How to Easily Turn Your Talents and Expertise into a Thriving Online Coaching Business

by with 2 Comments Business Ideas

If you’ve been into this internet marketing thing for some time then you should know already that you need your own product or service to really make it.

Fact is, the internet marketing arena has evolved so much that trying to make money online by simply setting up a blog and selling ads or affiliate products on your blog has sort of become “old school”!

Take a look around the blogosphere today you’ll confirm this for yourself. Most of the probloggers who are playing it big right, started out by selling ads and affiliate products on their blogs. But today they have all metamorphosed into big time online businesses, selling their own products or services. Some examples that would readily come to mind are Copyblogger.com and Fizzle.co.

Now, you may be saying, “but I don’t have any idea of a product that I can create and sell as my own, so what do I do?”

The truth is you do have something that can be packaged into a product or service. This could be your expertise, your talent, and of course, your experience!

Yes, every one of us have expertise that could be useful in one way or the other. The fact is, as someone who has been online for some time now, you have more than what you can turn into a thriving online coaching business.

In this post I want to show you how you can do this. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a blogger, affiliate marketer, web designer, freelance writer, etc.

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But Why an Online Coaching Business?

Start a Tutoring Buainess

Of course, you may want to ask, why an online coaching business. What are the prospects of an online coaching business?

You see, learning something new is fun but it can also be a challenge.

Many times we are required to learn something new with our job and in other times we may be interested in something and want to learn more about it. This is the situation around the world today. While many people are coming online to find new ways of either making an extra income or how to build their own businesses many others want help with their relationships or career. Unfortunately, many of these people are lost and confused in the midst of all of the information out there.

While one would expect that, with the volume of information on the net today, it would be easy for anyone to reach out and get what they needed but that’s really not the case. With so much information and options available the problem of information overload is getting worst by the day!

Apart from that, I’m sure you’d agree that it is not easy to simply learn some new thing and then apply your new found knowledge in a real-life situation. It isn’t that simple because learning something and doing something are two different things. Look back to when you got started online and you’d agree to this.

Learning something and putting it into practice takes time, patience, and a good coach. This is where you come in handy. And so, no matter what niche you are serving right now you have acquired some useful skills and expertise that is useful to someone else.

Remember what Zig Ziglar once said:

“You can get everything you want in life if you will just help enough other people get what they want!”

That is so, so right!

This is why a coaching business is a great way to earn some good income online. In fact, a coaching business is a perfect business model for any one who wants to make a living on the net.

Recent research stats already indicate that coaching is one of the fastest growing industry today. For example, IBISWorld (a market research firm) reported recently that in the U.S. alone, coaching is a $1 billion industry and that the industry has grown by around 10% in the last couple of years and is expected to grow by about the same amount over the next few years.

So, starting an online coaching business could just be that breakthrough you have been looking for!

Types of Coaching Businesses

How to start a successful business of your own

If you’ll take a look around you will discover that there are different types of coaching businesses you can start right now. Just think about the niche you’re currently serving. Can you think of anything people need or want help with? Do you think they would readily give their money to get it?

Even if you cannot think of something right away the fact still remains that there’s a whole lot of areas people want help in and you can start a coaching business in any of these. Below I share with you ten coaching business ideas and how you can creatively turn them into a thriving coaching practice.

The following examples have been carefully selected to give you some ideas within different niches. You can use these as idea generators. Read each one and think of ways you can apply that knowledge to your own business. They are selected from different areas, including computer/IT, finance, career, parenting, gardening, school (high school and college), cooking, instruments, home improvement, and sales.

Each one is a different type of business, and you may or may not need any special experience to start any of them. However, it’s important that you let your potential clients know you are simply coaching and not giving professional advice.

Of course, if you are a professional in your chosen field then that’s great. In that case you’d be a step ahead of others serving the same field. But that notwithstanding, people will seek a non-professional who charges less to give supplemental knowledge to what they already know.

Again, do not limit your thoughts to what I have included in this list. You are encouraged to take these coaching business ideas and come up with creative ways to start your own business with your skills and expertise.

With that said, here are…

10 Coaching Business Ideas for You

#1: Computer and IT

Computers are designed to help people to become more productive. But there are times when they can slow us down. If you are great with computers, you can start a coaching business to help with those pesky issues that get in the way of getting your daily tasks done.

Let me walk you through some ideas to get you started with this type of business.

If someone has a minor issue and he/she cannot afford to pay a professional, you can charge a lower rate and coach them through the issue(s) from home.

Beyond computer issues, there are also lots of computer programmers out there who may need a little coaching to help them apply what they learned in school to their career. Using your knowledge either in computers you can actually be the help they need.

#2: Financial

Money management can be very tough for many people. It is very important to have your finances in control if you are to be prepared for your today and your tomorrow. You know the saying “save your pennies for a rainy day.” You literally need to save your money so that it works for you and not against you. The unfortunate thing is that so many people borrow more than they make in one year.

