We’re in the age of content creators, that’s the “marketing term” that’s used to identify more or less everyone that works on the Internet independently, making a living not as a freelancer, not as a business that helps other businesses like a SaaS product or a business that sells themes or plugins or services, but with anything that has to do with information and content.
I don’t think of myself as a person that creates “content”, more like a creator of educational products, but here we are.
It’s 2021 and I’m a blogger and course creator.
This is my full time job.
How did I end up here?
The story starts in 2007. I create a blog, written in Italian, and I document my learning journey in the world of content management systems and blogging software, which was beginning to become mainstream.
I also start collaborating with a website to create guides and tutorials, and this helps me position as an expert, find clients and bootstrap my career as a freelancer.
I created a video course on how to use a content management system, which didn’t sell enough to pivot me immediately into becoming a content creator.
It was too early.
I decided to focus on building my own software business, be it based on mobile apps, SaaS, or simply contracting. The goal was to build a solo business that could generate recurring revenue.
That didn’t happen.
Fast forward 10 years, in 2017 I start blogging again, this time while learning a programming language I was really enjoying using. I learn best by teaching and writing what I learn, it helps me solidify the knowledge in my mind.
The side goal was also to position myself as an expert in the field.
At the start of 2018 I pivoted the topics to JavaScript and Web Development and the blog started to grow.
Mid 2018 I created my first ebook, and shortly after my first course.
That was the first of many courses I made over time. I think I built 9 courses so far. Each time I try to do better than the previous one. I learned a lot over the past 3 years. I learned how to create and design a course. How to position myself in the market. How to promote a course. How to launch it.
Most importantly, I learned how to help people get better at their craft.
What would I suggest to anyone that want to do what I do?
- It’s a long game. You can’t repeat the success stories you read about on the Internet. Those are outliers. Be prepared to work for free for a long time
- Consistency is the key. I stumble on this all the time. I start new things, do them for a couple weeks, lose enthusiasm.
- Passion is key. You can’t force yourself to do something you’re not passionate about, for a long period of time. If you’re in for the money but this is not what you would be doing even if you weren’t paid for it, you’ll jump the ship.
- Good luck