From the Most Humble Beginnings…
Elvis Presley, with over a billion records sold, is known as the best-selling solo music artist of all time, with millions of fans and the title of KING of Rock and Roll.
When you think of Elvis, failure might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However his journey wasn’t always smooth sailing.
Did you know that Elvis actually flunked music class in high school? Yes, it’s true.
He was seen as a “quiet outsider” and a bit of a social misfit during his younger years.
In fact, he was working as a driver to make a living while pursuing his music dreams. After his first paid performance, his manager gave him some tough feedback.
“You’re not going anywhere, son. You should stick to driving trucks.”
Despite this discouragement, Elvis didn’t give up.
Even when his initial recordings didn’t take off and he was rejected from a vocal quartet for his singing abilities, he persevered.
His manager doubted him, no one believed in his talent, and his music wasn’t gaining traction. But Elvis kept pushing forward.
Perhaps it was love, fate, or just sheer stubbornness that fueled his determination. Whatever it was, Elvis refused to be defeated.
Have you ever faced repeated failures in your pursuit of success? Many people in the realm of internet marketing and online business can relate to this struggle.
In the next sections, I’ll be sharing insights on achieving success in online business after experiencing setbacks. Can you empathize with that journey?
Through the stories, advice, and tactics we’ll explore in the upcoming sections, I aim to guide you towards the path of success in the online world.
What happened?
Alright, so let’s talk about how to bounce back online after experiencing some setbacks.
First things first, you gotta take a good hard look at what went wrong in the past if you have a shot at getting it right this time around.
Chances are, the issues that tripped you up before are still lurking around, waiting to trip you again like a hungry tiger stalking its prey.
What I’ve found super helpful is to take a deep dive into your last three attempts at making it online.
And even if you haven’t taken three swings at it yet, just reflect on what you have tried.
Now, ask yourself these three tough questions, and don’t hold back on the answers:
1. Why did that online venture go belly up?
2. What role did you play in its downfall?
3. How can you avoid a repeat performance?
Let’s say your most recent online endeavor involved dropping ten bucks on a course promising to teach you the secrets of online money-making.
It was a spur-of-the-moment purchase after getting a flashy promo email.
But here’s the kicker: you only made it halfway through the first video and never looked back. Why? Maybe something about the content didn’t click with you.
Perhaps it seemed too complicated, or you realized it would require more funds than you were comfortable with.
Or maybe, truth be told, the training was just a snooze-fest, and you kept putting off finishing it.
Could be you were just swamped with other commitments and never found time to put the strategies into action.
Any of these scenarios could be the culprit, or a mix of them. Your mission now is to run through these same questions for your last three online attempts.
Every roadblock has a detour, a ladder, or a bulldozer to get past it. It’s a fact: problems have solutions.
By doing this simple exercise, you’re already leagues ahead of most folks who stumble, fall, then stumble again.
Knowledge is power, and understanding why you stumbled before lowers your chances of repeating the same missteps in the future.
A World of Copycats and Echochambers…
You know, the internet is a funny place these days. It seems like everyone has an opinion on everything, whether they know what they are talking about or not.
Maybe’s the false sense of anonymity, I don’t know.
What I do know is if you are listening to people’s advice because you are trying to accomplish something, you need to be very careful who you listen to.
The fact of the matter is, it’s a copycat out there in the realm of internet marketing and online business.
Some people actually doing something, some more people trying do something and following the action-takers and a bunch of people just talking.
The problem is they are ALL out there giving their opinions on the same subjects.
As soon as somebody does something that works, they will have a bunch of people trying to copy them, most times with mediocre results, and a bunch more people just talking about the strategy and not even bothering to try it.
They are just looking for some content.
I could go on and on about this because it’s really running rampant but you know who said it best?
Morpheus (you know…the guy from the Matrix movie said it best.)
There is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path.
Meaning that there is a difference between just knowing how to do something, and actually doing it.
Experience outranks everything.
So when it comes to who you listen to online to advance your business or online endeavors, I think it’s important to take the advice of people who are currently doing the thing that you want to be successful at.
Multiple sources are fine. There is almost always more than one way to succeed online at everything.
However, when it comes to who you listen to and take seriously, I don’t mean someone who was successful at it 3 years ago or even last year but got out of it (because things change quickly online) I mean the guy or gal who is doing it right now, successfully.
It’s not that you can’t listen to other people and their opinions. I mean, hey sometimes people have interesting and valid things to say.
However, I am saying that you have to be judicious about who you take seriously, and who you just listen to casually.
