Tools are a major item in a hardware store. But the store's target is Mr. and Mrs. Average Consumer. Most do not need great quality and would not pay the greater price even if the better item was available. But some would. Therein lies the key.
While your local hardware store may find it unprofitable to stock professional tools, may even be prevented by contracts from doing so, many customers would like the option to buy better quality.
The Web makes it possible to profitably offer only the best. The few who would buy top the line in a given shop if it were available are collectively a target of considerable size.
Starting Small
Several years back I discovered bricks of fire starter cubes. Just touch a match to one, and you can ignite a pretty good sized chunk of firewood, provided it is split. Joy! Hardware Stores And Niche Marketing No more kindling. No more nursing things along. No frustrating restarts. Just stack it, add a cube, and touch it with a lighted match.
About eight years back, the hardware store changed brands. (Translate: Supplier changed brands.) They look the same. Cost the same. But it usually takes several matches. (And scorched fingers!) Further, it often takes several cubes.
For more information, please visit: http://www.BigExperts.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
But Where Do I Start?
Throughout the offline world, independent merchants have been forced to join hands with large suppliers to the extent many are not free tostock in areas which conflict with the wishes of the suppliers. This may be most obvious in your local hardware store. Most of the stock comes through Ace Hardware or True Value Hardware.
When the owner of the store you favor says, "We can't get those any more," he usually means the supplier no longer handles the item. And because of agreements, he is not free to go elsewhere for it. More than likely, the supplier has replaced what you want with a less expensive product that may or may not measure up to its predecessor in performance.
Quality Is Available
The drill bits available in your local store are not very expensive. But they are not great tools. Those who use bits regularly as a part of their work, may pay twice as much as you will pay. But the bits they buy will outperform and outlast their less expensive cousins many, many times
over.
For more information, please visit: http://www.BigExperts.com
When the owner of the store you favor says, "We can't get those any more," he usually means the supplier no longer handles the item. And because of agreements, he is not free to go elsewhere for it. More than likely, the supplier has replaced what you want with a less expensive product that may or may not measure up to its predecessor in performance.
Quality Is Available
The drill bits available in your local store are not very expensive. But they are not great tools. Those who use bits regularly as a part of their work, may pay twice as much as you will pay. But the bits they buy will outperform and outlast their less expensive cousins many, many times
over.
For more information, please visit: http://www.BigExperts.com
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Will People Pay For Quality?
My answer is a resounding, "Yes!" If I can find the original sponge mentioned above, I will buy it without even a glance at the price. It's a tool that simplifies a task.
When it comes to tools, I want the best, for they last longer and make the job easier all the while. A lot of people feel the same way.
Quality tools of any kind can become the basis of a profitable niche market. Sized baseball caps sell only on style and comfort. Thus this is not as good a starting point. There are not nearly as many people willing to pay twice the going rate for style as there are who will do so for quality tools.
A Difficult Task
Defining a niche is tough to do. But those who intend to succeed on the Web into the future, must find and conquer one. They must become the dominant name within it. They must provide great content that demonstrates expertise, over-deliver with quality products, and provide extremely high levels of support to all.
For more information, please visit: http://www.BigExperts.com
When it comes to tools, I want the best, for they last longer and make the job easier all the while. A lot of people feel the same way.
Quality tools of any kind can become the basis of a profitable niche market. Sized baseball caps sell only on style and comfort. Thus this is not as good a starting point. There are not nearly as many people willing to pay twice the going rate for style as there are who will do so for quality tools.
A Difficult Task
Defining a niche is tough to do. But those who intend to succeed on the Web into the future, must find and conquer one. They must become the dominant name within it. They must provide great content that demonstrates expertise, over-deliver with quality products, and provide extremely high levels of support to all.
For more information, please visit: http://www.BigExperts.com
Define A Niche, Then Conquer!
Looking for a quality baseball cap? Hey, it's easy. Check out the material and workmanship. Grab a color you like, and maybe a team logo. You don't even have to try it on! Thanks to the little strap in the back, one size fits all.
A marketer's dream.
You can still buy baseball caps that are sized. But they cost a good deal more and you have to buy in quantity. That little strap put a lot of cap manufactures flat out of business.
Declining Options
You see this happening across the spectrum of manufactured products. There is need now and then for me to spend serious time in the kitchen. Which includes washing dishes.
