How to Build a Passive Income Business- w/ Melinda Livsey Ep. 14

[@jazznezzz]

Chris still schools me YEARS after I took his sequential design class and graduated. Bless you and your team man. 🙏

[@thefutur]

you the best Jas.

[@Tangofanatic]

Chris, you’re ability to listen to Melinda’s situation and strategise a solution for her to follow is awesome!

[@thefutur]

Thank you.

[@jamilgotcher5456]

I'm totally aligned with this man's vibe. It's so refreshing to hear someone be real about business instead of all the other crap floating around KZbin or social media about business ha ha.

[@r.designs]

This is genuinely so helpful! As designers we always hear build passive income, build passive income, but it feels like no one ever explains how to 1.) come up with a product or something to sell, 2.) building an audience that would actually be interested in said service or product & 3.) manage your time and energy to build said product or service so that your not wasting time creating something that will never ever be seen or sold. I’m so thankful for this channel!! One thing I would love to know is what would you say to a designer trying to start their own agency with literally only 8 current paying clients & no side income. I feel like I’m not in a position yet to turn down low paying jobs financially, & still do not have a big enough audience to sell a passive income service too yet. Basically starting from nothing to making at least 40,000k per year. Do you think that’s realistic ?

[@imacg5]

This video will cost at least $20 on any other platform. Thank you very much.

[@thefutur]

At least. And we give it for free.

[@sarahfravissuel]

Loving that complete honesty Melinda - get a content plan ;) This episode was SO helpful - I now know how to figure out what road to take.

[@melindalivsey1]

So happy it was helpful!

[@nicolasdoretti1078]

I'm rarely commenting on youtube but this video is so useful to me that I had to send a digital thanks! This is exactly what I'm going through right now: continue my freelance Motion Designer career with my clients, or "jump the curve" and spend all my time developing my youtube channel and my audience as marketing purpose and to create new revenue streams as a travel filmmaker? All the tools presented and the advice given in this video are priceless, it will allow me to see more clearly. Thank you so much to be such a guru Chris! 🙏😄 And I wish all the possible success to Melinda, she deserves it!

[@remihejz161]

Nicolas Doretti Wow, I just looked at your videos, it's huge! Your travel film with the volcano is crazy, you definitely need to go fulltime on KZbin, you gonna rock! You are the new Sam Kolder!

[@nicolasdoretti1078]

@@remihejz161 Thanks :)

[@thefutur]

Thanks. Appreciate it

[@AnnakiVEVO]

Well there is liquid gold and there is streamed gold. Thank you Chris for all the strategies and the simplicity of tackling them and mostly thank you Melinda for the real case scenario.

[@melindalivsey1]

My pleasure!

[@AishaLaDon]

I’m right with you Melinda. This is my last year doing client work, my focus has been building my community and creating courses, and licensing my community platform. Things are slow but moving.

[@syncmaster794mg7793]

Among the best few things, I have seen on youtube in quite a while. The straightforward and well-structured strategy for strategizing a very real case study is quite the thing I needed to be told. I believe a lot many of us are capable of building such models and some might have thought of it too, but seeing Chris demonstrate it so confidently makes it seem worthy of a shot at the very least. Thanks!

[@kkd3973]

First Melinda vid of 2019 and it's a banger!!! Truly loving this!

[@thefutur]

Awesome!!

[@melindalivsey1]

Thanks Kevin!

[@joetred931]

Haven't even finish watching but I know this is gonna be gold...Thanks, Chris, Melinda and the future, love from Kenya

[@thomasmansur7373]

Waaaat! Chris, it was amazing to see how you explained and played the facilitator's role, on exploring possibilities, clarifying and giving direction... Also very clear to see that you were very right choosing Melinda to coach & collaborate. She's done sooo many thingss!!! That's pretty impressive and I'm stoked to see the next episodes! Best, Thom!

[@melindalivsey1]

Thank you Thom!

[@thefutur]

I have an eye for talent.

[@kmgfabio]

I paused the video just to coment. I loved the metaphor about Melinda climbing the top of montain and Chris yelling that have A BIGGER MOUNTAIN! hahaha Priceless

[@tomsnyder9249]

Woah. This was incredible. This content for free on YT is insane! Thanks for the super useful info! Just subscribed!