And when you start to feel confused about an issue, always drop the advice from the casuals first.
Always consider the advice of people actually doing the thing you want to do, the most important.
Often times that is the person you are paying to help you. If it’s not, it should be.
People love to lie. People love to brag. People love to talk about things they know next to nothing about.
It’s important to be able to look past all that if you want to succeed online.
Are they currently doing the things they are talking with you about?
Are you sure?
Is their advice free of charge? Often times that advice means very little. If they have no vested interest in your success, how can you truly take them seriously?
What About SEO?
Back in the day, say about 5 or even 10 years ago, SEO was like striking gold.
If you had a handle on Search Engine Optimization techniques, it was like having a magic traffic machine at your fingertips.
It was a highly sought-after skill for a long time.
The perception of the importance of that skill still lingers today. Maybe it does matter…but not in the same way it used to.
In the past, you could stuff your blog posts with keywords tweak your content titles to fool search engines into thinking you were super relevant to a certain topic.
Remember hidden text blending with the background color to cram in more keywords, spamming guest books, stuffing meta tags, and those good old web rings?
They were all par for the course in the old days.
All those tactics were surefire ways to drive a ton of traffic to your website or wherever you wanted it to go.
Fast forward to today.
With smarter algorithms and artificial intelligence reigning supreme, it’s not as easy to game the system like before. The landscape of SEO has shifted drastically.
These days, it’s crucial to create content geared towards real people, not just algorithms.
Trying to outsmart a search engine in this day and age…..won’t get you very far.
Attention is the name of the game on the internet now, and the competition is fierce.
Crafting strategic headlines and content that resonates with users’ intent are key to gaining visibility in the current digital realm.
What do I mean by intent-based content?
I mean content with a purpose. Content that caters to a specific audience and solves their problems.
And it doesn’t hurt to sprinkle in a bit of entertainment mixed with practical advice or a lesson.
Apart from the content itself, how you title it matters. In a world where everyone is vying for attention, your content needs to stand out.
Titles play a huge role in capturing attention. The good news is, you don’t need to be a marketing guru to make your content pop.
These days, there are plenty of tools like “viral title generators” and lists of viral subject lines to help you craft attention-grabbing titles.
In fact, I believe planning the title before creating the content is a smart move. It ensures the effectiveness of your entire piece.
So, when it boils down to SEO, remember it’s all about appealing to humans today.
Artificial intelligence is here, it’s being wielded by the tech giants that run the internet, and it’s intuitive.
Focus on creating engaging content that genuinely helps people. That will take you further than any shady SEO tactics in today’s digital landscape.
Live by the tech, die by the tech…
Certain software and tech tools are not ones you want to mess around with. It’s essential to stick with reliable, established companies that have stood the test of time.
I’ve discovered that the key tools you should approach in this manner include:
A) Your autoresponder – Every month, there seems to be a new autoresponder hitting the market from some unknown software company. And what usually occurs?
Many people jump on board because they offer a great deal on the service. Perhaps even a one-time option.
However, these autoresponder services don’t monitor their users’ quality, resulting in excessive spamming of their lists.
Consequently, Email Marketing Systems (such as Yahoo and Gmail) blacklist them, leading to a significant drop in deliverability.
So, within about 6 to 8 months, your email open rates plummet. Why? Because your emails aren’t getting through anymore.
Therefore, when it comes to autoresponders, it’s wise to approach them with a “prove your longevity” mindset.
Opt for a provider that has a long-standing reputation and is still thriving.
These autoresponders are under EMS surveillance, so if they weren’t maintaining quality control on their users and upholding legitimacy, they wouldn’t have lasted.
Your email list forms the foundation of most online businesses. It’s imperative that your autoresponder functions properly and delivers your emails correctly.
B) Your hosting company – While hosting might not be as critical as your autoresponder, it’s still vital to have a reliable company to turn to in case of issues.
Often, newcomers seek budget-friendly hosting deals. But when things go awry, they struggle to find support.
If your website houses numerous sales pages, blog articles, or membership programs, you need everything running smoothly.
Similar to your autoresponder, hosting directly impacts your daily earnings.
Therefore, like with your autoresponder, opt for a longstanding hosting provider with a solid track record of customer support.
C) Your page builder – Page builders, especially those integrated with WordPress, rely heavily on regular software updates from their developers.
Imagine if WordPress updates and your page builder doesn’t, causing your pages to break. Such scenarios are common.
