Online Success Story:
Lain Ehmann
http://www.layoutaday.com
I specialize in simple scrapbooking. I use my website to help scrapbookers overcome overwhelm and creative block and make their scrapbooking fun, fast, and fabulous. I teach classes, sell info products, have a membership site, and produce online events for the scrapbooking industry. I've been a member of the Clicknewz community for about a year and a half.
1. When did you set up your website?
I have worked in the scrapbooking industry as an editor and instructor for about five years. I originally had a Typepad.com blog where I connected with my readers and students. After the magazine I wrote for folded and I decided to make my living online, I started a WordPress blog in early spring 2010, so just over a year ago.
2. What gave you the idea for this particular niche & website?
Even though I'd worked in the industry and had an active blog and web presence in this industry, I was hesitant to get typecast as "just" a scrapbooker -- I wanted to go broader! But after investigating the homemaking niche and listening to Lynn Terry and my business coach, Nicole Dean, I decided to focus on one niche until I'd maximized my presence and income. I was already making some money from my Typepad blog, and I knew it could get bigger if I focused on it.
3. Did you have any experience with online business prior to creating this website?
I founded an online publishing company in the crafting industry with a colleague, but I sold out to her when I realized partnership is not for me. We did EVERYTHING wrong. I wanted to start over, independently, and do it right -- and, in the words of Frank, "Do it my way."
4. What did you do for work prior to setting up an online business?
Most immediately, I was an editor for a scrapbooking magazine. I've written several books on scrapbooking and also traveled the country teaching scrapbooking classes. Before that, I was a freelance journalist, writing for everyone from The Boston Globe to Runner's World. "Way Back When" I worked in government, but I don't like to talk about that.
5. How did you initially promote your website, and if different - how do you promote it now?
Initially, I promoted my blog through contacts in the industry. I started working on SEO almost immediately, but I'm not sure how well that works. Personal contact seems to be important. Now, I use a multi-layered approach:
-SEO
-Article marketing (I have over 100 articles on Ezinearticles.com)
-Guest posting
-Videos on YouTube and Vimeo
-Twitter
-Facebook
-Webinars/events
-Podcast
-Email list
-Blogging
The most effective methods have been JV partners for my events, guest posting, and my podcast and videos. And for some strange reason Jeff Herring is consistently in my top 10 referrers -- though I cannot figure out why! 😉
The least effective for me has been Facebook. I'm still trying to figure that out.
6. Is your website profitable? Can you share some basic traffic & profit stats with us?
Yes, I am profitable. I average around 8500 unique visitors per month. My sources of income are, in reverse order:
-Adsense (negligible -- i only include it on select posts)
-Physical products (I create kits and sell my book -- minimal income, less than $100 per month)
-Affiliate sales (minor source of income)
-Sponsored posts (minor source)
-Information products (major source)
-Membership site (major source)
-Classes (major source)
-Online events (MAJOR MAJOR source)
I hope to break six figures this year. Note: That's before affiliate commissions!
7. What are your plans for the site going forward?
I see huge growth for 2012 in info products and online events, in particular. I want to streamline my processes and up my passive income. I'm working hard and I love it, but I'd like to work not quite so hard and still make money. 🙂
8. What ONE piece of advice would you give someone interested in starting their own niche site or blog?
DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S PERFECT. You can sit and learn forever and ever and ever and you'll never know enough to do it "right." The ONLY thing that separates you from people who are making money online is that they took action, imperfectly. Period.
Lain Ehmann
http://www.layoutaday.com
-Thank you, Lain and congratulations on your success!
About Lynn Terry
I am loving how every person that has been interview has a different main source of income. Its encouraging to how many opportunities there are to make real money!
Great story! I'm really inspired by all the success stories but now I need to follow the "take action" advice!
Thank you so much for including me!!
Great success story Lain. It really gives encouragement to those of us who are not in different markets. It really does take action and being dedicated to what you are doing. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you, Gail! The action is really key.
The variety of markets in this series is amazing 🙂 Great success stories all around. And for all those who say the scrapbooking market is saturated and they are just skipping over it even though they love it - this post is for them. 😉
People could say that about every market -- from online business to golf. I think the key is to have something different to offer.
I love your suggestion to "Do something before it's perfect". I am so wrapped up in the 'it has to be perfect' mindset that I end up talking myself out of something. I think part of that mentality is the result of having a successful business that took off in less than a month and netted me 6-figures in less than 6 months. Now, it's not that easy because there's so many things to do (SEO, social media, etc.) plus so much competition. However, it always comes back to FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS. Thanks for sharing your story! 😉
YES! Take action. Start somewhere. There's never a "perfect" plan!
Terry I am really enjoying the success stories. I think this is the best one yet. I appreciate the details about Lain's promotion of the site. Keep them coming.
Thanks for reading, Duane!
Gorgeous site, Lain. Great to see such a diverse range of income sources.
Thank you, Michelle!
Lain, you know how I feel about you BUT I am so happy for all of your success. You absolutely rock!
I definitely see many areas I need to work on in my own business after reading your success story. Thanks for sharing in such detail.
Awww... huggies! 🙂 Glad it was helpful, Angie.
I think you are a rolemodel for every Webmaster 🙂 And up to point 5, almost every point has something to do with content. So the most important thing to attract users is content - the more the better.
best wishes
Shorty
Congrats lain for your online success.If you want too go six figure than must use Adsense more to your Blog.Its can Easily Rise your Revenue.Let Advertisers to Give Ads on your Blog Through Adwords and set the preferable cpm.Use Google DFP for it.
Appreciate your online struggle. Can you make me understand about "Online events".I am really newbie and learning and want good online presence.
I teach classes and conduct large webinars. Does that help?
8500 visitors per month is not much, but Lain seems to be a good example of someone that can make profit by using alternative methods.
Good job, Lain, keep up the good work!
Depends on who they are and how much they love you! 🙂
Lain, my wife and I have started a blog in the scrapbooking niche with a focus on the importance of preserving memories for future generations. We have both lost family members to cancer and understand how fleeting life is, so we started the blog with a purpose. I appreciate the tips and insights you provided here and look forward to learning more from you!