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How I Pulled My First 5-Figure Month As A Novice 16 Year Old
A story about how my entire business being shut down overnight actually resulted in me making $10,000+ in 30 days for the FIRST time
+ 4 key lessons I learnt the hard way.
THREAD
A story about how my entire business being shut down overnight actually resulted in me making $10,000+ in 30 days for the FIRST time
+ 4 key lessons I learnt the hard way.
THREAD
When I was 14 years old I was scrolling through an online forum and I came across a post about something called a "Youtube Network".
Working with influencers? Sounded fun.
I got in contact with the author of that post and long story short...
Working with influencers? Sounded fun.
I got in contact with the author of that post and long story short...
He helped me immerse myself into the "influencer" space.
He really showed me the ropes and mentored me throughout the whole process.
He really showed me the ropes and mentored me throughout the whole process.
(The author of that forum post ended up being @SuhitAmin who still crushes that space to this day and someone I've been homies with for a long time now.)
I didn’t know much about the space so I was keeping my head down just trying to absorb as much info as possible.
I didn’t know much about the space so I was keeping my head down just trying to absorb as much info as possible.
And soon after…
I started making some decent money with my own network.
It wasn’t anything crazy
But for a kid my age, it was enough.
I started making some decent money with my own network.
It wasn’t anything crazy
But for a kid my age, it was enough.
I had invested a lot of time into this space.
But by the time I had turned 16 something happened…
YouTube released a policy that basically destroyed my business overnight.
But by the time I had turned 16 something happened…
YouTube released a policy that basically destroyed my business overnight.
[LESSON #1 - At any point, something could happen that negatively affects your business. Keeping your composure and planning appropriately is the key to dealing with these situations. Whether it's a worldwide pandemic or a big tech company’s new policy... Keep a level head.]
I understandably panicked a little.
I had poured my heart and soul into this and it was just... over.
But the anxiety that this new policy put in my stomach was a serious motivator for me.
It was a blessing in disguise if I’m being honest.
It drove me to work 100x harder.
I had poured my heart and soul into this and it was just... over.
But the anxiety that this new policy put in my stomach was a serious motivator for me.
It was a blessing in disguise if I’m being honest.
It drove me to work 100x harder.
[LESSON #2 - Anxiety can breed insane action. And might be where you get some of your best work done. Pressure truly does make diamonds.]
A few days had passed and I was plotting on what my next move should be…
I just didn't want to completely FREEZE like 99% of my "competitors" did
I was in contact with influencers all day...
And that’s when an opportunity presented itself.
I just didn't want to completely FREEZE like 99% of my "competitors" did
I was in contact with influencers all day...
And that’s when an opportunity presented itself.
A creator I was working with said:
"I need a sponsor for my next video, do you know anyone?"
"Sure" I replied
"I need a sponsor for my next video, do you know anyone?"
"Sure" I replied
In reality, I had no brands that I knew could sponsor his video.
So...
I went through Google
Searched for e-com brands
And surfed through Instagram
Just looking for a brand that would sponsor this video.
So...
I went through Google
Searched for e-com brands
And surfed through Instagram
Just looking for a brand that would sponsor this video.
[LESSON #3 - Being able to ADJUST/ADAPT is high ROI.
Are you the type of person who can say "yes" to opportunities and just figure it out as you go? How well can you improvise? Some of the most successful people I know have been in this exact situation before & came out on top]
Are you the type of person who can say "yes" to opportunities and just figure it out as you go? How well can you improvise? Some of the most successful people I know have been in this exact situation before & came out on top]
I eventually found a brand that would do it.
So I connected the two... took a % of the total deal
And they ended up sponsoring a handful of videos that month.
For that simple connection, I received a $1000 cheque.
So I connected the two... took a % of the total deal
And they ended up sponsoring a handful of videos that month.
For that simple connection, I received a $1000 cheque.
And considering I hadn’t really done much work… this money was pretty crazy to me (keep in mind I was just 16 years old too).
[LESSON #4 - This is when I understood that "hours worked" didn't equate to how much I was worth. It was how much VALUE I could provide]
[LESSON #4 - This is when I understood that "hours worked" didn't equate to how much I was worth. It was how much VALUE I could provide]
I managed to scale this pretty well (hit my first $10k/month with this).
I had developed a nice relationship with some brands & influencers and my only job was to essentially bridge that gap between them.
I had developed a nice relationship with some brands & influencers and my only job was to essentially bridge that gap between them.
While I still do some influencer work for brands, it's not as much as it used to be. I ended up transitioning to a full b2b agency (and now transitioning to e-com full-time)
With this said, I still think this “middleman” thing is one of the easiest ways to make money.
With this said, I still think this “middleman” thing is one of the easiest ways to make money.
Especially for a kid like me who was focusing on school and didn’t really have much time/focus to put into it.
By no means am I an “expert” with this either. I was simply a kid who was willing to figure stuff out as I go.
By no means am I an “expert” with this either. I was simply a kid who was willing to figure stuff out as I go.
I threw myself into the deep-end of a pool and learnt how to swim as I was drowning.
And I think that’s one of the main lessons to take from this thread.
As well as:
Luck = Opportunity + Preparation
And I think that’s one of the main lessons to take from this thread.
As well as:
Luck = Opportunity + Preparation
Because at the end of the day… This opportunity was pure luck. Right place at the right time.
But I was PREPARED for it.
And I was willing to put myself on the line to capitalize on the situation.
While most people would have frozen under the pressure.
But I was PREPARED for it.
And I was willing to put myself on the line to capitalize on the situation.
While most people would have frozen under the pressure.
Hope you enjoyed this thread & found some value in it.
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