How To Create Passive Income Strategies For Filmmakers w/ Sean Cannell

One of the biggest struggles for filmmakers is that we are in the business of trading time for money. But if we can create some passive income streams, then that naturally frees up more time for us while still helping us put bread on the table. Today, I have Sean Cannell on the podcast, someone who has had just a phenomenal amount of success in doing just that.

In case you didn’t know, Sean Cannell is a bestselling author, Youtuber, international speaker, and business coach who built a seven-figure media company helping entrepreneurs and creatives increase their influence and income with online video. With over one million YouTube subscribers, it’s obvious Sean knows what he’s talking about.

In this interview, Sean shares his story of how he went from filming videos for his church to becoming one of the biggest names on YouTube. This includes some great lessons on where and how to find fulfillment in the trajectory of your career. This is a messy process as Sean makes clear, but nothing is going to happen if you don’t take consistent and meaningful action.

We also dive into how you can make more money on the side using your already existing areas of expertise. Sean shares a ton of ideas that any of us can start doing to make more passive income on the side. He also answers several questions from listeners on topics ranging from getting a better ROI to tactics for building subscribers.

Do you earn passive income on the side? Tell me how you do it in the comments on the episode page!

In this episode

The indispensable lessons that are learned through trial and error
Finding joy in new aspects of your career as it evolves
Pressing onward through feelings of self-doubt to discover what you and your business are capable of
The most important thing you can do to get better as a communicator
YouTube’s power to help build your business from the very start
The best side-income earning strategies for filmmakers
How highly ranked videos will pay dividends in the long run

Quotes

“All of us would do better to be more business minded. A lot of us already are, but sometimes as creatives, we actually are weak from a business-minded standpoint. It was hard for me to let go of creative controls.” [8:21]

“What you learned because of taking actions and hustling now, will be the skills you need actually to jump in and kill it in the next thing.” [14:41]

“Before even creating additional income streams, I love YouTube just to build your filmmaking business.” [23:30]

“A ranked video is like an employee you pay once that works for you for free for weeks, months, and years to come.” [49:31]