The Naked Truth About Success & Failure...
This is a blog post I wrote for my readers at BuzzBlogger.com, but I wanted to share it with my Warrior friends because it reveals many of the keys which separate those who fail and those who succeed...
Many people online seem to think there is a hidden secret to growing an online business. They search, day after day for the "magic pill" that will instantly have money shooting out of their printer.
Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way...
(Although I would like to see some cash fly out of my printer...
just for kicks!)
But since we're building a REAL business, let's talk straight.
There IS a proven formula to creating a successful online business and I can sum it up in just a few letters...
HM+L+T+TT+F= Online Success
Hungry Market + Building a Mailing List + Traffic + Testing & Tracking + Focus = Massive Online Success
1. The first step to building a successful online business is to find a HOT, HUNGRY market. You must find a group of BUYERS. People who are willing to whip out their credit card to fulfill their particular wants, needs, and desires. Find a group of people who are either eager to buy solutions that fit with their passions (i.e. golf) or spend money to fix problems (i.e. weight loss).
Sell what's ALREADY selling!
There's no need to reinvent the wheel.
The key is to tap into existing demand.
2. Build the List!
If I could only give you ONE tip to building a successful business, it would be to build a mailing list.
Hands down, this is by far THE most important asset in your online business. It's also one of your biggest leverage points, allowing you to generate traffic on demand.
To start building your own list of subscribers, you're going to need a squeeze page.
Now, a squeeze page is a single webpage that enables you to collect a visitors name and email address, so that you can follow up with them in the future.
Your squeeze page is THE most powerful tool for building a large list of subscribers.
Your squeeze page is designed SPECIFICALLY to collect as many subscribers as possible.
The squeeze page gives your visitor 2 choices...
They can either sign up for your list OR...
They can leave.
There are no other links on the page. There are no other choices.
By limiting your visitors choices, you are going to dramatically increase your conversion rate. Often getting as many as 50% of your visitors to subscribe to your list.
You see, the vast majority of money made online is in the FOLLOW-UP. It's in the RELATIONSHIP that you build with your subscribers - turning one-time customers into repeat buyers.
If you aren't building a mailing list, I can guarantee that you are only making a SMALL fraction of what you could be making.
The vast majority of people online DO NOT make a purchase on their first visit to a website.
Instead, they need a MINIMUM of 7-8 points of contact with a business, before they make a purchasing decision.
By building a list of subscribers, you're able to offer a far more personalized marketing experience.
The first, and most important thing you need to do to start building your list is to create a free offer of outrageous value in exchange for their name and email.
Give away your very best stuff up front. Give away a "golden nugget" that will give your subscriber almost immediate results.
By providing TREMENDOUS value up front, your subscribers will eagerly open every email you send.
You see, almost EVERY marketer will tell you that the money is in the list.
But they often leave out a crucial piece of the puzzle...
The real money is in the RELATIONSHIP you develop with your subscribers and the VALUE that you provide.
As said best by Zig Ziglar, "You can get everything you want in life if you help enough others get what they want."
If you're not creating messages that connect with the wants, desires, and frustrations of your prospects, then you've missed the mark.
If you're messages don't connect with their values, then you will
quickly fall off their "attention" radar.
Don't try to guess what your customer's want. Don't try to guess what their fears and frustrations are.
Instead....
Ask!
You'll be amazed what happens when you simply ask your customers what they want.
Here are a few questions you should be asking your subscribers...
1. What is your biggest frustration?
2. What is the biggest obstacle holding you back from (success, weight loss, high golf scroes, etc...)?
3. What type of information would you like to learn about?
You'll be surprised at the answers you receive!
They're almost NEVER what you expected.
3. Traffic!
Nothing happens in business without traffic. Traffic, is literally, the lifeblood of your business.
But not just any kind of traffic.
Instead, you need targeted traffic - a group of people who are ALREADY interested in what you have to offer.
It doesn't matter how much traffic is coming to your website if they're not interested in what you're offering.
