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Monetizing Your Passion

by redoak98012
27 replies
Hey All,

I read a thread earlier today about a guy who had been trying to make IM work for a year, had only made $1000, and was ready to quit.

What struck me were the replies he received, most of which were constructive and encouraging.

I bring this up because my experience with IM is similar to his (And Many Others) for that matter. After trying one thing after the next I realized the only reason I would try so many varied approaches, systems and products was for one reason, and quite simply it was because of the MONEY!!

It had absolutely nothing to do with my interest in the program, product, or anything else, "Other Than Cash" and how fast I can make some. In other words, I've been a sucker for the pitch and am the self proclaimed President of the next shinny button club!

You see, I've found (For Me At Least) that If there's no passion in the subject matter of what I'm appling myself to, I lose interest quickly and jump to the next adventure hoping that this will finally be "The One"

I've heard people say that that if you take "Action" your ahead of 99% of everyone else and have a much better than average chance for success.

Taking action is not my problem, I'd bet I've taken more action than most!
You know the saying "It's not how you start, but rather how you finish"

I started to give this little quote some serious thought and realized the truth in it, how it applies to the way I think and what I've been doing wrong, and how I can become a "Finisher" and not just a starter.

My conclusion is this, If I have any chance at IM success, I need to apply myself to my passion, which in my case is anything having to do with cooking!

So this is now my starting point, I get excited thinking about it and what I can offer people who have the same passion for cooking or those who want to learn about it or expand their knowledge.

This is all well and good right? But where the H--- do I start? How about a cooking and food blog? well, there is about 105 million competing pages on google for that keyword. Yep, all the heavy hitters are there.

I could write a unique recipe ebook, according to google there are only 18 million competitors there, hmmm.

You catch my drift here? My brain is getting fuzzy trying to come up with a unique marketing concept. Something that people could get excited about, want to be a part of, something that's fluid,ongoing and ultimately something people would "Pay" to be a part of.

"Attention Warrior Marketing Minds"

I could really use and would appreciate your feedback and help. Yes I understand I'm asking a lot, and frankly have no idea what kind of response (If Any) I'll get from this thread, but I gotta throw it out there anyway.

Truth is, like many folks I'm up against some real financial challenges and as hard as it is to admit, I'm feeling pretty damn desperate.

My gut tells me I do have something to offer people, just don't know where to start, and finish!

Ultimately, I need a mentor. Someone who's been there and done that. Someone who can help me apply their experience in marketing to my knowledge and passion for food and cooking, a true plan of attack!

If any Warriors could suggest someone (Maybe it's you) I'd be greatfull beyond words! I understand the type of expertise I'm seeking does not come for free, and I'm not looking for a freebee.

If you've stayed with me through this long post, I really appreciate your time. Any help, suggestions, or advice would be pure gold to me!

Best to you all!!

Redoak
#monetizing #passion
  • Profile picture of the author drmfitz
    simple-go for your niche! btw, before i made huge money, i worked paycheck to paycheck in the restaurant industry for 21 years (front of the house), dining at the bellagio, nyc, europe only expanded a huge desire to eat well! so, one of the restaurants in our little town had a chef who specialized in wild game. i used to call in and say i have 10 people coming in and we'd like 7 courses. that was it. we didn't know what we were going to eat as his cooking was the bomb! we ate squab, quail, rattle snake, caribou, cervina, (new zealand red deer) elk, antelope, kangaroo, rabbit, so much more. find your niche, or create a new one like "florida bbq". then write about that. you will be taking care of YOUR audience, not trying to get everyone. half the people don't like us anyway, half do. so focus on the people who love your stuff and serve them up! go niche. keep me posted to your success please, Dr. Mike
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    • Profile picture of the author redoak98012
      Really appreciate your feedback DR. Mike. I agree with your thoughts about taking the cooking niche and drilling it down to one or more specialized niches.

      The truth is there is so much good "Free" information on cooking, I feel that being unique and standing out from the crowd is key. Once that is accomplished I still need to get my message in front of people, this is where marketing expertise is needed.

      Regards!
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      • Profile picture of the author mcass
        Originally Posted by redoak98012 View Post

        Really appreciate your feedback DR. Mike. I agree with your thoughts about taking the cooking niche and drilling it down to one or more specialized niches.

        The truth is there is so much good "Free" information on cooking, I feel that being unique and standing out from the crowd is key. Once that is accomplished I still need to get my message in front of people, this is where marketing expertise is needed.

