Nutterbuster,
Sounds like you’re open to looking at ANY options that enable & extend your current lifestyle. Consequently, you could go in many different directions. There are already some great ideas posted in this thread. Here are a few thoughts I have on things for you to consider:
1. Selling a product that you can reproduce at a super low cost is one of the fastest ways to get rich. Copyrighted material (i.e. photographs, videos, books, software) require you to do the production work once. When it’s complete, you can reproduce it over and over at very low cost. If you retain the copyright, it can provide income for the rest of your life.
@sureshotscott mentioned learning to program computer code - if you can create a popular computer program or smartphone app which you retain the copyright for, that’s a great idea.
2. Contrast this scenario with the prospect of producing goods to sell, like a hunting saddle, for example. The work never ends because you have to expend an equal effort each time to make the next unit before you can sell it. (The same goes for selling your labor - the work never ends.)
With copyrighted products, you have the up-front investment of your time to make the product, but then you can print another self-published book, duplicate a photo, an ebook, a DVD or a piece of software with negligible effort for each sale that you make.
3. The key is to create & sustain demand for the copyrighted product to perpetuate sales. With your marketing degree, you know how to go about generating interest & creating demand. And you already have a following on forums like this one and on YouTube.
4. Don’t count on YouTube monetizing things enough to make you a living, though - there are too many people who thought they’d do so, only to have their channels demonetized while YouTube pocketed all the advertising revenues.
Just use YouTube as a way to reach your potential market by giving away some helpful info while holding back some wisdom & insight. Make your audience aware of your online store where they can purchase your copyrighted material to get the rest of your knowledge on the subject.
5. I’ve been following your YouTube channel and in your most recent video, you mentioned a host of ideas for upcoming content to promote hunting for folks who don’t have a mentor. Down to earth instructional videos that you copyright and sell online could build you a revenue stream over time that permits you to hunt all season long.
6. It’s obvious to me that (a) hunting is your passion; (b) you have a knack for (and a desire) to teach others and promote your interests; (c) you enjoy providing guidance on gear selection and on hunting methods
Think about focusing your creative energy making quality content and getting a family member to help with the camera work while you’re filming. Make your best content to sell rather than to give away on YouTube.
7. Take a look at what John Eberhart does - he shares his knowledge and experience by being a guest on podcasts and YouTube productions, but uses them to also make people aware of his online presence where they can order his books and DVDs.
8. Greg Godfrey of G2Outdoors and Tethrd is another example - he gives away some of his knowledge and insight on YouTube - building a following - while making his audience aware of his business’s online presence. If he can do it, you can too. And
@peteherbst is correct when he says that running your own business can give you unprecedented control of your own time and hunting schedule.
9. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself and to ask your friends, family, online acquaintances, and your audience to help promote you too. I’m a subscriber to your YouTube channel, and you make solid content, offer sage advice, and have valuable experience and insight, so don’t sell yourself short.
10. You’re young enough to make yourself financially independent if you apply your talent and abilities on things you’re passionate about. Your passion is contagious. Leverage it in a way that grows your following and - most importantly - makes you money.
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