Hey family,

Before we get into anything I’ve got something exciting to share with you.

When I asked for your feedback on how we could bring more value to the community, a lot of you said you wanted a space to connect, share, and build with other like-minded creatives. Well, I heard you—so I’ve created the forevafree Discord group.

This community space is all about connecting, sharing opportunities, and supporting each other’s work. It’s a spot where you can introduce yourself, drop your latest projects, and even find new opportunities. And, of course, this is where all the forevastreams will take place—including our second stream tonight at 9 PM.

I’ll be going live every week, answering your questions, sharing insights, and vibing with the community. If you’ve got questions you want me to cover tonight, drop them in the Questions channel on Discord.

You can join the community here: https://discord.gg/QajYDDKAxD

Now, let’s dive into this week’s topic—something that can change the game for you: passive income.

If you’re a creative, you already know the hustle: constantly pitching for briefs/wor, chasing invoices, and putting in hours to get paid. The creative grind often means that when you’re not working, you’re not earning—and that can quickly lead to burnout. That’s why today, I want to talk about a game-changing concept: passive income.

Passive income is the kind of income that keeps flowing in, even when you’re not actively working. It’s not about doing nothing and making money—it’s about putting in work upfront to create something that can generate revenue repeatedly with minimal ongoing effort. Imagine waking up to notifications of sales from a digital product you created months ago or receiving payments from licensing your work while you’re focusing on your next big project. That’s the freedom passive income can bring.

There are so many ways to set up passive income streams as a creative. The key is to think about what you’re already good at and find ways to turn that into a product or a service that doesn’t need you to be present 24/7.

I know the idea of passive income can sound abstract, so let’s break down some real strategies that creatives like us can use to make it a reality.

One of the most effective ways to build passive income is through digital products. As creatives, we’re constantly creating—whether that’s designing, writing, making music, or crafting visuals. The key is to take what you’re already doing and package it into a product that others find valuable.

Take templates, for example. If you’re a designer, think about the resources you use every day—presentation templates, design kits, social media assets. Instead of keeping them to yourself, refine them into polished products and sell them on platforms like Gumroad, Etsy, or even your own website.

When I launched the Money Deck, I wasn’t just sharing a design—I was offering a tool that others could use to make money. It became a win-win: creatives could level up their pitches, and I built a product that generated income without needing constant attention. That’s the beauty of digital products—you create them once, and they continue to bring in revenue.

If you’re a writer, consider creating e-books or guides. If you’re a photographer, you could sell presets or photo packs. If you’re a musician, think about licensing your tracks for use in videos or podcasts. The possibilities are endless, and the more you explore, the more you’ll find ways to monetise your skills passively.

Licensing is another powerful way to generate passive income. If you’ve already created work that could be useful to others—like photos, music, videos, or designs—you can license it through stock platforms and earn every time someone uses it.

For example, photographers can upload their images to sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Pond5, where businesses and content creators can purchase licenses to use them. Musicians can do something similar on platforms like Epidemic Sound or Artlist, where creators need background music for videos, ads, or films. Designers can create graphics or patterns and license them to brands for products like apparel, accessories, or home goods.

The best part about licensing is that it allows you to earn from work that you’ve already made. You’re not trading your time for money—you’re trading your creativity for recurring revenue. It’s about making your existing work work harder for you.

As a creative, you’ve got a unique perspective and skill set—things that others would pay to learn. That’s where creating educational content comes in. You could build a course, host a workshop, write a guide, or even start a membership community where you share insights and resources.

Platforms like Skillshare, Teachable, or even YouTube allow you to turn your expertise into a product that keeps giving back. Whether you’re showing people how to use design software, teaching photography techniques, or breaking down the business of creativity, your insights are valuable.

The key is to focus on evergreen content—things that will remain relevant over time. A course on mastering a design tool or a guide on how to pitch to brands won’t just help people today—it will still be valuable a year from now.

If you’ve built a following or a community, you could create a subscription-based model where your audience can access exclusive content, resources, or mentorship. Platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee are perfect for this, allowing you to offer different membership tiers with varying levels of access.

For example, you could offer early access to your content, behind-the-scenes insights, or even direct support through Q&A sessions. This not only generates predictable, recurring income but also builds a deeper connection with your most engaged followers.

I’ve seen creators turn small, dedicated audiences into significant revenue streams by offering valuable, exclusive content. It’s not always about having millions of followers—it’s about creating something special for the right people.

If you’re already sharing products, tools, or services you believe in, why not get paid for it? Affiliate marketing is a way to earn commissions by promoting products. When someone buys something through your link, you get a cut of the sale.

This strategy works well if you’re already creating content, whether it’s on social media, through a blog, or via videos. The key is to keep it genuine—only promote things that align with your brand and genuinely help your audience.

The reality is, relying solely on client work or freelance gigs can be exhausting. There’s nothing wrong with hustling, but the goal should be to create freedom—not just financially, but with your time and creativity too.

By building passive income streams, you’re setting yourself up for moments when work is slow, when you need a break, or when you want to focus on something new without the pressure of immediate income. It gives you breathing room to think bigger and take creative risks.

If you’re curious about how to get started with passive income, want feedback on your ideas, or just want to connect with others on the same path, make sure to join the forevafree Discord. We’ll be talking more about this in tonight’s stream at 9 PM, and I’d love for you to be there.

I’ll break down specific strategies, answer your questions, and share more about how I built my own passive income streams.

Let’s keep building,
Ibrahim