Hey everyone,
I wanted to share an interesting side project that’s been generating a consistent $1,200/month for me with minimal upfront investment. It involves sharing stock images and video download resources. I’m not talking about direct file-sharing, but rather a method that avoids copyright issues while still meeting a large demand.
Here’s how I did it:
1. Choosing the Right Stock Image & Video Platforms
The first step was identifying which stock image and video platforms had high demand but low entry costs. After some research, I found that Envato Elements and Freepik are very popular, and their subscription costs are relatively affordable. On the flip side, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock are great platforms but have much higher subscription fees, which isn’t ideal for a beginner project.
So, I decided to focus on Envato and Freepik initially. These platforms had everything I needed in terms of demand, and the price points made them great starting targets.
2. Addressing Copyright Risks
Of course, sharing stock resources for free download is against the rules of most platforms. However, there’s a huge demand, especially among users who don’t want to pay for an entire subscription for just a few files. A lot of users only need stock images/videos for personal use or learning purposes, and won’t use them commercially.
Here’s how I navigated the copyright issue:
- No Direct File Sharing: I don’t store or share actual files. Instead, I provide time-limited download links directly from the official sources.
- Clear Disclaimer: I make sure users know that these downloads are for personal research and educational use only.
This approach helps mitigate any copyright issues while still offering a service that people want.
3. Automating the Download Link Distribution
The real magic happened when I automated the process. Using Python and WordPress , I built an automated platform that allows users to get the download links without much manual effort from my side. The platform runs smoothly, and the maintenance costs are extremely low.
4. Platform Choice and User Experience
In addition to a basic website for sharing links, I found that many users prefer using Telegram for downloading resources. So, I developed a Telegram Bot . Users can simply send the resource links to the bot, and it will automatically generate and send the download link.
This was a game changer for user convenience.
5. Monetization: How I Make Money
To monetize the platform, I offer two payment methods to cater to both one-time downloaders and regular users:
- Pay-As-You-Go: Users buy credits, and each download deducts the corresponding number of credits.
- Membership Subscription: Users can choose a monthly or annual membership that gives them access to a set number of daily downloads.
This gives me a steady stream of income from both casual users and those who need ongoing access.
Conclusion
This project has been running for over a year now, and I’m making a stable $1,200/month without any active promotion. It’s been a low-cost, low-risk project that meets a clear demand.
!