I found a great sponge some years back. Dark green on one side with a roughness to it that really does a number on a pot or frying pan. The other side is yellow, a more typical kind of manufactured sponge. Softer and thicker, it's great for polishing off the heavy scrub. Each lasts about a month, longer if you don't mind some frayed edges. The last batch I bought looked identical to what I had been getting. But they don't last but about a week. And they do not do nearly as good a job, which means more work. No doubt I paid less, but in the long run, the cheaper version may cost me more. Yet they will likely put the original manufacturer out of business.
For more information, please visit http://www.BigExperts.com
A marketer's dream.
You can still buy baseball caps that are sized. But they cost a good deal more and you have to buy in quantity. That little strap put a lot of cap manufactures flat out of business.
Declining Options
You see this happening across the spectrum of manufactured products. There is need now and then for me to spend serious time in the kitchen. Which includes washing dishes.
I found a great sponge some years back. Dark green on one side with a roughness to it that really does a number on a pot or frying pan. The other side is yellow, a more typical kind of manufactured sponge. Softer and thicker, it's great for polishing off the heavy scrub. Each lasts about a month, longer if you don't mind some frayed edges. The last batch I bought looked identical to what I had been getting. But they don't last but about a week. And they do not do nearly as good a job, which means more work. No doubt I paid less, but in the long run, the cheaper version may cost me more. Yet they will likely put the original manufacturer out of business.
For more information, please visit http://www.BigExperts.com
The Right Niche Makes It Happen
Targeted marketing is what it's all about; it's a must. You do not want visitors who do not want what you offer. They are not buyers and will only waste your time, resources, and bandwidth.
Start by listing everything you enjoy doing or talking about. Everything. I've no idea how to relate golf and history, but if you like both, put them on your list.
The oddest things can lead to something really neat. This article came from an old penny in the top drawer of my desk. Check out your hidden and/or forgotten treasures. Be
alert to every crazy notion that comes to mind. Somewhere in this madness, you will find a niche worth capturing.
For more information, please visit: http://BigExperts.com
Start by listing everything you enjoy doing or talking about. Everything. I've no idea how to relate golf and history, but if you like both, put them on your list.
The oddest things can lead to something really neat. This article came from an old penny in the top drawer of my desk. Check out your hidden and/or forgotten treasures. Be
alert to every crazy notion that comes to mind. Somewhere in this madness, you will find a niche worth capturing.
For more information, please visit: http://BigExperts.com
Friday, April 3, 2009
Look For Connections
As I was working on another article, I opened the top drawer of my desk and grabbed the highlighter. Beneath it was an old coin my grandfather gave me years back. A penny. Dated 1849. I know nothing about coins. But this one may even be copper. It's larger than the current crop. It's worn, but the markings are still quite legible. So what's it I love history. How long would it take me to learn enough about coins to safely buy and sell them? I can't say, for I've never looked into it.
There would be little risk in testing. Put the two ideas together, and I've got coins with a history. Maybe it's a joke. Maybe it would work. Easy enough to check it out.
Opening a site on which you plan to sell and trade rare coins, is likely to put you head to head with older more established sites that will bury you.
In a narrow niche, it is much easier to set yourself apart from your competitors. Much easier to let your site speak for itself and demonstrate your expertise. And it answers the question of why people should come to you, for you are now a specialist, soon to become an expert.
You will find your pages will have better positions on the search engines. In fact much better. A different set of keywords emerges from your selected subset of all coin
dealers.
The Right Niche Makes It Happen
Targeted marketing is what it's all about; it's a must. You do not want visitors who do not want what you offer. They are not buyers and will only waste your time, resources, and bandwidth.
Start by listing everything you enjoy doing or talking about. Everything. I've no idea how to relate golf and history, but if you like both, put them on your list.
The oddest things can lead to something really neat. This article came from an old penny in the top drawer of my desk. Check out your hidden and/or forgotten treasures. Be
alert to every crazy notion that comes to mind. Somewhere in this madness, you will find a niche worth capturing.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
There would be little risk in testing. Put the two ideas together, and I've got coins with a history. Maybe it's a joke. Maybe it would work. Easy enough to check it out.
Opening a site on which you plan to sell and trade rare coins, is likely to put you head to head with older more established sites that will bury you.
In a narrow niche, it is much easier to set yourself apart from your competitors. Much easier to let your site speak for itself and demonstrate your expertise. And it answers the question of why people should come to you, for you are now a specialist, soon to become an expert.
You will find your pages will have better positions on the search engines. In fact much better. A different set of keywords emerges from your selected subset of all coin
dealers.
