Let's Talk - Where Are You With Your Online Business?

Hi Linda,

My first question is how would you monetize that topic - and at a level to make it worth the time invested?

Also, it seems to fall under the same objections you had for other niches & topics. Lack of personal experience, confidence in the subject matter, struggling to learn a topic while creating a website, etc.

Did you see the thread on choosing a niche? I'll get you the link to that just in case...

Here's that link:

http://www.clicknewz.com/members/showthread.php?6568

Give that a read and see if it helps.

Hi Lynn,
I just signed up 10 minutes ago and I thank you for the warm welcome. I am a writer with books to sell via my blog. Just starting to turn my wordpress blog into a profitable business. I love writing and I can wiz through any task with words but, I have considerable problems getting design and programming work done as I present it to woorkers. If anyone has any wisdom on how go about it to where I get design work done as I ask, please let me know.

The most daunting task ahead of me is getting traffic to my blog. Nice to meet you all, Dee

Welcome Dee, glad to have you here.

Michael does great work at http://www.sharppixeldesigns.com/

Michael does much of my design & programming work so I second that recommendation. If you have any specific questions on outsourcing or want to brainstorm traffic strategies, just start a new thread. I look forward to brainstorming with you!

Hi Lynn,
This is my first post in any IM forum. Don't want to be to wordy but I wanted to say hello. I am brand new in the business and still doing research. I owned a mortgage company for a number of years and quite frankly tired of fighting all the regulation in order to make a decent living. I have immersed myself in studying and have taken in all the information that I could cram in my head. My goal is to start a niche site the right way and with some hard work watch it become successful. I have focused on reading both your and Rosalind's material. I don't have any formal training in building a site and am seriously considering using site buid it. Next, I was going to sign up with wordtracker and use it to help me find a niche. You had said that some folks are currently burnt out on what they do for a living and don't want to use that knowledge for their site and that is certainly me. Anyhow, I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on using site build it. Nice to meet everyone here and good luck with your endeavors. Hope to talk with you all very soon.

After MUCH procrastination and "analysis paralysis", and many products bought and domain names purchased with several websites up but no progress or movement in building a viable online business yet, I have realized I have been focusing on the wrong things, so I am going back to basics. In process now of keyword research and selecting one niche and will begin to build it out "from start to profit!" I am excited to see what results I will get with it and will share as I go along.

Lynn, your continued advice, insight and wisdom, and hands-down great articles and information combined with great information, advice and encouragement from everyone on the forum is just what I need to help keep me on-track and I am thankful to be a part of your Elite membership group. I look forward to the day that I am successful enough at this to earn a full-time income and truly be able to help and serve others not only with my business but also to learn more about what they can learn about building their own online business as well.

Hey Sheri

I'm Rooting for you I'm just starting out too.

So I know how you feel but it will be worth it.

Ian UK

Hi Linda

I was just reading through your Post's about you feeling a little concerned about not being an expert in anything particular.

However from what you have said before and I'm assuming certain facts here.

I guessing you have 5 children from above comment. Where you an expert mother before you had then No, we all know we made a few mistakes with out children but we didnt put them up for adoption because we did.

Being an expert is something we become in any area not a position we start from.

I'm just like you starting out in thiis I'm no expert but I will be.

For me I struggled with the same issue you have what niche to choose and have dabbled in a few but the thing that really helped me was thinking about what interests me, what do I keep thinking about and didnt realise how much time i spent thinking about it.

What ever fleeting interests interupted me I always came back to this one theme.

Which maybe for you Peasant cooking etc.

I would harness the same courage that you used to bare 5 children etc and take a step anyway.

Even if you spent the next week/month writing out what you thought about each day. It may even be about your skill in raising 5 children.

Any hobbies you had but sacrificed for family.

or something you always wanted to do or visit.

Write out a list what tv you watch you may watch the same type of programs cooking , gardening anyway.


dont want to go on.

I would take the brainstorming offer up with Angie as well.

I really confident that you will find that spot to write about and monetize.

I'll help in my limited way if you like.


It was great to read your post and I certainly looking forward to hearing about your findings.

