Journal logo

Make Money by Documenting What You’re Thinking

Document, don't create

By Edina Jackson-Yussif Published about a year ago 4 min read
 Make Money by Documenting What You’re Thinking
Photo by Aejaz Memon on Unsplash

I stumbled across a video on TikTok yesterday called “start documenting what you’re thinking” digital entrepreneur Madeline who creates content as a multi-passionate creative.

This type of content resonates with me because I’m a multi-passionate, I’m always coming up with new ideas, and I’m an overthinker; my mind is always racing, even when I’m sleeping. I wake up to document my dreams because I have several dreams throughout the night.

Gary Vee is one of my favorite entrepreneurs and creators on the Internet because he’s bold and hardworking. He tells it like it is, and one of my favourite pieces of advice from him is:

“Document, don’t create.”

He emphasizes the importance of documenting your experiences as a business owner, creator, or parent. It believes that documenting reduces confusion, especially for multi-passionate creators. So instead of racking your brains for ideas for content to create, focus on documenting your experience instead.

For example, if you’re a business owner and your just getting started, instead of trying to teach people, document your life as a business owner. Showcase the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of entrepreneurship, don’t pretend as if it’s easy to do, highlight all aspects of your journey; people can relate to that.

Right now, I’m going through a transitional phase in my life, moving from being a full-time entrepreneur to working as a remote software engineer and part-time content creator and digital entrepreneur.

So, I’m going to start document my journey and blogging my life as I go along. I’m also starting a new newsletter because I really want to wipe the slate clean and start again, I’m enjoying every aspect of the journey so far, and I’ve made a vow to myself to focus fully on documenting my experience transitioning from full-time entrepreneurship, to full time work.

I believe that there’s no one size fits all, and although I love been an entrepreneur, I also enjoy a guaranteed paycheck. Will I do this forever, probably not. The goal is to use this time to gain experience in my field, then branch out to create an app development company. That’s the goal, and I’m excited for this new chapter and phase in my life.

i’m also going to document my journey coming back to Vocal Media because I left the platform for a while because I wasn’t feel connected to it. Something shifted in me and I didn’t enjoy writing here anymore, that’s changed now though, and I’m enjoying every minute of publishing here.

I’m not so focused on earnings, and I won’t become a pro member for now, but I will document my earnings for the sake of transparency and so that other people get to see that blogging on platforms such as Vocal and Medium will not make you rich.

Yes, you will gain experience as a writer, you get to connect with other creators, and you can use your Vocal page as a portfolio, but don’t expect fast money.

I’m planning to showcase some of my side hustles on here and show how much I make from each one. This is something I used to do on Medium and some people loved it, others hated it, but right now I’m less focused on other people’s opinions and more focused on creating from the soul.

Here are some ideas for making money by documenting what you're thinking:

  • Create a vlog channel and YouTube to document your life.
  • Create a Medium or Vocal page to document your experiences as a business owner, parent, or student.
  • Create content and monetize using the platform partner program. You can also monetize by sharing affiliate links (don't do this too much on Medium, your account will get suspended).
  • Also, create digital products and promote them sparingly throughout your articles. Another way to make money by documenting is to acquire brand deals. This is when brands pay you for reviewing and showcasing their product.

The journey of documenting rather than creating offers a refreshing perspective for multi-passionate individuals navigating their unique paths. By embracing the philosophy of “document, don’t create,” as championed by Gary Vaynerchuk, we can alleviate the pressure of constant idea generation and instead focus on sharing our authentic experiences. This approach not only fosters connection with our audience but also allows us to reflect on our personal growth and transitions.

As I embark on this new chapter, transitioning from full-time entrepreneurship to a remote software engineering role while continuing my journey as a content creator, I am excited to share both the challenges and triumphs that come with it. Documenting my experiences will not only serve as a valuable record for myself but also provide insights for others who may be on similar journeys.

The act of documenting invites transparency and honesty, reminding us that success is rarely linear and often filled with ups and downs. By sharing our stories—complete with the struggles and victories—we can inspire others to embrace their own journeys without fear of judgment or perfection.

As I move forward, I look forward to connecting with fellow creators and entrepreneurs who resonate with this mindset. Together, we can cultivate a community that values authenticity over perfection and encourages each other to document our lives in all their messy, beautiful complexity. Ultimately, this shift in perspective can lead to richer content creation, deeper connections, and a more fulfilling creative journey.

advice

About the Creator

Edina Jackson-Yussif

I write about lifestyle, entrepreneurship and other things.

Writer for hire [email protected]

Entrepreneur

Software Developer + Machine Learning Specialist

Founder:

➡️Creator Vibes Club

➡️Article Flow Club

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments (1)

Sign in to comment
  • Scott A. Geseabout a year ago

    Documenting my life would put people to sleep. I guess I could do it and market it as a sleep aid. You sound like you have a plan. I'm sure you'll do well at it. Me, I'm a writer. I'll continue creating stories that gives people a chance to escape the real world for a few minutes at a time. If you ever need a break from documenting the real world, stop by for a dose of fiction.

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.