Jobless but not hopeless: Need Advice

11 years ago

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11 years ago

It is possible to earn a six figure income doing just about anything if you work hard enough at it.

I doubt you will get any satisfying answers from a posting a question like this on a message board though. There are far too many unknowns, such as what your strengths are, what your commitment level is, what your resources are, what your intelligence level and adaptability are, what your experience is, etc.

Perhaps you should think less about how much you are wanting to earn at this point, and more about what your passions, strengths and resources are. Then devote some serious time to researching the direction you decide on, developing a plan to get you viable, then on to the land of six figures.

There is no magic formula. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

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charlier

11 years ago

I agree with the above post. I think it is important to decide on one method. It sounds like you have decided on offline and web development. That is good.

The next thing is to decide on the method you want to use to get leads. That is key, as customers are the key to it all. I would research that and decide what lead generation method you would like to go after.

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dallasstar

11 years ago

Originally Posted by charlier

I agree with the above post. I think it is important to decide on one method. It sounds like you have decided on offline and web development. That is good.

The next thing is to decide on the method you want to use to get leads. That is key, as customers are the key to it all. I would research that and decide what lead generation method you would like to go after.

Thanks for your comment. Yes, I have been researching web development and "qualified leads" is an area that I need to work on. That is why I posted on this board for some advice.

I have thought of the obvious methods to generate leads for web development services:

Google Adwords - Too costly
Freelance boards - Too much competition
Craigslist - Not sure how effective it will be.

Thanks

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SparkletMedia

Banned 11 years ago

Stick to one business model and one method, and avoid getting in the trap of doing too many things at once.

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franktwin

11 years ago

Try posting your resume on monster.com and build a profile, you should receive a lot of inquires from qualified employers.

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KevinDahlberg

11 years ago

I've been learning more and more about business since I started in Internet marketing. Words like traffic, leads, prospects, and sales funnels were things I never learned about in my liberal arts education. Learn as much about business as you can.

One of the most valuable things I have learned is this:
Have an offer (in your case web development), drive traffic to the offer, and convert the traffic to a sale. Rinse and repeat.

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GailTrahd

11 years ago

If I were starting from scratch today I would:

1. Make a list (literally a written list) of my strengths and a separate list of weaknesses.

2. Think about what I am passionate about (teaching, writing, creating for me)

3. Take several hours to read through the WF forum of posts by using the search function and read through the War Room.

4. Choose ONE method to pursue. Stick to that method. Stay focused on that method.

5. Purchase only information that will help with THAT method. Spend a couple of hours or a day learning and then start DOING.

6. You will learn more by doing than reading and you can get caught in the trap of learning and NOT doing. Get to selling something as quickly as possible.

7. Recognize that you will face challenges and obstacles. The question isn't if you WILL fail at something but what will you DO when you fail? Pick yourself up and get moving!

Thanks

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MarcusJohnson

11 years ago

It's important to work on what you love doing than spending more time which you think its going to give you more money but in the end you're not having fun doing it the end result will still be a fail. So work on something which is going to be fun and then from there you'd surely go a long way.

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KenThompson

11 years ago

Everyone has mentioned the value of choosing one thing and focusing on that. The other points are related with something that truly appeals to you. Of course that one thing needs to have earning potential.

One of my greatest lessons learned was the value of focus every day. It may sound trite and overused, but creating doable goals is important, too. Be very organized and make an action plan that includes your goals.

Goals give you direction and things to work toward. I think many people have feelings of not knowing what to do. Goals and direction will eliminate such feelings and thoughts.

There's a member here, John Romaine, who has been in web development for many years. He offers a web development business start up kit. I have not bought it, but I've checked it out on his site, and you may have an interest in it. If you find his posts/threads, the link to it is in his signature. But here's a link to his site.

Web Design Business Startup Kit | Fast Start Kits For Freelance Web Developers

[ 1 ] Thanks

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John Romaine

11 years ago

Thanks for the referral Ken, I appreciate it mate.

Originally Posted by dallasstar

I have decided to take some action and to research, plan and launch an offline business. I am leaning towards web development and related areas.

I would really appreciate some advice if this business is sustainable and profitable enough to exceed six figures yearly income. It would be great if I can get some specific and actionable advice.

A couple of quick points here....

1. Why 6 figures? How much do you need in order to survive at a bare minimum?
2. 6 figures IS achievable, but it wont happen without a team. What are your intentions here?
3. How much knowledge do you have within the industry?

I'm sure that somewhere in this thread, you'll have other members telling you that you should learn how to program, learn how to use MS SQL and MySQL, as well as having an indepth and comprehensive understanding of the entire industry as well as having to put together a 5,000 word business plan.

I can tell you from experience, the real answer - just get started!

If you give us more specific answers, perhaps we can better help you. Asking how to make "6 figures" doesn't really mean anything.

Thanks
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dallasstar

11 years ago

Originally Posted by John Romaine

Thanks for the referral Ken, I appreciate it mate.

A couple of quick points here....

1. Why 6 figures? How much do you need in order to survive at a bare minimum?
2. 6 figures IS achievable, but it wont happen without a team. What are your intentions here?
3. How much knowledge do you have within the industry?