        Regards!
        That's why branding is where it's at. Pair that with awesome SEO and you'll succeed.
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  • Profile picture of the author drmfitz
    smoked meats, organic foods, cooking without using a microwave, dairy free diets, raw foods, gardens and cooking, fresh herbs, there are so many niches to choose from. make sure you make some videos too
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    • Profile picture of the author mcass
      Doesn't sound like you need a mentor! You already know what you have to do.

      By any chance are you an INFP in the Meyer's Briggs? If so, we are in the same boat. I absolutely can't seem to function if I am not passionate about something.

      In fact, cooking and herbal medicine are my two passion niches.

      For cooking, I have observed that branding is important. What makes your cooking unique? Is it a particular spice you use? Are you passionate about using ancient spices in modern cooking? Do you love chocolate? Remember Julie and Julia? That blog, frankly, was terrible but it caught on because of the branding.

      The website name should be catchy, because the people who read food blogs want to be entertained. Most of us read blogs and cookbooks because the pictures are pretty and the stories are entertaining...

      So that is phase one.

      Phase two is to create a series of niche sites (maybe under a pseudonym) on various topics. Like Italian Cooking. Or, homemade pasta if you want to take the micro niche approach.

      I had a site on a particular cuisine once that ranked well for recipe keywords and did well with Adsense.

      Phase 3 would be to create your own products. Start with selling products off of the niche sites (like a homemade pasta recipe collection) and also create products related to the Brand you've created on your main website.

      One of the most inspiring books I have ever read is called "Will Write for Food". It opened a floodgate of possibilities that I haven't been able to turn off, years later. It's about being a food writer but you can adapt it to being a food blogger.

      I have to go to the supermarket with a pen and paper handy because of that book in case I get ideas, and I pretty much do every time. For example, I noticed that the produce department started selling plantain chips and my mind went wonky thinking of recipes.

      Good luck!
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      • Profile picture of the author redoak98012
        Great thoughts and Information mcass. I'm taking your ideas to heart!!

        Anyone else care to chime in?
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        • Profile picture of the author mcass
          Originally Posted by redoak98012 View Post

          Great thoughts and Information mcass. I'm taking your ideas to heart!!

          Anyone else care to chime in?
          Thanks. It's a passion for me, as well.

          You are an excellent writer. Might I suggest actually becoming a food writer too? It can elevate your food blogging to another level because you'll be able to establish yourself as an expert based on your publication experience.
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          • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
            Sounds to me like you might have the 'aim for everything and end up hitting nothing' syndrome.

            You mentioned food and cooking blogs. If you aim for an audience of 'anyone who likes to eat', you're in trouble.

            You want to niche down as far as possible, something like this:

            > Food
            > Cooking
            > Seafood
            > Fish
            > Freshly caught fish
            > Freshly caught fish, prepared by the angler

            You've gone from 'anyone who is alive' to 'anglers who like to keep and eat part of their catch', a much smaller yet still sizable group. A group you have a chance of reaching and building a relationship with. And a group that spends money (trust me, I know...).

            Even the celebrity chefs are usually known for something particular. Bobby Flay grills and cooks southwestern food. Mario Batali cooks Italian food. Rachel Ray does 30 Minute Meals. And so on...

            Don't just look at huge markets, look for a niche. Look for your niche...
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      • Profile picture of the author redoak98012
        mcass, I'd like to answer your question (By any chance are you an INFP in the Meyer's Briggs?)

        Not sure what you mean?
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        • Profile picture of the author mcass
          Originally Posted by redoak98012 View Post

          mcass, I'd like to answer your question (By any chance are you an INFP in the Meyer's Briggs?)

          Not sure what you mean?
          It's a temperament - INFP's are pretty much incapable of doing something they aren't passionate about.

          For me, I honestly thought there was something wrong with me back in college. I was in Engineering and I hated it to the point where I nearly flunked out, and I was second in my class in High School so the flunkie behavior I had struck me as odd.

          Another thing that I've learned is that INFP's often get mistaken for having ADD - the tendency is to keep switching from thing to thing until we find That One Thing that we can do. It's not ADD, it's that we are driven by Passion.

          Just google "meyer's briggs test" if you would like to take it.
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          • Profile picture of the author mcass
            I like Rookie Cooking - it has a nice ring. Your focus will be teaching beginners how to cook. Sort of like that show, How to Boil Water?
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            • Profile picture of the author redoak98012
              Again, thanks so much for all of your input, ideas, and suggestions, it's pretty amazing how the creative juices start to flow with the help of others.

              Conceptually, I've been able to visualize several ways to bring life to this project.

              The mechanics of making this happen are now what I will focus on and need to learn much more about, but a am very inspired and encouraged.

              Once I put together my initial plan I will post again and would love to from all of you again.

