I'm needing some direction

[rastabloke]

Hi, and thanks in advance for your input. I am attempting to take my career to the next level, I just need a little direction first.

I'm currently a moderately successful web developer, the sites I have created for others have pretty decent rankings. I'd consider myself a good writer, and I also feel that I have a solid understanding of the average consumer. I have never created anything for myself... that’s about to change.


I have a few niches I'd like to explore..

1. An online service that my boss wants me to promote. It has real potential, and a decently open market. This product is very useful for businesses and only costs $9.95 per month. I've created a professional site and done my best on the SEO part... What Now? ($1000 of available funds for this project)

2. The rest are niches of my own interest. I feel that I could contribute to the online community, but I'm not sure which direction to take. I obviously want to make money at this, so should I review products... if so, do I just make phone calls to get affiliates? They are all relatively new "hobby sports"... and I enjoy them greatly. So how do I capitalize on this? ($500+ of immediate available funds for this project)

Thanks again,

Jonathan

[Intrepreneur]

The $9.95 product should at least some way start leading onto more expensive product, in fact it definately should.

The second part I'm misunderstadning waht you need to do :-)

[rastabloke]

The $9.95 is a monthly fee and businesses will undoubtedly purchase this service multiple times a month. After running the numbers, the profits are very good. It also involves telemarketers... I'm just in charge of the web marketing of the product. Since it is web based, I think I should be able to generate some business for the project.

The second scenario: essentially, I do not want to create websites forever. I would like to be involved in something I enjoy. Using my current skills, I can create websites for these "hobbies". I just don't know what the best way to produce semi-passive income with these sites. Should I pursue: blogs/forums... review products... instructional...

I understand that there is not an easy answer... I'm simply reviewing my options. I admire the guy from RC POWERS, they do internet shows and generate revenue through affiliates and ebooks. -not sure if this is the route I want to take, but I do have a camcorder

Thanks again

[Intrepreneur]

An authority Site.. it's the way to go.

You should seriously weight up your best options for an authority site, and get started.. You'll not regret it.

Another idea I get from your current position is the gbusiness you are helping is an excellent case study to gain even more clients.. So start practicing some outsorucing then use the case study to your advantage, so you'll not only be building websites but marketing businesses.

My latest case study was for a business that didn't ern a penny in over a year, within 4 days I had 4 leads, each would make a minimum profit of £150...

What do you think that case study provides me with now?

More ammo, and for me to setup a sales funnel for more businesses.. Currently in creation.

[rastabloke]

Great answers... thank you so much. Unfortunately, they lead to more questions.

To create an authority site, I need lots of good content. Before that happens, I need to determine the premise of the site is: blogs/forums... review products... instructional... but I guess all of the above is possible. So if I understand you correctly; 1. set this up 2. get traffic 3. get affiliates -if it were only that easy


I think I understand what you mean by using the case study for the initial site to get more business for development/marketing of other sites, but how would building a case study help the promotion of the initial site and product. -or am I misunderstanding?

[Intrepreneur]

I'm sorry I can not help you with your problems marketing the business you are currently working with.. only you can do that.. all it takes is a little bit of know how and a little bit of action.. Maria's offline gold map might help

As for your authority site.. Use your hobby..

My authority site is all hobby related, nothing on there is not something I am not passionate about so I don't find it hard adding content... and what's best is my ever growing collection of articles can be turned into one big online course upon completion.

[tofumonkey]

hey restabloke,

for your membership site, i think once the product is up & running, you should really focus on the marketing site and get some JV partners to promote it for you.

if you are able to list in on clickbank, would be great i guess...
just keep on finding ways to expand your viewership to your targeted audience.

hope this helps a little...

[rastabloke]

Thank you all for your insightful replies. With my skill set I think I have a decent platform to start from.

I will do some more research on promoting the product that we currently have.

As for the hobby sites, I guess I need to decide whether to combine them or run them separate. They are somewhat inter-related, and I believe they would complement each other under the same domain.

On the other hand, diversifying and making them separate entities might make it easier to get the rankings (or not) and target the niche a bit more efficiently.

For reference, they are about as inter-related as white-water rafting and fly fishing