The Right Niche Makes It Happen
Targeted marketing is what it's all about; it's a must. You do not want visitors who do not want what you offer. They are not buyers and will only waste your time, resources, and bandwidth.
Start by listing everything you enjoy doing or talking about. Everything. I've no idea how to relate golf and history, but if you like both, put them on your list.
The oddest things can lead to something really neat. This article came from an old penny in the top drawer of my desk. Check out your hidden and/or forgotten treasures. Be
alert to every crazy notion that comes to mind. Somewhere in this madness, you will find a niche worth capturing.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
Niche Finding Made Easy
Suppose you love books. Everything about them. You read voraciously. And you'd just love to write some reviews and sell the books you particularly enjoy. But hey, forget
that. Right? An individual doesn't stand a chance in the book business. Right? If Barnes & Noble doesn't seem able to catch Amazon, you're not going to get it done. Right?
Well, yes and no. It's true that you are not likely to beat Amazon, even if they falter in that heady race with Barnes & Noble. But if you change some rules, you can win.
If you select a specific area, one sufficiently narrow, you can beat these companies in this niche. Few books are being published in what was previously called Male Adventure. Yet men still read when they can find an author they enjoy. I don't know this would work, but it's a possibility worth checking.
Maybe specialize in technical works, not available through major book stores. Then of course there are rare books; a narrow niche within this category might be just the ticket. Just think books. Write down every idea that comes to mind. Make a note of every interest or skill you can bring to the table.
Think About Ebooks
Ebooks are growing in popularity. A while back I looked into them just for the heck of it, thinking I might uncover something of interest. I did not find a specific market that has not been touched, but I bet it's there.
I did find an idea, though. With so many people publishing ebooks, there is definitely room for a great ebook compiler. The Adobe PDF format is popular, but the
compiler produces post-script files that are huge. And I don't find the reader easy to use. NeoBooks is an option, but probably unnecessarily complex to use. And it excludes
MAC users; there is a reader for PDF files on MACs.
I'm not planning to write a new compiler. I have included this thought only as an example of things that may come up unexpectedly while you are searching for something else. Each such idea is a possible opportunity.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
that. Right? An individual doesn't stand a chance in the book business. Right? If Barnes & Noble doesn't seem able to catch Amazon, you're not going to get it done. Right?
Well, yes and no. It's true that you are not likely to beat Amazon, even if they falter in that heady race with Barnes & Noble. But if you change some rules, you can win.
If you select a specific area, one sufficiently narrow, you can beat these companies in this niche. Few books are being published in what was previously called Male Adventure. Yet men still read when they can find an author they enjoy. I don't know this would work, but it's a possibility worth checking.
Maybe specialize in technical works, not available through major book stores. Then of course there are rare books; a narrow niche within this category might be just the ticket. Just think books. Write down every idea that comes to mind. Make a note of every interest or skill you can bring to the table.
Think About Ebooks
Ebooks are growing in popularity. A while back I looked into them just for the heck of it, thinking I might uncover something of interest. I did not find a specific market that has not been touched, but I bet it's there.
I did find an idea, though. With so many people publishing ebooks, there is definitely room for a great ebook compiler. The Adobe PDF format is popular, but the
compiler produces post-script files that are huge. And I don't find the reader easy to use. NeoBooks is an option, but probably unnecessarily complex to use. And it excludes
MAC users; there is a reader for PDF files on MACs.
I'm not planning to write a new compiler. I have included this thought only as an example of things that may come up unexpectedly while you are searching for something else. Each such idea is a possible opportunity.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
Enough Already. How Do I Get Started?
It's best not to make a move until you have defined a niche and answered that first question: Who do you want to sell to? Until you have a clear picture of your target, and have defined within this group some possible perfect customers, you are not yet positioned effectively. Here's why.
When just getting started, you must seek to understand everything you encounter, for you do not know what you will need. Yet this is impossible to do. There are simply too many good newsletters out there to keep up with them all. Too many neat books; you can't get and read
every one. And too many sites such as STAT, upon which you can spend a week or more without exhausting the resources.
But as you narrow your focus, you in turn narrow the information gathering task. Settle on half a dozen good newsletters to follow, keep as many as a dozen books handy for reference, and refuse to be distracted by anything off target. Until you can accomplish this, do not extend yourself further by tackling a newsletter or website. Such tasks steal precious time from the fundamental: Defining your target.
When you have the Focus
Given a focus, you can begin, even if you are still searching for a good product. This can come later. But you must know who your target is.