              Regards!
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          • Profile picture of the author JimWaller
            Originally Posted by mcass View Post

            It's a temperament - INFP's are pretty much incapable of doing something they aren't passionate about...
            ~
            ...Just google "meyer's briggs test" if you would like to take it.
            I put a lot of value in the meyer's briggs test because it helps me understand other people and how to interact with them. I'm an ENTP by the way. For those not familiar, each of the 4 spaces has 2 possible letters which represent a facet of personality. "E" for external or "I" for internal, "N" for intuitive or "S" for sensing,"T" for thinking or "F" for feeling, and "P" for perceiving or "J" for judging. A classic example of differences is how you like to receive recognition, say for a birthday. "E" people are more likely to, like the big scene in a restaurant while "I" people would be horrified by the attention placed on them. Sometimes we interact with others based on how we would want to be treated, not on how they want to be treated. This is an important lesson for us as internet marketers (give the people what they want).


            To the OP, I too am a foodie, so I feel your pain. LOL I've also had trouble not only finding my niche, but a profitable one with little or no competition. Much of the advice given already is spot on. Follow your passion to where it leads you and the rest will come naturally because of your interest. If you've ever watched the food network show "The Next Food Network Star" THE biggest problem most contestants have in not knowing their food point of view. Usually once they figure it out and follow it, they do well. I hope you do well. Good luck!

            Jim
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      • Profile picture of the author redoak98012
        Some really great feedback, thanks so much and please keep it coming!
        It's as though a mastermind group magically landed in my lap...lovin it!

        Thanks to all of you, an idea just hit me and would love your thoughts.

        Think I'll hang out on some cooking forums and blogs this week, see what people are interested in and offer up a couple of tips, tricks and maybe a recipe or two for starters.

        I have always been a believer in the idea and philosophy of "Giving to Get" and based on your suggestions and kind words this seems like a very good place to start.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I enjoyed reading your post. You've got some talent as a writer. You brought up several interesting points.

    Taking action. Taking action is important. But taking the right action is critical. There's an old saying that's 100% wrong. That is, practice makes perfect.

    But what if you practice doing something wrong for a few years? The only thing you've accomplished is getting good at doing it bad. The same thing goes for taking action. If you take the wrong action you only end up frustrated. But you're on the right track in looking for someone to help you.

    Success is an inside game. It's all in your head. You need to believe you've got something to offer. Like you, I've tried lots of things only because there was money in them. And before long I'd give up. Not so much because they weren't paying but because I didn't like doing the stuff it takes to reach a payday. Life is too short to spend it doing stuff you don’t want to do.

    But all that changes when you have purpose, when you actually look forward to getting up in the morning. I love writing. I can write about a lot of things but it's the stuff I have an interest in what allows me to want to write. And that’s also when I write my best stuff.

    Right now you're looking to find your hook in the cooking market. And I can tell you've got a sense of urgency about it. That can work for you but more often than not it works against people. That's because they often make decisions under the influence of stress or the sense of urgency.

    Here's what I do. I call this planting seeds. I do it when I write as well for a lot of other things that really matter. I sit down in a quiet place and think of the outcome I want. I don't struggle or even think of how it's going to come. And I don’t plan. Planning comes later. After I've thought about my desired outcome for a while I go do something else completely different.

    I do carry a small note pad with me. And within a day or so, without fail, I'll get a really great idea. That's the seed sprouting. From there I nurture the idea and develop it, just like someone would nurture a sprout breaking through the earth.

    You might consider just taking some time to explore cooking online. Read a bunch of Blogs. Do lots of searches. Don't make it a fact finding mission, do it for enjoyment. Search for "cooking success stories" and read them. Take it all in. And before long you're going to know exactly what you're supposed to be doing. Trust me, this works. Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author redoak98012
      travlinguy, Thanks so much for your insights, I'm still digesting your thoughts but wanted to acknowledge your contribution straight off!

      I do have some seeds of my own planted and will definitely take some of yours and put them in a pot today.
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  • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
    The only mistake you're making is wanting the cash "fast". The process is simple but it takes time:

    1. Use your website as your online universe.
    2. Drive all traffic to it. Not to facebook, twitter and such. To your website.
    3. Give all your stuff away free, all of it to visitors and to people on your list.
    4. Promote, promote, promote.
    5. In the meantime create one product. The best product.
    6. At some point lay your link quietly to your product in an email.
    7. Your followers will buy.
    8. Repeat until the day you sell or die which ever comes first.

