Online Success Story:
Diana Walker
www.thecravingscoach.com/blog
Are cravings running your life? Cravings for sugar, carbs, chocolate, coffee, diet drinks, and junk food can be overwhelming. Are you tired, foggy-brained, gaining weight? Diana Walker gives healthy whole food and natural solutions to regain energy, mental clarity, freedom from sugar and junk food cravings.
1. When did you set up your website?
I set up my first Nutrition website in 2002 - and I set up my current blog and website - http://www.thecravingscoach.com/blog in 2006.
2. What gave you the idea for this particular niche & website?
I have been passionate about Nutrition, Whole Foods and Healthy Living since 1974 - when Dr. Paul Bragg - world famous Naturopath and "Life Extension Specialist" came to Vancouver, BC, Canada to lecture. He was 95 years old at the time! I was fascinated with his message of eating whole foods, as close to nature as possible, and his inspiring and all-inclusive message of exercise, fresh air, deep breathing, positive thinking, lots of fruits and vegetables, for a long and happy life.
I wrote to the address on his book "The Miracle of Fasting" - which he had autographed for me. I asked if I could study under him and/or work for him.There was no internet then! But within 2 weeks I got a letter back from him, saying if I came to Oahu, Hawaii, I could study with him in exchange for typing on his current book. I left Vancouver and was in Hawaii within a month! That was an amazing time in my life, and I did get a scholarship to study Naturopathy, Herbology and other healing modalities. Remember - there were very, very few health food stores then - in the 1970s. In fact Dr. Paul Bragg opened the first Health Food Store in North America. So he was a pioneer and so was I, at a very young age, in the Wellness movement! I also led exercise classes and yoga classes on the beach with Dr. Bragg.
One of the biggest challenges with maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to handle cravings - sugar cravings, carb cravings, salt cravings, junk food cravings, chocolate cravings, soda cravings, caffeine cravings. I then became "The Cravings Coach" as I helped provide education and natural remedies to assist people with healthy lifestyles.
3. Did you have any experience with online business prior to creating this website?
I had tried unsuccessfully to get an online presence for 4 years prior to my Cravings Coach website. Hiring a business coach made a huge difference. She helped me to find my passion and my niche, and one that would be profitable, and one where many people are searching for answers.
I also joined a Mastermind group around the same time. I would say I spent $40,000 and 4000 hours and 8 years - from 2002 to 2010 - to get to where I am. So in my case, it took money, time and commitment, and it is paying off.
4. What did you do for work prior to setting up an online business?
I was privileged to love my work as an Executive Assistant for CEOs and Board members in large corporations and in the government health care system. I won a "flying fingers" contest for my 140 words per minute typing. I took computer programming in 1969 (yes, you read that right!) - and in the 1990s I taught doctors and nurses how to use computers.
What is so wonderful is that I have been able to combine my love for computers and the internet with my love for nutrition and helping people. I am so, so fortunate!
5. How did you initially promote your website, and if different - how do you promote it now?
Initially I wrote many articles and submitted them to article directories. I posted on popular forums and I also purchased advertising. I learned how to work with my keywords to get high in the Search Engines through my blog posts. I still utilize those methods. I broadcast a weekly Cravings Coach Podcast during 2007, which brought a lot of listeners and traffic to my blog. I have been leading TeleClasses since I became a Certified TeleClass Leader in 2004, and still love leading TeleClasses.
I promote using Social Media now also, of course. I really love audio and video, and have created about 50 YouTube videos. Twitter and Facebook also contribute to traffic to my site, and increase my visibility and my subscribers and customers.
6. Is your website profitable? Can you share some basic traffic & profit stats with us?
Yes, my website is profitable, and my main initial goal is to have people who like what they read, subscribe to my newsletters. Many of them become customers later, as I provide offers and invite them to learn more.
My profits come through sales of my ebook, affiliate sales, Google Adsense, advertising on my site, and through sales of the Sunrider whole food nutrition products that I love and recommend.
I have about 10,000 Unique Visitors a month to my Cravings Coach Blog.
7. What are your plans for the site going forward?
I love blogging about nutrition, and I will continue to do so. I also have a companion site called http://www.cravingsecrets.com where I sell my ebook which is helping many people. I plan to create more ebooks and ereports on the subject of nutrition and whole foods, with an emphasis on cravings. I will provide more TeleClasses, audios and videos. My site is working very well for me, and I plan to keep on doing what I am doing, since it is working so well!
8. What ONE piece of advice would you give someone interested in starting their own niche site or blog?
Be absolutely, positively, totally sure to start gathering names and email addresses right away, for your newsletter/email list in your niche. This is why I am successful - I am very grateful that my Business Coach in 2006 emphasized that I get an Email Management/Autoresponder system right away. That is the ONE piece of advice that has really helped in my success, and I love passing it on to others, because your List is Pure Gold.