The best way to help anyone is to help them before they get into a financial bind. As a financial coach you are there to help people make sound financial decisions. The fact is that coaching is a great way for motivating people to take action and be wise with their money.

It is heartbreaking to see people when they lose so many things they worked so hard to get. Financial coaching may be the most sought after and necessary business today.

As you may have noticed already when people get into desperate situations they look for someone to help them out. While many people may fall into this situation for different reasons the fact still remains that in this day and age, it is hard to survive on the little income most people make. There are however, ways to manage your money well and live off of the income you have and be in good financial standing.

So as a financial coach, you will be giving sound advice and helping people learn how money works.

#3: Career Coaching

Your career is the most important decision you will need to make in life. It will give you income and ultimately help you to decide your best path through life. It is hard for some people to decide which career path will ultimately allow them to live the life they choose.

You might believe your dream of becoming a doctor or nurse when you were five years old is the best career choice. When you reach adulthood however, your way of thinking may change significantly.

In reality, the best way to choose a career that is most fitting to you is one that reflects the lifestyle you want. There are tests you can take and studies performed that act as a guide and give you advice on a career but this may not give a definite answer.

So, if you have a lot of knowledge about careers and which ones are ideal for certain personalities, you can build a great business as a career coach. Sometimes it helps if you studied psychology because much of how you match someone up with an ideal career has a lot to do with his or her psyche.

Do remember this and all businesses in this article are ones you will not need previous experience to start, but it does require some ability to work well with others.

You need to be good with people, understand their concerns, and attract people who are willing to take advice. They should be informed that the final outcome of the coaching sessions is a reflection of their choices. You are only there to help them see things with a different perspective.

#4: Parenting

Having children is a blessing but knowing effective ways to parent your children can seem obscure or even a little difficult at times. You will also notice each child is different.

The best advice for someone to start a parenting coaching career is to have some background working with children. It is even a good idea to have a degree in child psychology, but this is not required.

It’s important to repeat that coaching is about giving people advice and supplemental knowledge. Therefore look for people who are willing to take advice as sometimes giving parenting advice can turn people off.

Nanny 911: Expert Advice for All Your Parenting EmergenciesOne resource that will help you in this area is a show called “Nanny 911.” You may want to check it out and learn from it. These professionals have helped many families get their children on the right track behaviorally. Better still you can get their Kindle book that detail their strategies and tips.

Check it out here.

A lot of the strategies you will learn from this show has to do with the parent changing the ways they believe they should discipline their children. Success only comes from taking the advice the nannies give and working with their children in a consistent manner.

So if you feel you have what it takes and love working with children and are good at helping others see things from a different view, then this can be a very rewarding business.

Again, remember the world needs people who are willing to help others in need.

#5: Gardening

No matter what season it is, people love to garden. Some have indoor plants while many others plant outside during the spring and summer months. Others have greenhouses where they can plant any time of the year.

No matter how you setup your garden, I always hear people say they do not have a green thumb and their plants will not last.
It is those people who many times want to learn to garden but feel they do not have what it takes. This is where a gardening coach comes in handy.

There are many facets and different crucial elements that go into gardening in order to have the most success with it. Each plant is not created equal and will require different types of attention and nutrition.

If you are great at gardening and have had much success with it, then you might consider coaching others through it. It is always best to have a coach of some sort help another person. Hearing the advice and seeing it put into action are very different.

There is also terminology that is easier to show than to just know the definition.

#6: School (High School and College)

Learning is very rewarding but can be challenging at times. It does not matter who you are, your upbringing, or how well you absorb information.

As a child, many times you can absorb information like a sponge. However, when you reach adulthood, learning is NOT the same. There are many resources out there to help you learn something, but there is no such thing as too much help.

With so many learning styles and information changing so rapidly, there is a NEED for people to coach others through their learning experience.

Now there will most likely be some subjects you excel at and others you are not so great at. So think about what you are good at and work with people with that subject.

#7: Cooking

When you open your Facebook or Twitter profile, you will notice there are a lot of recipes and videos of people making the recipe. They look so good and so you just want to try it. For some reason, you quickly think, “I won’t be able to make it as good as they did in the video.” But you know that simply is not true.

You probably will not be making a career out of a few people who just have an interest in making one simple recipe, but rather someone who has a deeper interest in it.

So how will you know if they do or not?

You can look at the comments on the videos to get an idea of how to market this type of coaching business. However, you may never know who is really interested until they respond to you ad.

To advertise your cook coaching business make your own video of a recipe and put a link in it or in the description letting people know you have coaching sessions for people who want to become chefs or improve their cooking skills.

#8: Instruments

Music is often considered a universal language. It reaches deep down in our souls and touches many generations. When you like something you are listening to, you will put your own meaning to it.

No matter what language you speak, music will be interpreted in your own language even when you do not understand the words and their meaning.

People want to carry on a legacy that has been passed down for generations, or they want to make a crowd of people have a great time. No matter what the reason, learning instruments is, and will be in high demand for a long time.

