018. How Creatives Can Build Multiple Income Streams w/ Javier Mercedes, pt 2

Story Greenlight with Jeff Bartsch

It’s been said that in many contexts, the most dangerous number is one – relying on one idea, one main client, or definitely relying on just ONE income stream.

Today’s guest has built his creative work into a full-time income that started as 90% freelance work and 10% other income streams, to completely flipping that ratio upside-down, including an on-going sponsorship from his dream, multi-billion-dollar brand – and they approached HIM.

Javier Mercedes began in the world of audio engineering, recording sessions with former US Presidents and A-list movie stars. He expanded his career into videography and television editing for ESPN, ABC, and FOX Sports. Today, he’s a full-time YouTube creator and online entrepreneur.

In this second half of a two-part conversation, Javier discusses the importance of creators building their business foundations, and we dig into his different income streams, what he started, what he shut down, and what possibilities are out there for YOU.

Connect with Javier on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-R_lZ5qRnNEq3gXdnoKqZw

Level up your own video content with Javier’s custom digital products for Adobe Premiere Pro: https://www.javiermercedes.com/products

LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE: Got comments, reactions, or just wanna say hi? Leave a voice message for us and we may use it in an upcoming episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/StoryGreenlight

SHOW NOTES

1:44 Fewer, better-paying gigs mean more time to build YouTube

2:52 Jeff’s anchor gig with American Ninja Warrior on NBC

3:47 Javier’s move to quality over quantity

4:26 Set up your business foundations before you’re successful

6:20 Javier’s first brand deal with Adobe

7:02 Using brand deals to help the company and your own personal brand at the same time

11:00 Jeff on applying dual use brand deals to a wider range of creators

11:57 Javier on building income with brands not ready to do traditional brand deals

12:51 Javier on selling his first digital product and starting Patreon

17:33 Starting to say no to certain brand deals

19:39 Is a brand deal worth my time?

20:48 Doing more brand deals with Adobe, working with AT&T

22:15 Income ratio from freelance vs other income has now flipped

23:11 Income stream proportion – stepping away from gear reviews and affiliate income

24:23 Why Javier stopped doing his podcast – with input from Matt D’Avella

26:54 Doing videos for long-term affiliate income but smaller view numbers

28:46 Prioritizing tutorial over story-driven content

29:57 Shutting down Patreon channel and increasing product sales

31:09 The need for customer service on your own products

33:04 Javier’s current income stream breakdown

36:47 How to reach Javier (and the other Javier!)

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