Diana Walker
http://www.thecravingscoach.com/blog
-Thank you, Diana and congratulations on your success!
About Lynn Terry
This is a fascinating story, I especially liked the story about how you became a cravings coach. And I didn't know it was even possible to learn programming that early. You're a pioneer, Diana! 🙂
One thing that came to my mind is that it would be a great idea to do a series of short (7 dollar?) reports on how to tackle some very specific cravings - I would like to know how to get rid of my diet Pepsi habit!
I'm going to try some recipes from the Cravings ebook..
Hi Satu! Yes, I've been very blessed to lead a very rewarding life, doing what I love. Yes, I'm a pioneer and feel so grateful that I was able to find what I loved very early on! Yes, we had great big rooms- filled with computers then. Who would have known in 1969 how tiny and powerful computers would become?!!
I love your idea of series of short reports. And I would love to do one on Diet Drinks, great idea! That is definitely a very strong craving for many people.
Thanks! - and I'm so glad you received the Cravings Secrets ebook!
Have a wonderful day!
Diana
Lynn Terry could probably write about diet Drink cravings.
Thank you for sharing your success story Diana. What really stood out for me was how much you love what you do. Your passion is key for you to last in the business and of course, profit from it too. I'd be sure to remember your tip about starting an email list. 🙂 Wishing you more success!
Hi Jayme! You are so welcome, and it is a privilege to be one of Lynn's guest bloggers and to be able to share with you here!
Thanks so much for noticing my passion and love for what I do - I agree that is a key element, for me.
Yes, I see a lot of people with so much talent and love for their niche - and they may have a website - but they do not gather an email list and connect with their site visitors, so I am grateful that I learned that early on!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jayme!
Diana
Wow. What an encouraging interview.
I particularly found the part about site promotion interesting. Article marketing and forum marketing still work.
Additionally, this interview impressed upon me something that I really already knew and that is that persistence pays off...sooner or later, it will reward you.
Great interview, Lynn and Diana, congratulation on your success.
Mark
Hi Mark! Yes, isn't that great that Article Marketing and Forum Marketing still work? When we provide great content, people want to learn more.
I know, I know - there have been many times when I wanted to quit - we all have those times! -- but you are so right, Persistence does pay off!!
Thanks so much, Mark!
Diana
It's truly amazing what a few dietary changes can do for your body! Congrats on all the great successes Diana 🙂
Hi Loretta! Yes, most people know what to do, sometimes we just need reminding and also some support - it sure can make a difference in our lives!
Thank you so much for your congratulations, Loretta!
Diana
The soul of this article is the phrase "thinking positive". It is full of energy,wealth and health.
Hi Zain - You are so right! You know, I was fortunate that Paul Bragg really taught us 30 years ago, the power of our thoughts and feelings and how they tie into (like you say) - energy, wealth and health! WAY before "Law of Attraction" and "The Secret" etc - lots of wisdom, I was fortunate enough to learn from many wise people.
Very great observation! Diana
Great success story. If found the most interesting aspect your choice of niche. Within a huge "health" market, you carved out a very interesting niche that has a broad audience. Great idea and I can see why you're site and business is so successful. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Peter - thank you so much. So true - that is what hangs up many people (myself included) - when we look at the big picture, and also when we know there are many areas in life where we can contribute and make a difference. It is finding where we can make a difference, and what people are looking for, and how we can be rewarded financially at the same time... I am very fortunate to have had great guidance and found other great leaders to emulate. Thank you so much for your comment! Diana
Another perfect example of how one's innovative thinking led him to such a wonderful niche and hence led to a fledging online business resource. The more I go through the interviews, the more I get a craving for success!! 😉
Hi Maria! - thanks for your comments.... and I love your Play on Words --- "craving for success!! " lol
Thanks again!
Diana
Great interview Diana! Once again your passion shines through. You are an inspiration for all online businesses.
Hi Lesa! - Thank you, Thank you! So happy to be inspiring! Thanks for your comment! Diana
Always love to hear about your success, Diana! It's just what I needed right now.
Fabulous, Christina! I'm an admirer of yours too, so keep on going!! Thank you for dropping by with your comment! Diana
You've been a go-getter from the beginning 🙂 Your business seems to be such a wonderful reflection of your passions and interests in life - I love that - it makes all that we do worthwhile.
Thank you, Sharon!! You too - you are very inspiring! Diana
Congrats Diana~ Another great success story on how to grow a successful online business using social media and communication! 🙂
Hi Stephanie - Isn't that true? Communication, Connection, and Content - and being consistent!
Reading this really inspires me!! Thanks for sharing Diana!!
Hi Aurelia! - You are so welcome! Hope to see your Success Story here too! Diana
Congratulations, Diana. You're such an inspiration both for healthy living and internet marketing. I enjoyed reading your story and how you persevered with your business.
Hi Monica! Thank you for the Congratulations! Yes, Peseverence certainly makes a difference!! Thanks for your comment. Diana