Looking For Business Plan Critique

9 replies
Hello everyone! This is my first post so take it easy on me.

I'm planning to launch my very first product in about two weeks and just wanted to get some feedback on my plan before I put it into action.

I've created an ebook/report that dispels many myths and misunderstanding newcomers to the IM niche tend to have, (make 1k/day with 1 hour of work, 10k +/month with copy paste, etc) and a video presentation about what goes into an actual online business (hosting/domain, creating content, autoreponders, etc) and the different business models used (affiliate marketing vs product creation). Both products include action plans for customers to follow to implement the methods discussed, and the video "training" also comes with a resource guide to make implementation a little bit easier.

Right now, my plan is to use JVZoo to sell the ebook for around $10 and the presentation for either $17 or $27, still debating. My main question is, should I even sell the ebook at all, or use it as a free giveaway to start building my list (I don't currently have one. Total noob. ) or should I just focus on building a buyer's list and cut out the freebie seekers altogether?

I have thick skin so any advice or critiques would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
#business #critique #plan
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Shaniqua,

    Your plan, though simple, is better than most who come here with big ideas about making money online.

    If I were in your shoes, I would focus on building my list and giving great value to my subscribers above making income at the outset. That's just me and others will tell you differently.

    Your list is very important and you want to get your subscribers to like you, trust you, and look forward to hearing from you. If you hit them with something to buy right off the bat, you will lose a certain percentage of would-be customers that won't buy on first contact.

    People will tell you that you want a buyer's list above a "free" subscriber's list. Yes, buyers are the best . . . but I believe that many prospects can be turned into buyers with some patience and exposure to your great content over time.

    So I would focus on getting subscribers and nurturing them into buyers. Give some great content away first and get some folks on your list. Treat them well and earn their trust. There will be plenty of time for selling to them once they are used to you and know that what they buy from you will be high quality because of what you've sent the in the past.

    Just my opinion,

    Steve
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    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

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    • Profile picture of the author ShaniquaL
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      Shaniqua,

      Your plan, though simple, is better than most who come here with big ideas about making money online.

      If I were in your shoes, I would focus on building my list and giving great value to my subscribers above making income at the outset. That's just me and others will tell you differently.

      Your list is very important and you want to get your subscribers to like you, trust you, and look forward to hearing from you. If you hit them with something to buy right off the bat, you will lose a certain percentage of would-be customers that won't buy on first contact.

      People will tell you that you want a buyer's list above a "free" subscriber's list. Yes, buyers are the best . . . but I believe that many prospects can be turned into buyers with some patience and exposure to your great content over time.

      So I would focus on getting subscribers and nurturing them into buyers. Give some great content away first and get some folks on your list. Treat them well and earn their trust. There will be plenty of time for selling to them once they are used to you and know that what they buy from you will be high quality because of what you've sent the in the past.

      Just my opinion,

      Steve
      Thanks so much for your response! I agree with the list being the most important thing. "The money is in the list," as they always say, and it makes so much sense. I even talk about this concept briefly in the ebook and a little more in depth in the video training. So it makes sense that starting out with a focus on building a solid relationship with my subscribers rather than instant profit is a better approach.

      Thanks again.
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      • Profile picture of the author BudiT
        Hey Shaniqual,

        Great PLAN!!

        As Steve said, you're already ahead in terms of how much thought you put into action!

        This is just an idea. But first a question. Are you looking to upsell? My purpose in asking that is not just to make you more money, but more towards the longevity of your business.

        How about offering your book for $1? It's a great way to build a buyers list, and to make people like you for what you put out and for how much you charge. If your content is very in depth, consider putting up another product that is the leaner version of your actual product!

        You can check out the products put up by a marketer called AJ Montoya. He has the thing called "Dollar Deal" where most of his products are priced at $1. The conversion he gets is through the ROOF!

        Hope that helps!


        ~ Budi T
        Signature

        STOP wasting your money into hypes and BS.
        Turn your traffic and subscribers into White Hot Cash!

        Continue >>

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        • Profile picture of the author ShaniquaL
          Originally Posted by BudiT View Post

          Hey Shaniqual,

          Great PLAN!!

          As Steve said, you're already ahead in terms of how much thought you put into action!

          This is just an idea. But first a question. Are you looking to upsell? My purpose in asking that is not just to make you more money, but more towards the longevity of your business.

          How about offering your book for $1? It's a great way to build a buyers list, and to make people like you for what you put out and for how much you charge. If your content is very in depth, consider putting up another product that is the leaner version of your actual product!

          You can check out the products put up by a marketer called AJ Montoya. He has the thing called "Dollar Deal" where most of his products are priced at $1. The conversion he gets is through the ROOF!

          Hope that helps!


          ~ Budi T
          Thanks so much for the reply Budi!

          I actually do plan to have some upsells in the future. After the "What's An E-Biz?" training, I plan to make another video presentation showing how to make simple PDF ebooks/reports and video presentations to sell, and then offer some type of more personal training, perhaps through GoTo Meeting. I figure that way, the products will have a logical progression, from the free or low cost ebook dispelling MMO myths with an action plan, the training showing what actually constitutes an online business, showing how everyday people can create their own digital assets, and then working more closely with me to actually get it all done.

          I've spent the last couple years and hundreds of dollars trying to learn everything I needed before putting anything into action, but I finally learned that you can never really know EVERYTHING there is to know in this business because the internet is so dynamic and new methods are always being discovered and shared. I just felt confident enough in the knowledge I've gained thus far to create the first two products and present them in such a way that I don't think I come off arrogant or preach-y. I want my future customers and clients to feel like they're learning from someone they could have gone to school with or live down the street from, whose only goal is to help them achieve theirs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    (I don't currently have one. Total noob.
    +

    I've spent the last couple years and hundreds of dollars trying to learn everything I needed before putting anything into action,
    =
    Signature
    Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
    All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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    • Profile picture of the author ShaniquaL
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      +



      =
      Um, not sure how I'm supposed to take this as a critique...
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  • Profile picture of the author ronyoung
    Banned
    I would collect freebie emails too so you can convert them into buyers and you will make more money over time. Also you can make money when you do affiliate marketing and with cpa marketing if you do it right
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  • Profile picture of the author Bob Reynolds
    Really think through the product launch and ask around on the groups to get some ideas. Product launches are a good method to build a list. If you come at it wanting that quick buck you are going to send that vib out. I dropped the ball on this very point building my first list. Now I am starting over... lol
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    • Profile picture of the author ShaniquaL
      Originally Posted by Bob Reynolds View Post

      Really think through the product launch and ask around on the groups to get some ideas. Product launches are a good method to build a list. If you come at it wanting that quick buck you are going to send that vibe out. I dropped the ball on this very point building my first list. Now I am starting over... lol
      So what would you say is the best method for approaching a product launch?
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