27 replies
I am in need of some pointers. I've been hanging around here for quite a while now, and have yet to "make it". I can do and have tried many things. My problem lies in the fact that I haven't focused on a road to take. Adsense? Amazon? Lots of small sites? A couple of large sites?

It would be lovely to have a nice quiz/test like the "job aptitude test" that kids take in high school. (To see where their interests lie, and what career may fit them.) Something that could make me easily see my strengths, and then a suggestion of what would work best for me.

Anything you've read lately that helped you to focus on the long-term, business-building principles that "making it" requires?
#plan
  • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
    Pick the niche first - then decide the best way to monetize on it.
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    "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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    • Profile picture of the author Trivum
      Originally Posted by avenuegirl View Post

      Pick the niche first - then decide the best way to monetize on it.
      That's good advice. ... If you're actually interested in the content, you will eventually see ways to monetize it that you never would have thought of otherwise.
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  • Profile picture of the author Colin Theriot
    I'm doing this right now, and it's very good. If you're serious about long term success online, do it right, I always say.

    Plan B Week 1: Starting Your Own Information Business

    edited to add: this is a non-affiliated link to a free course that requires no opt in at all. Disclosure: I know Dan, we've worked together in the past, and he's a colleague and pal. But I'm not recommending the course because of that - I'm recommending it because I'm taking it myself, and it's good.
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    Fair warning: It's possible I'm arguing with you because I have nothing better to do.
    Join my free copywriting group on Facebook: http://CultOfCopy.com

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  • Profile picture of the author ileneg
    You can do and have tried many things....

    What of those things that you know and/or tried have appealed to you the most? Sit down and make a list of the products you own or have read. Take this starter list of questions and apply the list to each of the products you own or the ideas that you have about your subject area. On a scale of 1-5 in terms of interest and importance...(not in any particular order):

    1) quickest money maker
    2) biggest money maker
    3) affililate products
    4) jv opportunities
    5) available buletin boards, forums, etc.
    6) available PLR
    7) ability to outsource
    8) advertising opportunities
    9) need for ongoing support
    10) most interesting to you


    Add them up, pick the one topic or product with highest best score, commit to it and do not allow yourself to stray until you are successful (as defined by you).

    HTH,
    ileneg
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  • Profile picture of the author sweetaj
    Thanks for the suggestions - it is much appreciated. I think I rambled too much on my first post to get my point across.

    I want to work on my own plan based around my strengths. And I want something that will guide me in figuring out how to plan out my business. Maybe like a goal setting guide, or something?
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  • Profile picture of the author sweetaj
    Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

    Whatever you do, do NOT think it's okay to post an affiliate link to an opt-in page in the main forum. That is not only frowned upon, it's against the rules. And even though others may do it, I would suggest you do not follow their lead.

    All the best,
    Michael
    Thanks for the tip. That is one thing I thought everyone knew NOT to do.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
      Originally Posted by sweetaj View Post

      Thanks for the tip. That is one thing I thought everyone knew NOT to do.
      Yeah, I thought so, too.



      Just to be clear, I wasn't suggesting you would do such a thing, but wanted to point out to others that some members here forget the most basic of rules from time to time.

      All the best,
      Michael
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      "Ich bin en fuego!"
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  • Profile picture of the author ConnorMcCreesh
    If you have been using forums for a while surely you should know the power that they hold when selling WSO's etc. Make one in a subject you hope to improve on and you will learn much about it whilst composing a report etc.
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    Hopper, The Instagram Scheduling Tool - Established Tech Startup with 1500+ Users.

    Hopper Affiliate Program: 15% Recurring Monthly Commissions. Thoroughly tested sales funnel. $10-$250+ Product Sales Prices.
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  • Profile picture of the author edmltw
    Here's my way of doing it I wrote this eBook not long ago, so the info within's still fresh

    Check it out here: Welcome to Virtual Internet Marketing Library

    @Ed

    p.s. you need any advice, feel free to PM me, I'll be more than glad to help out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Hey AJ,

    It's impossible to have a plan when your thinking revolves around which strategies to use.

    The things you've mentioned are things that only make sense within a bigger context.

    Look at it this way:

    What do you love doing?

    What would you do if you didn't need the money?

    What are you passionate about?

    If you had to work 20 hours a day - what could you do that you would enjoy rather than get bored with or not like?

    Take this seriously - this is your life.