You Go Girl


Ian UK

Hi Ian,

Well, not really just starting out, really more like starting over. :-) I have been working on this for several years, but have allowed myself to get sidetracked in other things, business projects, life (can you say "ADD"?). LOL!!!

At any rate, I am rooting for you too, and I know we will both get where we want to be in time, as long as we continue to work at it diligently. This is definitely a process of "steady plodding" before you see real results. Looking forward to seeing your progress and results too.

All the best!

Sheri

I am in the middle right now!

Have made a lot of progress, but still not satisified. I am seriously hoping for more.

Thins are looking up. A quick update (link below)

http://www.clicknewz.com/members/sho...1654#post61654

I am in SEO field since 2008 but I started to work separately in Internet marketing field from Nov 2010. I think I am satisfied with my performance as I am getting new projects and orders at regular interval of time. There are chances of much improvement but its ok....i am not in so much hurry

I feel I am spinning my wheels! I have put a lot of work in but I am not getting results. I write articles and do videos but not getting traffic - any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome Murph :)

Feel free to start a new thread here in the forum, and we'll brainstorm with you! We can take a look at your articles, sites & videos and help you figure out the source of the problem.

Apologies for this stupid question - but how do I go about starting the new thread and what information should I supply?

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Originally Posted by murph

Apologies for this stupid question - but how do I go about starting the new thread and what information should I supply?

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No apologies needed. To start a new thread, you just need to go to the main forum and click on the orange button at the top that says +Post New Thread. You can start a new thread for any traffic or other questions you might have about your business.

Does that help?

Welcome Michael,
Affiliate marketing is having your own business. It's just one model that you can use to build a business. As an affiliate marketer, you will basically advertise for others by promoting products to an audience in a certain niche. IF at some point you have your own product then people could become your affiliates and would then advertise for you.

You can see Lynn's Super Affiliate handbook review and also purchase it from that page if you so choose. It's best to get the digital version as you get free lifetime updates. I originally bought the hard bound book and don't get updates.

Hope this helps!

Michael,
You would get paid by companies in a variety of ways (some pay you through Paypal, direct deposit or by mailing a check to you). All companies are different.

Are you by chance an affiliate for Amazon.com? Depending on what type of music site you have and what you want to promote they might have items you can sell. You would promote products through your site throughout your content. Product reviews work well. It just really depends on your site and what you're looking to promote.

I think the handbook that I linked to above will really help you. Lynn is also coming out with her 1st book in Aug. so that is something you'll want to get on the notification list for at the Affiliate Starter Guide.

Most affiliate programs will guide you on how to place affiliate links, etc.

Lynn, Hello - just read your Social Media Woman interview - great read - actually, the magazine is an excellent resource. I took your poll, however, I think you left out one category - someone who is mapping out their plan, researching and close to building an online presence - not sure how you would categorize this level, nevertheless, I do have one question. Although I don't believe an online marketers job of researching a particular affiliate niche is ever completed - I have assembled what I consider a great starting point, i.e. product(s), keywords, LSI keywords, domain names, competitive landscape - what the searcher is looking for, etc, etc. - I am in the process of building my content. Now for the question - finally right :-) My market has multiple products (affiliate products) - is it better to select individual products, group similar products together, or build a blog/review resource that covers products that searchers are searching for regardless of the number of products - within reason, of course?

Hi slbagley,

Thank you :) Glad you enjoyed the article in Social Media Woman this month!

To answer your question, build a site around a topic - not a product, or a merchant. Products change, get replaced by newer models, or go away. Same with merchants. Topics are evergreen and give you the flexibility to work with the changes in the marketplace.

Welcome Michael :)

Rosalind's Super Affiliate Handbook is where *I* started!

In addition to the links, answers & help Angie gave you already... I wanted to share these links with you from my blog. I think you'll find these helpful in sorting out how things work:

http://www.clicknewz.com/2341/how-to...oducts-online/

http://www.clicknewz.com/2414/promot...ical-products/

http://www.clicknewz.com/2680/top-10...ate-marketing/

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Michael,
You're welcome, I'm happy to help.