If you know an instrument and have a passion for helping others learn to play, you are on the fast track to growing a lucrative business and earning many clients.

What instruments are easy to learn without being face to face with an instructor?

Pretty much every instrument on the planet and that is due to video and web cameras.

#9: Home Improvement

Your house is your home. You want it to be more than just a building where you eat, relax, and sleep in. It is a part of your well-being. Keeping your home in working order and having it look presentable is something we all desire. Sometimes we do not know where to start and we begin to look for some good advice.

If you have the expertise in home improvement, then why not create a coaching program for it?

For example, say you want to lay new tile in your kitchen. It may seem like no brainer, but there are actually some important things to keep in mind so you can prepare yourself before you start. The measurements of course, along with how to prepare the sub-floor and so on are all things a good coach can help with.

#10: Sales

Selling is a part of life.

Whether you realize it or not, when you go to a job interview, you are “selling” your expertise and skills to the potential employer.

People think of sales in a negative connotation, but here is your chance to show people that it is not so bad. Besides, people who are already in the sales profession know that they always need to find ways to improve.

This is why sales coaching will be a great profit maker for you. More and more people are starting their own businesses, and guess what; sales are going to and always will be a big part of it.

So, if you have some experience and success as a sales person then starting a sales coaching business is not out of place for you!

Gathering Resources for Your Coaching Business

The building blocks of a successful business

To build a successful coaching business, you need the right resources. But apart for that, resources help with credibility.

For example, if you want to increase sales a good resource for you is someone such as Tony Robbins. Tony Robbins is a renowned leadership expert and helps people plan their businesses. As a life coach himself, Tony has helped tons of people achieve goals they can only dream of.

Part of your career as a coach is your ability to speak in front of people. Again, Tony Robbins is a great example to use. You can find out more about Tony Robbins on his website at: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/

Apart from people like Tony, what other resources can you trust?

Of course, for every one of the coaching business ideas discussed about there are a wealth of resources. For example, for the financial coaching type there are resources such as Warren Buffet, Napoleon Hill, and Dave Ramsey to name a few. These people are resources when it comes to helping people make their money work for them.

You can also do some further research for peer reviewed articles. If you are not familiar with what a peer reviewed article is, they are written by experts in a particular field and reviewed by other experts in that field. After it has been carefully reviewed then it is published.

You can find peer reviewed articles, journals, and other texts of the like at your library or through the library’s website.

Please be advised that you should get as many resources as possible and refer back to them as needed.

That’s it for now. In our next entry we’ll discuss how you can market and get clients for your online coaching business. Watch out for it!

IMPORTANT: Make sure you check out my step by step Blueprint for Starting and Growing a Widely Lucrative Online Coaching Business from the ground up! This is an Updated & Expanded 2nd Edition. For a limited time ONLY you can download it for just $0.99 from Amazon.com.

So, would you love to share your thoughts with us on turning your talents into a coaching business? Share with us in the comments area.

4 No-Brainer Online Store Success Tips That Will Separate You from the Rest!

by with No Comment Growth Strategies

With more and more people taking to buying products online there is no doubt that ecommerce is the way to go if your business must succeed in these times.

For example, in a recent study the Center for Retail Research reported E-commerce as the fastest growing retail market in Europe and North America.

From the research, online sales in the UK, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Poland and Spain grew from £132.05 bn in 2014 to £156.67 bn in 2015 – a  +18.6% increase!

Furthermore, the study showed that online sales are expected to reach the £182.80 bn mark in 2016 and £215.38 bn in 2017. Now, one interesting point about these figures is that they relate only to retail spending, which is defined as sales of merchandise to the final consumer, excluding cooked food, restaurants, automobiles and vehicle fuel!The growth of ecommerce - online selling

This is indeed a great incentive for any wise business person to start an online store as launching an online store is an excellent way of getting a share of that money. You could decide to build an online store in addition to your brick-and-mortar store or, if you so desire, build an online store and rely mainly on online sales alone.

Whatever the route you decide on you can easily grow your business to become something successful. However, you must remember that there is a lot of competition out there. If you want to make a name for your business, you have to differentiate your store from the rest. You should focus on making it better than many of the cheap online stores you might have seen online. It doesn’t matter whether you’re selling your own products or someone else’s, you need to stand out and get noticed.

To help you get started on building and growing your online store here are some industry-tested tips. Use these to make your online store better than your competition.

How to Make Your Online Store Better Than All the Rest

1. Get a Professional Design

Many people will choose a website builder that they can learn to use themselves. It makes sense, as it’s often cheap and they don’t need any technical knowledge. However, these tools can be limited in both functionality and design. If you want a unique website, you should look for a professional designer. They can create you a website that has useful features for you and your customers, and looks great too.

They can also build you a store that you can manage yourself, without having to have a designer or developer on board all the time. It might be a little pricier, but it’s worth it.

2. Focus on Usability

When people visit an online store, they want buying a product to be easy. The process shouldn’t take them a long time or be confusing. A website that they can use without too much fuss and gives them what they need is essential.