    Life is short - don't waste it trying to do things that don't inspire you or move your life forward.

    The beauty of IM is that you can build ANY business you like.

    The downside of IM is that you can build any business.

    Don't focus your efforts on what might make some money - focus them on what you would love to achieve AND that has a way to make money.

    When your efforts are directed towards your passion you'll know which marketing strategies make sense and how to use them.

    When you look for what might make money - there's no right answer, 1000's of options and nothing will be easy to do because without clarity you can't tell if you're moving towards your bigger goals.

    It's impossible for anyone else to tell you what you should be doing and don't let anyone try.

    Look at what you love and what you want in your life, look at the knowledge, relationships and resources you have that can support that and then write out everything that comes to your mind that might support that.

    Andy
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    nothing to see here.

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    • Profile picture of the author farisanuar
      Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

      Hey AJ,

      It's impossible to have a plan when your thinking revolves around which strategies to use.

      The things you've mentioned are things that only make sense within a bigger context.

      Look at it this way:

      What do you love doing?

      What would you do if you didn't need the money?

      What are you passionate about?

      If you had to work 20 hours a day - what could you do that you would enjoy rather than get bored with or not like?

      Take this seriously - this is your life.

      Life is short - don't waste it trying to do things that don't inspire you or move your life forward.

      The beauty of IM is that you can build ANY business you like.

      The downside of IM is that you can build any business.

      Don't focus your efforts on what might make some money - focus them on what you would love to achieve AND that has a way to make money.

      When your efforts are directed towards your passion you'll know which marketing strategies make sense and how to use them.

      When you look for what might make money - there's no right answer, 1000's of options and nothing will be easy to do because without clarity you can't tell if you're moving towards your bigger goals.

      It's impossible for anyone else to tell you what you should be doing and don't let anyone try.

      Look at what you love and what you want in your life, look at the knowledge, relationships and resources you have that can support that and then write out everything that comes to your mind that might support that.

      Andy
      Hey thanks andy!

      I'll try n take action as suggested by u! =)
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    • Profile picture of the author EthanDenney
      Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

      Hey AJ,

      It's impossible to have a plan when your thinking revolves around which strategies to use.

      The things you've mentioned are things that only make sense within a bigger context.

      Look at it this way:

      What do you love doing?

      What would you do if you didn't need the money?

      What are you passionate about?

      If you had to work 20 hours a day - what could you do that you would enjoy rather than get bored with or not like?

      Take this seriously - this is your life.

      Life is short - don't waste it trying to do things that don't inspire you or move your life forward.

      The beauty of IM is that you can build ANY business you like.

      The downside of IM is that you can build any business.

      Don't focus your efforts on what might make some money - focus them on what you would love to achieve AND that has a way to make money.

      When your efforts are directed towards your passion you'll know which marketing strategies make sense and how to use them.

      When you look for what might make money - there's no right answer, 1000's of options and nothing will be easy to do because without clarity you can't tell if you're moving towards your bigger goals.

      It's impossible for anyone else to tell you what you should be doing and don't let anyone try.

      Look at what you love and what you want in your life, look at the knowledge, relationships and resources you have that can support that and then write out everything that comes to your mind that might support that.

      Andy
      Couldn't have said it better myself. Great way to put it Andy!

      The best things about building an online info product business is that first of all, it's fast and easy to get started in comparison to bricks and mortar businesses. Second, it allows you to build it in such a way, that it lets you live the lifestyle you've always wanted. Third, it can be greatly automated and ran from anywhere in the world.

      Get a clear idea of how you would like to spend most of your days and what activities you would like to do most on a regular basis. Also, get clear how you would like to spend your average day (by average day, I mean normal days where you're not doing anything out of the norm, just following your regular daily routine), then reverse engineer your business to allow you to do just that :-)

      Once you've got your online business going and you're generating income from it, determine what aspects of it you like most and what tasks you like doing most, then start setting up systems to automate and outsource the rest.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers!
      Ethan
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      • Profile picture of the author CharlesDenney
        Great post Ethan. Thanks for adding so much value with your posts.
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  • Profile picture of the author sanset76
    Hi sweetaj,

    It seems from join date in your profile that you have been here for quite a while and during this time I can easily assume that you have going round in circles at best.

    I have been where you are now with no clue what to do next and jumping from a system or business always looking for that elusive magic wand .