Given this, start a newsletter, then work at trying to get feedback. When your target begins interacting with you, there are all kinds of great benefits. From their words will
spring new ideas that both clarify your goals and bring you closer to achieving them.
And consider opening a website. Whether or not you have a product, focus on building great content. But even with a website, you need to build a newsletter. This is no longer optional; people expect you to have one. A newsletter is the most effective way to stay in touch with your target and demonstrate your growing expertise.
Continue working on your copywriting skills. Make sure every page on the site "sells" even if it's only free information.
Keep the pages simple. Follow the unwritten rules. Let that copy you've struggled to create be the total focus of your site. Hold the art work to a minimum. A logo and a
tiled background is all you really need. And whether or not you yet have a product to sell, remember that content is king. Provide all you can and do all possible to keep your visitors coming back for more.
What Next?
Continue to search for products that fit your defined target. And continue to seek an unfulfilled need within your target that you can satisfy with a product you create.
Given a product, it's time to really zero in on your perfect customer. Everything in your newsletter and on your site must be directed at this target. It's fine if others
join in, but it's impossible to talk to two different types of people at the same time. Grab a tight focus and stick to it.
Wrapping Up
This plan may not be as easy to accomplish as you had hoped. It requires time, work, and effort. And there are things to be learned. But it is doable. Anybody who persists
can make it happen.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
When just getting started, you must seek to understand everything you encounter, for you do not know what you will need. Yet this is impossible to do. There are simply too many good newsletters out there to keep up with them all. Too many neat books; you can't get and read
every one. And too many sites such as STAT, upon which you can spend a week or more without exhausting the resources.
But as you narrow your focus, you in turn narrow the information gathering task. Settle on half a dozen good newsletters to follow, keep as many as a dozen books handy for reference, and refuse to be distracted by anything off target. Until you can accomplish this, do not extend yourself further by tackling a newsletter or website. Such tasks steal precious time from the fundamental: Defining your target.
When you have the Focus
Given a focus, you can begin, even if you are still searching for a good product. This can come later. But you must know who your target is.
Given this, start a newsletter, then work at trying to get feedback. When your target begins interacting with you, there are all kinds of great benefits. From their words will
spring new ideas that both clarify your goals and bring you closer to achieving them.
And consider opening a website. Whether or not you have a product, focus on building great content. But even with a website, you need to build a newsletter. This is no longer optional; people expect you to have one. A newsletter is the most effective way to stay in touch with your target and demonstrate your growing expertise.
Continue working on your copywriting skills. Make sure every page on the site "sells" even if it's only free information.
Keep the pages simple. Follow the unwritten rules. Let that copy you've struggled to create be the total focus of your site. Hold the art work to a minimum. A logo and a
tiled background is all you really need. And whether or not you yet have a product to sell, remember that content is king. Provide all you can and do all possible to keep your visitors coming back for more.
What Next?
Continue to search for products that fit your defined target. And continue to seek an unfulfilled need within your target that you can satisfy with a product you create.
Given a product, it's time to really zero in on your perfect customer. Everything in your newsletter and on your site must be directed at this target. It's fine if others
join in, but it's impossible to talk to two different types of people at the same time. Grab a tight focus and stick to it.
Wrapping Up
This plan may not be as easy to accomplish as you had hoped. It requires time, work, and effort. And there are things to be learned. But it is doable. Anybody who persists
can make it happen.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
Finding a niche and a product
Finding a Niche
A niche is a narrow slice of a larger market. A slice with an audience large enough to produce the income you need, but otherwise as narrow as possible. And it needs to be something in which you can dominate powerfully. You want to be *the guru* within your niche.
Finding your niche may be the hardest part of all. Not the work involved, but the time, particularly the thinking time. Yet this is absolutely the last thing to rush. For if you don't get this right, nothing is going to work at all well.
Finding a product
As mentioned, working with copywriting and seeking to define your niche need to evolve together. That is, as you make progress in one area, move ahead a bit in the other.
Now to this mix, add the search for possible products and services. And throughout, continue to try to picture who you want to sell to. To define your perfect customer.
Without a doubt, the best product to sell is one you create. This gives you total control. You may even invite others to assist in selling it. There is profit to be made in them all. Too many neat books; you can't get and read selling products produced by others, but much more in products you produce.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
A niche is a narrow slice of a larger market. A slice with an audience large enough to produce the income you need, but otherwise as narrow as possible. And it needs to be something in which you can dominate powerfully. You want to be *the guru* within your niche.
