What does success look like?

[Lynn Terry]

Hi Tom,

I used to have a lot more. At one time over 300 domains. And when I say "active niche sites" the implication that I have more on the back burner would be correct.

I have heard people say things like - my goal is to have 500 niche sites that each make $10/day. You can go that route, but that's not my preference. My preference is to create sites that earn much more per day, and manage a lot fewer sites.

And there is always more you can do to a site/niche to increase the income. Adding new offers, new pages, setting up reports and e-courses, having an autoresponder series for the mailing list, adding a blogtalkradio broadcast - etc. I like the idea of expanding on what I have versus heading off in a whole new direction on a whole new niche.

[TomM]

One of the shiny penny chasing courses I bought in my effort to find a "quick and easy" way to profits was a mini-site course. This guy was proposing that you build literally thousands of sites each making $3-$5/site on average(of course some will do better and some won't make anything). I was skeptical but desperate and after getting the course I decided not to pursue this method. It wasn't a bad course and I didn't feel cheated but I just didn't think that managing thousands of mini-websites was realistic for most people and it wasn't something I wanted to do. Looking back, I also think that these types of sites are pretty low value and a little spammy to me. However, some of the training for that is valuable learning and I am still satisfied that I have access to it.

Congrats on having an amazing month in August 2009!

[Lynn Terry]

Yeah, to each his own. Back when the Underachiever method came out (years ago) I used to jokingly call myself an Overachiever

[DianaWalker]

Wow -- great question, Tom..... and such a clear answer, Lynn!!

Diana

[RichAvery]

Lynn,

On the sites where you've created a persona using a pen name, what do you do about a photo? Do you buy a stock photo of someone else, or have someone draw a likeness of some kind?

Thanks!

Rich

[Lynn Terry]

Not every niche site requires a photo or a big focus on the person behind it. Consider shopping at amazon, circuitcity, bestbuy, etc - you don't generally form a relationship with the webmaster, but go there to find deals and focus mainly on your purchase.

On the sites that do require a more personable approach, I have used stock photos, just a name & bio with no photo, and a time or two I've used older photos of myself that are somewhat obscure. It depends on the niche and the need.

On the sites with no photo, I often use a logo or image that represents the site on social profiles like Twitter.

[StephenT]

I wanted to ask this question and thought this thread the appropriate place.

What is an average conversion rate. I know it depends on lots of factors, but what is a middle of the road conversion rate? 1%, 5% What?

[Lynn Terry]

Too many elements to answer in general - but the standard response is: "half a percent".

It depends on if you're selling a physical product, digital product, free ecourse or newsletter subscription, a free offer (pay per lead), etc.

[StephenT]

and an average sale or commission might be? I know, once again it really depends on product, but could you say an average sale, very middle of the road would be $5?

[Lynn Terry]

No - there's no such thing as average on that with the huge range in prices.