Actually affiliate marketing (selling other peoples products) is one of the simplest businesses to do online if you work at it. As an affiliate you do nothing when it comes to boxing up and shipping products or customer service. That is all taken care of by the merchant, you just promote the products and get paid a commission.

As for the hosting, that has nothing to do with your business (music lessons) so I would not even pursue that because it's not relevant to your current business.

If you need more step by step help, might I suggest Lynn's elite mastermind group? It's affordable and is a very close knit community where we help with specific details of your business. There are weekly and monthly webinars where you can ask for input about your website, business questions, etc. Plus there is a free download area, social media club and more.

Two more links that might help guide you:

How to Make Money Online

and you'll find some great nuggets in this starting a free online business post.

Hope this helps!

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Originally Posted by moneymaker

Hi Angie,
This is Michael Walker again. I just want to say thanks for anwering all of my questions. I'm just really new to doing business and business on the internet. Right now my business is just giving music lessons. I could branch out and do something else with in music like you said maybe sell products for somebody, but the only thing about that it seems to me there would be alot more work involved. I know people buy and sell stuff on the internet all the time, but I'm looking at it the old fashion way where you have to go out and box stuff and ship it and all that stuff. I was looking more on promoting somebodies products. Now how do I find these people who are looking for people to work for them on the internet; people that I can trust. You did mention Amazon. I haven't really worked with anybody other than the company that gave me my website just host. They say go out and send people to just host through my website and they'll pay me. I left a message on my website saying buy a just host website and I'm hoping people will and I'll get payed for it. But like I say I'm new to all of this and I know there must be better ways to promote just host. Talks about links and all that stuff how is all of that done? I mean can I post a little advertisement of theirs on the side of my website and when people click on it it goes directly to their website? I need to know how all this internet stuff works. Or what if somebody promotes music lessons for me how am I going to pay them? I've heard of paypal and I do have an account with them, but I haven't used it yet, maybe thats how I'll pay people. Ok Angie I'm sorry this letter is getting a little long. I do understand if you can't answer my replies all the time, but do appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank You
Michael Walker

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Lynn, great advice - thanks!!!

Steve

My previous month was the best 200 bucks per month

Sona

Thank you Kelly! Glad to see you here :)

Welcome Lorraine :D

Sounds like you have a great start! If you have ANY questions just start a new thread here in the forum and let us know!

Also, I have some great ideas & sources on Link Building here: http://www.clicknewz.com/tag/link-building/

:)

Hi Lynn,
I picked the first choice because it is closest to the right answer, which is that I am absolutely a beginner. I am only just learning about online business. I have a domain and a blog page but still haven't done much. I have not yet started making a list, and I have a few niches which interest me and having a hard time picking one. I am at the beginning of a huge learning curve. Then again, I love learning stuff, because it keeps my mind young. ( I'm 61 btw )
- cereborn

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Originally Posted by real networker

It gives me more hope after seeing some of your answers! I see I fall into the largest category, that of moving forward, slowly, but still making progress.
I have been enjoying the learning curve, but sometimes been frustrated over how slowly things move, which I am sure most of you could say as well.
My biggest stress out was the fact that I understand that it will take some time and investing before I see returns, but my husband gets a bit impatient when he sees money going out and none coming in yet. So now and then I have to reassure him that I AM making progress, however slowly it may be! :)

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What are your biggest expenses, and where are you currently seeing your best returns?

I look forward to getting to know you & brainstorming with you! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cereborn

Hi Lynn,
I picked the first choice because it is closest to the right answer, which is that I am absolutely a beginner. I am only just learning about online business. I have a domain and a blog page but still haven't done much. I have not yet started making a list, and I have a few niches which interest me and having a hard time picking one. I am at the beginning of a huge learning curve. Then again, I love learning stuff, because it keeps my mind young. ( I'm 61 btw )
- cereborn

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Hi cereborn,

Have you done the quick Niche Selection exercise yet??

If not, you'll find it here: How to Choose a Niche

I would love to hear your thoughts, and whether that helped you narrow it down. :)

Wow Lynn!!

