How "accomplished" do you need to be to monetize PD stuff?

[pyrogen]

Here's my thought... I've been thinking of monetizing some of my materials. First, I blog stuff, which I've been reluctant to actually go further with simply because I don't know that (as an "unaccomplished" person with no credentials) I have a right to tell others "how it's done". I have more material in .doc files than I've ever put on my blog, for that very reason.

Secondly, I actually create life organization materials and life hack stuff for myself, and share my ideas casually. I've thought of actually creating these materials for other people to use, and selling them.

I'm not an "accomplished" person at anything but overcoming my own obstacles a bit at a time (am a highly ADHD "scanner" personality who's learned slowly and painfully to become more directed and focused; many of my materials are my own self-created journals and workbooks that help me deal with school and immediate goals and decision-making), and am basically "starting from scratch" at 36 in the same material life place many are at when they are 18. Most of my stuff is stuff I've figured out *as* I've figured it out, rather than being like Steve... the accomplished person who is teaching people about stuff I figured out 15 years ago that "made me the success I am today"...

The question is, how "accomplished" do you need to be and what kind of credentials should you have if you are going to make any PD materials and writings public?

This is as much a moral/ethical question, as it is a question of "would people actually buy my stuff".

[AjaTrinidad]

The scary thing is that you need no credentials. If you dig into the backgrounds of some of the people who sell PD products or offer advice, they have no formal "training" or anything of that nature. They're just offering opinions based on their life experience and what they've read in books.

So, technically, you can sell anything you want to.

No one can really answer this but you.

Do you feel that what you have to offer is worth monetizing?
Do you believe in it 1000%?

You asked "would people actually buy your stuff". Apple could sell iPoop to people and they'd buy it. So, yeah, if you marketed it right, people would buy it.

But do you believe in it?

[James81]

There seems to be such a big emphasis on credentials these days. And I think, at some level, it's an idea sold by instituations of higher learning in order to make money. There are a lot of notions we've been sold on in our society that aren't inherently true. An example (outisde the scope of this thread) would be "debt creates wealth" (so you NEED debt in order to be successful and to live).

The same type of idea has been sold to us by colleges and universities. "Credentials mean knowledge." Which, of course, leads us to believe that we don't have ANYTHING to offer, unless we have EVERYTHING to offer (i.e. a Phd, bachelor's, associates, or a certificate of some sort).

And people put their trust in those certificates! It's uncanny how much easier it becomes to convince people that what you have to offer is "worth" it to them if you have initials after your name. And I know plenty of people with initials after their name that if you bought them for what they are worth and sold them for what they think they are worth, you'd make a fortune. (Thanks, Dad, for that saying. )

Lest you think I'm a downer on continuing education, I thought I'd clarify that I'm not. I'm more interested in disassociating the idea that you don't have value to offer unless you have formal training. I ask you one simple question: where did "formal training" come from? Do you think, for example, the first psychologist said to himself "Welp, I can't develop psychology because I don't have any training in it." (LOL)

I think a more realistic, a more grounded approach, would be to recognize what value you do have to offer, while simultaneously recognizing your limitations. And that your limitations do not define you, they are but growth opportunities. Ways to expand yourself.

My current viewpoint is this: I have a whole lot of value to offer people RIGHT NOW. So, I'm doing it. I recognize my limitations and if someone comes to me that I don't feel qualified to help, I'm going to refer them to someone with more "tools" in their belt, and then I'm going to turn around and seek more tools for my own belt.

[James81]

Just the other night, on another forum, someone asked me the question:

"What qualifies you to be a life coach?"

I had no reply at the time, but now I have an answer: "I'm alive, I care about myself, and I care about others."

[SnerpGoodWord]

I think as a general rule there's too much guruing going on by too many people who lack experience. I'm not too concerned about a lack of formal credentials, but I do want gurus to have successfully done whatever it is they're going to teach you to do.

This problem is particularly prevalent in the financial sphere - lots of people giving courses on how to trade despite not being profitable themselves for example

[Piercetheveil]

Ive made massive amounts of money on areas I have no business being in...or so some people say.

[AjaTrinidad]

You know what it is for me...(no, what is it?)

Years ago, I thought the same thing. All you need is good experience, etc, to be able to dole out advice and make money. But I've had a lot of "coaching" and teaching in my lifetime. From formal vocal training to language tutoring, to "how to be a life coach" coaching, and there are tools that you just don't even know you're missing out on if you don't seek them.

For example, I'm a good singer, and have had years of study, but I wouldn't dare develop a 5-DVD set on how to be a great singer and charge money for it. I haven't obtained the proper tools for that. Caring, and wanting people to get results is good, and even having success in the field in your own life is good, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can pull that out of someone else.

So, with that example, the same way I wouldn't put someone's voice in my hands, I wouldn't put someone's life in my hands either...if haven't received the proper tools on how to help.

And actually, I'm going to clarify what I meant by "formal training." I just meant to say when you delve into more serious territory, I think that yes, you should have "credentials" (whatever that may mean). Pyrogen was talking about life organization and such..I think that's fine. You can't go to life organization school

But I was speaking on the more broad topic of PD. For example, I always tell people about how I overcame depression w/o therapy or medication. But I wouldn't charge people to coach them on how they should overcome depression themselves. Not that I don't care with all my heart, and have the very best intentions. But, I might do more damage than good. Without even knowing it. With something more serious like that, yes, I believe one needs training.

But then again, what do I know, for I am only Aja.

:ramatic exit, stage left::

[Brutha]

In the end it all boils down to whether you can help people.
If you don't have credentials actually go out and measure how much you help people.
Measurement then allows you to be self confident and reality based.

[pyrogen]

Originally Posted by Brutha

In the end it all boils down to whether you can help people.
If you don't have credentials actually go out and measure how much you help people.
Measurement then allows you to be self confident and reality based.

Coolness. What I'm developing are a series of life tools (they're actual physical things - workbooks and organizers). Maybe I could create them, give the first twenty or so away, and see what kind of reports filter back. It'll either be worthwhile and helpful, or it won't be.

[ssandra]

Just put it out there. If you're providing value, you'll gain value. If not, you'll notice soon enough

I personally like blogs and products from people who say they aren't experts but just want to share what they have learned. I like making up my own mind about things. Therefor I also like blogs more that are from people who are still learning and growing and I grow with them in their blogs. Sometimes I may have a comment that might help them, most of the time something in their blog will help me

Btw, I like your blog! I've got it on RSS feed now

[pyrogen]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Just put it out there. If you're providing value, you'll gain value. If not, you'll notice soon enough

I personally like blogs and products from people who say they aren't experts but just want to share what they have learned. I like making up my own mind about things. Therefor I also like blogs more that are from people who are still learning and growing and I grow with them in their blogs. Sometimes I may have a comment that might help them, most of the time something in their blog will help me

Btw, I like your blog! I've got it on RSS feed now

Thank you very much! Feedback like that helps keep me inspired to keep posting.