    Being passionate about the right topic would help, but delivering what people want is best. Pick one thing, be good at it, be known for it, own it. Start right now. You can do it. Just pick that one thing and do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author nicoledeal
    Find a niche where you can compete for solid keywords with decent traffic, explore the many options until you find something that people need, you like to promote, and you can be competitive in. You already know you can't compete against the big dogs, you are well past 1/2 way there. Good luck.
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    What is a Niche Market? Find Low Competition Markets and Low Competition Keywords
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  • Profile picture of the author VinnyBock
    Originally Posted by redoak98012 View Post


    I've heard people say that that if you take "Action" your ahead of 99% of everyone else and have a much better than average chance for success.


    Redoak
    Great Post!

    You say you may have been a bit of a sucker for a good sales page, I think the above quote is more of a sales pitch than anything. Sure taking action is important, but it's a very broad statement. It's a call to action, if you ask me.

    Here's an idea, I'm a newb too so follow at your own risk..

    The obvious keywords are very competitive, so you gotta dig down deep. Find the keywords that are a little less searched/competitive and work your way up to the exact matches.

    You can always write articles, if you have a passion for it you can knock out A LOT of articles. & If it's that competitive, people will need them...

    Good luck, (I think your gonna be fine)

    (edit)
    PS _ I didn't see Johns post, and he said it better...
    (edit)
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    • Profile picture of the author nicoledeal
      [QUOTE=VinnyBock;4420280]Great Post!

      You say you may have been a bit of a sucker for a good sales page, I think the above quote is more of a sales pitch than anything. Sure taking action is important, but it's a very broad statement. It's a call to action, if you ask me.

      Here's an idea, I'm a newb too so follow at your own risk..

      The obvious keywords are very competitive, so you gotta dig down deep. Find the keywords that are a little less searched/competitive and work your way up to the exact matches.

      You can always write articles, if you have a passion for it you can knock out A LOT of articles. & If it's that competitive, people will need them...

      Good luck, (I think your gonna be fine)


      Finding keywords that you can compete with is key. Keywords drive traffic.....TO THOSE WHO OWN THEM! compete against the big dogs and you lose. Find the ones that are underleveraged, that are relevant to your content, and have some decent search traffic.
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      What is a Niche Market? Find Low Competition Markets and Low Competition Keywords
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      • Profile picture of the author rainyclayday
        How about cooking for beginners? Where you go carefully step by step in excruciating detail for those that don't know a potato pancake from a saddle bag (but want to learn), explaining all the details and then list where you can buy whatever is needed to make that dish (Amazon?). Lots of people would be interested in that I bet.
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        • Profile picture of the author redoak98012
          Rainyclayday. I like your idea and have thought of this segment of people for some time.

          The premise could be to show people who are intimidated in the kitchen but would like to learn, that with some basic knowledge,simple cooking techniques, ingredient knowledge,and some coaching (Through Video Instruction) almost anyone with an open mind and desire can learn a very gratifying new skill and share it with others.

          Maybe something along the lines of :

          "Rookie Cooking"

          Thanks for your input!
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          • Profile picture of the author rainyclayday
            Sounds good. Many people really want to learn to cook, especially after watching shows on Food Network that make it look super simple. But even basic shows and basic recipes aren't always as step-by-step as they could be. I am stumped by ingredients sometimes, like "what is that ingredient and where can I find it?" (without ordering from a specialty shop online). Or even, where in the world would this item even be located in the grocery store?
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  • Profile picture of the author angelafavs
    hi'

    Great post..

    Thanks for the info you've sheared..
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  • Profile picture of the author tformsopti8
    This post was very helpful. I think one of the biggest reasons people fail at this game is because they don't believe they can do this. If choosing a niche you are interested in makes you believe then that is what it takes to start believing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Karen Barr
    Start with what you ideally want to create, and then think of a way to monetise it.

    You can think small by digging down to the non-competitive keywords, banging out a small site focussed around those and monetising with adsense and maybe a bit of Amazon.

    Or, you can try building an authority site around more competitive keywords and make this a long-term project but with far greater potential for profit. If you get enough visitors, you can sell advertising directly rather than giving Google a cut, and you can work with suppliers to get affiliate deals on products.

    I do know where you're coming from as I find it very difficult to build sites around subjects of no interest to me, even if I know they are potentially very profitable.
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    Karen's QuickFire Marketing Blog
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  • Profile picture of the author Goldenboy
    The work that you will put into your business all boils down to what really is your interest. The things that you wanted to do, use it to create new niches and designs to give it a new image and would not be the same as the ordinary.

    Like if your passion is into writing, you can write unique and well - written articles and you can monetize it as you can sell or provide your services as an article writer. You will surely fit in the article marketing since you love to write, and the same time, you will be earning from the passion that you have which is writing.
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