| I don't think it's impossible, but absolutely incredibly difficult. I tried everything. Shopify stores, blogs (even owned a #1 tech blog), local job boards, global job boards, dating sites (which were shut down due to payment providers refusing to service these types of sites), various SaaS sites, etc. Nothing made any real money. I don't know if it's just me - perhaps I'm just not meant to succeed here - but I'm still trying. Still building. I think the biggest downer was when I built the coolest SaaS for martial arts academies. I thought it was guaranteed success, as I am involved in these communities, know a ton of owners. I reached out to all of them. Offered a free setup/trial. None of them cared, or even attempted to use it. Likewise, I just built the coolest browser extension for chess players (in my opinion). I run a local chess club. Thought everyone would want to at least try it out. Maybe 2 users installed it. Lol. I just stopped caring, and I look at it in a new way. Yeah, I may not have paying customers for projects, but I am expanding my portfolio. These are real assets that I own. The process is fun. Abandon the idea of making money, and it becomes more enjoyable. |
100% this. Some things you do in life are for money. Other things are for fun. Turning fun into money usually removes the fun part.
We have a word for this, it's called "hobby" and somewhere along the line it acquired negative connotations. But in fact a hobiest has the ability to spend lots of time perfecting their skill.
A long time ago, if you wanted the best craftsmanship you went to an amateur not a professional. The amateur had time to make things perfect. (John Harrison spent years making a single clock) whereas the professional had to make money, so was forced to compromise.
Yes, you can turn your hobby into money, but it will remove the fun part. It will require lots of extra stuff (marketing, support etc) which all erodes the fun part. Plus the pressure of release requires compromising perfection.
If you think going this route makes your job into "fun" then think again. Yes, you'll still enjoy the coding part, but its an ever shrinking part.
So I think you've done the right thing. Stick to this as soon hobby, not your job. And I mean that in the most positive way.