Finding your niche may be the hardest part of all. Not the work involved, but the time, particularly the thinking time. Yet this is absolutely the last thing to rush. For if you don't get this right, nothing is going to work at all well.
Finding a product
As mentioned, working with copywriting and seeking to define your niche need to evolve together. That is, as you make progress in one area, move ahead a bit in the other.
Now to this mix, add the search for possible products and services. And throughout, continue to try to picture who you want to sell to. To define your perfect customer.
Without a doubt, the best product to sell is one you create. This gives you total control. You may even invite others to assist in selling it. There is profit to be made in them all. Too many neat books; you can't get and read selling products produced by others, but much more in products you produce.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
Getting Started
Finding appropriate answers to the last entry's questions requires a good deal of study and thought. As you proceed, focus on all of them collectively. That is, as you think about
who you want sell to, also consider products to be sold and ways of doing so.
To get started, jot down a few thoughts about each as a beginning point. With these notes, search for ideas and information to help you flesh out a full fledged business plan
This process will take months, not days. Whatever it takes, it's better to know where you are headed before committing the bucks and time needed to build a website.
The First Step
This may sound like heresy to seasoned professionals, but the failure to understand what great ad copy is all about, and the lack of skills needed to produce it, is a very common cause of business failure, particularly online. So start here.
Start with copywriting? Have you lost it?
No. Not at all. Copywriting comes after all else is done except building the site. By then you are tired, filled with self-doubt, and doing all possible to minimize committing to even one more small chore. So the final copy on the site often looks and reads as something done hastily and at the last minute. Avoid this calamity by beginning
your study right now. Be ready when the time comes to write great pages. Nothing less works.
There is an added bonus in seeking to develop or improve copywriting skills. Almost every gain is also an asset to all other writing you do, including what is needed for your email and newsletter. No writing I have ever done is more demanding than copywriting. Improved skills in this area means better results with all of your writing.
There is no need to master copywriting at this point. But get started with the task. If you have not decided on a product, you can't say who your perfect customer will be. But you can come to grips with the concept of building such an image.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
who you want sell to, also consider products to be sold and ways of doing so.
To get started, jot down a few thoughts about each as a beginning point. With these notes, search for ideas and information to help you flesh out a full fledged business plan
This process will take months, not days. Whatever it takes, it's better to know where you are headed before committing the bucks and time needed to build a website.
The First Step
This may sound like heresy to seasoned professionals, but the failure to understand what great ad copy is all about, and the lack of skills needed to produce it, is a very common cause of business failure, particularly online. So start here.
Start with copywriting? Have you lost it?
No. Not at all. Copywriting comes after all else is done except building the site. By then you are tired, filled with self-doubt, and doing all possible to minimize committing to even one more small chore. So the final copy on the site often looks and reads as something done hastily and at the last minute. Avoid this calamity by beginning
your study right now. Be ready when the time comes to write great pages. Nothing less works.
There is an added bonus in seeking to develop or improve copywriting skills. Almost every gain is also an asset to all other writing you do, including what is needed for your email and newsletter. No writing I have ever done is more demanding than copywriting. Improved skills in this area means better results with all of your writing.
There is no need to master copywriting at this point. But get started with the task. If you have not decided on a product, you can't say who your perfect customer will be. But you can come to grips with the concept of building such an image.
For more information, please visit: http//www.BigExperts.com
The Path to online success
If you are determined to build a successful online business, here's a plan that works, even if you are brand new to the Web. The key to it is to take a small step in each of several areas all at the same time. As long as each step takes you closer to your goal, then there is no hurry at all. That is, you can work with it as time allows. The trick is to avoid any move in the wrong direction, any step that is counterproductive
The Fundamental Questions
Begin by asking very specific questions such as...
*Who will I sell to?
*What will I sell?
*How will I sell it?
*How can a website help get it done?
*What are my financial goals for this venture?
These are not easy to answer. Yet completely defining suitable responses is mandatory. Without them, much of what you do will be a waste of time and effort. On
the other hand, answer them definitively, and every move you make will lead you closer to your objective.
The last question may be the easiest to answer. For many, it will be, "To build a business working part time that will grow sufficiently for me to give up my day job and work
my online business full time." What follows assumes your answer is similar.
The first question may be the most difficult to answer.But it is the one that matters most because you are going to spend a lot of time directly or indirectly with your customers. It is hard to be effective with people you do not enjoy being around.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bigexperts.com
The Fundamental Questions
Begin by asking very specific questions such as...
*Who will I sell to?
