Starting an Online Business Despite Information Overload
In yesterday’s newsletter, I asked for feedback from subscribers on what they wanted to see as topics covered on WebbyOnline. One reader mentioned how he wanted to start an online business but was overwhelmed by all the information out there and really didn’t know where to start. Well, that’s actually very common. The market of making money online is SO saturated that it all combines into a big noise of claims, proof and, well - crap. I had to take this into account when I decided to start blogging on WebbyOnline. There are just SO many people out there, all claiming to have the secret to making money online. I certainly did not want to be one of those people, and I certainly don’t want to appear to be competing with all that noise.
WebbyOnline is different because I cover internet business from the REAL perspective. Sure, other people do that, too. However, I think I have a knack for explaining things in plain English. My popular site, PCMechanic, took off because of my writing about seemingly complicated computer topics in a way that others could understand and apply. My aim with this site is to demystify the art and science of running a website and making money online. There are no secrets in this business. Its all there to be known. I run an internet business every day. I’m not a millionaire, but I am successful. Its a business like any other and the rules are really no different than starting an offline business.
Cut Through the Noise
So, the first thing when looking to start an online business is - yes - cut through the noise. There is just so much NOISE out there of people trying to sell the “secrets” to making money online. Let me tell you right now - its all a bunch of horseshit. At least the marketing is. Now, I’m certainly not saying that these people don’t know what they’re doing. They do, and there are many great internet marketers that make me look like I have no clue at all. But, these guys are also master copywriters, which means when you read their stuff, you are reading SALES COPY. And if you read enough sales copy, it all starts to look the same.
So, I really think the first step to getting into this yourself is to stop reading about the stories and “secrets” of others. It’s noise. It’s distraction. And it can also lead you to think you are a failure because you’re not making the money that the “big guys” are making.
So, stop the endless reading of “making money online” websites. And next…
Start!
You’re not going to make a dime by reading about other people making dimes. So, stop reading about it and start doing it. Let me try to briefly give you an outline of action here:
- Decide on a market. You have to decide what you’re going to DO online. You already know what you want to HAVE - a successful business. So, next you need to figure out what to DO, then you’ll know what you need to BE. First start by brainstorming and deciding what things you enjoy or know about that could be potentially marketable. Then, you want to do some online searching and keyword research to look in on that market. Preferably, you want to find a market that has a smaller, niche pool of potential buyers (easier to market to) and doesn’t have a lot of competition. They ARE out there. I have a friend who partnered with a guy to sell an info product on, of all things, remodeling basements. And they make some good money doing it last I talked to him about it.
- Choose a model. There are a few different ways to go in terms of making money on the net. One is e-commerce. You choose a product per above and you begin selling a product online. Another model is the publisher model, where you provide content and you make money based on the traffic you receive. Instead of your product being some kind of widget, your product is useful content and/or educated visitors. In turn, you get traffic and you can then make money through things like online advertising, affiliate programs, etc. The way you want to go on this depends on nothing but your preference. If you want to sell things, then go into e-commerce. If you want to write (articles, blogs, etc), then go into publishing. Either way, the methods of choosing your market (see above) are the same.
- Build Your Site. Easier said than done, in some cases, but it depends on what you want to do. For e-commerce, there are many different pre-programmed shopping cart systems out there you can use. If you’re going to start a blog, Wordpress all the way. Regardless of your project, I usually recommend looking for pre-built solutions (don’t re-invent the wheel) and then hire a programmer to make customizations that are needed. If your idea absolutely requires programming something that’s never been done before, well there are programmers galore on the internet.
- Do It Fast. One of my biggest mistakes in the past is waiting too long to complete things. I still have some things I have yet to complete. I’ve learned the hard way that you cannot take your sweet-ass time on something and still expect it to work when you’re done. The market moves fast, and you need to get your idea out there as quickly as possible.
All noise aside, the internet really is the most open medium I know to make a living. Your only limitation online is yourself. It really is something, too. My wife, for example, is going to school for a second degree in engineering. She has been looking into the job market and is finding it not only very competitive, but, quite frankly, a little snobby in all the acronyms they want after your name. In other words, there is a long runway to landing a job in engineering, and even then, most of those people are working 9 to 5 for “the man”. In my business, I don’t have to kiss ass and ask for a raise. I don’t need to impress anybody. If I want to make more money, I just put the head to it, come up with some ideas, and execute it.
Working online is not easy, but its a wide open arena. That’s for sure.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...
- The Secret To Making Money Online
- Five Terrible Reasons You Failed To Incorporate Your Online Business
- Getting Your Business Website Online
- Starting a Blog In Order To Make Money - Lost Cause?
- Quick Start Guide To Making Money Online
Comments
I agree that Wordpress is a great solution for getting a web presence up fast. Even if you don’t plan on blogging, it’s just a great content management system. Plus it offers tons of great marketing advantages when it comes to RSS, SEO, site maps, pinging and on and on.
Hey Jay, Have you ever used Wordpress to power a non-blog site? I was actually thinking about converting PCMech.com over to it. At this point, its a passing thought. 
I know its doable, however it would take quite a bit of work. Plus, I’d have to figure a way of doing larger multi-page articles with it.
I am currently changing by podcast tutorial site over to WP. This will be my first time doing such a project for myself. Of course, I’ll be hiring a VA to take care of it all ;).
Here is the site I’ll be doing:
http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com
Here is another site that did really well using WP as a CMS:
Hello,
Thank you for the article, “Starting an Online Business Despite Information Overload”…. It is very informative… Thnak you so much for sharing….
Start Your Own Business to Build Wealth, Reduce Taxes & Protect Your Assets.
”Home- Based Business”
This post is a great reminder as we start 2009 that we have to focus on the things that move our business forward. Your comments about not continuing (or starting) to read all of those sales letters is so true. I have a separate email account I use to sign up for marketer’s lists so I can save their emails in my swipe file vault to reference when I am writing my own emails or sales pages. But then those very well-written and compelling emails don’t assault and distract me every time I check my email.
Thanks for your great site!
Great post, David. I’m trying to get my business off the ground and I’m going to put your tips into practice. Shutting off the noise is definitely something I need to work on and focus more on what I need to do, not what someone else is doing.
Thank you!