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Newbie Wants to Write a Business Plan - Looking for Advice

by IrisMKH
13 replies
My name is Iris. I'm currently receiving a scholarship, but soon I'll have to earn a real income. After graduation, I'd like to get into internet marketing. I will move back in with my parents and live off savings whilst getting this off the ground.

Graduation is in September. That gives me three months to prepare. However, I feel stuck.
I picked my market: art, and niche: learning to paint/draw realistically
End Goal: publish a series of in-depth art books. I have the content ideas, but not the knowledge yet. That will take a few years...

So, my ideas on what to do in the meantime:

#1. A Blog on the Struggles of Learning Art, ideas on Discipline and Willpower
Aimed at people practicing to become great artists
Subjective and personal, good for building a following. No income through the blog itself.

#2. Web 2.0 sites
Mainly interested in Zazzle and Squidoo - I got a ton of ideas for both. Can learn some skills dabbling around these sites. Also selling art stocks and prints, getting a Youtube channel...

#3. Adsense Drawing Tutorial Site
For hobbyists who just want to have fun
Tutorials "How to Draw a Cartoon Wasp" for those who just like drawing. Income through ads.
A social element would be nice, so people can show their art, discuss the tutorials, ask questions...
Problem: huge competition, including content giants!
Problem2: I have no clue how to create a site like this. On top of that, I don't think I want to keep making art tutorials long term.

#4. Blog-like Art Site with extremely specific Art Tips
You know when learning something, you struggle with one part for ages and then suddenly see the light? I'd like to create a place where I can share all small things that made it "click" for me.
Amazon affiliate commissions are an option for this - "I discovered this trick in the book X by Y" type of thingy?

Some other thoughts～
Investing money: I can do day jobs or freelancing for cash, but know nothing on how to invest it in IM.
Income goal: $900/mo in 6 months, $4000/mo before I get kids and a mortgage
Buying guides: feel free to recommend guides, but I will not buy any till AFTER I have a plan of action.

Obviously I lack a business mind set, but I am not afraid to fall on my face whilst learning the trade. First of all I need to figure out WHAT I am going to do and HOW I will do it. Looking for input...
#advice #business #method #newbie #plan #starting out #write
  • Profile picture of the author RonGold
    You're on the right path OP, setting up a foolproof plan is a great way to see success in the near future.

    Keep up the good work, the business mentality will catch up with you eventually.

    RG
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    • Profile picture of the author IrisMKH
      Originally Posted by RonGold View Post

      You're on the right path OP, setting up a foolproof plan is a great way to see success in the near future.
      Keep up the good work, the business mentality will catch up with you eventually.
      RG
      Thanks. I mainly want a plan so I can wake up in the morning knowing my work for the day.

      Originally Posted by NatesMarketing View Post

      This was going to be my advice to you - only pay money for what you need - and if you can't find what you need online for free (more than likely, everything you need is already out there)...don't pay money looking - bouncing from one thing to another.

      It looks like you have some good overall concepts brewing around in your head. Once you get started building - just break it into small chunks:
      (...)
      Once you get going...it'll start to flow.
      Hehe, I learned that lesson from drawing: what matters is not the guides you read, it's the time you spend putting pencil to paper. :3
      So building a blog would be the starting point. Nice example of breaking the process up - in my head it was more like "set up blog", "write and post articles" and that feels more intimidating that the easy steps you listed.

      Originally Posted by stews View Post

      You seem to have a lot of ideas and choices. Probably too many to tackle all at once. I would suggest you start a blog and write about your niche and provide good useful content, thereby establishing yourself in your niche. Concentrate on one aspect and stay focused. Good luck!
      Thank you. Yeah, a blog is set up in a day, and then it's just learning how to make it a good blog, right? Maybe #1 and #4 can go into one single blog.

      Originally Posted by jericho23 View Post

      (...) which did not work by measuring it.
      What do you mean?