But here's the mistake most people make with traffic...
Instead of focusing on PROVEN traffic methods, they try everything under the sun, without mastering a SINGLE traffic source.
In the end, they end up with very little to show for their enduring, but scattered efforts.
So here's what you need to do. FOCUS on ONE, PROVEN traffic method, until you have mastered it completely.
This can be PPC, SEO, article marketing, integration marketing, affiliates, forum marketing, ad swaps or site-based advertising.
But whatever you do, focus on that ONE proven traffic method until you have mastered it completely.
For example, you can literally create an entire business around article marketing. You would simply write informative articles, submit them to sites like EzineArticles.com, and redirect those visitors to your squeeze page within your resource box.
With this one, single technique, you can grow a list of a couple thousand and create a six-figure business.
It's not about the size of your list. Instead, it's about the value you deliver and the RELATIONSHIP you develop with them. And of course, you must have a proper sales process in place to monetize those subscribers. But above all, you must always focus on providing value.
4. Testing & Tracking
So, now you've got the traffic...
HOLD UP.
It doesn't stop there.
Because if your offer doesn't convert to sales, all your effort is wasted.
You must be TESTING your conversions to ENSURE that you have a winning offer.
Smart online marketers never guess. They base their decisions on precise testing.
If you're not looking at the numbers in your business, then you are literally planning to fail.
Running a business without tracking is like driving with blinders on.
If you want to create a business of substance, then you must be testing.
And it's not hard...
You can use a free tool like Google Website Optimizer, which allows you to easily test multiple variations of a web page.
AB split testing is a very simple concept. You simply create 2 different versions of the same page. One is the control piece that you are currently using and the other has ONE variable that is changed. So, for example, you might test a new headline. On your new page you would create a new headline and test that against the one you are currently using.
Google Website Optimizer will then tell you which one converts the best.
Now, here's why this is so powerful...
Even small, little changes to your website can make a massive difference to your bottom line. For example, changing the headline can often result in increases of up to 1600%. That's a MASSIVE increase in revenue!
The headline is the single most important part of your sales letter. If they don't read past your headline, they will never reach the order button.
If you are not testing your headline, you are most likely leaving lots of money on the table.
Testing is one of the few ways that you can increase your profits without increasing your traffic.
Testing EVERY point in your sales process is one of the best things you can do for your business.
You need to test EVERY customer action.This includes opt-in rates, email open rates, click-through rates, and ANY point at which your customer or prospect makes a decision (takes some sort of action) in the sales process.
Think about it, if you can get your sales letter converting from 1% to 3%, that's a 300% INCREASE in sales. That's 300% more revenue for increasing the conversion rate by 2%.
5. Outrageous Focus & Determination
Now, I'm going to give you something here that might sound a bit strange at first. But stick with me for a bit because you'll soon realize the true brilliance of this statement...
"Fail as Fast as Possible".
To achieve success online, you must fail as fast as humanly possible.
Failure is the key to progress.
Track your results and modify your results accordingly.
In business, you will never know the outcome of any particular technique or action unless you try it out and take action.
It's not like a job where you're told exactly what to do. You're in control of this game and you have the remote that sets everything in motion. It's all about taking action.
Failure is just a result. Success is just a result.
You learn from both and modify your plan accordingly.
That's what this game is all about.
If you don't take action, nothing happens. You can learn and learn and learn. You can plan out the best marketing strategies in the world. But if you don't execute... nothing happens.
So take action and fail as fast as possible.
If you continuously take action on the 4 steps I outlined in this article, then I can guarantee that you will see REAL RESULTS in your business.
It's not going to come overnight. Money is not going to start shooting out of your printer.
But when you apply these simple steps, on a continuous basis, with persistence and desire, the results will astound you.
The snow ball moves slow at first, but as you continue to roll it down the hill, you'll find it begins to move faster and faster.
You never know when you're close to hitting the tipping point.
But you've got to keep moving...
So take action my friend and I look forward to hearing about your success!