At a basic level, you should start with your store’s load speed. If it takes a long time to load anything, customers will quickly give up and go somewhere else.

Customers also want to be able to find out as much as they can about your products. Providing functions such as zooming in on images or even just a search option will help them get what they want.

Building a succesful online store

3. Make Sure You Look Trustworthy

One of the risks of shopping online is falling for an untrustworthy site. Customers are handing over their personal details to someone, from their address to their credit card number. As well as ensuring that you are a trustworthy business, you have to present your store as one that can be trusted.

There are several ways you can do this, starting with having a good website design. It’s difficult to trust a poorly designed site, riddled with grammatical errors. You can also ensure you have security measures in place to protect your business and your customers. Display your certificates to show people your site is safe.

4. Unique Content

If you sell other people’s products, don’t just use stock images and descriptions. Your site won’t stand out for SEO purposes or to your customers. Make sure that your content fits your brand. Try to provide a range of content too, perhaps including videos or rotating images of your products.

Conclusion

As a business I’m sure you don’t want to miss out in the huge growth of online shopping that we are witnessing today. But to take advantage of these trends you simply need to position your online store to stand out from the rest. You have to go beyond standard templates. Creating your store from scratch with the help of professionals is a sure way to stand out.

Use these tips today and you will see great success from your online store.

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Webhosting Checklist: 7 Essential Things to Look For When Choosing a Web Host

by with No Comment Business Software

Web hosting: it’s not the most glamorous of topics, by any stretch of the imagination. But, it’s one of the most important points to consider when you are running an online business.

Make no mistake about it, the hosting provider you choose will be where your website stands and grow, or fall on its face. Here are several things to watch out for when you choose a web host for your business.

How to choose a webhost for your business site

1. Choosing The Right Server

Your business needs the right amount of server space to work properly. You can never have too much space, of course, but you will have to pay for it in one way or another. But, if you don’t have enough, you will see a lot of downtimes that will lose valuable sales opportunities.

2. Ability To Be Flexible

So, it’s essential that when you choose your web host, you take server space into consideration. There’s a fine balance to strike. For example, if you only have a few visitors, you might get away with choosing Windows VPS hosting cheap and under your budget constraints. But, if you find you go over your monthly limits, it is worth looking at increasing your plan to accommodate your needs. It might cost a little more, but what you could lose in profit will put that into perspective. Your web host has to allow you to make those changes so that you can increase or decrease your server space as your visitors rise and fall.

3. Security

Not all web hosts offer as robust security as others. But, with the current online landscape as it is, safety is something you have to take into consideration. Choose a service that offers SSL – Secure Socket Layer – protocol. It’s the bare minimum for any business, and many of your customers will look for this before deciding to make a purchase.

4. Check Downtime Records

All web hosts suffer downtime and outage issues at some point – unfortunately, it’s part of the business. But, it’s how they deal with these problems that mark out a great service from an underwhelming company. Excellent companies who take pride in limiting their downtime will be happy to tell you about it, and talk to you about their recovery periods. So, be wary of a service that has a lot of outages, and of course, also make yourself aware of the time it takes them to fix things.

Web host checklist

5. Check For Support

The nature of online businesses is that they are available at any time of the day. The trouble is, if your web host is only available for support during office hours, it isn’t much help. Just think about the problems it can cause. Let’s say you get a notification that your site is down at 6 pm. If your hosting provider isn’t around until the next morning, then you could be looking at well over half a day without your site. That’s a lot of missed opportunities, and your sales figures for the month is likely to take a hit. Make sure your service provider gives you 24/7 support every day, or you run the risk of missing out on a lot of potential sales.

6. Check The Nature Of The Support

Another point to consider is that not all 24/7 support services are created equal. It’s vital that you understand how that support will be given should you have a problem. In an ideal world, it will be someone on the other end of a telephone. But, in most cases, this is impractical – and understandable if your web host is a smaller company. However, the bare minimum you need is live chat or instant messaging. Avoid firms that promise email support, but don’t reveal how long they take to respond. They won’t be able to offer you help when you need it, and you will find yourself being frustrated when they don’t reply immediately.

7. Look For Shopping Cart Quality

A lot of web hosts offer free shopping carts with their packages. They are worth looking at, for sure, but it’s important to do some thorough research. In an ideal world, you will have a cart package that includes as many different payment options as possible. Think about VISA, Paypal, and everything between. It’s also worth pointing out that poor quality carts with questionable design tend to convert far less than higher quality carts. If that is going to lose you a lot of sales, then you should consider paying for a custom made service with more options.

Conclusion

The web host you choose for your business website plays a vital role in the success of your business. This is must not be undertaken lightly. Use the above tips when next you want to decide on a webhost. If you have any other suggestions feel free to add them in your comments below.

As you can see, there is more to choosing a web host than might meet the eye at first glance. It’s essential to have a long think about the sort of services you need, before making your decision.