I'm sure that somewhere in this thread, you'll have other members telling you that you should learn how to program, learn how to use MS SQL and MySQL, as well as having an indepth and comprehensive understanding of the entire industry as well as having to put together a 5,000 word business plan.

I can tell you from experience, the real answer - just get started!

If you give us more specific answers, perhaps we can better help you. Asking how to make "6 figures" doesn't really mean anything.

John, thanks for your post. Please see answers below:

1. Why 6 figures? How much do you need in order to survive at a bare minimum?
I need to be able to make more than what I earn through job (eventually)

2. 6 figures IS achievable, but it wont happen without a team. What are your intentions here?

The plan is to have sales team locally and offshore development team.

3. How much knowledge do you have within the industry?

15 years experience in IT/Networking Industry. As for web development, I have had several sites built for me in different CMS.

Thanks
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John Romaine

11 years ago

Originally Posted by dallasstar

1. Why 6 figures? How much do you need in order to survive at a bare minimum?

I need to be able to make more than what I earn through job (eventually)

When I started my own web design business, I quit with no real plan. I just knew that unless I made the decision, and just went for it - that I'd still be stuck at that desk now "waiting for the right time". I pretty much just quit, then started banging on doors. I get asked all the time how I got started - so I shot a video about it just recently ...

How I Got Started in My Own Web Design Business – Was it Cold Calling or Meeting People in Person?

My approach was pretty aggressive (and somewhat foolish) It was either sink or swim. I dont know what your personal circumstances are, but I do know that it would have been a LOT harder if I had financial obligations (kids, family etc)

My own mentor James Schramko, worked on his business, until he had replaced his annual income ($300k a year) - THEN quit. (def a lot smarter) This way, there's no shortfall between making the transition between your full time job and starting your own gig.

This video here might help

Starting A Web Design Business - Making the Transition From Your Full Time Job

Originally Posted by dallasstar

2. 6 figures IS achievable, but it wont happen without a team. What are your intentions here?

The plan is to have sales team locally and offshore development team.

Okay this question is probably above me as I've never actually started an "agency" as such. Whilst I do have a few developers overseas that help me, I cant speak on behalf of having a "sales team" so I'm probably not the right guy to be asking this question.

My advice would be to network with people already in the industry. Im a big believer of just "hitting people up for lunch" - then catching up at a local cafe and asking them the big questions. Are there any agencies in your local area that are kicking arse? If so - get in touch! You have nothing to lose!

Originally Posted by dallasstar

3. How much knowledge do you have within the industry?

15 years experience in IT/Networking Industry. As for web development, I have had several sites built for me in different CMS.

Okay, you sound like the real deal

My background before getting into web design was also IT, for both local and state government. If you're familiar with systematical processes etc, you should make the transition easily.

I could really write a very lengthy response here, but if you'd like to chat further, PM me and we can have a chat on Skype. It will most likely have to be after xmas though dude

PS. Here's some advice that will get you to 6 figures.

The trick is to offer complimentary services. Anyone that wants a website, usually also wants, SEO, hosting, graphic design, help with email, online marketing, etc etc etc. So....take a $1,500 web job, and turn that into a $10,000 customer!

James Schramko calls this the chocolate wheel. Your customer goes in the middle, and your offers go "round the outside"

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sirtiman

11 years ago

For fast cash go to fiverr.

Additional income from affiliate marketing go to jvzoo

If you have enough budget to pay autoresponder, build your list.

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dallasstar 11 years ago

Originally Posted by sirtiman

For fast cash go to fiverr.

Additional income from affiliate marketing go to jvzoo

If you have enough budget to pay autoresponder, build your list.

I have explored fiverr and I'm not looking for fast cash. At this time, I need to plan in order to develop a sustainable business with stability.
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Michael Ten

11 years ago

Hook up with your local SCORE office and SBA office!

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dallasstar 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Ten

Hook up with your local SCORE office and SBA office!

Thanks, I will get in touch with SCORE and SBA to see what kind of help they can offer.
- Thanks
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wordpressdoctor

11 years ago

You should pick up a copy of this ebook. It really helped me and I haven't looked back since late 2011. It's free and you don't have to subscribe to any email list.

http://www.uniteforsuccess.com/downl...imademoney.pdf

Hope this helps

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KatherineLockwood

11 years ago

I know that Elance and other similar sites get a lot of flack on WF - but I've been able to build a 6 figure business almost exclusively from finding clients on this site. The trick is to be selective with the jobs you apply to - and target clients who have actually paid out a decent amount of money in the past - and who prefer quality to budget busting.

I know that this isn't exactly offline, but there is an ocean of people out there who are looking to for web development. Depending on your skills - you can easily make between $1,000 - $5,000 per job on there. You can also look at outsourcing the actual programming, although you'll want to make sure you choose a quality partner who can really get the job done.

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shuwangyan

11 years ago

The most important character you must have is patience and persistence.

Do not lost confidence any time.Try to do what you think correct and learn lessons.

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Jobless but not hopeless: Need Advice

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