What if the only way you were making money in your business was about to shift and you didn’t have to say yes to one more client to do it? As a service provider I got comfortable: one offer, bookings flowing, dream clients, but I also knew there was a cap. If I didn’t add something, I was stuck trading time for money forever.
So I took action. And you can too. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 revenue streams that every creative should have in their business! Plus, you’ll hear a bonus revenue stream that I’ve included in my own business.
Listen to this episode now:
Search for episode 160 of Called to Both on your favorite podcast player!
Today’s episode is brought to you by Forewarn:
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Why Relying on One Offer Is a Risk You Can’t Ignore
Most service-based entrepreneurs hit a point where their calendar is full, their clients are dreamy, and everything “should” feel good. But then comes the quiet voice: “What if I want to take December off?” or “What happens if leads slow down?” The truth is, if your income depends solely on bookings, you’re at the mercy of seasons, life, and burnout.
A full calendar might look great, but it also means you’re operating at your limit. And that means:
- No space for the unexpected (family, illness, travel).
- No room to scale without hiring or working more hours.
- No predictability in the months where leads dry up.
What Adding Revenue Streams Really Does for You
Adding multiple revenue streams isn’t about “doing more.” It’s about doing smarter. Here’s what it actually gives you:
- Predictable income: Your slower seasons for services might be steady seasons for products or partnerships.
- Freedom of choice: Say no to the wrong-fit clients and yes to what truly excites you.
- Time flexibility: Build offers that generate income while you’re offline, with your family, or just resting.
3 Revenue Streams Every Creative Service Provider Should Add in 2026
If you’re a creative business owner who’s ever felt stuck, wondering how to grow without taking on more clients or burning out, these revenue streams are designed for you. They each leverage the assets, skills, and audience you already have, while creating new paths for growth that don’t rely on constantly being “on.”
1. Affiliate Income
Let’s start with the easiest entry point. You already have content and clients who trust you. Adding affiliate links into the guides, blog posts, resources, and emails you’re already creating is a low-effort, high-impact way to start earning on autopilot.
Affiliate marketing gives you a taste of passive income without needing to build a product or take on more clients.
Start by thinking about what tools you love, what products you always recommend, and where you could naturally add those into your existing content.
If you’re just getting started, listen to:
- Episode 133: Affiliate Marketing for Photographers: Where to Start and What to Promote
- Episode 134: The Biggest Mistakes Creatives Make with Affiliate Marketing (and Fixes!)
2. Digital Products
Do you have templates, toolkits, pre-recorded trainings, presets, or canva templates that you use, just buried away on your laptop? What if you turned them into digital products? The options with digital products are endless, but the goal is the same: create it once, sell it many times.
Your expertise is valuable and you don’t need a full-blown course to start. Some of my best-selling products have been small, high-impact toolkits. Think about what your audience asks you about all the time. What are you doing without even thinking that others struggle with? You could create:
- Email templates for booking or client workflows
- Lightroom presets
- Pricing guides or contract templates
- Madlib-style pitch emails (like my Pitch Power Templates)
Want a full breakdown on getting started? Listen to Episode 78: Stepping into the World of Selling Digital Products: Getting Started.
3. Mentorship or Consulting
You don’t have to label yourself a coach to offer mentorship. If people are asking you questions about your workflow, your mindset, your results, then you’re already seen as an expert.
You can:
- Offer one-off power sessions to answer specific questions
- Run quarterly coaching cohorts for beginners in your industry
- Keep it low-key and only offer mentorship to your email list or podcast audience
Mentorship not only brings in additional income, but it also fuels your next ideas. It gives you real insight into your audience’s needs.
Bonus: Paid Partnerships
This one isn’t for everyone, but it can be amazing. Paid brand partnerships don’t mean becoming a full-time influencer. They can simply mean aligning with products or tools you already love and sharing them with your audience in an intentional way.
If you’re already creating content and have a niche audience, this could be an easy add-on. Think: sponsored emails, Instagram collaborations, podcast ads, or co-branded campaigns.
You may have noticed our current partnership with Forewarn, a security platform for service-based creatives that was created to keep you safe with potential clients. Considering my own audience of female photographers, it made perfect sense to partner with them.
Want more on brand partnerships? Listen to Episode 79: Navigating Sponsorships and Brand Deals: Are They Worth It? A Guide to More Successful Brand Collaborations.
How to Add New Revenue Streams Without Burning Out
This is key: do not try to do all of this at once. Pick one revenue stream that aligns with your goals and capacity right now. Focus on that for at least 3-6 months before adding another.
Start with:
- What feels exciting?
- What questions do people already ask you?
- Where are you leaving money on the table?
In my opinion, affiliate marketing is the best place to start. You don’t need to build a new product. You don’t need to get on sales calls. You just need to add strategy to the content you already have.
Find It Quickly:
00:45 – Understanding the Need for Diversification
01:43 – Creating Predictable Income in Seasonal Work
03:17 – Personal Journey and Goals
05:14 – Revenue Stream 1: Affiliate Income
08:20 – Revenue Stream 2: Digital Products
14:48 – Revenue Stream 3: Mentorship and Consulting
17:04 – Bonus Revenue Stream: Paid Partnerships
21:19 – Podcast Recommendation
Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 78: Stepping into the World of Selling Digital Products: Getting Started
Episode 133: Affiliate Marketing for Photographers: Where to Start and What to Promote
Episode 134: The Biggest Mistakes Creatives Make with Affiliate Marketing (and Fixes!)
Affiliate Boss – Get 20% Off with code PODCAST
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