The 5 Elements of Fantastic Web Design

by with 4 Comments Your Website

As a regular reader of the Web Income Journal, you will understand that we place much emphasis on your business website. Without a website, your business will definitely be missing out on thousands of potential customers. But, a website is just the starting point. It’s how you design it that really matters.

Now, different web designers take a different approach when building a website. However, they have some form of standards to follow – a checklist if you may so call it! If this is so, then it means there are certain elements every website should include.

In trying to understand therefore what truly separates a fantastic web design from the rest or, what makes a good website stand out from a bad one, we spoke to some of the top designers out there, and got their advice on modern web design essentials.

In this post, I want to share with you the thoughts of these design experts on what qualities a great website should have. Hope this help you in building a website that will truly help you drive the right clients and customers.

Website design essentials

Modern Web Design Essentials

1. Responsive

The number one trend in web design right now is making sure it is responsive. What do I mean by that? Quite simply, it means that your website works on whatever device opens it. In other words, the website will look fantastic whether you’re on a mobile, a tablet, or a desktop. More than 50% of all internet access now takes place on a mobile device. That makes it more important than ever to cater for alternative devices. To find out more about responsive design, visit the experts at http://perfectlysimpledesign.com/.

2. Simplicity

We’ve covered the multiple platforms, but what exactly should the website look like? Well, the exact design is up to you. But, one thing we must stress is the importance of simplicity. The best designs are minimal, simple, and straight to the point. Remember, your web design exists to point users in the right direction. It should tell them who you are, and where to go next. Anything that distracts from this one simple task should be removed. Aim for simple, powerful designs.

Responsive web design is essential today
Make sure your design works on all device

3. Usability

Most people think that web design is all about being creative and artistic. To an extent, they’re correct. But, the best designers are far more focused on usability. They care more about how the website works than how fancy it looks. They understand that the most important aspect of a website is how easy it is to use. That means making sure that usability is a priority. If you’re looking for a great blog on usability, visit https://uxmag.com.  It will help you ensure the navigation is simple and intuitive. Ensure that visitors know where to go, and can find out basic information.

4. Speed

You might not think it’s the web designer’s job to consider web speed, but it’s very important. For example, the more complicated and fussy the website, the longer it will take to load. There are more images to download, and more coding required to make it work. That takes time to load up. And, if you’ve been keeping up with our latest blogs, you’ll know that slow websites damage sales and conversions! Don’t sacrifice speed for a fussy design. Keep it simple, keep it fast.

5. Branding

Before we leave, a quick note on branding. In terms of artistic and creative design, always stick to your core brand. Create a logo that works, and stick to a simple and iconic color palette.

Conclusion

The above are some of the common elements users expects of any modern website. Take each of these factors into account, and you’ll create a powerful website. These are just a selected few from the a long list of design elements but I hope you find these useful.

So, what other website design essentials you want to add to the list?

5 Smart Ways to Make More Money from Your Website

by with One Comment Uncategorized

There’s no doubt that it is much easier today to set up a website than it was a few years back. However, that is not the same when it comes to making money from it! In fact, it is pretty much trickier than you would imagine.  But that doesn’t mean that you cannot do it if you truly want to.

There are lots of ways to monetize a site. Some of these include advertising, affiliate links, and selling products. Unfortunately, it takes time and effort before the big money starts kicking in.

Today, I’m going to show you how to give yourself a headstart. It’s not just about getting bigger; it’s about getting smarter, and more targeted. The truth is that there is no shortage of money out there, but it’s up to you to find it! You just need to get creative, and come up with some unique ways to boost your online profits.

Easy ways to make more more from your website

Here Are My Top Picks for Getting Money from Your Website

1. Boost Traffic

If your advertising income, affiliate links, and product sales are ticking over nicely, then you can boost them. By driving more traffic to the site, your conversion rates will continue to work effectively. If everything is working efficiently then more traffic will equal more sales.

Of course, if your website isn’t optimized for sales and monetization, then more traffic won’t make any difference. If you’re confident that more traffic is the answer then focus on great content, better SEO techniques, and invest in advertising.

2. Targeted Marketing

When it comes to bringing more people to your website, you’ve got to bring the right people. Target and identify the people that are likely to buy from you. Target the people that resonate with your brand, and are likely to become long-time readers or customers. It’s time to tweak your internet marketing strategy, to make sure it’s reaching the right people.

Let’s say you’re selling outdoor camping gear. Are you reaching the rugged, outdoor types? If not, then how are you going to reach the adventurers and thrill-seekers of the world?

3. Start an Email List

All the biggest marketing experts claim that email subscription is still the most profitable marketing technique. The people who have signed up to your mailing list are much more likely to buy from you than anyone else. So make a huge effort to build it, and contact them regularly with offers and discounts.

You can start building an email list by offering a great incentive (an eBook or tutorial works wonders). Then use a platform like MailChimp to send thousands of email newsletters.

