Economy in Shambles? I had my most successful month!

It's because I've realized that people are still on the internet. They may not be buying, but they're clicking. And a lot of people are turning to the internet to help them make up for the money they need when the lost their jobs.

My observations:

** If you write articles, try the revenue sharing sites like eHow and Buzzle - if you research keywords you can make a decent amount of money. This actually made up the majority of my income last month. If you're doing article marketing anyway, why not use these sites in addition?

** Outsource your services to people who are building their online businesses. As a writer, I know there is a ton of work out there I can get - I just don't choose to because I do very little writing for clients anymore.

** My Adsense earnings are up. Why not start a niche site or blog and put Adsense or another Pay Per Click program on there?

** For affiliate programs - look for options other than getting a commission if a purchase is made. Pay per lead is a good choice, as is pay for sign up - especially if the signup is actually free.

Would love to hear more ideas!

[ExRat]

Hi,

I realise that what you say is good, positive advice and I wouldn't want to knock that.

But I have to disagree with a little part of it, in order to add my own bit of positivity -

It's because I've realized that people are still on the internet. They may not be buying, but they're clicking. And a lot of people are turning to the internet to help them make up for the money they need when the lost their jobs.

On the contrary, they are still buying - lots

[John S. Rhodes]

People ARE buying.

What I've seen is that people are spending more
money on both their real and *perceived* needs.
They are trying to save money and make money.
They are trying to keep their jobs and fight the
rising costs of energy and food. They are trying
to maintain their lifestyle despite less spending
power and as a result of major discounts.

~ John

Originally Posted by ExRat

Hi,

I realise that what you say is good, positive advice and I wouldn't want to knock that.

But I have to disagree with a little part of it, in order to add my own bit of positivity -



On the contrary, they are still buying - lots

Well, that's good news! Do you think it makes a difference which niches you are in? I would guess yes - but from what you've observed, do you think people are buying in the same way, or do we need to shift our thinking?

Originally Posted by John S. Rhodes

People ARE buying.

What I've seen is that people are spending more
money on both their real and *perceived* needs.
They are trying to save money and make money.
They are trying to keep their jobs and fight the
rising costs of energy and food. They are trying
to maintain their lifestyle despite less spending
power and as a result of major discounts.

~ John

I guess I sort of saw this in a real life example. The people at my local Body Shop store said business is still good. People are still buying skin care. We all still need to wash our face! And when we're in buying face wash and face cream, we may throw in a lipstick, and oh ya I do need new mascara... real and perceived needs ... didn't make the connection until now.

[schabotte]

I have a friend who sells vitamins and other supplements and for her October of this year was her second best month ever. I don't know the numbers for November yet but I expect that they will also be strong.

But there is no question that it is niche dependent. I wouldn't want to be selling new cars at the moment for instance. Yes people are still buying but at a much lower pace than before. Many people figure they can get a bit more time out of their old car rather than having a brand new car right now with a possibly bigger monthly payment.

So definitely the answer to this question will depend on who you are talking to.

Some things do well in tough economic times and some things do poorly. Offering a way for people to make some extra income tends to be one of those things that do well in tough times. There are several other niches that also respond well - cheap entertainment, keeping healthy, etc.

[ExRat]

Hi Kohuether,

Well, that's good news! Do you think it makes a difference which niches you are in? I would guess yes - but from what you've observed, do you think people are buying in the same way, or do we need to shift our thinking?

Well yes, to an extent - but perhaps no more than usual. But at the same time, it's a difficult question to answer. For example Schabotte added -

But there is no question that it is niche dependent. I wouldn't want to be selling new cars at the moment for instance. Yes people are still buying but at a much lower pace than before. Many people figure they can get a bit more time out of their old car rather than having a brand new car right now with a possibly bigger monthly payment.

One of my close friends mentioned yesterday that he is waiting for his new car to be delivered. Admittedly, he is going from a 'guzzler' to a 'non-guzzler' - due to finances (household bills are rising), he has decided that it is time that he and his wife need to cut the £300 a month (approx $450) they spend on petrol. Plus, he works in government and has just landed a new job and a pay raise - not an entirely related point (to the car), but one worth mentioning here.

The point is - he just bought a brand new car.

It's worth bearing in mind that even though it might be a small percentage of people, there are some people who have (and are) making a lot of money out of the current situation. Add to this that there are others who haven't been hit too hard who are spending more because -

a) the price of goods is falling

b) they are treating themselves to make up for the fact that everyone is going around with their head in their hands, whingeing - partly because they watch too much TV and believe all the spin.

What the doom and gloom is good for, is to inspire you to work even harder right now while the majority whinge at the same time as ironically trampling all over each other (sadly - literally) to buy a better present for their brats than the next-door neighbour.

Sure, if you happened to work at one of the dinosaur companies that are currently going bust and all of your eggs were in that basket, then you might be having a hard time currently - that situation is real. But human nature suggests that regardless of the hardship they face, people still borrow more money and still spend it - sometimes more than usual, simply to ease the pain.

In other words, there is hardship occurring, and it appears to be some established companies hitting the wall - which is unusual - but many of these established companies were surviving on a credit bubble that was going to burst at some point, because previous management had fleeced the books to make themselves look good/line their pockets/trying to expand, leaving a legacy for others to bear (they copied the example set by ummm 'leaders'.)

But be assured that there are many people with a vested interest in magnifying and over-emphasising certain aspects of the problems - often to justify/cover up their own, behind the scenes, money-making schemes - that they started (and cahed out) a long time ago - this will always be the case.

I'm not about to retire, but my business broke new records last month. Take that for what it's worth

We may be on different continents, and different people will have different experiences/viewpoints. I'm just adding mine into the mix because as I see it, it is not all doom and gloom and in my opinion, internet marketers are in the ideal position and should be praising themselves for their wise positioning. At times when everyone who provides services to the masses (like energy suppliers or money lenders) takes the opportunity to whack their prices up, it's the businesses with the highest overheads or largest debts or lowest profit margins that go to the wall.

Thank (whoever) for the internet and may the smart little guys/gals become big guys/gals.

[Chiayee]

Just thought you guys might be interested in this..

I saw in the news that, products of Babeland.com(online sex toy shop) are selling really well during bad economy. it seems that many men are not able to "perform" and need to "outsource".