[@Cubannerd]

I work at a tabletop gaming studio and we do manufacturing in-house and I've witness how much of a pain having a physical product can be. Creating digital products is definitely the way to go for designers.

[@JWKDESIGN]

I could watch this strategy and planning stuff ALL DAY! I'm in a place similar to Melinda right now (though I don't have any digital products or FB groups out there...YET). I appreciate you sharing this content!

[@melindalivsey1]

It's an exciting world!

[@wulflens]

Bravo! Thank you Chris & Melinda. Solid information there , so muchhh value !

[@paulapoetry]

These videos are awesome, and so inspiring. I'm surprised that You Tube isn't a major part of Melinda's strategy, though. It sounds to me as if it should be, in conjunction with Instagram and Facebook. This series is amazing, and I personally love the fact the we get to be a part of Melinda's journey. 😃👍💝

[@melindalivsey1]

I'll jump on the KZbin train eventually. ;)

[@paulapoetry]

@@melindalivsey1 Awesome. You totally should, Melinda. You already have an audience on here, because of the Futur videos. 😃💝

[@t.n.2297]

Melinda! He wants to be your promtional/distribution partner! DO IT! Congratulations on your consistent momentum!

[@melindalivsey1]

=)

[@gtrguy17]

I'm watching this video two years after it's release. Chris is correct, KZbin really is evergreen.

[@thefutur]

If the video is good KZbin will continue to show it.

[@RaliVanMinks]

I'm spending my 2019 holidays watching you two and I feel it's been the most encouraging and empowering gift I could have given myself. Thank you for creating this and for sharing it with all of us Futur-superfans. I loved seeing Melinda's blossoming and Chris's thoughtful coaching throughout this entire series. I feel like I've gained a new mentor I'll forever respect, at a time that I most needed it. Thank you! 🙏

[@thefutur]

Thank you. Happy holidays

[@dominicfoong5331]

oh my! Thanks for the video it articulated what was going through my head.

[@emilyjackson6409]

Thank you so much for creating this channel 🙏🏾

[@nathanvanprooyen2312]

You are both awesome. This has been an amazing series that has rung home for me personally in so many ways. Thanks a million for putting this together.

[@melindalivsey1]

Thanks Nathan!

[@nathanvanprooyen2312]

Thank YOU!

[@maimohamed3590]

I love the process of business videos you doing together , WOW thank you both for inspiring 👌✨ BTW 😅 I love the plants behind you Melinda 💚💚

[@melindalivsey1]

Thank you Mai :)

[@gisellefield7934]

Echoing the wonderful things everyone else here is saying: a million thanks, guys! And a big shoutout to the thorough description box of links and breakdowns and much more info. Super handy!

[@melindalivsey1]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@thefutur]

Appreciate it

[@scottpearson9771]

Incredible! This is just the perfect video for me at the moment!

[@georgepauliii4836]

I've been tired of client work for the past 10 years. Started building my own in-house brand with a niche product a few years ago which has helped. This episode is incredible and so needed at this time. The other videos you mentioned Chris I've watched like a coach watching game film, go Pats, LOL.You should see my notes. Nonetheless, I'm following Janelle's advice and just starting to put something out there to build my passive income. No more paralysis by analysis! Which leads me to my question, I'm a decent writer and want to focus on my platform through blogging. I've never been really good in front of the camera, always behind. Thus is KZbin and video content really necessary to build an audience to launch your passive income or can you do it through blogging and marketing alone?

[@BartoloAnsaldi]

Thank you, there is so much value in your videos, and this is one of the most helpful out of many, were you put the bar very high

[@sahilbugarith2625]

Just STOP IT Melinda STOP IT! Okay so I'm watching the video, and Chris, you start talking about digital products. So the entire time I'm watching, I'm thinking to myself that I'm going to be going through and documenting this entire process myself. I'm great at packaging things, why not just create various digital products to shadow my process over time. THE FIRST THING I AM STARTING WITH IS BRAND STRATEGY (Obvious)!! Then at 17 Minutes, Melinda's talking about doing what I'm thinking. Mind Blown.

