You Likely Have $1,000 on Your Google Drive — If Not More

Written By Scott Stockdale

Here are 5 proven examples to help you rake it in

Photo by Elle Cartier on Unsplash

David is onto something:

“There are people whose Google Drive is filled with value. It can bring them thousands of dollars… (But) they let it rot…

It’s an intriguing idea. The thing is, people in the comments are begging for examples.

So I thought I’d provide them.

These examples come from my own experience. They’ve helped me make over $10,000 online in the last two years.

Some are obvious. Others are not. Either way, they’ve all been proven to work.

Let’s go!

Example #1: Google Docs as Freebies

There are only two things you can own on the internet. An email and a website. Everything else is rented.

That’s why building an email list is so important.

Tim Denning’s view on this is simple. You need to write a lot, build the list, and email the list.

Here’s my approach.

Last year, I published an article about becoming a full-time writer. I linked to a document I’d put together. The doc was full of lessons I’d learned from studying the world’s best writers.

Eva kindly left me this note:

All screenshots by the author

Her suggestion was simple.

Instead of giving access to a resource that I’d spent hours putting together, why not add an email lock?

In other words, rather than link to the Google Doc, I should link to a landing page. On this page, someone enters their email address to claim the document.

I created the landing page with ConvertKit in less than an hour. It’s since driven over 30% of new subscribers.

I include a simple CTA at the end of my articles to drive traffic to these pages. I currently have five landing pages for different Google docs:

After confirming their email, the doc gets sent.

This happens automatically:

Over the next two months, they’re sent another five emails. This also happens without me pressing send:

I’ve replicated this strategy for other docs, including this proposal template.

How has this made me money?

Freelance writing opportunities have popped up, just like this one:

I didn’t know she was a subscriber.

We jumped on the call, went through my proposal, and have worked together since. She said my newsletter was the reason she reached out.

An email list can be small and mighty.

Example #2: Google Docs for an Online Course

Two years ago, I felt stressed, overworked, and running on empty. Making money online seemed like a pipedream.

I knew I had to outsource, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Outsourcing is a necessary skill.

I scoured Google, put together systems, and hired an assistant. She lives in Vietnam. We’ve been working together since.

She saves me ten hours a week by doing podcast-related tasks. She edits audio, writes content, sends emails — you name it.

All I have to do is record episodes and upload them to Dropbox.

No stress, no crazy expense, and we spend less than 30 minutes a week communicating. The cherry on top? Now the systems are in place, she’ll be able to onboard our next team member.

She’s also working with my clients.

When creating my outsourcing course, then, I had everything I needed. My systems and docs live on Google Drive:

The course has over 200 students to date. It ranks highly on Udemy and delivers money every month:

If you want to make a successful online course, Louise’s strategy is a good place to start. She makes over five figures a month on Udemy.

Example #3: Five Ideas a Day Doc

“Ideas are a multiplier of execution.” — Derek Sivers

A good idea on its own isn’t worth much.

You need execution.

A not-so-good idea brought to life is better. A brilliant idea and brilliant execution is the holy grail.

Screenshot is taken from Ross Simmonds on Twitter

For this reason, I posted 300+ business ideas on BitClout. I haven’t got time to act. They’re in a Google doc I’ve pulled together as a result of writing five ideas a day.

James Altucher coined the term. He claims by building your “idea muscle”, you’ll become an “idea machine”.

You’re welcome to the ideas too!

As well as giving them away, I’ve been sending the ideas to companies.

Many have replied:

I’ve found when you act like you don’t need the money, it finds you anyway.

Example #4: Skills You’ve Developed

I’ve worked in SEO for three years. During this time, I’ve honed specific skills that people want them.

SEO professionals are in high demand.

Companies are throwing themselves online.

I work part-time and freelance on the side. Most of my freelance work is content writing. Some of my clients are for SEO. Consulting, auditing websites — things like this.

Package up your skills and sell your services. You’ve likely got templates from previous roles:

The good news is if you consistently produce content, you won’t need to pitch to clients. They’ll come to you.

Put all your best stuff online for three years, and your life may change forever.

Example #5: Content Ideas

My content ideas come from one of three places:

Your Google Drive will be full of content ideas too.

When you put out content, trickle-down effects will do the rest. These effects go like so:

If you leave money on the table, opportunities will come your way.

I’ve seen this play out for Alex Chisnall. He started his podcast, Screw It, Just Do It, in 2017. Since then, he’s published at least one episode a week. For the first three years, he didn’t have a sponsor.

Now, he’s reaping the rewards. He’s built a powerful network and has helped famous brands launch their podcasts.

I’ve listened to Alex’s podcast from day one and attended his annual summit in 2019.We met in person, got drunk at the after-party, and vowed to keep in touch.This led to me taking his podcasting course.

We became friends, and I launched Entrepreneurs Can Party to number 10 in the charts. One year later, he invited me to help coach his clients.

It’s a similar story to Sam Laliberte. She’s the host of The Freedom Lifestyle podcast. I’ve been a fan of hers for years and tag her in Instagram stories. This meant we had a connection before I invited her onto my podcast.

Sam and I have since collaborated on projects. We’ve held Clubhouse rooms. We’ve taken each other’s courses. I’ve delivered a workshop to her mastermind group. I helped her outsource to a virtual assistant.

I couldn’t have planned any of this.

The best opportunities come from nowhere.

Takeaways

You have money sitting on your Google Drive or wherever you store documents. It might be $1,000. It could be more.

Here’s a summary of five proven examples to make money from them. There will be other ways:

  • Example #1: Google docs as freebies — Build an email list with ConvertKit. It can lead to unexpected opportunities.

  • Example #2: Google Docs for an online course — Scalable income streams can make you money in your sleep.

  • Example #3: Five ideas a day doc — Give away your best ideas for free. They’re worth little without execution. Better still, send them to companies and watch your network grow.

  • Example #4: Skills you’ve developed — Use your docs to help others. Consult on what you know. Try stuff. Make stuff. Opportunities are out there, waiting for you.

  • Example #5: Content ideas — Use your files for content and keep sharing your work. Trickle-down effects will do the rest.

Scott Stockdale
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