You are at a crossroad - which way do you go?
You are standing next to me as a trusted friend and we are at a crossroad. Can you tell me which direction to go on my own?
I just retired from the offline workforce so I can devote full time to this effort. My college education, degree, and career has been in public administration; specifically, in helping small brick and mortar businesses. I am looking to supplement my retirement income from home with an online solo business.
Target audience: owners of online small businesses (or potential owners)
Products: roughly 100, most of them are either unique or are sold under their own brand (some are licensed from others, some I wrote, some were outsourced, etc, but none are affiliate products).
The format is 100% digital (reports, guides, courses, audios, videos, software, etc). All are designed to make running a profitable small business easier and/or more cost effective for the owner.
1. Should I build a direct sales niche site with its own domain for each product (minisite)?
2. Build one authority type site with a shopping cart and list all products (traditional storefront model)?
3. Put everything behind a paid membership site?
4. Focus on building a list first then "drip" my products to the list, say one each week or each month?
5. Some combination of the above?
6. None of the above, you should do this ...
I see both advantages and drawbacks to each alternative in terms of implementation time, customer support, ongoing web site and customer nurturing, etc.
I am the lone ranger right now (solo operator) - but I can do decent keyword research, put up web sites, write copy, create graphics, etc. although I am not opposed to outsourcing. I don't really want to hire employees and complicate my business in that regard.
From your vantage point as my trusted friend and mentor, what online selling system gives the best "bang for the buck?" (Time involved vs. expected profits) Given the state of IM and the economy, which monetization model holds the most promise for the future?
In essence, based on your experience, what would you do if you were in my shoes?
I really appreciate and value your opinion. Thank you.
Steve
(P.S. I realize most of the real work starts once everything is set up, i.e. once I begin marketing the products. That being the case, are some selling systems more suited to the solo business owner's ability to market the system?)
I just retired from the offline workforce so I can devote full time to this effort. My college education, degree, and career has been in public administration; specifically, in helping small brick and mortar businesses. I am looking to supplement my retirement income from home with an online solo business.
Target audience: owners of online small businesses (or potential owners)
Products: roughly 100, most of them are either unique or are sold under their own brand (some are licensed from others, some I wrote, some were outsourced, etc, but none are affiliate products).
The format is 100% digital (reports, guides, courses, audios, videos, software, etc). All are designed to make running a profitable small business easier and/or more cost effective for the owner.
1. Should I build a direct sales niche site with its own domain for each product (minisite)?
2. Build one authority type site with a shopping cart and list all products (traditional storefront model)?
3. Put everything behind a paid membership site?
4. Focus on building a list first then "drip" my products to the list, say one each week or each month?
5. Some combination of the above?
6. None of the above, you should do this ...
I see both advantages and drawbacks to each alternative in terms of implementation time, customer support, ongoing web site and customer nurturing, etc.
I am the lone ranger right now (solo operator) - but I can do decent keyword research, put up web sites, write copy, create graphics, etc. although I am not opposed to outsourcing. I don't really want to hire employees and complicate my business in that regard.
From your vantage point as my trusted friend and mentor, what online selling system gives the best "bang for the buck?" (Time involved vs. expected profits) Given the state of IM and the economy, which monetization model holds the most promise for the future?
In essence, based on your experience, what would you do if you were in my shoes?
I really appreciate and value your opinion. Thank you.
Steve
(P.S. I realize most of the real work starts once everything is set up, i.e. once I begin marketing the products. That being the case, are some selling systems more suited to the solo business owner's ability to market the system?)