Many people online seem to think there is a hidden secret to growing an online business. They search, day after day for the "magic pill" that will instantly have money shooting out of their printer.
Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way...
(Although I would like to see some cash fly out of my printer...
just for kicks!)
But since we're building a REAL business, let's talk straight.
There IS a proven formula to creating a successful online business and I can sum it up in just a few letters...
HM+L+T+TT+F= Online Success
Hungry Market + Building a Mailing List + Traffic + Testing & Tracking + Focus = Massive Online Success
1. The first step to building a successful online business is to find a HOT, HUNGRY market. You must find a group of BUYERS. People who are willing to whip out their credit card to fulfill their particular wants, needs, and desires. Find a group of people who are either eager to buy solutions that fit with their passions (i.e. golf) or spend money to fix problems (i.e. weight loss).
Sell what's ALREADY selling!
There's no need to reinvent the wheel.
The key is to tap into existing demand.
2. Build the List!
If I could only give you ONE tip to building a successful business, it would be to build a mailing list.
Hands down, this is by far THE most important asset in your online business. It's also one of your biggest leverage points, allowing you to generate traffic on demand.
To start building your own list of subscribers, you're going to need a squeeze page.
Now, a squeeze page is a single webpage that enables you to collect a visitors name and email address, so that you can follow up with them in the future.
Your squeeze page is THE most powerful tool for building a large list of subscribers.
Your squeeze page is designed SPECIFICALLY to collect as many subscribers as possible.
The squeeze page gives your visitor 2 choices...
They can either sign up for your list OR...
They can leave.
There are no other links on the page. There are no other choices.
By limiting your visitors choices, you are going to dramatically increase your conversion rate. Often getting as many as 50% of your visitors to subscribe to your list.
You see, the vast majority of money made online is in the FOLLOW-UP. It's in the RELATIONSHIP that you build with your subscribers - turning one-time customers into repeat buyers.
If you aren't building a mailing list, I can guarantee that you are only making a SMALL fraction of what you could be making.
The vast majority of people online DO NOT make a purchase on their first visit to a website.
Instead, they need a MINIMUM of 7-8 points of contact with a business, before they make a purchasing decision.
By building a list of subscribers, you're able to offer a far more personalized marketing experience.
The first, and most important thing you need to do to start building your list is to create a free offer of outrageous value in exchange for their name and email.
Give away your very best stuff up front. Give away a "golden nugget" that will give your subscriber almost immediate results.
By providing TREMENDOUS value up front, your subscribers will eagerly open every email you send.
You see, almost EVERY marketer will tell you that the money is in the list.
But they often leave out a crucial piece of the puzzle...
The real money is in the RELATIONSHIP you develop with your subscribers and the VALUE that you provide.
As said best by Zig Ziglar, "You can get everything you want in life if you help enough others get what they want."
If you're not creating messages that connect with the wants, desires, and frustrations of your prospects, then you've missed the mark.
If you're messages don't connect with their values, then you will
quickly fall off their "attention" radar.
Don't try to guess what your customer's want. Don't try to guess what their fears and frustrations are.
Instead....
Ask!
You'll be amazed what happens when you simply ask your customers what they want.
Here are a few questions you should be asking your subscribers...
1. What is your biggest frustration?
2. What is the biggest obstacle holding you back from (success, weight loss, high golf scroes, etc...)?
3. What type of information would you like to learn about?
You'll be surprised at the answers you receive!
They're almost NEVER what you expected.
3. Traffic!
Nothing happens in business without traffic. Traffic, is literally, the lifeblood of your business.
But not just any kind of traffic.
Instead, you need targeted traffic - a group of people who are ALREADY interested in what you have to offer.
It doesn't matter how much traffic is coming to your website if they're not interested in what you're offering.
But here's the mistake most people make with traffic...
Instead of focusing on PROVEN traffic methods, they try everything under the sun, without mastering a SINGLE traffic source.
In the end, they end up with very little to show for their enduring, but scattered efforts.
