I just broke $22.5K in monthly recurring revenue for one of my online businesses.

To some, this may not be much. But, it can be your catalyst for going full-time online and escaping your 9-5.

The key to making six figures with your personal brand is to start with one business model. Then, expand as you gain traction.

Here are four business models that can get you started, plus the tools you'll need for each

1: Service-Based Business

One of the fastest ways to get started building an online business is by launching a service-based business.

Here are some examples of services that you could offer.

Marketing: You can offer one-on-one consulting, build websites, run digital ad campaigns, and offer copywriting as a service.

If you have knowledge in fitness, you could build high-end one-on-one coaching programs.

Graphic Design: If you have a knack for design, you can create logos and brochures. You can also make social media graphics and other visual content for businesses and individuals.

Writing and Editing: Provide content writing, copywriting, proofreading, and editing services for websites, blogs, books, and other publications.

Web Development: Build custom websites, web applications, and e-commerce platforms for clients using your coding skills.

SEO: Help businesses improve search engine rankings through keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content creation.

Podcast Production: Assist clients in planning, recording, editing, and publishing their podcasts.

Video Editing: Edit and enhance videos for businesses, YouTubers, and other content creators.

Social Media Management: Manage social media accounts, create content, engage with followers, and develop social media strategies for businesses.

Virtual Event Planning: Help organizations plan and execute virtual events, webinars, and conferences.

Bookkeeping and Accounting: Provide financial record-keeping and accounting services to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Virtual Interior Design: Offer interior design consultations and remotely create design plans for clients.

The key to success in any service-based business is identifying your skills and finding a target market.

Reach out to potential clients online and offer a few of them free work in exchange for a testimonial.

Start building case studies from the few clients for whom you do free work. Don't worry; this is temporary. All you need is 3-5 testimonials and case studies.

Once you have proof of concept, put together packages and start selling.

As you build your reputation and client base, you can scale your business and potentially earn six or even seven figures from services alone.

If you don't feel like you have any skills to offer, I'll show you how to develop those shortly.

🛠️ Tools you can use:

To collect payments: Stripe

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2: Digital Courses

Digital courses are one of my favorite ways to create income online. You build these once and can sell them over & over with almost no hands-on support. Creating a great course takes time. But, once built, they can make money while you sleep.

Digital courses let you package your knowledge, skills, and experience into a structured, easy-to-digest format.

Whether you're an expert in marketing, photography, cooking, or any other field, you can create a course that shares your insights to help others.

There are several ways to create an online course, depending on your skill set.

If you enjoy writing, you can create an email-based course with a tool like ConvertKit that runs 24/7.

If you like speaking, you can create audio-only courses. You can use podcasting tools to make a private podcast for your customers.

If you are comfortable on camera, you can create video tutorials. Screen recording software like Loom makes this easy.

🛠️ Tools you can use:

For video courses, I recommend platforms like Kajabi, Thinkific, or Teachable. These platforms make it easy to upload your videos and collect payments.

For email-based courses, I recommend ConvertKit.

For audio-only private podcasts, I recommend Podcastlehttps://podcastle.ai/​

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3: Cohort-Based Coaching Programs

My favorite way to start selling online courses is with cohort-based courses. In a cohort-based course, a group of students (the cohort) learns together. They move through a set curriculum on a specific schedule.

In a cohort-based course, your students work on projects together and learn from each other's experiences. They can support and motivate each other throughout the learning journey.

One of the benefits of a cohort-based course is that you can sell it before the content is created. You will create the content each week as you present it to your customers who have enrolled.

This allows you to get feedback from your students and tailor the curriculum to give the most value. At the end of the cohort, you will have a fully built-out digital program. You can then take this program and sell it repeatedly as a standalone course.

Another reason cohort-based coaching programs are so powerful is that they introduce scarcity. There is a limited window of opportunity for someone to enroll in your program. This scarcity gives you powerful leverage that helps increase sales.

🛠️ Tools you can use:

I like community platforms such as Circle or Skool. These apps allow you to host your course material plus have a community (forum) for communication.

4: Platform Monetization (Podcasts, Newsletters, & YouTube)

One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to start an online business is the fear that they don't know enough. Maybe you're thinking, "I'm not an expert at anything, or I'm not sure what I could teach".

If this is you, I highly recommend starting a podcast or newsletter. The great thing about a podcast is that it allows you to create content by interviewing others. You can provide a ton of value to your audience without coming up with the content yourself.

This allows you to learn at the same time you create.

In addition to creating great content, your podcast will allow you to build your network with people you wouldn't otherwise be able to connect with.

After recording each episode, you can turn them into YouTube videos. You can also recap their highlights and lessons in your newsletter. This allows you to give your content to your audience in the format they prefer.

As you build a large enough audience, you can monetize through podcast sponsorships, affiliate product recommendations, and advertising/sponsorships in your newsletter.

🛠️ Tools you can use:

For podcasting, I like Captivate.fm for hosting and Riverside.fm for recording and editing.

For newsletters, I recommend ConvertKit

For video editing, I recommend Adobe Premier

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Recap and Closing Thoughts

Building a profitable personal brand is a journey that requires patience, dedication, and consistency. Regardless of the medium you select to start creating content, whether it's writing blog posts, recording podcasts, or filming videos, it's essential to understand that success doesn't happen overnight. The key to thriving in the creator economy is to stay persistent. You must keep a consistent posting schedule. You must always work to improve your craft with each piece of content you publish.

One of the most crucial aspects of growing your personal brand is to view feedback as a valuable tool for growth.

Engage with your audience, listen to their opinions, and take their constructive criticism to heart. Use this feedback to refine your content, adapt to your audience's preferences, and deliver value that resonates with them. Remember, building a strong connection with your audience is the foundation of a successful personal brand.

It's important to recognize that establishing a profitable personal brand is a marathon, not a sprint.

While it may be tempting to compare yourself to established creators who seem to have achieved overnight success, the reality is that most of them have put in years of hard work and dedication to reach that point.

Embrace the journey, focus on your progress, and celebrate the small victories along the way.

The creator economy is a vast and ever-expanding landscape, and the great news is that there is room for everyone to carve out their own niche.

Whether you're passionate about a specific topic, have a unique perspective to share, or possess a particular skill set, there is an audience out there waiting to connect with you.

The key is to stay true to yourself, consistently deliver value, and let your authentic voice shine through in your content.

As you continue to create and share your work with the world, remember to invest in your own growth and education. Attend workshops, read books, and connect with other creators in your field.

By continuously learning and expanding your knowledge, you'll be better equipped to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the creator economy and provide even more value to your audience.