How can I apply engineering skills to automated income?

[B-rad]

My education is in mechanical engineering. I graduated a few years ago and my work experience has sort of been engineering-related, but it isn't like I have learned how to build a product or service from the ground up. I am looking for some way to apply those skills to a muse. Can it be done?

[Sven]

yes, i have... But there are a lot more skills involved than engineering and it is unlikely that it becomes a sudden success the way an info product can. Unless you can sell something below 100.--, but then the margins are likely to be lower.

[NickG]

- You could become a freelance engineer designer. Find people with an idea or people who want a solution. Build it. Sell it.

- Find something you're incredibly passionate about building and build it. Build it well and sell it.

- Find people in your field living an ideal lifestyle. See what they're doing. Find your own way of doing it.

=)

[The_Smarter_Marketer]

What tests, difficult classes, etc, did you have to pass to get your degree/certification?

By having received your degree and doing work in your field, you already know how to do something that thousands of would-be engineers are dying to know.

There's an architect named Pat Flynn, who got laid off from his architecture job, and then wrote an e-book on passing the LEED exam:

http://www.greenexamacademy.com/green-associate-exam-walkthrough/

He made $8,000 HIS FIRST MONTH off that e-book:

http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/1860/pat-flynn/

Pretty insane.

So you don't have to do engineering to cash in on your engineering degree.

[B-rad]

Yeah, I have actually been to Pat's Smart Passive Income Blog. I am sort of envious because I bought the best LEED study guide I could find. But when I got it, I found myself crossing out tons of little mistakes that the author made. I could have made something better than that! Then I see that Pat beat me to it. He does deserve credit for the initiative, marketing, design, and overall execution, for sure.

The best-selling EIT study guide, however, is excellent.

I don't have a ton of field experience, and don't really feel qualified to write about something in that arena.

One thing I was considering was making a course or software program that helps people analyze the statistics of their marketing campaigns. Not exactly engineering, but might be something I have a slight edge in. Thanks.

[officer_dibble]

You might also consider writing a guide to getting a job in your field.

Another thing to consider is that you don't have to be an expert - only prepared to research (or outsource that bit) enough that you end up knowing more than most of your target audience.

[FrozenCanuck]

You could also find a market where products are sold that involve some technical expertise, meaning buyers read about them before buying. Find affiliate programs to join and write reviews.

I like the idea of a guide to help people get past some problem that you know how to do such as passing a particular exam.