A Simple, Proven Way to Make Money Online. It's What I Did 17 Years Ago.

25 replies
I've been online for 17 years now.

2001 or so, I put up my first site. It was butt-ugly, but it sold my fitness programs.

Since I didn't know anything at the time, I had to keep things simple.

And you know what, simple was exactly what I needed.

Simple works and it STILL works for me today.

Look, if you're like most people I chat with, you think that making money online is hard.

It's actually not.

Making money online, comes from selling stuff.

And you sell stuff that adds value to other people.

It could be a product or service. But as long as it HELPS someone, and
they get value from it, they will pay you money for it.

They want what you're offering more than the money they have.

So, think of making money online in these terms:

** Sell stuff that helps people**

Seriously, that's all it is.

If you can create a product or service that takes people from where they are (which is NOT where they want to be)...

And you help them get where they WANT to be (solving a problem).... that's how you sell stuff.

Simplifying this is how you put it into action.

Action is how you actually make stuff and sell stuff.

There's a good chance, that what you know, right now, could help someone.

So why not put that solution down on a word document, create a PDF file,
and sell it.

For your "sales letter" just tell the person what it is, what it will help them
with, and why they need it. Sprinkle in "what makes you different" and
you should be able to sell it.

But it all goes back to keeping it simple.

Find a group of people with a common problem. Make a document that outlines a solution.

Offer that solution to this group of people... and you will make sales.

By finding people who are motivated to get something they want... and by giving them exactly what they want... you can sell more.

And yes, it takes work... but again, keep it simple. Just create a pdf file that has a solution to a problem. Try and really help people solve their problem.

By creating content and products that help people, you're bound to make sales and money.

And when you keep everything simple, you're more likely to take action.

It's this action that matters.

Creating content takes action. Creating products takes action. Writing sales copy takes action.

But action is just that... action. Doing the work. But who said it has to be difficult.

Find a group of people who have a problem they want solved.

That group of people is at Point A.

Create a word doc/PDF file that has a solution to their problem.

The product gets those people from Point A to Point B.

Write down, in a short sales letter, all the benefits and how it will
help them solve their problem. Give them unique reasons why.

Heck, even demonstrate the steps they'll take to get where they want.

As you continue to take action, doing this simple stuff, you will make
progress.

You can use that progress and momentum to create more products.

It's the creating and doing and action taking that puts it all into motion.

Most newbies think they have to buy 100 courses and study 1,000 pages
before they're "ready".

Nope, you're ready right now.

Just keep it simple. Take action and keep creating products
that help people. Tell them how it can help them.

Keep doing that, over and over, and you will make money online.
#ago #make #money #online #proven #simple #years
  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Love your post. Agree with your post.

    And wait for someone to ask: how many words should the products you create have? (Or some other such question.)

    Seems most people would rather complicate things and stumble over details than keep things simple, than get to the money.

    Many will say things like: but I only know how to make $30/month online, completely forgetting that many of the people who make $0 would be willing to pay a bit to get to 30/month.

    Or they'll really ask about how many words they must use in a PDF product.

    Anyway, thanks for the post.

    PS I am jaded but not wrong!
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  • Profile picture of the author Bizopboost
    Hello Shawnlebun,
    I agree 100% with you for the content creation part
    and also for the searching a group of people who have a problem they want solved, that is targeting...
    then What i suggest to do after that is to create a Funnel ...
    capture prospects and do the selling using the email marketing way..
    thanks again for the great post

    cdt
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    • Profile picture of the author La Randle
      First post I read since being a new member. Made me smile on the inside. Felt like you were talking to me. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vid Yo
    You'd think keeping things SIMPLE and taking ACTION would be common sense for those wanting to make money online. But apparently it's not for some who are bombarded with course after PDF report, after case study, after course, after coaching offer, after WSO, after course.

    Ask me how I know...
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Thanks Shawn - solid sensible approach as always.

    I would just add that it's always a good idea to find out exactly what people in the niche are seeking rather than assuming you know what your audience wants - you could be very wrong. Do a little research online first to validate that you are actually giving value and offering a solution that will help your prospects.

    Steve
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    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

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    • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      Thanks Shawn - solid sensible approach as always.

      I would just add that it's always a good idea to find out exactly what people in the niche are seeking rather than assuming you know what your audience wants - you could be very wrong. Do a little research online first to validate that you are actually giving value and offering a solution that will help your prospects.

      Steve
      Thanks Steve...

      And GREAT point, it's amazing how many people I've talked to over the years,
      who said "Yeah, I have this great product I really like, so I want to sell it."

      Kiss of death, in a lot of cases, unless it's something you know for sure
      is going to be in demand.

      You can almost never, ever go wrong by going to clickbank, seeing
      what the top selling products are in each category... and use that as
      your jumping off point.

