"What's the secret to creating a successful online business?"
I probably get asked that question about a million times a year.
Here's the answer...
But first, I should warn you. You're not going to like it...
In fact, you're probably going to hate it and run off to Google to look for something else to read.
But I have to give it to you straight, so here it is
There isn't one.
There's no secret to creating a successful online business.
Oh, there is one piece of solid gold information that will guarantee that your online business has the basic foundation it needs to succeed.
But it's not a secret. Everyone knows it.
They just don't believe it.
Whenever successful Internet entrepreneurs stand in front of a room full of people and talk about the value of good content, we always see pairs of eyes glazing over. We know that at least half the room is sitting there thinking, "Yes, yes, but what's the real secret? How can I create an Internet empire without having to worry about content?"
You can't, of course.
What you can do though is stop thinking about content as a hurdle that has to be overcome before you can get happy with the ads.
Instead, you should start thinking of content as a bridge you can build between yourself and a group of like-minded people with interests similar to yours.
When the information that you put on your website is as important and interesting to you as it is to your users, you'll find that you're part of a community. In fact, you're not just part of that community, you're one of its leaders. Your voice counts. People listen to you, respect you and turn to you for advice.
It's a fantastic feeling and hugely enjoyable. It's addictive too. You want to continue producing that sort of content and continue contributing to your community.
When running an online business becomes that pleasurable, you can be sure it can become very profitable too.
So maybe there is a secret to creating a successful Internet business, after all...
If you're having fun, you're doing it right!
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
November 17, 2008 09:21 AM
Getting "branded " out online is alot of work. I have always looked for the "golden" egg but I realized it is just good content that is pushed out there and the more you do the better you are.
November 17, 2008 09:23 AM
We all hate simple answers..and tend not to believe them. I receive at least two or three get a million viewers solutions in my e mail box. I look them over and delete them. I think having excellent content with approp. key words, writing articles, commenting, blogging, helping others when you can will eventually work. Of course we all want a quick fix. It does help to have a little internet savvy, and be aware of all the things you can do. I work on that everyday..I ask questions, get help and pray it will all work...So thanks Joel...This is great.
November 17, 2008 09:26 AM
You are absolutely right Joel! Of course one way people have always made some money either online or back in the old days of mail order is by advertising the 'Secret of Making Money'. Of course the secret was and is to simply place an ad advertising the Secret of Making Money' and wait for the cash to roll in.
It's the oldest trick in the book and I guess it works for some.
November 17, 2008 09:28 AM
As you wrote in your previous blog post, design is queen. If so, what is king? That is content, of course.
When we launch our first, original site six weeks ago (as of yesterday), we were at a cross-roads. I had been itching to launch it for some time, but the web designer to his credit kept wanting me to supply him with more content than I had. I told him that the content will come; either on it's own or by me talking up the site.
We had a real Catch-22 on our hands. We could not launch the site without content: stories of gratitude from military personnel expressing their thanks to our Armed Forces. However, military personnel were not willing to supply us with stories until the site was launched. See our dilemma?
So we chose to launch the site with just one story. Then, once a week, on weekends, we would post a new story. Then, during the week, we post an article or two.
The stories so far have come from fellow internet marketers I am prond to call my friends. They stepped up to the plate because they understood the value of our site (no e-mail marketing campaign- don't want to bother our readers- the men & women of our Armed Forces). I nearly 1300 other domains to sell people on.
That all said, with an ever-growing amount of content coming in, this is where we now stand. Three weeks ago, our Alexa rank stood at around 3.6 million. As of this weekend, it's now at about 1.562 million.
Not too shabby for a site that has only been up for less than two months.
And, we haven't even tagged/coded the site yet for keywords yet! Just wait until that happens!
Best!
-K
http://www.for-the-troops.com
November 17, 2008 09:58 AM
I agree that no matter what niche you're in it's important to have content that your reader wants to come back for. I have to say that there's so much garbage out there that tell you that you can make money overnight online without experience that it gives Internet Marketers a bad name.
It takes education and the willingness to apply what you learn. There is no secret it's hard work after all it is a business.
November 18, 2008 12:23 AM
The miracle that makes business to succeed is 6 days work 1 day rest. If you do not put in the long hour of reserch, testing and implementing nothing will happen. The abillity to take adversity and move on is imperitive, for without it you will not be successfull!
November 18, 2008 04:48 AM
The secret is to know how to both attract and maintain visitors, people sometimes just focus on attracting visitors, but if the content is poor, they will leave as soon as they come, so this is where good content comes in, good luck
-Jim
WordByWordHut
November 19, 2008 10:24 AM
its simply amazes me that so many people think that not only can they start a business on the internet but that they can do it without spending money or effort (building content). The get rich quick thinking of our society is sad. I hope that people will begin to realize that the only tried and true way is through hard work. Very few people get rich without effort and most of those have trust funds.
November 20, 2008 01:55 AM
It's all about hard work. Everything is all about hard work at the end of the day. I think so many people are looking for the magic formula that it impedes them from making money.
November 24, 2008 12:33 AM
The key is that 'everything matters' -- content, design, promotion -- it all matters. To skimp on one is to derail the others.
December 22, 2008 06:13 AM
Well, Joel, I think many of the other marketers have done us all a great DISservice because there HAVE been many who marketed their products so similar to "get-rich-quick-without-any-efforts" that many misunderstand the thought of an online business requiring effort.
I have seen numerous products being launched that, frankly, weren't worth the money.... Often even with bonuses that were as equally worthless.
So I will vouch for CONTENT being the alpha and omega any day. Any honest marketer knows that, and firmly believes that if they're in this business for the long term. :-)
Seasonal greetings. :-)