      Originally Posted by djginter View Post

      Not to toot my own horn, but I started reskinning mobile apps over a year ago and I'm about to quit my day job. It's low risk, low investment, and the ROIs are excellent.
      I had to look up what reskinning is. Basically redoing the art of the app, right? How much knowledge of coding is needed (starting from zero, could I learn it in less than two months)?
      Never heard of it, so thanks for the tip. I'll look a bit more into it to see whether it's for me. Oh, and congrats on your success!
      Signature

      Currently drawing: http://irishopp.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author NatesMarketing
    Originally Posted by IrisMKH View Post

    Buying guides: feel free to recommend guides, but I will not buy any till AFTER I have a plan of action.
    This was going to be my advice to you - only pay money for what you need - and if you can't find what you need online for free (more than likely, everything you need is already out there)...don't pay money looking - bouncing from one thing to another.

    It looks like you have some good overall concepts brewing around in your head. Once you get started building - just break it into small chunks:
    • Learn how to register a domain - get hosting
    • Install WordPress
    • Manipulate WordPress
    • Create Pages/Posts/widgets/etc.
    • yaddy yadda
    Once you get going...it'll start to flow.
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  • Profile picture of the author stews
    You seem to have a lot of ideas and choices. Probably too many to tackle all at once. I would suggest you start a blog and write about your niche and provide good useful content, thereby establishing yourself in your niche. Concentrate on one aspect and stay focused. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author jericho23
    You are one the right way but internet marketing need patience and improvement in strategy which did not work by measuring it.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnKnight000
    Hi Iris,

    I hope these ideas certainly help you.

    Okay, step one to building a house, need a solid foundation, right?

    Artists have many interests but where are they spending money?
    Because you mentioned adsense. Here is how I would approach blogging. I would develop a foundation using keywords. Keywords are ultimately what your target audience will be searching on and attracted to.

    The first keyword represents your main category... ART! Okay, so far so good. :-)

    Who is your target audience? People who want to learn how to be artists or people who want to buy art?

    What kind of art do they want to buy or create?

    Contemporary Art
    Abstract Art
    Pop Art
    Modern Art
    Aboriginal Art
    African Art

    Now we need to identify a need...
    How will they accomplish their goal? What is their problem?

    Artists need training. They want to learn how to draw, etc...

    How to draw
    How to draw cartoons
    How to draw people

    Ok, show me the money! How will you monetize? I checked the Google Keyword Planner and the highest CPC (cost per click) on keywords in this category is Art Schools and Art Institute. Those keywords are getting on average around $10 - $18 a click that advertisers are paying.

    You could also monetize your site by using Amazon.com and getting affiliate commissions for
    Art supplies, Acrylic paints, Oil paints, Canvases, and Picture frames.

    Okay, there ya go. I think the hardest part now is creating the content because it takes time, unless you have a way to automate your content publishing. You want your site to be an Authority. I can assist you in that area if you had any more questions, feel free to ask.

    J
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  • Profile picture of the author youvana
    Why not try Udemy and do some video tutorials, or run a blog and promote it with Youtube videos? If you have a talent you will be able to make it work.
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    • Profile picture of the author IrisMKH
      Originally Posted by JohnKnight000 View Post

      Hi Iris,

      I hope these ideas certainly help you.
      (...)
      Who is your target audience? People who want to learn how to be artists or people who want to buy art?
      (...)
      J
      Now you say that, I hadn't realized that I was thinking about two very different audiences.
      But I definitely want to focus on people learning to make realistic art from imagination, because... that's me. (examples of the art level: the art of Magic the Gathering, freelancers like Algenpfleger or Ruan Jia)
      Yes, the ideas help a lot - I got a new perspective now. One thing they (wait, "we" sounds more accurate) need, is help with improving our art, since we're aiming for a high technical skill. Since my birthday is in October, I could ask for art books and material, and do reviews of those - and once I got a little bit of income, I can buy products myself.
      Next, time management is actually a biggy because there is a lot of competition and time pressure to get good fast - so I could write articles like "How GTD applies to digital artists".
      So basically a blog on a life with art, sprinkled with reviews, time management tips, and art tips. Income through affiliate marketing, and list building for when I get my own books written. It's starting to take shape.
      Haha, I'm all excited! Thumbs up, great comment!

      Originally Posted by Youvana Humpme View Post

      Why not try Udemy and do some video tutorials, or run a blog and promote it with Youtube videos? If you have a talent you will be able to make it work.
      Hadn't heard of Udemy yet, thanks.
      Thinking about promotion, I'll definitely use a Youtube channel! Reddit also has some art sections, Twitter if I figure out how to use it and then art profile sites...
      Edit: how could I forget, I got a Tumblr too.


