The Part Time Creator Blueprint

The Part Time Creator Blueprint(The sustainable way to build the life you want)

Read time: 10 minutes

Some of the biggest lessons I've learned about becoming an online creator have come from internet 'gurus.' But there's one idea most of them have that I'm not completely sold on, and if you're reading this, you probably aren't too.

I'm talking about quitting your job to go all-in on being a full-time creator.

It doesn't jive with me and it's unrealistic for most people to cut what's essentially their metaphorical umbilical cord for this all-or-nothing nirvana - and once you taste it, they'll be no going back.

As if this is just going to magically appear as soon as you decide to 'stick it to The Man'.

I don't know about you, but that sounds more like a movie script than a realistic way to build the life you want.

This newsletter is my way of writing a new script for Part Time Creators - what it is, why it's worth it, how to make it work, and how to make it cool! 

I think the term Part Time Creator resonates with more people than 'full time', although some people may feel if they don't go all-in on their passions full-time, it's classed as a failure. This Manifesto will prove otherwise.

Believe it or not, the creator economy has many success stories of people going full-time making millions on their lonesomes. Remarkable achievements and something we should celebrate.

But the majority of us will never get there.

For many, being a creator is not a full-time income - and that's totally fine. People in this camp should never feel like they've failed. Instead, they should see the value they have created on their own - which is fkin awesome!

Yes, I'd now class myself as a full time creator; somebody who earns the majority of his income creating online. But I didn't start there - nor did I click my fingers and magically end up here overnight.

Before I get into the Part Time Creator Blueprint, I want to remind you this path is not for everyone. The cards are stacked against you from the get go.

• Creator platforms mainly push superstars & celebrities

• If you're a parent, props - you already have superhuman feats balancing fam and work

• Independent creation has far less perks (on the surface) compared to traditional employment like a pension, health care etc, etc.

But being a Part Time Creator is a realistic path for many people - especially for those who can feel the possibility and desperately want to figure this out. I believe in the future we're going to see a LOT more Part Time Creators.

How to Make Part Time...Work

People have a hard time of working outside of work - even if that work is for yourself. Many objections are valid. I only create and write for people like me, the types of people who have the energy to make this work but lack the guidance of knowing what to do.

So first things first...

1 - Energy

We need to get in a position where our employment doesn't completely drain the life out of us for after-hours productivity. I say this from experience. Before 2015, I worked in the building trade, and I hated every second of it.

I hated the banter. I hated that people could never relate to what I wanted to do. For them, being a builder was the only possible way one could make an income and live life It completely consumed my life (more so mentally than physically) but I never saw it as a red flag at the time because I didn't know any better.

The advice I'd give to my younger self now: There are platforms like ConvertKit where you can begin your journey as a Part Time Creator (I use ConvertKit to build my email list/my tribe, which is something I also wish I'd started a LONG time ago!)

Second things... second?

2 - Get your proverbial sh*t together and make time.

Talk is cheap. Action is where the real gold is found. If you say you want to be a Part Time Creator, yet you spend 40 hours a week watching Netflix, don't kid yourself, you're just a Full Time Consumer ;)

If it's important to you, make the time.

Here's a few ideas of how to do that:

• Become a Weekend Warrior. Pick Saturday or Sunday, and take the other for rest. Play the long game and don't burn out.

• The 20% Rule. Work on your side project twenty percent of the time, typically 1-2 hours a day before or after work.

• Batched Time. Take 'holidays' to work on shipping a side project. Take a week off work to go full ham on your thing - this option could be great for you if you struggle to make a weekly commitment.

3 - You don't have to make money right away

There are a million and one ways to create valuable assets without monetising from the beginning; writing a newsletter (like this one) or growing a YouTube channel.

The point is to learn to create and build your network. Your network is your net-worth.

I didn't want this article be some boring, generic productivity spiel that you could just find with a simple Google search. So here are some more specific Part Time Creator principles that may give you some direction:

Before Work: One of the best ways I found to make sure I actually work on my personal projects is working before any sort of day job began - you could reverse this with 2 hours after the family goes to bed too.

Start Now: There's never going to be a perfect time to start. If you lack confidence and need all your ducks in a row before starting, pretend you've already been a Part Time Creator for 5 years already. Why put off starting? Things will never be ideal. Figure out how to make it work.

Keep Shipping: Most people get stuck in the perfectionism loop. They never 'ship'. Choose consistency over quality. Consistency and quality? Even better - that will come over time. You are what you repeatedly do. If it's 80% of the way there, ship it.

Productise Yourself: Being a Part Time Creator is not the same as getting a part-time job where you trade time for money (like you'd do in a day job). Focus on providing value disconnected from your time. YouTubing, writing, podcasting etc.

Shameless Plug: My course, GoPro Video Magic has an entire module dedicated to growing on social media / productising yourself!

Making 'Part Time' Cool!

Part-timers vs full-timers is always going to be a tough battle. People equate 'part time' with 'not committed'. I don't think that is true. We could flip that script and look at what a Part Time Creator can do better than a Full-Time Creator.

I found a quote on the internet that sums it up perfectly:

"The work informs the side hustle, the side hustle informs the work"

For a Part-Time Creator, your ultimate source of energy and leverage with your day job is your specific knowledge and expertise. Basically anything that cannot be taught, all your untold stories are recalled art at your fingertips.

Think of it like this...

• If you can deliver your expertise clearly, you could be a consultant.

• If you can package it into a repeatable process, you have a productised service.

• And if you can then create something valuable that's disconnected from your time, you have a product people will buy.

I think a lot of people are looking for the middle ground between cutting the safety net of a job to all-in and creating a plan that works around their day job. Of course overtime, things change and you may want to pivot to go full-time creator mode, but I want this Pat Time Creator Blueprint to clear up that you do have options. It's not one or the other.

I feel the days of spending your whole life working for one company, then retiring on a pension are long gone.

I believe there are more people now than ever before who can already be Part Time Creators while working it around their current lifestyles.

If you're currently working full-time, just start working on things you find interesting. Even if it's 1 hour a week. Start there and ramp up as it makes sense to.

~ Alex