*What will I sell?
*How will I sell it?
*How can a website help get it done?
*What are my financial goals for this venture?
These are not easy to answer. Yet completely defining suitable responses is mandatory. Without them, much of what you do will be a waste of time and effort. On
the other hand, answer them definitively, and every move you make will lead you closer to your objective.
The last question may be the easiest to answer. For many, it will be, "To build a business working part time that will grow sufficiently for me to give up my day job and work
my online business full time." What follows assumes your answer is similar.
The first question may be the most difficult to answer.But it is the one that matters most because you are going to spend a lot of time directly or indirectly with your customers. It is hard to be effective with people you do not enjoy being around.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bigexperts.com
Locations and costs.
Where we're at
The above is not the whole of it. For example, there has been no mention of search engines, yet good positioning can make a big difference. Again, if you know how to optimize pages and can do so easily, it is worth your time to do so. If not, hire it out. Writing skills are important. If yours aren't so hot, factor in some cost for editing, or even creating both page content and the advertising message behind all. Good service is available
at $25-$50/hour.
You must add up these costs relative to your particular needs. But it is unlikely you can start a serious online business for less than $500 to $1000, even if you do
all the work yourself.
Time Cost Analysis
Starting any business means commitments in time you can not expect to recover except over the long run. So good cost analysis is difficult initially. Even so, put a dollar
value on your time, perhaps as low as $5/hour, to help you make good decisions about how you will use your time. Even at $5/hour, it will be clear that some things should be
hired out.
Building web pages with HTML when you could be generating leads may not be the best use of time. Reading a book or two about how to work the Web can be very helpful, but sometimes it's more cost effective to buy the information needed. Working harder is often the only option available. But when possible, work smarter, which often means hiring services. In the end you'll have more fun and rake in greater profits sooner.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bigexperts.com
The above is not the whole of it. For example, there has been no mention of search engines, yet good positioning can make a big difference. Again, if you know how to optimize pages and can do so easily, it is worth your time to do so. If not, hire it out. Writing skills are important. If yours aren't so hot, factor in some cost for editing, or even creating both page content and the advertising message behind all. Good service is available
at $25-$50/hour.
You must add up these costs relative to your particular needs. But it is unlikely you can start a serious online business for less than $500 to $1000, even if you do
all the work yourself.
Time Cost Analysis
Starting any business means commitments in time you can not expect to recover except over the long run. So good cost analysis is difficult initially. Even so, put a dollar
value on your time, perhaps as low as $5/hour, to help you make good decisions about how you will use your time. Even at $5/hour, it will be clear that some things should be
hired out.
Building web pages with HTML when you could be generating leads may not be the best use of time. Reading a book or two about how to work the Web can be very helpful, but sometimes it's more cost effective to buy the information needed. Working harder is often the only option available. But when possible, work smarter, which often means hiring services. In the end you'll have more fun and rake in greater profits sooner.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bigexperts.com
Opening An Office
While getting started, you will likely keep your present job, and it may make sense to work from your home. Even so, you still need an "office," including stationery, invoices, business cards, and possibly brochures to be handed out wherever you happen to be. Costs here are the same as in an offline business, and will be a function of your needs.
Don't overlook software. If you want to do some of the graphics for your site, Paint Shop Pro is a good choice. For your accounting, Quicken is good too.
Then there are other things, such as supplies. Printers chew up enormous gobs of paper.
A Phone Is A Must
An email address is not enough. You need a phone and someone to answer it. Preferably an 800 number. Even if you expect to receive few calls, this is a must. People often call just to see if you're for real. If there's no phone, you've lost a sale. Some argue that voice mail is a reasonable alternative, but it will not help if you can not get back quickly. If you have a spouse who can answer, go for it. If not, find someone in your area who can take calls as your secretary. If you provide up-to-date information about your business, your "secretary" can often save you the need for a later reply. Further, there is simply no less expensive way to appear to be working the business full time.
For more of these articles please visit http://www.bigexperts.com/
Don't overlook software. If you want to do some of the graphics for your site, Paint Shop Pro is a good choice. For your accounting, Quicken is good too.
Then there are other things, such as supplies. Printers chew up enormous gobs of paper.
A Phone Is A Must
An email address is not enough. You need a phone and someone to answer it. Preferably an 800 number. Even if you expect to receive few calls, this is a must. People often call just to see if you're for real. If there's no phone, you've lost a sale. Some argue that voice mail is a reasonable alternative, but it will not help if you can not get back quickly. If you have a spouse who can answer, go for it. If not, find someone in your area who can take calls as your secretary. If you provide up-to-date information about your business, your "secretary" can often save you the need for a later reply. Further, there is simply no less expensive way to appear to be working the business full time.
