If you’re diving into the world of content creation and wondering how to start earning serious money quickly, you’re not alone.
Many aspiring creators aim for that $10,000 milestone, but the path to get there isn’t always straightforward. I’m Adam Dukes, and today I want to share with you the fastest way to reach that $10,000 per month goal as a creator — and spoiler alert: it’s not exactly what I’m doing myself right now.
Why Low-Ticket Digital Products Aren’t the Fastest Path to Cash
Currently, I sell low-ticket digital products, with the most expensive item priced at $97. I also run a coaching program that I’ll be reopening soon due to popular demand. Right now, I’m making over $500 per day selling these affordable digital products. Sounds great, right? But here’s the catch: this model relies heavily on volume. You need a large, engaged audience to move enough units to hit substantial monthly revenue.
For example, I have a decent following with 26,000 Instagram followers, 15,000 on Threads, and 15,000 on YouTube. This sizable audience makes selling low-ticket products viable for me because I can reach thousands of people regularly. However, if you’re just starting out and don’t have that kind of audience yet, this strategy might not get you to $10,000 quickly.
In short, selling low-priced digital products is a volume game — you need to sell lots of products to make big money. And building that audience can take time.
The Fastest Path to Cash: Selling High-Ticket Services or Coaching
So, what’s the fastest way to earn $10,000 as a creator if you don’t yet have a large audience? The answer is simple but challenging: sell high-ticket services or coaching programs.
Why? Because when you sell something expensive, you don’t need to sell nearly as many units to hit your income goals. Instead of relying on volume, you rely on value and personalized service. This approach is especially effective if you have expertise, skills, or knowledge that businesses or individuals need.
My Own Humble Beginnings with High-Ticket Sales
Back in 2010, I started selling web design services to local businesses in Las Vegas. I cold-called about 5,000 businesses, connected with around 1,600, and sold only two websites — each for $297. I was terrible at cold calling and nervous enough to take shots of vodka before making calls! But those two sales were my first taste of earning money by providing high-value services.
This experience taught me a lot: selling high-ticket services is tough and requires resilience, but it can pay off fast if you stick with it.
How to Package Your Knowledge Into a Coaching Program
If you want to fast-track your income, consider packaging your skills and experience into a coaching or mentorship program. Here’s how to do it:
1. Define Your Coaching Program’s Promise
Start by getting crystal clear on the promise of your program. What transformation or result will your clients achieve after working with you? Be specific about the goal and the outcome. For example, if you’re coaching business owners, what will their revenue, skills, or confidence look like after 3 months?
This promise isn’t a guarantee but rather the objective your coaching program aims to help clients reach. Painting a vivid picture of the end result helps potential clients understand the value of your offer.
2. Determine the Duration and Structure
Most coaching programs run between 12 to 16 weeks (3 to 4 months). Decide how often you’ll meet with clients one-on-one — maybe bi-weekly or monthly 30-minute calls — and whether you’ll include group coaching or community support.
Communities can live on platforms like Facebook, Discord, WhatsApp, or even custom-built options. The key is to give clients a space to connect, share progress, and stay motivated.
3. Start Small with Beta Clients
When launching your first coaching program, keep it small and manageable. Limit the program to 3-5 clients and offer them a discounted rate in exchange for feedback. This beta group helps you iron out rough edges and improve your program for future rounds.
For example, you might charge $1,000 for a three-month hybrid coaching program that includes a mix of group sessions and a few one-on-one calls. This pricing is low enough to attract early clients but high enough to build your confidence and validate your offer.
4. Build Momentum and Increase Prices Over Time
Once you’ve successfully served your beta clients and gathered testimonials, you can gradually increase your prices. For instance, your next cohort might pay $1,250, then $1,500, and so on. This incremental pricing strategy helps you build momentum and confidence while improving your product.
The Reality of Selling High-Ticket Offers: Rejection and Mindset
Let’s be clear: selling high-ticket services isn’t easy. You will face rejection — a lot of it. Out of 10 sales conversations, you might hear nine “no” responses, especially when you’re starting out. But this is part of the process.
Entrepreneurship is 90% mindset and 10% strategy. The right mindset helps you push through rejection, learn from mistakes, and keep improving. Over time, your closing rate will improve as you practice your sales conversations and get more comfortable.
Remember, your first coaching program or ebook might not be perfect. Your first version is your worst version, and that’s okay. What matters is that you get feedback from your clients and improve your offer with every iteration.
A Personal Anecdote: Practice Makes Perfect
I like to think of selling and creating content like learning to kiss. When I first kissed a girl in sixth grade, I was awkward and clumsy — I even bit her tongue! But with time and practice, I got better. The same goes for sales calls, content creation, and coaching. The more you do it, the better you get.
Why Competence and Passion Matter
One key to success in selling services or coaching is competence. You need to know your topic well enough to speak confidently and provide real value. I’m able to do these one-take videos because I’ve been in this space for over a decade and truly understand the subject matter.
Don’t start a coaching program or service just because something is trendy or popular. Instead, focus on areas where you have genuine interest, knowledge, and experience. Your passion and expertise will shine through and help you build trust with clients.
Final Thoughts: The Fastest Path to Cash
To sum it up, if you’re looking for the fastest path to earning $10,000 as a creator, selling high-ticket services or coaching programs is your best bet. It requires work, resilience, and a strong mindset, but it can get you there faster than selling low-ticket digital products without an audience.
Here’s a quick recap of the steps:
- Identify your skillset or knowledge you can package into a service or coaching program.
- Define a clear promise or transformation for your clients.
- Design a 3-month program with a mix of one-on-one and group coaching.
- Start with a small beta group at a discounted price to build testimonials and confidence.
- Practice your sales conversations, embrace rejection, and keep improving.
- Gradually increase your prices as you gain experience and results.
Remember, this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time and effort. But if you commit to providing real value and learning along the way, you can build a sustainable income stream faster than you might expect.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into digital products, coaching, or building your creator business, keep learning, keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to take that first step. The journey to $10,000 per month starts with a single sale — and that sale could be your first high-ticket client.
