Unlock Surprising Ways to Earn Money Today
▼ Summary
– Ten Hundred’s Kickstarter for custom playing cards raised $10k in 3 minutes and ultimately over $2 million, demonstrating the power of a strong pre-built audience.
– Building an audience before monetizing is crucial, as it took Brandon Smithwrick three years of content creation to establish a foundation that supported his transition to full-time work.
– Hyper-niche content performs better than general topics, as specificity helps brands connect more directly and effectively with engaged communities.
– Consistent social media presence and content creation are essential for visibility, requiring founders to actively share wins and provide value to their audience.
– Exclusive offers through social media tools like Instagram Close Friends or ManyChat can create urgency and reward engaged followers without traditional landing pages.
Earning a substantial income often comes down to leveraging the right strategies at the right time. Consider the case of an artist known as Ten Hundred, who reached a $10,000 Kickstarter funding goal in just three minutes, a feat that eventually grew into a multi-million dollar campaign centered around a custom deck of playing cards. Brandon Smithwrick, formerly of Kickstarter and a Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree, shared valuable insights from this success and his own experience to help others transform their creative pursuits into profitable ventures.
One of the most critical steps is to build your audience long before you attempt to monetize. Smithwrick emphasizes that he spent three years creating content part-time without initially viewing it as a revenue stream. By consistently sharing his perspective on platforms like LinkedIn, he attracted brand deals that served as early validation. This foundation allowed him to eventually transition to full-time creative work. The key takeaway? Focus on cultivating a community without immediate commercial intent, you never know when that audience will become your most valuable asset.
Another powerful approach is to embrace hyper-niche targeting. Broad categories like “games” or “art” often fail to resonate deeply. Instead, narrow your focus to a specific subculture or interest. For example, Ten Hundred’s success wasn’t aimed at general art lovers but specifically at collectors of custom playing cards. This level of specificity fosters a stronger connection and makes your messaging feel personal and relevant. While it might seem counterintuitive to exclude a broader audience, speaking directly to a niche actually strengthens your brand and clarifies how you can meet your audience’s needs.
Consistency and value delivery are non-negotiable. Smithwrick compares content creation to a muscle that needs regular training, never skip leg day, as he puts it. Founders and creators must become the voice of their brand’s achievements, turning team wins into engaging content. Scheduling posts in advance helps maintain a steady cadence, while prioritizing value over promotion builds trust and engagement. Organic channels can become powerful lead generators when used strategically, reducing reliance on paid advertising.
An often overlooked tactic with high potential is using social media to launch exclusive, community-focused offers. Tools like Instagram’s Close Friends list or ManyChat allow you to test promotions and create urgency through direct messages. For instance, offering early access or limited-time discounts to your most engaged followers can turn a launch into an interactive event. This method rewards loyalty, fosters exclusivity, and drives action without traditional landing pages or broad advertising.
Looking ahead, one provocative question remains: how can marketers rethink their collaboration with creatives to foster more authentic and impactful outcomes? The answer may lie in shifting from transactional relationships to truly integrated, value-driven partnerships.
(Source: HubSpot Marketing Blog)
