Individual: Mark, 28-year-old IT professional
Challenge: Dependent on single income, no savings
Goal: Build a $100K/year side hustle within 1 year
Strategy
Find a Niche – Launched a personal finance blog about ETFs and mutual funds.
Build an Audience on X – Shared daily tips on ETFs, the 4% rule, and passive income, growing to 10,000 followers in 6 months.
Monetize With Affiliates – Partnered with robo-advisors, earning $50–$100 per referral.
Launch a Digital Product – Created a $197 ETF investing course, selling 200 copies in 6 months.
Engage Audience – Used ConvertKit for weekly newsletters, sustaining a 40% open rate.
Results
Audience Growth: 10,000 X followers, 5,000 newsletter subscribers
Revenue Breakdown: $60K affiliate commissions + $40K course sales = $100K ARR
Impact: Helped 1,000+ readers start investing through content and coaching
Key Takeaway: A focused niche, audience building, and diversified monetization can transform a side hustle into a six-figure business in just 12 months.