4. Introduce A New Product

If your sales aren’t shooting upwards, perhaps there’s room for a new product in the lineup. Start getting feedback from your users about your product range. Use questionnaires and surveys to ask what products they’d like to see on your site. Then develop that product, and invest in a launch campaign to build awareness.

5. Sponsorship

Sponsorship is quickly becoming the most popular method of monetizing websites. Even the biggest media outlets like The New York Times and Buzzfeed use this trick. It’s the art of creating bespoke content with a sponsorship brand in mind. For example, you can create an article or video on outdoors adventure for a new walking boot brand.

Conclusion

Making money from your website is all about getting creative. Remember, there’s no shortage of money out there! It’s up to you to find it. Do the right thing and then find some creative way to monetize it.

How You Can Launch A Successful Online Clothes Brand In 4 Easy Steps!

by with One Comment Business Ideas

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own clothing label? So, why have you not started one all these years?

Were you put off by the mere thought of how much it would cost you to start one? Or, is it the thought of the technical requirements?

Running a clothing label is something that a lot of people may have considered at some stage. Of course, we all have our own fashion preferences and with the right plan of action, those ideas could be turned into a very profitable business.

Even if you aren’t technically skilled, there’s no reason you can’t turn this into a business. The internet has created ample opportunities for startup companies to shine. The fashion industry is one where anyone could potentially thrive.

Here’s an easy four-step guide to making those dreams come true.

How to start your own online clothing brand

1. Fund Your Ideas

Running a business is exciting, but the starting costs can be a major downfall for many new ventures. The ideal scenario is to keep costs as low as possible, but you will require some funds to make your dream of owning a successful clothes brand come true.

Finding ways to fund your dreams is a crucial step en route to achieving your goals. Without money, you will hit a number of stumbling blocks along the way. It won’t make things impossible, but it will certainly make them a lot tougher.

No matter what type of funding you go for, the key is to have a solid business plan. If you bleed a love for fashion, this should also shine through.

2. Know Your Target Audience

There are several types of businesses aimed at a very generic audience. When it comes to fashion, though, there’s a strong possibility that you’ll have a specific target market. Understanding their needs is essential to making the business a success.

Your product designs must resonate with the audience. After all, nobody is going to pay for items that don’t represent their style. Market research is imperative and is a step you should take well before beginning the production process.

Marketing your clothing brand

3. Produce

A good business model will only take you so far. You must also produce quality goods if the business is going to shine.

You can be as hands-on or hands-off as you like. The internet is full of designers as well as clothing manufacturers to help you along the way. Finding a cheap solution is important, but you need to be sure that products will be of the desired standard. It’s always worth running a prototype before committing to a bulk order.

Once you’ve got the perfect items, it’s time to turn them into profit.

4. Sell, Sell, Sell

No matter what type of online business you run, the company website is a vital aspect. As well as being a fantastic marketing tool, it is the portal for online sales. Quite frankly, if it isn’t up to scratch, your business will never get off the ground.

However, your audience can only buy your products if the website is visible. Marketing is one of the most important aspects of any online business. Hiring an internet marketing expert might be the biggest decision you ever make. They can help generate more traffic, which will ultimately lead to more sales.

There are other little tricks to help generate a buzz about the brand. For example, giving freebies to popular social media talent could help advertise to a huge audience. Think outside the box to find ways of engaging your audience and you won’t go far wrong.

The Essential Guide on How to Start an Online Business

by with No Comment Internet & Online Business

Have you ever thought of starting an online business and just didn’t know how to go about it?

Or,

Are you already running a business online but you are not making any headway because you may have taken the plunge without carefully analyzing what it TRULY takes to start a successful business online?

Now, it’s true that starting an online business has never been easier, but that doesn’t make it a simple task. Ironically, the ease of entering into the online business arena is, for many who want to start an online business, the biggest problem.

In this article, I want to share with you what you truly need to do to get started and launch your own online business. So, whether you are just starting out and wants to know what you need to start on the right path or you already have a business online but you’re wondering what you may have left behind, this guide is something you’re going to find valuable.

So, let’s get started…

How to start an online business
1. Form Your Idea

Whatever your idea is it has to be unique. Sure, you can get a bit of money from a copycat website, but it won’t last long, and you will soon find yourself being blacklisted by customers and search engines alike. You can come up with something entirely new, or make an improvement to a current service. Whatever you choose, you have to make it clear that you are different to all of the rest.

2. Get A Domain

Now you need to find a domain name. In days gone by, you could just name your domain after your company, but things are a little different now. If you are starting an online business, then it’s best to choose your domain name first, and then use the same for your business. We recently put together a guide for choosing your domain, so make sure you check it out before moving on.

3. Build A Website

If you have an idea for a website, do you have the skills to build it? If not, then you are going to have to hire a developer. Make sure that design is at the heart of what you come up with, and build your website so that it is simple to use. Test things time and time again before you launch to iron out any kinks, such as broken links or headings.