[@danielhincapie1807]

Awesome video. Good Job Chris good Melinda ! Thanks also to the Futur. I would love to see Jose again. That would be pretty awesome

[@angelaremetio6094]

That was spot on the physical products!

[@schumzy]

Melinda is back... yeah! but wait they are changing the game on us... I've only just started implementing my plan around my agency growth... agh. Still a good plan, so will follow through on what I've got. Funny enough, part of my longer term goal was focused on building a "passive" income business and essentially being my own client. So that's interesting. My focus though will in fact be a physical product... It's what makes sense for me considering my skill set and knowledge base

[@KJAnderson]

You guys are amazing and I truly appreciate the transparency from both of you! Like Melinda, my brain is an idea producing machine that clients really enjoy. However, independent client work can require that you wear many other hats outside your true passion. It can be tolerable at first because it positions you to do what you love. But over time, those other hats start to consume more of your time. I'm curious to know, what are your thoughts about a passive income business model such as print-on-demand, via Shopify? I'm not as technically advanced as the 2 of you so I don't really see myself teaching a design or branding course. However, I see t-shirt designs as something within my reach of mastery. Also, POD seems to be a promising 6+ figure passive income stream with proper dedication and time investment to start and run it.

[@thefutur]

That is a viable business model.

[@AnaMarcu]

I like this video. On point, hands on the business, real life examples, digital business. Love it! More of this please! :)

[@thefutur]

hi Ana.

[@KimWhiteFoxDesignDen]

Just want to say...I LOVE YOU BOTH, AND LOVE THIS CHANNEL!

[@thefutur]

Aww. Thanks kim.

[@melindalivsey1]

Thanks Kim!!!

[@cweb1988]

more please. This is helpful and cool.....but also daunting....I'm such a novice at everything.

[@SensaiJOD]

QUALITY ENLIGHTENMENT

[@dianneperrydesign4691]

YES 🙌 epic content guys.. like you said Melinda these videos seem to come at a good time ...... it’s that law of attraction 😄

[@acharyamanish20]

Melinda is my hero too :)

[@melindalivsey1]

[@beunlimited5997]

OMG! Get out of my head, guys! I literally JUST went over this charting process with a client yesterday, and I was planning to revisit an old video I saved of Chris going over it. But I decided to watch this lesson first and BOOM! Problem solved.

[@melindalivsey1]

Yay!

[@thefutur]

And there it is.

[@TonyAlvesDev]

THAT Calculator! OMG dude, we are cracking up at the fact we have the same one. Great content. Inspiring. 👍

[@thefutur]

Haha. It still works.

[@TonyAlvesDev]

@@thefutur IKR? Crazy good product. Better than my phone sometimes.

[@palonkorpi]

Chris and Melinda. You guys are champions. Love the content. Are there any chances of meeting you guys if I ever visit California?

[@thefutur]

There’s always a chance. But Melinda lives 1.5 hours from Santa Monica.

[@palonkorpi]

@@thefutur Wellp, I live 5436 miles away in Helsinki! 😂

[@remihejz161]

Awesome video! Very inspiring and great advice.

[@tamarazaric7087]

The Tim and Eric reference is when I clicked LIKE!

[@andrewfolts250]

Sound effects on point. 💯

[@soperllc]

Love this content! I'd consider rewriting the title though - IMHO, "How can I be my own client" is less clear than "building recurring revenue products" or some variation. Thanks for the great content, as always!

[@thefutur]

Okay.

[@andycat5685]

As I've been watching Melinda (as well as other creatives) shift towards a more passive income model via knowledge product, one common thread I see is the progression from client work towards being more focused on one's own content creation. I am curious and hope this isn't a foolish question, but for those in an earlier stage of their business, are client services a necessary stepping stone towards evolving into a knowledge product business? Is the progression from creative service work, to higher-level strategy, to knowledge product a connected ladder, or just reactions to the ever-changing market? Appreciate your time. Thanks to the Futur team (and Melinda) for creating some of the best life-changing, self-realizing content of this generation.

[@thefutur]

I don’t think it’s necessary as some people start out this way. I imagine many professional writers just start writing a book or screenplay without having done some service business first.

[@andycat5685]

@@thefutur This makes complete sense and makes me recognize the limiting belief I emplaced upon myself. Thank you.