      Gah, I have to redirect my energy to schoolwork now, but I'll be back asap Really appreciate all the help～
      Signature

      Currently drawing: http://irishopp.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author IrisMKH
    Okay, this is what I got:
    First off all, ideas like Udemy and the tutorial site will sit in the freezer for now. I would still like to dabble in web 2.0 sites a bit, but my focus will be building a big blog
    Blog specifics:
    Audience: people who, like me, are learning drawing/painting at a very intensive level
    Content:
    -Everyday struggles for an artist trying to improve
    -Tips on discipline, study methods, time management
    -Art resource reviews
    -?maybe technical art tips and tricks
    -?maybe discussing (professional) artists' work
    Don't feel like the latter two really fit in, will give it some more thought.

    Actions for the next few weeks:
    -Write a detailed action plan, also listing things I need to learn
    -Brainstorm domain/content ideas
    -Use Twitter, Youtube and Tumblr regularly (daily?).
    -List other art sites, blogs and forums
    -Pass my university exams and finish my papers

    October:
    Set up blog
    Create initial content (minimum 20 posts)
    Weekly writing&posting schedule

    November:
    Work on site navigation and design (archive page, contact me form, ...)
    Create freebie + set up list opt-in
    Apply for Adsense

    December:
    Site promotion through free channels

    January-May:
    Paid traffic
    Figure out which monetizing/promotion tactics work best

    Income:
    Income through Adsense and affiliate commissions.
    No income till December
    Income of January-February to be invested in paid traffic
    Aiming for $900 monthly from May onward - review in May to decide future tactics.

    Don't feel convinced that Adsense and affiliate marketing will cut it for a newbie like me. $900 in six months from a single blog, that sounds like a lot.
    Ah well, if it takes more than that, so be it.

    And hey, why can't I write concise posts like everyone else? ;_;
    Signature

    Currently drawing: http://irishopp.com/

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    • Profile picture of the author Zuret9
      Hi Iris,

      You are certainly on the right path. There are some very good advice already. I would just add finding some people who are already doing what you will be doing and signing up for their newsletters. Also, ask them questions and leave valuable comments where you can.

      Best wishes for your exams and good luck on your journey.
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  • Profile picture of the author ijohnson
    Hi Iris,

    Love your name, by the way!

    You are right on track with what you have outlined.

    I would suggest you research your competition or someone already successfully doing what you would like to do. Study their blog/website and find a way to do it better!

    Good Luck!!!

    Iris
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    Make every day count!
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    • Profile picture of the author IrisMKH
      Oh hey! I didn't expect any more love for this thread

      Originally Posted by ijohnson View Post

      Hi Iris,

      Love your name, by the way!

      You are right on track with what you have outlined.

      I would suggest you research your competition or someone already successfully doing what you would like to do. Study their blog/website and find a way to do it better!

      Good Luck!!!

      Iris
      I love your name too! Yay for adept parents!
      Some of my idols look like leading examples - like James Gurney, whose blog posts are very short but always useful and Noah Bradley, who seems to work with a big fan base. Gonna keep digging for inspiration～

      Originally Posted by DavidTile View Post

      Open an Instagram account and post drawings to it regualrly. In addition to getting your art and name out there, you can even sell to drawings to followers and make cash as you grow your business.
      You need an iPhone or other Apple product to use Instagram, right? I don't have any :/
      However, deviantArt looks like a great alternative - planning to make a profile there! Thanks for the tip.

      Originally Posted by Zuret9 View Post

      Hi Iris,

      You are certainly on the right path. There are some very good advice already. I would just add finding some people who are already doing what you will be doing and signing up for their newsletters. Also, ask them questions and leave valuable comments where you can.

      Best wishes for your exams and good luck on your journey.
      Yup, will certainly do that. I'm looking up artists I like and checking if they have some sort of internet business going on

      Iris
      Signature

      Currently drawing: http://irishopp.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author DavidTile
    Open an Instagram account and post drawings to it regualrly. In addition to getting your art and name out there, you can even sell to drawings to followers and make cash as you grow your business.
    Signature
    www.nimblemedia.ca
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