What Happens When You Stop Treating Your Hobby Like a Hobby? I’m about to find out!
For a long time, I treated creating content like a hobby. I posted. I shared things I loved. I tried affiliate links. I said yes to brand opportunities. I created products. But I wasn’t treating it like a business. So I’m changing that.
I’m calling it The $11K Experiment. The goal? Build a business that brings in $11,000+ a month after taxes. Not because I think there’s a magic formula. Not because I have everything figured out. And definitely not because I’m an expert at making $11K a month. I’m starting from where I am and documenting what happens when I actually treat this like a business.
So…what am I doing differently?
I’m focusing on three things:
1. Creating content with a purpose: Not every post needs to sell something. But my content needs to lead somewhere, whether that’s my shop, affiliate links, my email list, challenges, or future opportunities.
2. Testing instead of overthinking: I’m experimenting with reels, TikTok, affiliate content, products, brand partnerships, email, and different ways of connecting with my audience. Some things will work. Some absolutely will not. I’m keeping track of both.
3. Actually building the business behind the content. That means improving my shop, growing my email list, creating products people actually want, pursuing paid opportunities, and being intentional about the brands and products I recommend.
Because views are great. But views don’t pay the bills. Businesses do.
And yes, there will be affiliate links.
I’m going to share products I’m actually using, testing, loving, and buying along the way. If you purchase through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
What I’m hoping to learn
Can a creator build a real business without constantly chasing viral content?
Can I turn an audience into customers?
Can affiliate marketing actually become a meaningful income stream?
Can my own products become a bigger part of the business?
And perhaps most importantly…
What happens when I finally stop playing small?
I don’t know the answer yet. That’s the point. I’m going to document the wins, the flops, the numbers, the experiments, the products, the lessons, and everything in between.
Welcome to The $11K Experiment.
Let’s see what happens.
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