[@marlonjoey]

Thank you Futur.

[@zeroalpha_nz6674]

danm this gold...thank you both!!!

[@itumelengstimela3461]

Love this, can we get a video on how to secure retainers from clients

[@svenrastovac5446]

Great stuff as always.. Could you do a video on how to design for social media? starting an own Social Media Marketing agency is a big thing now and I figured you could give us some insights on what works and why

[@Geomaverick124]

That makes sense..on Udemy instructors make about $2.50 per course which can seem like a rip off for the teacher...especially for teachers who teach at bootcamps or world renowned organizations...but if the teacher can get 50,000, 60,000, or even 100,000 or more students; they can more then make up for the cost of the course. There are some teachers that produce a 20hr web development course thats 4.5 stars and has 400,000 students...That can equate to over $800,000 in net profit. In the beginning it sucks, but if you have a good course and you can market it well, you can make a ton on money passively.

[@thedaveko]

does udemy pay licensing/royalty according to the length of the course? or do they take a percentage of what the course sells for? i thought it was a subscription based business, where users have access to all the videos for a monthly fee. not familiar with udemy.

[@remihejz161]

No, There is no subscribtion with Udemy, each courses has different prices, Udemy take a percentage on the price.

[@ThisDesignLife]

Udemy have the volume though.

[@ErinLAnderson]

Hi, I've been looking at udemy, is this still reputable? any other top 3 to look at? Thx!

[@Geomaverick124]

@@ErinLAnderson as a student or as a teacher? If you are doing it as a teacher you can try skillshare, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning. As a student Udemy is very viable

[@nathanaeljohn7891]

So good! Can’t hit that like button enough times. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@SharonDeCaro]

How did Melinda and Chris meet? What was the criteria for Melinda being featured in these videos? I love the info she shares. It's very informative. I was thinking it might be fun to get to feature some of your followers on these videos. How did Melinda get Chris to be her coach? I would love to be on these videos and get coached by Chris :) He's so amazing!

[@thefutur]

Go back to episode 1.

[@thedaveko]

How key is "buildling the audience/following" to selling a knowledge product? It seems to me that that's a more difficult task than the building of the knowledge product. And if my hypothesis is correct and it takes time to build an audience do you make your knowledge product now or after your hear from your following what it is they want? Finally, the obvious follow up questions to this is how do you build a following?

[@tanmaypanadi1414]

You build the product with the bare essentials and make the necessary changes and enhancements separate packages from customer feedback so u don't spend time on stuff that keeps you busy rather than effective 80/20 principle

[@thefutur]

It’s not easy and there are many strategies on how to do this.

[@thedaveko]

@@thefutur another new topic for a series? or will this be paid content?

[@sperziemone]

@@thefutur I agree with Dave Ko! A video/series about how to build your following or momentum towards releasing a course, would be amazing.

[@Bee_Mavrick]

Only physical I consider is airbrushing shirts and paintings. But I make music as well. So I'm considering doing both on one channel. And then when things are serious break the channel up.

[@obv_design9310]

Awesome, as always

[@choeungsenghuy1469]

Can you explain about content direction,mapping, strategy? I really want to understand it. Thank you.

[@brightonblogger]

Fantastic to see Melinda’s new plan created before our eyes! Please can you tell us which program are you using for your whiteboard? Love the way you map and move the products around on the graph based on the conversation! ♥️

[@melindalivsey1]

I think he was just using Photoshop.

[@thefutur]

Photoshop

[@creepyamy92]

This is gold

[@melindalivsey1]

:)

[@TYMEToken]

Licensing WOOT WOOT!

[@ScottValentine]

This is pretty much what we will be talking about tomorrow Chris... but in our context so we'll see how we go.

[@ScottValentine]

Btw I monetized our guides last week and I've thus far made $35... I feel like Jeff Bezos right now :P

[@ErinLAnderson]

@@ScottValentine any updates?

[@mohamedmacow3610]

Chris lovely video as always! Would like to know what would you do if you had to start over completely without any design education? I’m in that kind of situation, I’m 19 years old and would like to be a freelance designer atm and maybe start my own company like you.

