As I have been newly inducted into the life of the permanently unemployed, I’ve been doing a lot of online research and learning. Quite frankly, I’m really surprised at how some people are earning a living out there.
Did you know you can take a course to learn how to become a pet influencer?? I know, I LOL’d a little too, but people are out there killing it in this industry.
With all the time I spend bragging about my dog on Medium, you’d think I’d learn this skill and crush it. But alas…my dog is a barbarian compared to the stuffed animals that are on Instagram.
There’s them:
And then there’s my dog:
I suppose my dog Dezi could teach those other dogs “how to dog.” We do have Instagram for her but…meh. It’s more fun watching her slurp noodles and drink from mud puddles.
HOWEVER…
In learning all the weird, fun, and unique ways people have pivoted and are earning a crazy living, it makes me think that any one of us could do something way out in left field and there’d be a market for it.
Again….DOGfluencers??
I know, we’re writers. But if you’re struggling with writing or if Medium has got you down in the dumps lately, are there other things you know that could attract a niche audience?
Off the top of my head, I can think of two things I could build an audience around right now, today.
One is grief but I think having two separate Medium profiles writing about it is sufficient for my needs. Besides, it’s impossible to teach people how to grieve when you don’t even know if you’re doing it right.
But the other topic I know about as if I invented the concept is how to turn your dream destination into a lucrative little empire.
When I think of the two things I’ve invested the MOST effort into in my lifetime, one is parenting and the other was turning myself into the boss of an entire destination. Aside from the nightmare I currently reside in, I have indeed lived a dream life in previous years.
Why can’t I teach other people how to do that?
I can. And I will. Stay tuned for more on that in the coming weeks.
The reason I’m throwing this out there is that there are no limits to what you can do with the smallest things you know.
If someone’s out there making six figures by teaching others how to breathe (a skill we’re all born with) or how to stargaze (something I do every night on my balcony for free)………
WHY CAN’T YOU???
I’m not joking. I participate in many Facebook groups for niche business owners and stargazing is an actual thing people teach for money.
All this is to get you thinking outside of your box for a minute. If you’ve been wondering how you could make an impact on others and get paid for your expertise, just think of stargazing.
You never know what people are willing to pay for.
In Medium news, did you know that PS I Love You has a Mother’s Day callout for submissions to be featured by Medium? If you’re planning to write about the occasion, submit it to PSILY and tag it with #MothersDay. Medium will be hand-selecting stories to be featured.
Here’s mine:
Motherhood is a Career and I’ve Basically Been Fired
Kristi
I just "discovered" you yesterday and in the last 24 or so hours, you have occupied nearly 10... I'd say YOU ROCK!!! I absolutely love your writing. Everything about it! Since "meeting" you, I've cried, LOL, and felt a bit more at peace with my world and my place in it. PLEASE keep it going, Kristi!!!
When you think about this, most people hit the wall of “What can I come up with that is new” or “What hole can I find to fill” from that old adage.
But the truth is that people you’re talking about, for the most part, are earning money by doing nothing new or spectacular. In most instances they are doing the same old or merely finding a tiny twist on something people have been doing for decades if not centuries.
Much like writers do.
Of course, not the pet influencers. But, even that is a tiny twist on something that has now been “done” for a while.
Travel agent or “boss of an entire destination”? Merely the end result from centuries of being an explorer or, by golly, a pirate!
Most people simply sell something. And how long has that been happening?