If you’re using the page builder for creating sales pages, download pages, or membership areas, it’s best to stick with a reliable tool rather than a trendy new one.
D) Your membership software – Membership software can be a headache if it malfunctions, especially those that work with WordPress.
It doesn’t take much to disrupt these systems. A simple WordPress update can break the login feature, preventing members from accessing their accounts.
This is why it’s crucial for software providers to update their products regularly.
Just like with any software directly impacting your daily income, it’s advisable to choose established companies with a reputation for reliability.
Think of these companies as part of your inner circle. You rely on them, and if they fail, it can significantly impact your revenue.
On the other hand, there are numerous software and gadgets you can experiment with to see if they enhance your operations.
These tools can often be easily swapped for better alternatives.
For instance, video streaming software (like StreamYard), graphic design programs (like Canva), and AI writers (like Conversion.ai) can be tested and replaced with more efficient tools.
In conclusion, when it comes to technology affecting your income directly, be cautious about what you use.
Stick with the tried-and-true tech companies in your inner circle.
No man is an island…
John Donne served as the Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1642.
He held the positions of clergyman and English poet, but what truly resonates through the ages is a quote from one of his sermons:
“No man is an island entire of itself every man is a piece the continent, a of the main; if clod be washed by the sea, Europe the less, as as if a promontory were, as well as any manner thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s deathes me, because am involved in mankind. therefore never send to know for whom bell tolls; tolls for thee.”
Chances are you’ve heard the condensed version of this quote: “No man is an island.”
Its enduring relevance speaks to the interconnectedness of humanity and the significance of these ties for our collective well-being.
This sentiment extends to the digital realm as well. While it’s technically possible to grow an online business in isolation, the process is undeniably sluggish.
The key to accelerating your progress lies in networking with others in your industry.
By conducting interviews, endorsing your peers in your content, engaging in collaborations, and more, you can cultivate a supportive network of allies that propels your growth exponentially.
Attempting to thrive online without this network is akin to being an island unto yourself.
It’s somewhat amusing that words spoken centuries ago still hold such relevance today. Despite the ever-changing landscape, some truths remain constant.
In essence, fostering relationships with your peers and expanding your network is the catalyst for rapid business growth.
Perhaps you could conduct an interview, feature another business in your niche, or reach out to someone to express admiration for their work and offer your assistance free of charge.
These gestures serve as excellent icebreakers to initiate friendships and alliances within your professional community.
Social Media shifting paradigms…
Back in the early days, social media platforms served as a means of driving traffic for marketers.
They offered a convenient space to share links to your latest blog post or lead magnet.
For a while this approach worked well for many. However as is the nature of the online world, social media underwent a transformation. It matured, one might say.
Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, and LinkedIn are no longer mere websites where you drop links to your content casually.
There’s a significant shift occurring on the internet, a concentration of influence in a few key places where people spend a large portion of their time.
These are the central hubs where millions congregate daily.
Consider how much time you spend online daily versus the number of websites you actually visit.
You’ll likely realize that you spend a substantial amount of time on just a handful of sites. It’s as if the internet is consolidating itself.
The key now is not just driving traffic from social media to your website but rather establishing a presence directly on the platform and cultivating influence there.
Capture their attention with an email list.
Chances are, they’ll be devoting most of their online hours to THAT particular platform, not your blog or podcast.
Therefore, the optimal strategy involves establishing a base on social media itself and attracting an audience there. Focus on directing them to your list.
Your email list serves as the arena for meaningful one-on-one interactions that convert into sales.
It’s where the noise fades, the follow-up occurs, and the revenue is generated.
Utilize social media wisely; don’t let it dictate your actions. Most platforms employ algorithms designed to retain users, and they excel at it.
Rather than combatting this, cultivate a following on the platform, establish trust, and then guide them towards your list.
It’s essentially the evolution of social media and the internet as a whole.
A decade ago, people frequented forums, visited blogs regularly, and explored various online spaces.
Today, thanks in part to smartphones, much of their online activity is concentrated on a select few sites, often accessed through apps.
Therefore, it’s crucial to leverage these platforms effectively.
Let’s see what all the hype is about…
In the fast-paced and constantly evolving world of the internet, hype seems to be everywhere.
I’ve mentioned before that online attention is a valuable commodity these days, and the surrounding various platforms reflects that.
New social media platforms are popping up like mushrooms, each with its own buzz.
There are whispers in the shadows claiming they will be the next big, the Facebook killer or the YouTube slayer.
If you’ve been around long enough, you start to notice a pattern.