      Find a new twist, a solution that works better, make a better mousetrap.

      In all honesty, in 17 years, I can't say I've seen a TON of brand new, never-before-seen
      products strike it rich.

      But I have seen many, many marketers make a lot of money by just taking what's already selling, and trying to make it better.

      You can go broke trying to come up with an original idea, and even if it IS original, who says others want it.

      There's a good book by Austin Kleon called "Steal Like an Artist" and his entire
      premise is... great artists simply steal ideas and then make them their own.

      I'm not saying steal someone's work... but I AM saying it often pays to piggy back off
      an already proven idea, and not just make something because YOU think it's cool.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by Vid Yo View Post

    You'd think keeping things SIMPLE and taking ACTION would be common sense for those wanting to make money online. But apparently it's not for some who are bombarded with course after PDF report, after case study, after course, after coaching offer, after WSO, after course.

    Ask me how I know...
    How do you know? ( just kidding...)

    It is common sense, but it has to seem complicated and mysterious if all these people want to sell you their PDF reports, courses and coaching.

    Would you have paid $1997 to have Shawn spend 6-8 weeks explaining what was in his post?
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Shawn, as eloquent as ever and thank you for sharing another of your pearls of wisdom. It's sad that there are a lot less of the "oldies" in here than ever. But I am grateful that you haven't disappeared.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author blueonblue
    Even after you have someone on their list the email them the wrong way and ruin the relationship.

    I have seen people get people onto their email list and then spam the beejeebers out of them with sell sell sell.

    People don't want to be sold to. They want to be helped.

    Find a need a fill it.
    Find people who are having a problem with their children.
    Join blogs and groups on and off facebook.
    See what the biggest problems are.
    Research solutions.
    Reply with a solution to their problems.
    Rinse and repeat.
    Same niche or different niche, people's reactions are still the same.
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  • Profile picture of the author imorama
    Awesome post. Very inspiring, especially for beginners looking to make money online who will just buy course after course without taking any action and complaining that the system or course doesn't work.

    Another point I really liked is to keep things simple.

    Thanks again for the post
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post

    I



    Making money online, comes from selling stuff.

    And you sell stuff that adds value to other people.

    It could be a product or service. But as long as it HELPS someone, and
    they get value from it, they will pay you money for it.



    ** Sell stuff that helps people**

    Seriously, that's all it is.

    .
    Yep so true. I think what has hurts Marketers to some degree is this "MUST build an deep ongoing relationship with people" mantra.

    Yes, of course you have to. But only to a certain degree. I think some have become excessive with this or at least the way they spout it over and over in Marketing circles.

    Just sell them stuff. Stuff that will help them. You don't have to send them 5 Follow Ups with strictly free valuable Content ( before pitching something) just so you are "building a relationship"

    You think Home Depot or Target does this in their email campains ??

    Pleeeze , people


    - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex July
    As for me, the most important part of this thread is this"
    Since I didn't know anything at the time, I had to keep things simple.
    A lot of people, including myself, are struggling with shiny object syndrome without even realizing that they could have already succeeded.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jessica007
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      Huh?

      Why?

      Did you read the OP's post?

      The comments before yours?

      Originally Posted by Jessica007 View Post

      stay online and collect tutorials from online google search.
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    • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
      Originally Posted by Jessica007 View Post

      stay online and collect tutorials from online google search.
      The answer is almost NEVER more information.

      The answer is usually APPLYING what you already know.

      The problem with the "make money online" niche is... we're always conditioned
      to believe that "one more piece of information" holds the key to our success.

      Well, the problem is, there's a never ending supply of "secrets" and shiny toys
      that can take you off your path.

      The hunt for more and more information is the single biggest reason most people
      don't make money online.

      Something that I wrote on this forum years ago, that helps me and
      many others said it helped them....

      Keep this in the front of your mind...

      ** When you're BUYING information and CONSUMING content, you're LOSING money.

      ** When you're SELLING information and PRODUCING content, you're MAKING money.

      If you do LESS of the first and MORE of the 2nd... I guarantee you'll see your income go up.
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      • Profile picture of the author Surfer01
        I agree but when you are buying .... Its hard to change over to the selling ...
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  • Profile picture of the author Shams Sikder
    I agree with you fully, and I've been wanting to create a product for a while. The problem with me is that, I know how to market the product, but I don't know how to create one mostly because I don't know what to create. Also, I don't have much money to put into product creation.
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  • Profile picture of the author ayurvedacart
    This is a good post. I'm definitely going to look into it.Really very useful tips are provided here.thank you so much.Keep up the good works.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ro R
    Great post. Keep it simple.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randy McLean
    Awesome post. I think the more you know, the more it can cripple you because you suffer from information overload.

    Paralysis by analysis.

