How to Start an Online Business (Part 5)
There is an audio version below. NONE of the links in this series are affiliate links. I just want to give you value!
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Thank you for sticking with me during this series on how to start and grow an online business. Here is part one, part two, part three, and part four if you missed them. If you want to take what we learned and get help applying it to your situation, check out my Freedom Through Online Business course. Registration is open!
We started this series talking about picking a topic. Ask yourself who you want to help and what you want to help them do. It’s frustrating when you try to think about what you’re good at to help you pick a topic—I would avoid that kind of thinking. Think about experience and passion—those are good starting points.
After you have a topic, it’s time to create your foundation. Create a simple and clean website that’s packed full of good content. Have a presence on all the major social media platforms. Choose the ones where you will be active.
Start building your email list. Social media is not enough to reach your audience. When they sign up for your email list, they’re giving you permission to talk to them about what you have going on. After all of that foundational stuff is established, build traffic and your audience.
Use large publications to build your email list, get massive exposure and a few sales. After you’re building, it’s time to think about what you want to sell. You can create digital information products, offer services, and coach/consult.
7. Leverage and Scale
What I love most about large publications is the ability to leverage them for more. If you want to become a paid speaker or consultant, large publications can give you tremendous social proof that you can include in your pitches. If you get yourself out there enough, the events and companies find you. That’s how I have speaking gigs booked in three states and nine countries in 2016.
Once you build up some momentum, it’s much easier to get more. For example, if you get into one publication, you can use that name to get into another one. If you are a guest on one podcast, you can use that name/interview to book another one. Leverage the opportunities bit by bit.
Creating steady income with an online business is easier said than done, but it’s possible. The key is to have several ways to monetize. When you have several ways, you can plan your months around those ways to monetize. For example, if you have a course, you can sell it in January. You can sell coaching in February and then count on income from public speaking in March. You get the point.
I released a post a few months ago about my business plan. That plan helps me understand where my income will come from in 2016. You can do this, too, but it might not look the same. If you have fewer offerings, spread them out over a few months. After all of this is in place, it’s all about sales. I’ll be writing about sales soon.
I hope many that read my stuff will start or grow an online business in 2016. I hope you’ll take it step-by-step and not give up when the challenges arise. Don’t follow all the bright shiny objects, study what works for where you’re at. You have what it takes, and people need your message.
If you want more specific help, and a way to get your questions answered, check out Freedom Through Online Business. It’s a three-week $97 LIVE class.
Audio version:
Are you ready for success in the New Year?