This is a great site!! I am so glad I found this. I have been reading various articles of yours for the past few hours. I wish I had found this site before spending an arm and a leg on a course. ( well, two arms and a leg-and-a-half, considering my current budget )

Thanks for your reply above. I will definitely go through that niche choosing exercise. Before doing that though, I could tell you that my choices so far are: 1) I could write ebooks, or other material about spirit / consciousness / etc... 2) I could sell music, as mp3 download albums on Amazon, or actual CDs... 3) I could write about vegan recipes / green smoothies / healthy yummy food... Now to see how I feel after doing the niche choosing... maybe there will be other possibilities, or maybe I will pick one of those.

Anyway thanks again for the great site. Now off to the exercise. :)

I'm doing OK, but should be doing better. I've made a couple bucks, but need to tweak things to make higher percentages. I'm using Amazon affiliate (for the reviews) and google adsense (info articles) for generating profits. I'm getting a few hundred clicks/month for Amazon, but only about 1% conversion. As for adsense, the CTR is below 1%.... I realize every site is different for these things, and I know I need to experiment more. I just don't really know where to start.

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Originally Posted by cereborn

...maybe there will be other possibilities, or maybe I will pick one of those.

Anyway thanks again for the great site. Now off to the exercise. :)

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I'm glad you're enjoying the ClickNewz content :)

I think you'll find the Niche Selection Exercise really opens up a lot of options you may not have considered before. I look forward to hearing what you choose!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tomstark

I'm doing OK, but should be doing better. I've made a couple bucks, but need to tweak things to make higher percentages. I'm using Amazon affiliate (for the reviews) and google adsense (info articles) for generating profits. I'm getting a few hundred clicks/month for Amazon, but only about 1% conversion. As for adsense, the CTR is below 1%.... I realize every site is different for these things, and I know I need to experiment more. I just don't really know where to start.

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Hi Tom,

Is this the site you're referring to: http://motocrosshideout.com ?

You are welcome to start a new thread - or I can just move this post and create a new thread for you, if you would like feedback & advice on your site & conversions. :)

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Originally Posted by Jervisbay

Hi Lynn,

I found you in a blogpost titled "50 Most Influential People In Blogging 2010" at IncomeDiary.com. I visited your blog and decided to join your forum as I feel like I've found a place where I will learn a lot on affiliate marketing to make progress with my sites.

I'm now reading your posts and look forward getting to know more about the forums and people here.

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Welcome Jervisbay! I look forward to getting to know you. :)

Hello Everyone,

I am a newbie and I am still searching for a niche. I have so many in my mind, however, I'm afraid to make a move. Did any of you have trouble making a decision on your site? Any advice or guidance on how to choose a niche, would be greatly appreciated.

Deanna

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deanna419

Hello Everyone,

I am a newbie and I am still searching for a niche. I have so many in my mind, however, I'm afraid to make a move. Did any of you have trouble making a decision on your site? Any advice or guidance on how to choose a niche, would be greatly appreciated.

Deanna

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Welcome Deanna! Here is a great blog post by Lynn on how to choose a niche. Once you read that let us know what you think. Happy to help brainstorm if you want to share your ideas here on the main forum. If you prefer not to share publicly Lynn has an elite brainstorming group here that is not searchable so you can freely work on ideas on the 'inside'.

As for my personal opinion on choosing a niche? I would choose something that you enjoy or have an interest in to start. It will be much easier to build a niche site/blog around that as a beginner.

It’s not so good at the moment but I’m sure I will catch up again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deanna419

Hello Everyone,

I am a newbie and I am still searching for a niche. I have so many in my mind, however, I'm afraid to make a move. Did any of you have trouble making a decision on your site? Any advice or guidance on how to choose a niche, would be greatly appreciated.

Deanna

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Welcome Deanna :)

In addition to the link Angie shared above, also see this link to read about my decisions on my own new niche affiliate site: http://www.clicknewz.com/2917/case-s...ew-niche-site/

I look forward to brainstorming with you!

I'm still going round and round with traffic. That ppc is driving me insane! I do blog, but my website is not getting much action! Only a few clicks---no sales! How many blog posts do you suggest I make in a week?

Crownraven