A new platform emerges, hailed as the successor to a well-established one… only to fall short of expectations and fade away after a year or two.
It might still be around, but it lingers in a forgotten corner of the internet.
Case in point: Snapchat and IGTV (lol).
Currently, TikTok is riding a wave of hype. People are saying it will dethrone YouTube. And I mention this to emphasize the disparity between hype and reality.
More often than not, they don’t align. Making business decisions based on hype can lead to disappointment.
A quick look at a free tool like SimilarWeb shows that TikTok attracts about 1.8 billion visitors a month, ranking as the 14th most popular site globally.
Impressive numbers, no doubt.
But let’s compare that to YouTube, the supposed victim of TikTok’s dominance.
SimilarWeb data reveals that YouTube boasts around 33 billion monthly visitors, making it the second most popular site worldwide.
That’s sixteen times the traffic TikTok receives.
It’s like comparing an NBA team to a high school basketball team. They’re not playing the same game.
Delving deeper, you’ll find that YouTube has held the second spot for years. One-third of the US watches YouTube on their TVs. TikTok isn’t even close to that level.
This serves as a prime example of how hype can distort reality.
Putting all your efforts into TikTok while ignoring YouTube would significantly limit your reach and potential exposure to a massive audience.
In essence, it lowers your chances of success.
That’s not to say TikTok hasn’t been successful for some, but the numbers speak for themselves. Many TikTok users also branch out to YouTube.
Hype has its place in marketing, but when it comes to strategic decisions about your online presence and business growth, it’s crucial to look beyond the hype.
Tools like SimilarWeb, SEMRUSH, Google Trends, and ExplodingTopics offer valuable insights into website traffic and trends.
So, take a step back and assess the bigger picture. Don’t get swept away by the hype; consider the reality of the situation. Understanding where you stand is key.
As for homework, I challenge you to explore a popular tool or platform and check its traffic data on SimilarWeb or a similar platform.
Compare it to a well-established counterpart. Did the newcomer live up to the hype, or did the old favorite outshine it?
Video killed the radio star?
I reckon it won’t shock anyone who’s been trying and failing at online business for a while that video content has taken the spotlight, especially live video content.
I came across this study not too long ago that mentioned the average person spends around 16 minutes a day reading and about an hour and a half listening to digital audio content…and a whopping 3 hours glued to their screens watching TV or other video content.
Clearly, video content has its fans.
Well, it’s now easier than ever to spice up your content. There are tools out there that can help you turn written content into audio or video formats.
Likewise, you can transform video or audio into text with some nifty tools.
As of now, you can even use a tool like Descript(dot)com to teach AI how to mimic your speech patterns, allowing it to generate audio and video content based on your input.
Otter(dot)ai is another tool that can transcribe your audio or video content in a matter of minutes with over 90% accuracy.
Gone are the days of shelling out loads of cash and waiting ages for transcriptions. Things are much simpler now in that aspect.
So, my point is, it’s now easier than ever to strategize and distribute your content across various platforms in different formats.
You can repurpose your YouTube videos into TikTok clips or vice versa, transcribe them for blogs or social media posts, and extract the audio for podcast episodes.
Pretty neat, huh? The possibilities are endless. One of the major perks of technology is how it lets you make the most out of your existing content.
Don’t let it overwhelm you. Focus your time and energy where you see results, and track traffic to gauge the impact.
Regardless of how you’re sharing your content, it all comes down to email. Build your email list.
When you notice success in specific areas with your content, double down on those efforts and scale back where you’re not seeing much progress.
These subtle tweaks can make a world of difference in maximizing your time and effort.
Kind of like Tom Sawyer…
You know, I kinda see affiliate marketing like Tom Sawyer convincing his buddies to paint Aunt Polly’s fence happily.
Let me explain…
With affiliate marketing, all you need to do is get someone to purchase something.
And if you genuinely believe in the product, it’s not that difficult to do affiliate marketing.
No need for fancy sales pages or complicated funnels. You don’t have to create products or deal with tedious customer support.
All you have to do is talk about something and share a link.
But, affiliate marketing is quite competitive. Everyone’s trying it out because it seems easy, which makes it harder to see results.
So, how can you succeed in affiliate marketing these days?
Well, I believe focusing on people who value your opinion is key. Typically, these people are on an email list.
While some have found success with affiliate marketing on platforms like YouTube or Facebook (both free and paid), an email list allows for valuable follow-ups and more personalized interactions without distractions.