For more of these articles please visit http://www.bigexperts.com/
Building Your Site
Hiring someone to put a site together can cost thousands of dollars. More important, you may find making changes later brings significant added cost. It is best to build your own pages, for then you have total control.
But the template used throughout the site is so critical to success, consider hiring an artist to get it right. Not the site, just the basic page template. Once the site is established, it can be very cost-effective to hire out the creation of new pages and updating. A good page template with original art work can run anywhere from $200 on up,
but $500 should cover even special needs.
Free vs Paid Hosting Services
There is only one option. You must have your own domain name and a good hosting service.
But the template used throughout the site is so critical to success, consider hiring an artist to get it right. Not the site, just the basic page template. Once the site is established, it can be very cost-effective to hire out the creation of new pages and updating. A good page template with original art work can run anywhere from $200 on up,
but $500 should cover even special needs.
Free vs Paid Hosting Services
There is only one option. You must have your own domain name and a good hosting service.
What's It Cost To Start An Online Business?
It's all a function of that extremely precious commodity required called time. When the alternator in your car quits, you can fix it yourself or turn to a mechanic. Working the Web is no different in this regard. Doing it yourself saves bucks, but may not be cost-effective. And it can be a serious mistake if you lack required skills.
If you want your site to become a significant source of income, judicious use of time is mandatory. No one person will cost.
Going Into Business
If you are starting a new business, you must file a DBA (Doing Business As a statement) or the equivalent in the county or state in which you will work. After filing, it may need to be published. Then you need to open a bank account. Costs vary from state to state. In California the minimum is about $50 for the DBA and $10/month for the bank account. Also consider any state or local licenses If you need an accountant, costs go up. Turn to an attorney, and they may skyrocket. But you may need to consider these options because of the products or services you will market, just as in an offline business. You may need to consider liability insurance. Incorporation may provide even more protection.
HTML vs Web Page Editors
You must understand the basics of HTML, the can do it all. And what you need but don't have time to do, language in which web pages are written. There is a time cost here. But at some point, most will find it more effective to turn to a web page editor to save time. Costs range from about $50 to $200.
If you want your site to become a significant source of income, judicious use of time is mandatory. No one person will cost.
Going Into Business
If you are starting a new business, you must file a DBA (Doing Business As a statement) or the equivalent in the county or state in which you will work. After filing, it may need to be published. Then you need to open a bank account. Costs vary from state to state. In California the minimum is about $50 for the DBA and $10/month for the bank account. Also consider any state or local licenses If you need an accountant, costs go up. Turn to an attorney, and they may skyrocket. But you may need to consider these options because of the products or services you will market, just as in an offline business. You may need to consider liability insurance. Incorporation may provide even more protection.
HTML vs Web Page Editors
You must understand the basics of HTML, the can do it all. And what you need but don't have time to do, language in which web pages are written. There is a time cost here. But at some point, most will find it more effective to turn to a web page editor to save time. Costs range from about $50 to $200.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
One Path to Success
If you want to succeed on the Web, you must first come to grips with what you mean by success. If your definition can be simplified to making a good living with the opportunity to make more, then all is quite doable. And one of the best ways to start is to begin part time and grow your business as you learn.
Getting Real
Whether you have started a business or are still only thinking about doing so, you may find it informative to check out some successful sites. Successful, that is, according to the definition of their owners.
Common Elements
While the following sites may appear quite different from one another, they have much in common. Nobody is making a million bucks a year; this was not the goal. Rather they are making a living (their definition) and are in an excellent position to increase their income. The site designs are quite simple; very few fancy graphics are to be found. Each site is well focused. Each site is loaded with content. Some face stern competition; others have carved their niche and conquered it. You will probably note ways in which each site can be improved. But this is true of any site, large or small. And it's true of yours. And mine.
Getting Real
Whether you have started a business or are still only thinking about doing so, you may find it informative to check out some successful sites. Successful, that is, according to the definition of their owners.
Common Elements
While the following sites may appear quite different from one another, they have much in common. Nobody is making a million bucks a year; this was not the goal. Rather they are making a living (their definition) and are in an excellent position to increase their income. The site designs are quite simple; very few fancy graphics are to be found. Each site is well focused. Each site is loaded with content. Some face stern competition; others have carved their niche and conquered it. You will probably note ways in which each site can be improved. But this is true of any site, large or small. And it's true of yours. And mine.