So here's what you need to do. FOCUS on ONE, PROVEN traffic method, until you have mastered it completely.
This can be PPC, SEO, article marketing, integration marketing, affiliates, forum marketing, ad swaps or site-based advertising.
But whatever you do, focus on that ONE proven traffic method until you have mastered it completely.
For example, you can literally create an entire business around article marketing. You would simply write informative articles, submit them to sites like EzineArticles.com, and redirect those visitors to your squeeze page within your resource box.
With this one, single technique, you can grow a list of a couple thousand and create a six-figure business.
It's not about the size of your list. Instead, it's about the value you deliver and the RELATIONSHIP you develop with them. And of course, you must have a proper sales process in place to monetize those subscribers. But above all, you must always focus on providing value.
4. Testing & Tracking
So, now you've got the traffic...
HOLD UP.
It doesn't stop there.
Because if your offer doesn't convert to sales, all your effort is wasted.
You must be TESTING your conversions to ENSURE that you have a winning offer.
Smart online marketers never guess. They base their decisions on precise testing.
If you're not looking at the numbers in your business, then you are literally planning to fail.
Running a business without tracking is like driving with blinders on.
If you want to create a business of substance, then you must be testing.
And it's not hard...
You can use a free tool like Google Website Optimizer, which allows you to easily test multiple variations of a web page.
AB split testing is a very simple concept. You simply create 2 different versions of the same page. One is the control piece that you are currently using and the other has ONE variable that is changed. So, for example, you might test a new headline. On your new page you would create a new headline and test that against the one you are currently using.
Google Website Optimizer will then tell you which one converts the best.
Now, here's why this is so powerful...
Even small, little changes to your website can make a massive difference to your bottom line. For example, changing the headline can often result in increases of up to 1600%. That's a MASSIVE increase in revenue!
The headline is the single most important part of your sales letter. If they don't read past your headline, they will never reach the order button.
If you are not testing your headline, you are most likely leaving lots of money on the table.
Testing is one of the few ways that you can increase your profits without increasing your traffic.
Testing EVERY point in your sales process is one of the best things you can do for your business.
You need to test EVERY customer action.This includes opt-in rates, email open rates, click-through rates, and ANY point at which your customer or prospect makes a decision (takes some sort of action) in the sales process.
Think about it, if you can get your sales letter converting from 1% to 3%, that's a 300% INCREASE in sales. That's 300% more revenue for increasing the conversion rate by 2%.
5. Outrageous Focus & Determination
Now, I'm going to give you something here that might sound a bit strange at first. But stick with me for a bit because you'll soon realize the true brilliance of this statement...
"Fail as Fast as Possible".
To achieve success online, you must fail as fast as humanly possible.
Failure is the key to progress.
Track your results and modify your results accordingly.
In business, you will never know the outcome of any particular technique or action unless you try it out and take action.
It's not like a job where you're told exactly what to do. You're in control of this game and you have the remote that sets everything in motion. It's all about taking action.
Failure is just a result. Success is just a result.
You learn from both and modify your plan accordingly.
That's what this game is all about.
If you don't take action, nothing happens. You can learn and learn and learn. You can plan out the best marketing strategies in the world. But if you don't execute... nothing happens.
So take action and fail as fast as possible.
If you continuously take action on the 4 steps I outlined in this article, then I can guarantee that you will see REAL RESULTS in your business.
It's not going to come overnight. Money is not going to start shooting out of your printer.
But when you apply these simple steps, on a continuous basis, with persistence and desire, the results will astound you.
The snow ball moves slow at first, but as you continue to roll it down the hill, you'll find it begins to move faster and faster.
You never know when you're close to hitting the tipping point.
But you've got to keep moving...
So take action my friend and I look forward to hearing about your success!
Eric's Tips
Writing as Kieran McKendrick
You can find the first prequel to my Purgatory series (How Blended are Dust and Fire) on Amazon and Smashwords.
Whether you think you can or think you cannot, you are right. -- Henry Ford
12-Step Traffic Checklist