The 9 stages of passive income: What your first time really feels like

Shell Higgs
Aug 28, 2017 · 3 min read

You’ve probably heard someone get their knickers in a knot about how passive income isn’t really passive, correcting you for your own good.

(Because there was a risk you honestly thought the fairies would do all the pre-work while you faffed about on a beach somewhere?)

In their rush to be a know-it-all, they left a few bits out.

Creating your first passive income product can be a massive head trip, starring our good friends Doubt, Overwhelm, Self-Criticism and Wet Pants. But it’s all normal. The trick is knowing what’s coming so you can push past it and get to that glorious first sale!

Here’s what it really feels like to add your first passive income stream.

The 9 stages of passive income

1. INSPIRATION

Oh man, everyone is going to love this. It’s exactly what they need to move forward, it answers all their questions and problems and they are going to go nuts over it. Holy crap, what if it goes viral? What if everyone buys it? I’ll be the go-to gal for my niche. I’m gonna be a ZILLIONAIRE!

2. DOUBT

But what if nobody buys it? I don’t even know HOW to make my big idea come to life. Creating this is actually turning out to be a lot of work, maybe I should just make it free and see if people like it first…oh, but then I can’t charge for it afterwards without feeling bad. Arrrgh, I don’t have time to spend on something that might make me money eventually! Plan B: procrastinate until all feels easier.

3. COMPARISON

I just saw someone else doing this, and they’re doing it better. Maybe I should tweak my messaging or something, just so I can compete. Or maybe drop the price. Oh no, what if they tell everyone how much I suck?! But I’m also WAY smarter than that other person I saw yesterday, and they’re doing just fine. Fame and followers for everyone!

4. IDENTITY CRISIS

Right, it’s all set up and ready to go. Now just to knock up a sales page and I’m done….oh crap, everything I wrote sounds so sleazy, I can’t use that. It also looks like a bit like a unicorn farted glitter all over it. Wtf? That’s not even remotely part of my brand. But maybe it should be? Hmm…

5. LAUNCH

It’s out there. I put together an email sequence, wrote all about the benefits and outcomes, gave the links…did the whole social media thing too. I’m so nervous, I’ve run to the loo 5 times already…where are my sales??! Maybe I left the payment thingy in test mode…

6. DISBELIEF

Is this for real? I mean, I was just testing my cart again, maybe this is a late test message. Wait, that’s not my name as buyer. Someone else bought my stuff? FOR REAL?

7. CELEBRATION

I am a GENIUS! I knew my stuff was great, and now other people know it too. I.am.a.super-freakin-star.

8: SUSPICION

Oh hell, but WHY did they buy it….is this a trap? OMG what if they’re just a competitor getting ready to steal my stuff. What if they ask for a refund? *clicks refresh on email* Only a few people have bought, maybe they were pity sales…

9: CONFIRMATION

They were real people who liked my stuff and told their friends! Yes! I even got sales while I was sleeping, like the internet said I would. My phone goes *cha-ching* and tells me I got a payment, on something I already created and don’t have to do anything else for. Passive income is suh-weeet, why didn’t I do this sooner?!

Hmmm…what should I create next?

)
Shell Higgs

Written by

Mistress of sass, getting real & all things online biz over at The Funnelry. Get your FREE 5 Day Sales Course here http://www.thefunnelry.com/get_more_sales/

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