    I always need to remind myself to focus om income producing tasks. If not, I will find myself watching the latest 2 hour webinar.

    I like the concept of modelling. Why reinvent the wheel?
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Exactly, 10 times over.

    Simple is powerful. Simple works.

    I created a slew of eBooks and audio books and courses based on simple because folks simply want solutions, simple solutions.
    Signature
    Ryan Biddulph helps you to be a successful blogger with his courses, manuals and blog at Blogging From Paradise
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  • Profile picture of the author amuro
    Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post

    I've been online for 17 years now.

    2001 or so, I put up my first site. It was butt-ugly, but it sold my fitness programs.

    Since I didn't know anything at the time, I had to keep things simple.

    And you know what, simple was exactly what I needed.

    Simple works and it STILL works for me today.

    Look, if you're like most people I chat with, you think that making money online is hard.

    It's actually not.

    Making money online, comes from selling stuff.

    And you sell stuff that adds value to other people.

    It could be a product or service. But as long as it HELPS someone, and
    they get value from it, they will pay you money for it.

    They want what you're offering more than the money they have.

    So, think of making money online in these terms:

    ** Sell stuff that helps people**

    Seriously, that's all it is.

    If you can create a product or service that takes people from where they are (which is NOT where they want to be)...

    And you help them get where they WANT to be (solving a problem).... that's how you sell stuff.

    Simplifying this is how you put it into action.

    Action is how you actually make stuff and sell stuff.

    There's a good chance, that what you know, right now, could help someone.

    So why not put that solution down on a word document, create a PDF file,
    and sell it.

    For your "sales letter" just tell the person what it is, what it will help them
    with, and why they need it. Sprinkle in "what makes you different" and
    you should be able to sell it.

    But it all goes back to keeping it simple.

    Find a group of people with a common problem. Make a document that outlines a solution.

    Offer that solution to this group of people... and you will make sales.

    By finding people who are motivated to get something they want... and by giving them exactly what they want... you can sell more.

    And yes, it takes work... but again, keep it simple. Just create a pdf file that has a solution to a problem. Try and really help people solve their problem.

    By creating content and products that help people, you're bound to make sales and money.

    And when you keep everything simple, you're more likely to take action.

    It's this action that matters.

    Creating content takes action. Creating products takes action. Writing sales copy takes action.

    But action is just that... action. Doing the work. But who said it has to be difficult.

    Find a group of people who have a problem they want solved.

    That group of people is at Point A.

    Create a word doc/PDF file that has a solution to their problem.

    The product gets those people from Point A to Point B.

    Write down, in a short sales letter, all the benefits and how it will
    help them solve their problem. Give them unique reasons why.

    Heck, even demonstrate the steps they'll take to get where they want.

    As you continue to take action, doing this simple stuff, you will make
    progress.

    You can use that progress and momentum to create more products.

    It's the creating and doing and action taking that puts it all into motion.

    Most newbies think they have to buy 100 courses and study 1,000 pages
    before they're "ready".

    Nope, you're ready right now.

    Just keep it simple. Take action and keep creating products
    that help people. Tell them how it can help them.

    Keep doing that, over and over, and you will make money online.


    Thank you for your sharing, Shawn.

    Though the way I see it is more straightforward.

    Right now, there are 4 types of marketers in this forum.

    1. Those who complained and whined are very likely to be newbies.

    2. Those who are new and wanting to learn by asking questions

    3. Those who are experienced and offering to give advice and answer their questions.

    And finally those who see the big picture as in going through, noticing and compiling those threads with most replies and made an e-book and video course from it.

    Before offering as WSO.

    My advice is do NOT be the first category because whining and complaining gets you nowhere but only critics and more money woes.

    Instead focus on the other three.

    Especially the final category.
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  • Profile picture of the author spartan14
    True ,the real key to succed online its to offer people value .People only try to sell and they get angry when they dont see sales in their acount .The client must get the feeling that its helped and not selled and then it will buy from you
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  • Profile picture of the author madison_avenue
    It is all about smart decision making.

    The best type of learning is to study mistakes others have made, learn from their mistakes so you don't have to make them. Try to understand the real reason why they failed, they may not be the obvious ones.

    Then change your own business model to make a better business or offer.

    This type of learning is worthwhile and will save you time.

    For example I would not now start a made for adsense site, or do mass link building because I have seen many have failed , and I can't improve on is so it would be a waste of time. So you have to be sensible and intelligent is how you implement.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnVianny
    It's the Circle of Profit.

    but

    "Find a group of people who have a problem they want solved." it's a WHOLE WORLD!

    One of the crucial thing is Build a List, which is in fact the explanation of that "find".

    But if you dont have enough TRAFFIC you cant build any list.

    Your solution of the problem stands like an isolated island in the ocean.

    Traffic is the lifeblodd of building a list, and definately every business.
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