    What I did was I hired a coach that can show me an easy and effective to build an online business.

    HTH
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    • Profile picture of the author farisanuar
      Originally Posted by sanset76 View Post

      Hi sweetaj,

      It seems from join date in your profile that you have been here for quite a while and during this time I can easily assume that you have going round in circles at best.

      I have been where you are now with no clue what to do next and jumping from a system or business always looking for that elusive magic wand .

      What I did was I hired a coach that can show me an easy and effective to build an online business.

      HTH

      I'm trying to get a coach too!

      But more like on a voluntary basis tho as i dont hav the money to hire one.

      It'd be great if anyone wud be willing to help.

      Im a fast learner n seriously eager to mark my name in the world of IM!
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  • Profile picture of the author mattja
    Start in small scale but a very complete plan.

    You will see the result real soon using this technique.
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  • Profile picture of the author tristen
    That's right.

    A mentor will guide you to move faster in the correct way.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I'm going to elaborate on Jill's statement because I didn't know what to do when I got here either - just what niche(s) I wanted involved in.

    Pick the niche -- then just start building a site and work on your plan while you build your site, content, etc. You could even throw an affiliate product or two up while you are building. Ideas will come to you as you work and if you wait for the ideas first, ya just never get started because you're too busy analyzing and thinking to move on it. You might have to change things around here and again, but at least you will have something in the works.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author sweetaj
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      I'm going to elaborate on Jill's statement because I didn't know what to do when I got here either - just what niche(s) I wanted involved in.

      Pick the niche -- then just start building a site and work on your plan while you build your site, content, etc. You could even throw an affiliate product or two up while you are building. Ideas will come to you as you work and if you wait for the ideas first, ya just never get started because you're too busy analyzing and thinking to move on it. You might have to change things around here and again, but at least you will have something in the works.
      That sounds like what I need to do. I already have a couple of sites in a niche that I am very knowledgable about. I guess I thought that without a solid plan first, I'd never make a go with them. But, as I read it, you're saying to jump into building and then wait for the "brilliant" ideas!
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      • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
        Originally Posted by sweetaj View Post

        That sounds like what I need to do. I already have a couple of sites in a niche that I am very knowledgable about. I guess I thought that without a solid plan first, I'd never make a go with them. But, as I read it, you're saying to jump into building and then wait for the "brilliant" ideas!
        I thought that was what you wanted to hear but I couldn't in good conscience recommend it myself.
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        nothing to see here.

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        • Profile picture of the author sweetaj
          Originally Posted by Andyhenry View Post

          I thought that was what you wanted to hear but I couldn't in good conscience recommend it myself.
          Why not? Are you not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of guy??
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          • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
            Originally Posted by sweetaj View Post

            Why not? Are you not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of guy??
            Hehe.

            That depends.

            I am impulsive and I do like to always be flexible and be able to say yes to any new opportunities - But I take giving other people advice very seriously and I hate to tell other people what to do, so I would not advocate someone else to do what I might do myself.

            That's because we're all different and I don't have any illusions of security and don't really care about money - that's way outside most people's comfort zone.

            Several times I've just dropped everything and gone to live in a different country and almost never come back.

            It's like most things - we all have our own preferences so just because I like something that doesn't mean I'd recommend it to someone else.

            I like public speaking, but many people avoid it.

            When it comes to creating an online business many people think it's ok to just stumble along trying different things until you find something that works.

            The problem with that is that you may not find something and if you do it might be something you don't really enjoy after a short time.

            Just because you can run out of a burning house and sleep in your car - doesn't mean your car was where you wanted to end up. If you're not clear about your goals and where you're trying to get - you're likely to end up somewhere different.
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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by sweetaj View Post

        That sounds like what I need to do. I already have a couple of sites in a niche that I am very knowledgable about. I guess I thought that without a solid plan first, I'd never make a go with them. But, as I read it, you're saying to jump into building and then wait for the "brilliant" ideas!
        No - you don't WAIT for brilliant ideas - you actively work to find the best plan....you just create the platform. Actively working on something stimulates that process, but you still need to work at it.
        Check out other websites and see what others are doing, read and find out what others say works for them, you'll already have things mostly set up when you find the best approach, the best programs, the ground that others haven't walked all over.

        The whole Idea of creating while you build your plan is to STOP you from WAITING!
        Signature

        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      HeySal,

      I'm getting lazy these days. lol

      But I'll add to what you said.