4. Create Content

Now that you have your website up, it’s time to fill it with content. Depending on what you want from your site – sales or signups – you should treat your content differently. Sales websites should focus on high-quality product descriptions. And if you are looking for subscriptions for a blog or something similar, then look into presenting new information in a unique way.

5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

OK, so you have your content in place, but who is going to read it? Nobody will if they can’t find it. This is where search engine optimization and marketing comes in. A good search engine marketing company will help you get found in the search rankings and help you boost your conversions, meaning more sign ups or sales.

6. Social Media

Another good way of getting your content seen is by spreading the word on social media. Set up accounts on the social channels that work well with your business model, and get involved with other people’s conversations. If you are adding to them, then you should see your follower numbers start to increase, meaning more eyes will be directed to your website when you need them to be.

Conclusion

There you have it, the essential guide to starting a business online. It is unfortunate that many want to complicate things. But you don’t have to do that. If you truly want to succeed online then follow this guide and you will not go wrong.

Good luck with your new venture. I look forward to reading of your results.

Image credit: Flickr.com

What Does It Take To Succeed In Business?

by with No Comment Running A Business

Ask any entrepreneur and you will receive the same answer: building a successful business is not “bread and butter”!

The common statistics about small businesses is that most go bankrupt or are closed abruptly in their first five years of getting started. For those that move beyond the 5 year mark, many “pack up” shop and lock their doors before they are ten.

Why Do So Many Businesses Fail?

Why do you think that people like Aliko Dangote (Africa’s Riches Person) were able to, not only move beyond these statistics, but have also been able to grow their businesses to world renowned status?

A careful scrutiny of these businesses point to some very specific things which can be classified into three main areas namely: personal, customer, and operations!

Succeeding in business

1. The Owners Personal Sphere

This deals with the owner’s personal motivation to start a business. For example, if you want to start a business but you are not willing to make the necessary sacrifices, then you are already putting yourself at a disadvantage.

You must understand that when you start a business for the first time you will need to sacrifice time, money, and happiness to ensure that that business succeeds. If you can’t do that, it is unlikely that such a business will flourish. So, before you rush off to “be your own boss” remember that building a business is far more than just having a bright business idea.

2. The Customers Sphere

This is another very crucial component of your business success. Without customers you do not have sales, without sales you do not have money and without money you do not have a business.

Now, to build a profitable customer base there are many factors to consider. In the beginning you must have a cost effective marketing strategy that targets your intended buyers. You can do this by developing a profile of your customer and then advertising in those places that they frequent.

3. The Operations Sphere

This is only second to the Customer Sphere. In operations you must have an appropriate method of reducing costs, keeping track of paperwork, and maintaining improvement. Operations can also take into effect the tax paperwork, accounting, scheduling of workers, benefits or any non-producing functions.

Of course, when you are just starting out, there may be challenges putting these three components together. Seeking help from those who have succeeded in these areas is a sure way of overcoming such challenges.

Another route you can take is seeking out resources, like these top business success guides, from some of the world-renowned captains of the business world.

If you’re thinking of starting an online business, then subscribing to this blog will be a great idea. In addition to your free subscription you will have access to an insightful ecourse that will help you get started on the right foundation. Subscribe using the form at the top of this post.

Maximize Your Profits with These Clever Web Design Strategies

by with No Comment Your Website

Profitable website design strategiesSandi Dez

Do you sell your services or products online?

Are you using your website as an online storefront or do you simply use it to advertise your business online?

If you answer yes to any of these question then you definitely know the importance of web design when it comes to selling online.

The way your website looks and functions can have a significant impact on your profits. If your site is hard to use, confusing or doesn’t seem safe, you’ll have a difficult time convincing customers to trust you.

But beyond the trustworthiness of your website, you also need to use it for sales techniques that you would apply to other channels, such as clear calls to action.

All of these simply means that the way that you use your site is as valuable as any other advertising or retail space. It should lead your visitors to a sale or an inquiry to help you maximize your profits.

Here are a few essential things your website should be doing if you truly want to maximize your profits:

1. Calls to Action

Just like your print advertising, newsletter, and other marketing channels, you website should have clear calls to action. You shouldn’t leave your visitors wondering what they should do next or what products you offer because you should be suggesting their next move. As well as placing your calls to action in prominent positions, you need to lay the groundwork for people to follow them. For example, you can’t just have a download button, without any explanation for why your visitors should click it. Make sure that your encouraging texts and graphics and focused, and that there aren’t too many confusing instructions telling people to do ten things at once.

2. A Clear Sales Funnel

People need you to lead them through the sales process, from their initial point of contact to a sale or request for information. They should be able to follow a clear path, without having to click back and forth to find what they’re looking for. You need to guide them through the sales process up to the point where they make a purchase. You shouldn’t present them with distractions that could make them leave or change their minds.

3. Simple But Eye-Catching

Your web design need to make people look at it, but without being too fussy or complicated. If there’s too much going on, it will put people off. Although you want it to be attractive and unique, it should also be clear and simple, so it doesn’t confuse people. It can be very difficult to get the balance right. If you use a web design agency in London, they can help you create a website that stands out without being overwhelming.