[@tanmaypanadi1414]

Wow good go for it

[@thefutur]

I’d watch a bunch of videos and read a few books. When I’m good enough then I will try to find an internship.

[@emaloc1]

Chris, which model of headphones are you using in this video? Thanks!

[@thefutur]

AIAIAI

[@swaggerbauer]

*this* is helpful content! Really valuable even if someone's not in the design business. I sometimes post negative comments * cough * on this channel because i don't like the constant selling.. but i understand why it's necessary. Love the Melinda series, though. Thanks!

[@thefutur]

Constantly selling? Really?

[@swaggerbauer]

@@thefutur . Feels like it to me. Core, pro group, Affiliate-Marketing, book, Coaching for a couple of grand an hour.. pdf selling. Why do we need a video about a big monitor from a certain vendor or a video about how effective we can be with a certain program... My post was not meant in an offensive way. There is just a lot of selling mixed into the helpful information .

[@ErinLAnderson]

@@swaggerbauer This barely classified as soft selling to me. Which is my preferred way of teaching, brand, soft sell so it's clear and yet subtle.

[@ThisDesignLife]

Could you look at Skillshare as a platform as well?

[@thefutur]

Yes. Why not?

[@Mauriciog623]

Industrial Designer here, thank you for squashing my hopes and dreams, Chris lmao

[@thefutur]

Haha. Sorry 😐

[@ninghua5312]

Services might be a good option. I do part time translation as my side income (not passive but it's an income anyway)

[@ctenche]

Chris - When you're doing these types of interviews, what do you use? Skype? Zoom? Something else entirely? How do you get the other side's video quality to be so good? Do they record via a second camera and send you that post interview? Thinking of this and the interview with Sagi Havid, or Seth Godin as examples. Thanks!

[@thefutur]

Sagi and Seth set up a camera and we record via Zoom. For Melinda we talk via zoom but have separate cameras that we use instead of the compressed zoom file.

[@ctenche]

@@thefutur Thanks so much for the info! ❤️

[@ErinLAnderson]

@@thefutur Thx!

[@SOUTHNEK]

@14:36 - Chris and Jose need to do a reunion video.

[@wasiuraji5550]

Is there a need to go to business school after this episode?, I wonderfully doubt it. I rather enroll at The Futur period !!!

[@thefutur]

Stay tuned. The Futur is taking you to school.

[@araealis4178]

4:07 i am exactly the same 😂 thank you both so much for showing me that this career path is possible for me.

[@nikkosisowath4002]

Around the 37:30 mark, Chris mentions a name of Ronson Gaul? Is that how that mans name is spelled? Can someone help me?

[@thefutur]

Ran Segall is the person. His channel is called Flux.

[@AnimatedLessons]

Licensing is tough. Royalties are very low usually and you need to sell at an incredibly high volume to make decent cash.

[@zerobambiro]

Mh. Just thinking about where i can get passive income. Watched the information, but hoped it would help me see my way to get into it :/

[@MichaelDishmon]

Plays for 1 second, clicks Like

[@remihejz161]

Dishmon Strategy Design haha, me too

[@melindalivsey1]

:)

[@masstilt5280]

Was there ever a follow up with the 368 Adobe project ?

[@thefutur]

we never heard back. don't know what happened.

[@markb.8460]

Whats that picture behind Chris? (orange-ish one)

[@thefutur]

Evan Hecox print.

[@Lvinz731]

Print on demand like Merch by Amazon, Redbubble, Teespring , Teepublic, Society 6 ect selling T-shirt online is a passive income platform right ? Maybe we can get a video to discuss about it ?

[@thefutur]

Yes. Build once. Sell many times.

[@ErinLAnderson]

Love this idea. Thx for the site suggestions! When I watch The Future I see his merch on YT and want to buy, not because he asked but because I'm grateful of the knowledge & inspiration shared.

[@ansaransu7634]

❤❤❤

[@thefutur]

first

[@HeavyK.]