      Here is what happens.

      Let's say my niche is "kitchen appliances" and I break that down even further to "blenders."

      Ok, so my site is going to be all about blenders. So, what are my ways to monetize the site?

      Well, I will likely not be spending any time at clickbank - but I would google around for affiliate programs for blenders. I also would find that ebay and amazon might be ways to monetize. But I would have a better idea by knowing the niche to figure out ways to monetize on it.

      I'd visit other sites selling blenders and figure out what they are doing.

      How would I draw people into a site that is selling blenders? Well, I may make reviews of different blenders. I might even be really sneaky and offer a "best blender recipe cookbook" in exchange for your email address.

      But to begin any of this and have a chance of not getting bored off my arse, I better like blenders or want to know a bit more about them. It makes the journey a bit easier. I need to know what issues there are from people who use blenders. Do they like the way it chops things? Are they really looking for something that is a good ice crusher?

      What SweetAJ has been learning is techniques of marketing (as pointed out by Andy).

      Yes, good to know some techniques - but those will only get you so far and many of them you may not even need to know in order to make money.

      Ultimately, each niche has better ways to monetize and not so good way to monetize.

      Sites as well - some things work great with adsense, while other sites that you will put adsense on will be a shot in the foot.

      Select the niche or area you want to learn about/sell/follow, etc. Then look to see how others are monetizing. Then decide if you want to take the same path.

      You know, I sometimes get a bit perturbed when everyones answer is "30 day challenge." Nothing against Ed Dale, but that is not the end all be all answer to everyone looking to pave their way.

      Can you learn from it? yes. Will you profit from it? I don't have a clue.

      I want to work on my own plan based around my strengths. And I want something that will guide me in figuring out how to plan out my business. Maybe like a goal setting guide, or something?
      Goal setting figuring out guide - I'm going to recommend a free course for you to check out. It is not for everyone - and some people find it somewhat military style - but check out simpleology.com - it will give you some worksheets to write down your goals, figure out what you are lacking, and could be used toward figuring out a business plan. It forces you to write down the "end" using a backwards planner and then you fill in all the steps to finding the end. You decide how long it will take you to get to that end state - so it could be several months or several years depending on the goal you have.

      I'm sure there are some other goal setting guides - and I want to say I saw something that was handed out on download once by Paul Myers but I am a bit fuzzy on what that was that I'm thinking about right now.

      I'm confident there are some others that may have some suggestions for some worksheets to fill in that may help you.

      But if nothing else, you will need to select a niche in order to have something to build a business around.
      Signature

      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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      • Profile picture of the author sweetaj
        Originally Posted by avenuegirl View Post

        Goal setting figuring out guide - I'm going to recommend a free course for you to check out. It is not for everyone - and some people find it somewhat military style - but check out simpleology.com - it will give you some worksheets to write down your goals, figure out what you are lacking, and could be used toward figuring out a business plan. It forces you to write down the "end" using a backwards planner and then you fill in all the steps to finding the end. You decide how long it will take you to get to that end state - so it could be several months or several years depending on the goal you have.
        Yes!!! Exactly, thank you, that's what I want.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lilach
    When you set up a business, regardless of whether it's affiliate marketing or not it's important to have a business plan.

    So many people don't see the value in planning and think it's easy and quick to sell affiliate products.

    One of the secrets to having a successful business is in fact in the planning.

    I would start with the following:
    • Carry out your research of your niche market
    • Set objectives, profile your target market and define your unique selling proposition
    • Set up the business side, i.e. legal, finacial etc.
    • Put together a marketing marketing plan
    • Put together your marketing materials - branding, website, lead capture pages, information pack, business cards etc.
    • e-promotion - website, e-newsletter, blogging, maximising your e-presence across the social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook Fan Pages, Youtube,
    • Promotion - advertising, directories, membership organisations, presentation opportunities, direct mail, Google Ads/Facebook Ads, PR
    • Devise a networking strategy
    It's also important to have a budget, how much money you have to invest (however small) and how much money you have to keep it going, particularly when starting out and you're not generating an income.

    Hopefully the above will help you start. I know it's a lot of information and it may appear overwhelming but if you break it down into small steps you will soon get there.

    Best of luck.

    Lilach
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  • Profile picture of the author timb98133
    find 1 thing & stick to it!
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