reseller program).
While these numbers look impressive, it’s crucial to understand that Merch By Amazon is not a guaranteed success. I have invested an immense amount of time in this venture over the past year, and income fluctuations are common. Hence, do not join Merch expecting consistent monthly growth; treat it as vacation money!
Record Months with PSP Courses
I also recently had another record month with my Personalized Shirt Profits (PSP) courses. As a long-standing goal, I’ve shifted my focus from affiliate income to course sales. Podcasting remains my primary method for promoting these courses.
The Work Continues After Course Launch
A key lesson learned from my students on Passive Shirt Profits is that the work doesn’t end once your course launches. Many believe that after a course goes live, the hardest part is over, but this is when the real challenges begin! Creating course videos was relatively easy for me; ensuring students can execute and have a seamless learning experience has been more challenging.
People often get stuck in areas where I found it effortless, and vice versa. Typically, the first version of your course will not be perfect, but student feedback and questions are invaluable for refining it.
Staying Connected with Students
This year, I introduced a new strategy by sending weekly tip updates to students, which has been mutually beneficial. It helps me as an instructor to stay engaged and provides valuable insights into how students are executing the strategies taught in the course.