How I Used a $200/Month Strategy to Build a Path Out of My 9-5

25X Return: From $200 to $5K/Month

The traditional S&P 500 might offer a 10% ROI, but investing in your own knowledge and business, especially in the world of digital products and digital marketing, can yield returns of 100% or more. When you invest in yourself, the ROI can skyrocket.

When I shifted my focus from stocks to building an online business by investing in my skills, everything changed. Books, courses, and learning digital marketing were crucial steps. The most significant turning point was learning how to create and sell high-ticket digital products online. I designed systems that allowed me to move away from the traditional 9-5 grind.

Here’s how this strategy could play out based on this example math…

$200 ad spend/month yields about 665 “leads” (people that click the ad and get to the sales page)

2% or 13.3 of the leads make a purchase at $497 

Each sale has 80% profits or $397

13 sales X $397 = $5,280

Subtract Ad spend = $5,080 profit / month

That’s how this kind of funnel can work when the numbers align. It can feel like modern-day magic when it all clicks into place.

And guess what ? If your conversion rates hold, scaling your ad spend can increase your earnings (but always test and monitor performance first.)

Triple it ? Once you’ve validated your first offer, many creators expand by launching new products for returning customers. 

Your earnings and time are in your hands.

Want to learn how ? Keep reading —>

How to Start a Business from Scratch with Digital Products

If I were to start from scratch today, here’s exactly what I’d do to create an online business:

1. Start a Blog: Share your story and offer valuable, informative content. The goal is to create a platform where you can build trust and provide real value to your audience.

1. Create a Pinterest Account: Post consistently (at least 5 times a day) and link everything back to your blog. Pinterest is a powerful tool for driving organic traffic.

1. Offer a Freebie: Create a lead magnet (like a checklist, e-book, or resource guide) and link it to your blog posts. This will encourage sign-ups and help you build your email list.

1. Analyze Pinterest Posts: Track your organic posts to see which keywords perform best. Use this data to refine your strategy.

1. Run Pinterest Ads: Use the best-performing keywords from your organic posts to run targeted ads and get quicker results.

1. Setup a Quiz Funnel: Link this funnel to your blog and some of your ad campaigns. Quizzes are a great way to engage with your audience and gather valuable data they also convert 7X better than traditional ads.

1. Link Your Product: Link to your digital products or services directly in your quiz funnels, freebies, and blog posts.
   

Treat Your Business Like a Business – Not a Side Hustle

One of the biggest mistakes people make is treating their business like a side hustle. Starting with a side hustle mindset will only lead you to create a system that requires constant “hustling” to maintain. Instead, think of it as a business from day one.

If you aim to escape the 9-5 grind, you need a business mindset from day one. You want a system that works for you, generating passive income and giving you time freedom.

Essential Business Mindset

The behind the scences of a business to know:

• Learn the Basics of Taxes: Accounting and taxes might not be glamorous, but once you start earning, you don’t want to hand over half of it to the government.

• Legal Incorporation & Licenses: Consider using platforms like Legal Zoom to get your business incorporated and registered

• LLC vs. S-Corp Tax Status: Consult with a tax professional to determine which tax structure works best for your business.

• Trademark Protection: Protect your brand and products from day one.

• Business Insurance: Platforms like Next offer affordable options.

• Bookkeeping: Use software like QuickBooks to stay on top of your finances.

• Separate Business & Personal Accounts: Set up a business bank account to keep things professional.

• Business Email: Use a service like Google Workspace for a branded email.

• Payment Processor: Use platforms like Stripe or PayPal for seamless transactions.

Essential Tools to Scale Your Online Business

You don’t need to do everything on your own. Here are some tools to help you scale your online business:

• ChatGPT: Use it for brainstorming, writing, or troubleshooting tasks.

• Upwork: If something is out of your expertise, hire a freelancer.

• Canva: For creating eye-catching graphics and designs.

• Tailwind: To schedule and optimize Pinterest posts.

• SquareSpace/StanStore: For building your website or online store.

• Loom: Record video tutorials or presentations for your audience.

• Perspective: Stay focused and always evaluate your business direction.

Combining Organic and Paid Ads for Better Margins

The key to success in online business is mixing organic content with paid advertising. Here’s how different platforms can work for you:

• Pinterest (Organic): It’s a long-term play, but evergreen content grows over time with SEO optimization.

• Pinterest Ads: These yield quicker results, and combining them with organic efforts boosts efficiency.

• Blogging: Blogging provides evergreen content that grows over time and builds your SEO rankings.

• Instagram/Tiktok: Great for fast growth but keep in mind that content on these platforms has a short "life."

• Meta Ads (Instagram & Facebook): Highly targeted ads that can drive immediate traffic to your business.

Infinite ROI with Organic Traffic

How to Make Money Fast and Create a Business That Works for You

Building an audience takes time, but once you’ve created organic content, it has the potential for infinite ROI. Why? Because organic traffic has no cost, meaning once you’ve invested time creating content, your audience is free. When they purchase from you, ...with no ongoing ad costs, meaning your investment is primarily upfront effort in content creation.

Get Paid to Make Money

As your audience grows, you’ll also have the opportunity to get paid directly from platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where views can lead to ad revenue. By drawing in customers and creating valuable content, you can generate a steady stream of income from both product sales and ad revenue

By investing just $200/month into your skills and business infrastructure, you can replace your 9-5 job and achieve financial freedom. The process requires strategic effort, the right tools, and a business mindset from day one. With patience and persistence, you can create passive income streams that allow you to live life on your terms.

Start your journey now, and don’t let the 9-5 hold you back.