“If you build it, will they come?”
Don’t think just by creating a blog site or starting an Internet business that you will be like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams. He built a baseball field and the players came… but that was a movie and this is real life.
In order to sell or bring in business, you have to plan and work at it. Even the best entrepreneurs and copywriters will tell you that. (No, not those GRQ scams; they’ll continuously promise you the quick ‘n dirty easy zero-cost path to wealth—when you buy their $97 e-book. Sorry but I’m just too tired of them… LOL)
The following startup tips will help you become a successful entrepreneur… one step at a time.
Before you register your domain name and put up a Web site, you need to plan and build the foundation of your Internet business and the audience you’re about to target. What? You already started a site or blog but haven’t planned anything upfront?
Well, then… now is a good time to do it and start fine-tuning (or starting over if necessary.)
What are your plans for marketing? Who is your target audience? Where will you find these people? And, most importantly, why should they buy from you? Deejay vu… English 101 all over again…. Who, What, Where, and Why. The “How” will be answered… through the creation of your Web site.
Let’s look at marketing first. There are many sites out there, including mine, that offer marketing tools, tips, and products (soon) that will help you bring in more traffic or assist in sealing the deal. Take some time to check them out and choose the ones that are best for you and your product.
Next, who is your target audience? You should have been thinking about this all along when you were drawing up your business plan and fine-tuning your ideas. Who will shop or purchase your products. Everyone? A select group? Men? Women? Pets? (Just kidding with the latter…) Now is the time to truly define this in order to know where to look online to find these people.
So, you have your target audience… now what? Start out by checking for blog sites, forums, and other sites that cater to your target audience, or who would buy or market your product, or be interested in your blog. Compile a comprehensive list and then start contacting them or participating.
You can either write up a great sales copy, post to their blog, forum, or site, check out their affiliate programs, etc. The sky is the limit here. With so many Web sites out there, you are bound to come across many potential buyers or customer bases.
When contacting these prospects, think to yourself, “Why should they buy from me or check out my blog, rather than someone else’s?” What makes your site and/or product stand out? You need to be able to answer these questions and stand behind your product (or the ones you recommend) in order to bring in the sale or hit to your site.
Do not copycat someone else; build your own “brand of one”.
Now that you have answered the “Who, what, where, why, and how,” you should be well on your way to Internet business success.
Remember business plans always need fine-tuning. Also, make sure to keep your blog (if you have one) fresh and updated… posting things people want to read on a regular basis (more than once per week; yes, blogging is a commitment.)
Continue to create or build upon your sales base. The market is always changing and you need to be ready and on top of your game… if you want to stay in the game.
“If you build it right, they will come!”
Right? :-)
—Marcus Hochstadt
I sometimes have to remind my referrals of having a plan.
When you think about your business plan you can start with
the same plans as it would take to build a house.
From the foundation up. You wouldn’t try to build a house
without a plan, would you? Your website and/or blog should be
looked at in the same way. Once you have found your niche
you will be ready to build on it.
Yes that the planning is very important, but you still have to make the site worth coming back. Otherwise they may come the first time, but not comeback. I would say the planning is very important, but equally important is the skill set to execute that plan.
Hi Shirley, that is so true… comparing building an Internet business with building a house, car or a ship. Without a plan how do you know where to go and what to do next.
And pilotg2, I agree 100%. Providing quality content is one of the next steps after the planning phase. And as you said, some are very good in planning. It seems they cannot be stopped (I call it a vicious circle of thinking-planning-thinking.) But they need to start executing all the planning they did so well.
Good point. Well worth for another article. :-)
A sensible plan for once instead of all the hype! Thanks
You’re more than welcome, Vicky! :-)
Its nice to see someone actually giving real advise and not trying to sell one of those get rich quick scams. Every site requires carefull planning, and constant upgrades and changes… no different than a house!
Of course, before you start putting something into action, you should have to plan it very well. One important thing to remember before you start any business, you should have a thorough plans for it and think of strategies that would help your business grow and make huge profits.
This is reminds me that every thing you do is need to be plan and always ask my self if it is 100% sure,internet business is really popular now if you don’t have any ideas and plan you will be not successful thanks.
Internet business is a good option for people who want to work from home. Starting an internet business is quite simple but making a good profit from it, requires proper planning, a lot of hard work and effort.