Real numbers. Real sources. And exactly how you can build the same streams.
Every quarter, I open my books and share the real numbers.
Not a highlight reel.
The whole income picture.
Because that’s what I’d want someone to show me.
Q1 2026 Total Income: $102,334
Six figures in one quarter.
Here’s exactly where it came from — and how you can build each one.
Webinars, Courses & Coaching — $34,980
This is my highest earning category.
It also requires my time and presence — which is why it’s not my focus for growth.
But if you have knowledge someone else needs, this is the fastest path to income.
You don’t need a big audience. You need a specific result you can help someone get.
Start with one topic. One webinar. One offer.
Software Affiliates — $38,710
This is my most exciting stream because most of it is recurring.
I recommend tools I actually use. People sign up. I earn a commission every month they stay.
I don’t have to show up again. I don’t have to sell again.
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for affiliate programs for tools you already use
- Create content that shows people how to use those tools
- Pinterest drives traffic to that content every single day
The key is recommending tools with recurring commissions — not one-time payouts.
Shoppable Videos — $11,496
Amazon Influencer and TikTok combined.
I film short videos of products I actually use in my real life and business.
People watch. People buy. I get paid a commission.
No fancy setup. No huge following required.
Amazon Influencer is the one I’d start with — you apply, get approved, and your videos live on Amazon product pages permanently.
That means people searching Amazon find your video and buy — without you doing anything.
WordPress Website Referrals — $10,988
Steady recurring income from referring people to website services I trust.
If you have an audience — even a small one — and people ask you about websites or tools, there’s likely an affiliate program you’re leaving money on the table with.
Look at what you already recommend for free in emails, comments, and DMs.
Then find the affiliate program for it.
→ How to Do Affiliate Marketing
Writing & Publishing — $7,769
This bucket has three parts.
eBooks — digital products I created once and sell on autopilot. Someone finds my content, wants to go deeper, and buys. No inventory. No shipping. No extra work.
Substack — a paid newsletter. People subscribe monthly to get my best content delivered directly to them. It’s small right now but it’s recurring and it grows every month.
Blog income — display ad revenue from traffic I drive almost entirely from Pinterest. I write a post once. I pin it. Pinterest sends traffic. The ads pay me. Over and over.
The thing these three have in common: I did the work once.
That’s the whole point.
The System in One Paragraph
Create content around topics your audience searches for.
Drive traffic with Pinterest.
Monetize with affiliate links, digital products, and recurring commissions.
Show up on video for shoppable income.
Teach what you know through courses and coaching.
That’s it. That’s the whole thing.
The streams look different but the engine underneath is the same — content that works while you sleep.
Want to learn more? Join me at BallenAcademy.com
Hey there! Just a quick heads-up: some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (including through the Amazon Associates program), at no extra cost to you. Occasionally, products featured here are gifted by brands.
I also use AI tools to help research and create content for you! While I love sharing strategies to help you succeed, please remember that everyone's journey is unique—individual results vary, and there are no guarantees. Thanks so much for stopping by!