12:10 "People do like tangible things" I was there when CDs came to the retail floor, and I thought there was no way people like me would give up their 12" album art. I was wrong. Right now, I'm seeing kids around 16 that are not all that interested in driving a car. It absolutely blows my mind. I'm a 50 something that has had two Lyft rides so far. I can't imagine not having my own car (Ford F150 silver). But ... the desire to own a car will eventually go away. I'm just shocked to see the waning interest in owning a car or even driving a car around today's teens. If I could get all the money on all the records, CDs, DVDs, and all the other stuff that I do9n't use anymore, I could afford a new top-line smartphone every year. And then they will have the bio-chip version that will make the smartphone go away.

[@simkaart4655]

Ha! The helicopter. Very Graphic.

[@KIMMYKIM88]

Can someone explain the "Inconsequential" part of the graph to me in a little more in depth? In the context of the variables ( money, free time, joy), does it mean that completing projects closer to the inconsequential side will not produce money, more free time and feelings of joy? I want to make sure I understand clearly because when I tried making this graph and I found that many of my projects could make me money , free time, etc. , but that doesn't mean that I should pursue that particular project. Please help me understand. Thanks.

[@thefutur]

It means that it won’t really make a difference towards your goal.

[@ErinLAnderson]

@@thefutur SO MANY IDEAS. THX FOR THE SORTING VISUAL!

[@chloepatt1661]

My main problem is doubt. I keep asking myself how am I going to convince others that they need to buy my course when they can sometimes search for similar content and piece them together for free. There’s so much out there on the internet and I never feel like what I have to teach is in any way unique that people can’t get somewhere else for free, maybe from someone with a way more successful career than me. And then that instantly kills my hopes.

[@tanmaypanadi1414]

I am vary about the promotion part of the product but I guess let the research and packaging be done and step by step the promotion will be seen Johnnycake style

[@thefutur]

We just shot another episode today and addressed this very question.

[@tanmaypanadi1414]

@@thefuturlove you Chris I am a unique mix of sales and marketing student You empower me to ask the right questions & actions when interacting with people How can I build a passive income business ?

[@pedroandrade3725]

When this video was recorded? Because pre-lance is not $197 anymore, and the Building the designer's business is $97. Can't believe i lost this price :-(

[@thefutur]

Act quick. Things are likely to change.

[@StarvEgoFeedSoul]

5:47 Chris we should do some animation collab for your channel, I'm thinking funny+informational+cool engaging story. What do you think ??

[@thefutur]

I would like that.

[@VannApragal]

I don't want to give out all of my secrets. Is there any other way to passive income without teaching?

[@thefutur]

yes. check out Retro Supply Co.

[@allisonbaum1014]

@@thefutur I am sorry, I didn't become an artist to be selling shitty courses or brushes or actions. Only losers do that. I became an artist to sell my art. Stop making shitty videos like these wasting everyones' time.

[@allisonbaum1014]

And we all know she is not a good artist. She is just a good hustler. The Futur is really good at creating "hustlers". Someone charging $5000 for a freaking strategy, are you fucking kidding me? Do you know how much a Lawyer charges for strategy consultation? Seriously!

[@FarmAnimalsShowNZ]

I'm watching this years later. Melinda's last video was months ago.

[@profiAcc]

So Melinda, how did the plan to 250k go?

[@itsallfanmade7627]

Omg she is so beautiful!

[@thefutur]

And brilliant

[@rhondaremus1743]

Let's just say .bravo .yes.! well done ..you are a brilliant speaker..you can't see me but I'm jump up and down clan my hands loud .clickn the sub.like and bell thank you thank you.

[@InspireDose]

She has a husband? 🧐🙀 I love when people can get this private with their personal life. #maturity

Oh man! That’s a completely different direction. What’s next

[@DrTheRich]

XD black friday is called that because the shops see black from the crowds of people, it's a myth that it has anything to do with going from into the red to black....

[@DrTheRich]

Just like there is Black Saturday in mid summer France from all the people going on holiday at the same weekend towards the south of Europe...

[@teeI0ck]

Manjistha Seeburn

[@ss-matunga]

Just found out the Futur a few months ago and I’m starting to feel this is a bit too much Melinda 😎

[@thefutur]

It’s the Melinda series.

[@quinnherden]

@@thefutur There cannot be enough Melinda.

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

No such thing as a passive income, everything need maintenance and attention to keep flowing.

[@thefutur]

So, no stocks right?