Attention without a path to revenue is a hobby.
Here’s a simple filter for any “known for” you’re considering:
If I’m known for this, how could I make money from it in practice?
If you can’t draw a clean line to cash through at least one of the three levers below, it’s not commercially viable. Tighten the positioning or pick a different “known for.”
The 3 Monetisation Levers
1) Direct Offers
What it is: Money changes hands because of you. Consulting, coaching, services, products, workshops, courses.
Works best when: You solve a specific, painful problem for a specific buyer.
Fast experiments:
Run a 30-day pilot offer with 3-5 ideal clients.
Pre-sell a live workshop before you build it.
Add a premium “done-with-you” tier to your current service.
Leading indicators: People ask price, not “what is it?”; short sales cycles; referrals show up quickly.
Examples:
Coach: “Known for: Return-to-play for ACLs.” → 8-week small-group rehab program + 1:1 premium tier.
Founder: “Known for: Building high-performing support teams.” → 2-day team audit + playbook + retainer.
Athlete: “Known for: Elite recovery protocols.” → Paid corporate workshops + a digital toolkit.
2) Indirect Influence
What it is: Your reputation moves money, even if no one buys from you directly. Better opportunities, higher fees, intros, partnerships, advisory, speaking.
Works best when: You operate in a relationship-driven market and your proof is public.
Fast experiments:
Publish a “signature process” one-pager and send it to 10 connectors.
Say “yes” to one panel/podcast a month for 90 days.
Package your results into 3 crisp case studies.
Leading indicators: More inbound from the right people; shorter negotiations; “we’ve been following you for a while” energy.
Examples:
Coach: Becomes the go-to at national camps → paid clinics + federation roles.
Founder: Lands distribution by guesting on an industry podcast → reseller deal + warm intros.
Athlete: Builds a credible POV on padel → lifestyle brand collaboration + appearance fees.
3) Platform Plays
What it is: Audience → ads, sponsorship, or IP. Newsletters, podcasts, YouTube, licensing frameworks, co-branded series.
Works best when: You can publish consistently and your topic has organic demand.
Fast experiments:
6-episode “season” with a clear theme and sponsor target list.
Weekly newsletter with one flagship segment advertisers can own.
Name and package your framework so it can be licensed.
Leading indicators: Rising open/retention, watch time, replies; brands ask for your media kit; repeat sponsors.
Examples:
Coach: “The Rehab Room” weekly breakdown → athlete health sponsor.
Founder: “Ops in the Wild” teardown series → tool vendors fund it.
Athlete: “Pro Habits” micro-doc IP → apparel capsule + format licensing.
Quick Litmus Test (5 minutes)
Write this sentence three times, one for each lever:
If I’m known for X, I make money by Y because Z.
Direct: If I’m known for elite sprint starts, I make money by a 6-week cohort because teams need pre-season acceleration wins.
Indirect: …I make money by charging higher day rates and landing federation roles because decision-makers view me as the safest choice.
Platform: …I make money by a sponsored series and licensing my “Start System” because the audience is coaches with budget.
Circle the cleanest, most believable sentence. That’s your primary lever.
Common Traps
Platform first, product last. Don’t try to be a media company before you’ve sold a clear offer.
Vague “known for.” “High performance” doesn’t pay. “ACL return-to-play in 12 weeks” does.
Low ticket, high lift. If it exhausts you and doesn’t move revenue, re-package or drop it.
Invisible proof. Results hidden in DMs don’t compound. Publish the receipts (ethically).
Make it real this week
Pick your primary lever (you can stack later).
Draft a Minimum Viable Offer or Asset
Direct → 1-page offer sheet + price.
Indirect → 1-page case study + outreach list of 10 connectors.
Platform → 1-page media kit + 6-episode outline.
Ship one signal to market (post, email, DM). Collect replies. Iterate.
That’s it for this week.
Keep building.
Alex