It’s crucial to prioritize collecting emails.
Now, let’s talk about what really makes a difference. Here are five key points:
1) Insight:
Insight is crucial. Providing personal opinions and insights on a product matter more than just listing features and benefits.
Make sure to lead with your insights when promoting a product.
2) Points of Exposure:
The more times someone sees an offer, the more likely they are to buy it.
Whether through YouTube videos, Facebook posts, or blog articles, multiple exposures increase the chances of a purchase.
However, bombarding the same audience with the same message can lead to tuning out. That’s where angles come in.
3) Angles:
Each message about a product should approach it from a different angle.
Whether it’s discussing the vendor’s origin story, sharing a life lesson, or providing a unique perspective, diversifying your approach keeps the audience engaged.
By varying your messaging, you prevent audience fatigue and increase the chances of conversion.
For instance, if I were to promote a product that teaches a traffic-generating method, I might focus on painting a picture of what life could be like for my potential customers if they could effortlessly drive traffic whenever they needed it.
Have you ever thought about the impact this could on their online business? How about their overall quality of life?
Let’s delve into this a bit.
The first email was all about listing the features and benefits, a pretty straightforward promotional message.
Then, in the second email, I switched gears and shared the backstory of the product creator.
Where did they start, and how did they transition from a regular job to running an online business?
This email took a softer approach to promotion, humanizing the product creator.
Moving on to the third email, it’s all about painting a picture of the prospect’s future with some preframing thrown in.
By approaching each message from different angles, we keep things fresh and engaging. There are countless ways to approach this, like collecting baseball cards.
This strategy allows us to promote the same product daily or even multiple times a day without risking people tuning out or feeling spammed.
We aim to stay captivating, polarizing, and entertaining.
4) Now, onto tracking.
One crucial aspect of affiliate marketing is tracking everything you do.
Since you’ll be placing affiliate links in various locations, it’s vital to understand which efforts are yielding results. Knowing where your traffic and sales originate is key.
Tools like Clickmagick are popular in the industry, but there are other options available. Just like anything else, there are expensive, mid-priced, and free alternatives.
The internet is constantly evolving, so trying out new link tracking technology can be worthwhile.
Regardless of the tool you choose, make sure you have something in place to track your links effectively.
5) Lastly, consistency.
Consistency is key not only in online business but in all aspects of life. Those who stick to their plan and put in the work consistently are the ones who see results.
On the flip side, those who dabble briefly, jump from one thing to another, and constantly change strategies rarely make progress.
Success in affiliate marketing, like in any endeavor, requires a consistent and focused effort.
Here is one thing you need to know…
Everything online is outsourceable, even experience. Consider this concept…
So, you’re thinking about creating and selling a digital product, maybe a special report or an audio training. The catch? You lack experience in your niche.
It’s a lucrative niche, and you sense there’s money to be made, but you’re a novice.
Perhaps you dabbled in the internet marketing realm but never quite hit the jackpot.
But does that lack of success online hold you back? Not really, because, as I said everything is outsourceable including experience.
Here’s an idea: target a specific issue in the internet marketing sphere, like driving traffic.
Reach out to 5 to 10 seasoned internet marketers and ask to interview them on the topic of traffic generation.
You can then compile these interviews into a product that addresses people’s traffic challenges. Voila, you’ve effectively outsourced the experience.
But beyond this straightforward approach to outsourcing experience, what about scaling up? What about enlisting others to share the workload?
Fortunately, tapping into the gig economy for help is a breeze nowadays. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have made it effortless to find assistance.
Before you rush into hiring, though, there are a couple of key considerations to bear in mind.
One) Whenever you’re outsourcing work, ensure you have a clear vision of what you want.
Many times you’ll be hiring specialists, but as the business owner, it’s crucial to grasp the big picture.
They’re just doing a job; you’re steering the ship.
Two) Understand the cost-benefit analysis for your projects.
Let me elaborate on this, as it’s pivotal for sustained online success.
Let’s say you’re selling a special report for $10 each with a $30 upsell.
Projecting 100 front-end sales and a 20% upsell conversion, you’re looking at $1,000 plus an additional $600 from the upsells.
Factor in PayPal transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction), and you’re looking at around $82.40 in fees.
Now, what if you need to hire someone for sales page graphics and copywriting? Budgeting conservatively, that’s an additional $200.
Suddenly, your projected $1,600 income is reduced to $1,317.60. But wait, there’s more. Those 100 new leads from the launch?