4. Ensure Payment is Secure

If you want to maximize your profits, you need to ensure you have a safe and secure payment system. But it’s not enough to make it secure; you also need to show your customers that it is. Displaying security certificates clearly can help them trust you, as well as pointing out your safe payment process in other ways. You can mention the safety of the payment system at checkout, as well as in your FAQ or another information page.

Conclusion

Your business website is an essential element to your online success. To make the best of marketing you need to implement the best website design strategies. Put these simple tips to good use and you will be able to maximize your profits in no time.

How to Profit BIG Time from Online Christmas Spending

by with One Comment Business News

Black Friday online spending reports for 2013 indicates a positive outlook for online businesses this Christmas season. Reports from ComScore Inc shows that for the first 29 days of this holiday season total e-commerce sales have reached $20.6 billion! This is about a 3.1 percent increase compared to the same period of Nov. 1 to Black Friday last year, 2012!

For this year’s Black Friday alone, there was a record $1.20 billion in online spending (a 15% increase) as more consumers opted to shop from the comfort of their homes instead of battling with long lines at brick and mortar stores! This is just in line with what I wrote in an earlier post, when I reported that Christmas 2013 holiday season would reach in excess of $220 billion! That truth is already playing out.
Christmas 2013 Online Spending report

But, What Does All of These Mean to You if You’re an Affiliate Marketer?

If you’re an affiliate marketer, just like me, this is indeed good news!

Yes, because all of these mean one thing…

… there is already a hungry market ready to be sold to and if you can find a way of giving this online shopper what she wants you are sure to go smiling to the bank!

Personally, I’ve been researching the market for the past few weeks and it is very clear that online stores, like Amazon.com, remain the best places where online shoppers are spending the money this Christmas season! This was why, sometime ago, I wrote a post titled:

How to Cash In On the Billions of Dollars Being Spent On Amazon This Christmas Festive Season!

If you have not read it make sure you do so right away. IT IS IMPORTANT YOU DO!

Now, with the suggestions I made in that post I want to add the following. These will help you get setup quickly since Christmas is already at the corner. Of course, the Christmas spending has already started and you don’t want to miss out!

1. Become an Amazon.com Associate

If you are not yet an Amazon.com Associate (affiliate) this is the time to do so. This will give you an easy platform to start promoting to this hungry market. Signing up for an associate’s account is both free and easy. Click here to signup.

2. Leverage Amazon Marketing Tools

The good news is that there are various tools in the market that will greatly help you set your Amazon Affiliate marketing plan. For example, this software tool is a 4-in-one highly-specialized tool used for uncovering profitable products to promote as an Amazon affiliate partner! The tool will help you:

(i) Research Amazon.com to uncover profitable keywords! These are keywords that buyers are using right on Amazon.com to look for products that are buying. You will never get these keywords using the Google keyword Planner tool!

(ii) Quickly find worthy top selling products to promote through the Amazon affiliate program! With this tool you don’t have to waste your precious time trying to find what is selling on Amazon.com. You’ll be able to quickly extract and analyze all the top 100 categories from the US and UK Amazon sites!

(iii) Quickly extract and analyze products from Amazon beyond just the top 100 to uncover even MORE hidden gems! It helps you to look beyond the top 100 and uncover MORE hidden gems!

(iv) Set up your Amazon WordPress site and STUFF it full of highly profitable Amazon affiliate products in just 3 minutes! This is a simple but powerful WordPress plugin that displays Amazon products on your site using data you have researched and exported with the software tool!

Frankly, this is the easiest and quickest way of getting setup for your Christmas sales as an Amazon.com affiliate. I purchased a copy of this software a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been able to use it to set up different Amazon Affiliate sites in different categories.

Click here to download a copy of the amazing Amazon Software tool!

Let me quickly point out also that this software tool comes with a total package of 9 very insightful training videos that will work you through how to make money with the Amazon associate program. What this means is you are not just receiving a piece of software but also a complete training program. I must say, I’ve found this training program to be invaluable!

Click here to check it out.

The year is running out and the Christmas holiday season offers an opportunity to pull in some good results before the year runs out! Like Gian Fulgoni, ComScore Chairman, said,

“While Black Friday — and now Thanksgiving Day — is the traditional kickoff to the brick-and-mortar holiday shopping season, both days continue to grow in importance on the online channel. Many consumers prefer to avoid the crowds and lines typically associated with Black Friday by shopping from the comfort of their own homes, and we saw a record 66 million Americans do that this year.”

The holiday shopping season has indeed kicked off and Black Friday online sales shows that the season look great. This will continue for the next few days. And so, now is the time to position yourself for the Christmas season sales.

Get started today the easy way for a guaranteed slice of this lucrative Christmas cake!

If you have any questions feel free to ask them in your comments below. Feel free also to share your Christmas season plan of action with us!