How Do You Define Success?
Many people have selective hearing. That is, they hear only what they are listening for. When such people tune in to the notion of getting rich on the Web, they can't seem to hear anything else. They are deaf to the news of dot-com failures in mass. Deaf to the certain doom that lies at the end of any path claimed to be quick or easy. And deaf to any mention of how tough it is to succeed in business anywhere, online or offline.
If you have fallen into this trap, there are only two options. Continue on your chosen path and fail. Or redefine what success means to you, then begin working to achieve it.
"Getting Rich Is Unlikely"
It is no easier to become wealthy online than offline. The only advantage to beginning a business online, rather than offline, is in the lower startup costs. The rest of it is work, learning, then implementing what you learn.
What are your chances of opening a new business in your home town and becoming a millionaire? Unless you have very special talents and skills, it's unlikely. The chances of doing so on a website are no better. Would Making A Living Suit You? Do you have what it takes to open a business on main street and earn a comfortable living? If you lack essential information, are you willing to take the time to hunt it up? If there are things you do not know, are you willing to learn them? If you lack needed skills, are you prepared to develop them? One who can answer a resounding, "Yes," to the above questions, can succeed. Online or offline. Until you can shout this right out loud to your family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers on the street, any effort to build a successful website will break your heart. And waste a ton of your time. And more than a few bucks.
If you have fallen into this trap, there are only two options. Continue on your chosen path and fail. Or redefine what success means to you, then begin working to achieve it.
"Getting Rich Is Unlikely"
It is no easier to become wealthy online than offline. The only advantage to beginning a business online, rather than offline, is in the lower startup costs. The rest of it is work, learning, then implementing what you learn.
What are your chances of opening a new business in your home town and becoming a millionaire? Unless you have very special talents and skills, it's unlikely. The chances of doing so on a website are no better. Would Making A Living Suit You? Do you have what it takes to open a business on main street and earn a comfortable living? If you lack essential information, are you willing to take the time to hunt it up? If there are things you do not know, are you willing to learn them? If you lack needed skills, are you prepared to develop them? One who can answer a resounding, "Yes," to the above questions, can succeed. Online or offline. Until you can shout this right out loud to your family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers on the street, any effort to build a successful website will break your heart. And waste a ton of your time. And more than a few bucks.
Successful marketing easy tips 1
Staking Out Your Claim
A website is not required before starting an online business. There is a good deal of planing and learning to be done, before beginning to build one. Defining your niche is the fundamental task. If you already have a site running, look through these notes for good ideas you may have overlooked.
How Do You Define Success? - While making a million bucks is unlikely, you can make a good living.
What's It Cost To Start An Online Business?" - There are costs in starting any business, online or offline.
One Path To Online Success - There are lots of paths leading to success; this is one of the best.
Niche Finding Made Easy - Niche marketing is the only way to go.
Define A Niche, Then Conquer! - Success depends upon start a business without spending a dime.
Knock Off The Guru! - If you find a guru dominating the niche you want, see if he or she can be toppled.
The Vortals Are Coming! - If you have found a niche, but lack a great product, consider building a vertical directory.
Who Do You Want To Sell To? - The key question may not be what to sell, but who to sell to.
Plan Your Way To Success - Without a solid business plan, you are doomed to fail.
Learn How To Win - Many willing to do the work required are not prepared for the associated learning task.
A website is not required before starting an online business. There is a good deal of planing and learning to be done, before beginning to build one. Defining your niche is the fundamental task. If you already have a site running, look through these notes for good ideas you may have overlooked.
How Do You Define Success? - While making a million bucks is unlikely, you can make a good living.
What's It Cost To Start An Online Business?" - There are costs in starting any business, online or offline.
One Path To Online Success - There are lots of paths leading to success; this is one of the best.
Niche Finding Made Easy - Niche marketing is the only way to go.
Define A Niche, Then Conquer! - Success depends upon start a business without spending a dime.
Knock Off The Guru! - If you find a guru dominating the niche you want, see if he or she can be toppled.
The Vortals Are Coming! - If you have found a niche, but lack a great product, consider building a vertical directory.
Who Do You Want To Sell To? - The key question may not be what to sell, but who to sell to.
Plan Your Way To Success - Without a solid business plan, you are doomed to fail.
Learn How To Win - Many willing to do the work required are not prepared for the associated learning task.
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