How to monetize a hobby project?

Question

Do it yourself

I have compiled a file in Excel using macros, which greatly simplifies the filling of typical template documents in construction and therefore will be of interest to those who compile the ID. Now it is in the testing stage, after which it is planned to add functionality. I am well aware that the choice is not optimal (in my opinion, it would be optimal to rewrite all this under 1C or create a separate distribution kit / portal site), but I do not have the necessary knowledge, because graduated from the construction institute and after the 11th grade I was no longer involved in programming until this year.
Question actually: Which way will be optimal? Put it in open source with a subsequent link to this project, as an example of what I can do, or improve protection, functionality and distribute for a moderate fee (several hundred rubles per copy), but in this case, the question arises of protecting intellectual property rights and tax deductions, in which I am still a layman.
Thank you for your opinion. ;)

Answer 1

What you present as a product in this form does not have monetization. Similar services exist in the form of SaaS, I saw them in the IIDF accelerator a couple of years ago. What will you provide that they can't? In addition, the niche itself is very narrow, you won’t earn much money in it. You can, of course, rest against the horn and spend a lot of time and effort. But why?
There is another way to benefit for yourself - you can increase your visibility as a cool specialist if you give it all away for free on specials. forum and there to slowly support. The community, in turn, can respond with an interesting job offer.

Answer 2

Give this thing away for free and wait for orders)

Answer 3

you can suck in any mess, that's a fact. however, to do this - you need the skill of vtyuhivaniya. therefore, it is better to ask such questions on the IT site, and on the forum of marketers / salesmen / PR people.