Step One: Avoid Starting a Blog

Yes, you read that correctly. Here’s why: When launching a blog, you typically face two pathways: using WordPress or a website builder.

Let’s break down why these options can be problematic for beginners.

With WordPress, you’ll encounter a steep learning curve. You’ll invest more time mastering the software, tweaking settings, and configuring it for writing. Though it offers many features, most valuable plugins come at a cost, quickly inflating your budget. Once everything is set up, driving traffic becomes another challenge—especially if you're not familiar with SEO. Maintaining a WordPress site is also labor-intensive, and I can attest to the countless malware-infected sites I encountered while working at GoDaddy. The truth is, WordPress is often more trouble than it’s worth.

If you opt for a website builder, congratulations! Much of the hard work is handled for you, but you might find yourself stuck on a platform you don't like after a month. SEO remains a concern, and while some builders are affordable, the quality varies greatly. Ultimately, you may find this experience frustrating enough to quit before you even begin.

The Alternative: Medium.com

Now, here’s the game-changer: Medium.com.

There’s a reason I publish everything here. It requires no maintenance, has a straightforward setup, and offers easy SEO. You'll also benefit from an existing audience. With a monthly fee of just $5 (or $15 as a Friend of Medium, which I highly recommend), it's a smart investment that can quickly pay for itself.

I’ll provide some links at the end of this article to help you monetize your writing, but for now, let’s save the blog idea for later.

Step Two: Launch a Newsletter

This is crucial. Once you build an audience, it’s important to maintain that connection, and a newsletter is the most effective way to do so.

A newsletter enables you to:

• Regularly share your content with interested readers.
• Offer products to an audience likely to purchase.
• Own your audience and take them along on your journey.

Now, let’s discuss how to kick off your newsletter. While there are several email service providers like ConvertKit (which I use) and Beehiv, they might not align with an affordable starting point. That’s where Gumroad comes in.

Gumroad: Your Starting Point

Gumroad is primarily an eCommerce platform but offers a multitude of features for aspiring writers looking to monetize their work. Here’s a breakdown of its key offerings:

• It allows you to sell digital products, eBooks, courses, memberships, and more.
• You can run a newsletter with various features found in pricier alternatives, including sequence management and analytics tracking.
• It has an integrated affiliate program, enabling you to have others promote your offerings for a commission.
• If you’re still keen on that blog, you can even blog through your Gumroad store.
• It offers a streamlined website to showcase your products.

Best of all, it’s free! They take a 10% cut of your sales, but there are no upfront costs.

And that’s it—your two-step process to get started. Yes, there’s much more to learn to make everything operate smoothly, but the key is to begin now. You can refine your approach later, but waiting for perfection will only hinder your progress.

Here’s another truth: you’ll never be perfect. There will always be something new to learn.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started!

For further reading that might assist you in launching your journey, consider joining me in the Niche of One Boot Camp to set off on the path to the freedom you desire.

Thank you for reading! Here are five ways I can assist you in becoming a better writer:

• Subscribe to my free newsletter, Niche of One, for daily inspiration and actionable writing tips.
• Sign up for email notifications to receive my articles as they’re published.
• Contribute to my Medium publication, Niche of One.
• Explore my books available in my store or on Amazon.
• Feel free to leave a comment below with any writing questions, and I'll respond promptly!

If you feel inclined, tips for a job well done are always appreciated!