They could be worth $2 each over the next three months, potentially adding $2,400 to your income.
When you crunch the numbers, your projected revenue from that launch over the next three months could be $3,717.60.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s address the elephant in the room: traffic. How do you plan to drive traffic to those initial 100 sales?
Let’s say you’re considering using affiliate traffic. Imagine the commission rate for low-ticket products in the internet marketing realm is 75%.
Now, let’s assume that affiliates will drive 50% of your traffic.
You’ll generate the remaining traffic through your existing list. This means you sold 50 units on your own, while affiliates sold the other 50.
For you: 50 x 10 = $500
For affiliates: 50 x 10 = $500
Minus affiliate commissions: $250
So, the projected $1,000 profit on the front end becomes $750. The same principle applies to the upsell.
If we anticipate 20 sales, half of them will likely be affiliate-driven.
Thus, for the ten units sold by affiliates, we won’t make the full $30; instead, it will be $15.
For you: 10 x 30 = $300
For affiliates: 10 x 30 = $300
Minus affiliate commissions: $150
Now, the projected $600 from the upsell becomes $450. Combining the front-end and upsell profits, we’re looking at an initial profit of $1,200 instead of $1,600.
After deducting the $282.40 for PayPal fees and outsourcing expenses…
The profit projection stands at $917.60. When we factor in the 3-month profit projection from leads ($2400), the total 3-month profit projection amounts to $3,317.60.
That seems promising, but let’s delve a bit deeper. How much time will YOU invest in this project?
From creating the product to engaging with affiliates and all other related tasks.
How do you value your time realistically? Let’s say you consider yourself worth $20 per hour and plan to dedicate a full workweek to this project, equating to 40 hours.
In theory, you have $800 worth of time invested in this project.
You don’t necessarily have to pay yourself $800, but understanding the value of your time and the time you’ve dedicated is crucial.
It’s the only way to determine if it’s truly worthwhile.
Considering the $3,317.60 profit projection and subtracting the $800 invested time, we’re looking at a projected profit of $2,517.6.
Yikes! I know, math wasn’t the most fun subject in high school, but this example highlights how factors like outsourcing and time investment affect your profit.
Many folks overlook the importance of valuing their time.
They put in significant effort on projects, take too long to complete them, and end up dissatisfied with the outcome.
They feel they’ve put in too much work for the money earned, and they’re right. It’s all due to neglecting the time factor.
Balancing time input, quality, and output results is crucial in online business.
It’s essential to focus on what truly matters to customers, what drives conversions, and what merely adds unnecessary time and diminishes profits.
The longer a project takes, the higher the expectations for returns.
There’s a tipping point where so much time invested makes it nearly impossible for the project to meet expectations.
Conducting a Cost-Benefit Analysis is vital, whether you’re outsourcing tasks or handling everything solo.
You should always have a clear view of a project’s cost and projected earnings.
About being unique…
When it comes to the world of online business, standing out is crucial.
It’s always been important in the business, but now, with the online landscape being so competitive, it’s even more vital.
You really have to think carefully about unique selling propositions and how you differentiate yourself, whether as a business or an individual looking to earn some extra cash online.
It starts with ideas. How do you come up with something fresh and original? And once you have one idea, the pressure is on to keep them coming.
It often feels like a constant demand for innovation, with the question always looming: “What have you done lately?” It’s a tough environment to navigate.
The more you delve into it, the more you realize that everything seems to have been done before.
So, how do you thrive in this kind of scenario? How can you sustainably succeed?
In my opinion, innovation thrives when you take successful ideas from one area and apply them to another. Let me share an example with you.
Back in 2009, Nissan was struggling to develop the perfect anti-collision system for their vehicles. They found inspiration in an unexpected place: schools of fish.
They observed how schools of fish moved in sync, maintaining a safe distance from one another while staying close together.
Nissan embraced this concept and created safety features like the “Intelligent Brake Assist and Forward Collision Warning” system, which are still used today.
This approach, known as Biomimicry, involves seeking solutions from nature. But inspiration can come from anywhere.
For instance, a friend of mine found success on Medium.com by drawing inspiration from reaction videos on YouTube.
These videos feature people reacting to various content like movie trailers, songs, and books.
Despite being derivative, reaction videos have garnered immense popularity on YouTube. Some channels have amassed millions of subscribers and views.
My friend adapted this concept to Medium with “Reaction Posts.” He would respond to original Medium stories and turn his reaction into a new post.
This strategy proved to be a quick and effective way to create content.
The key takeaway here is that innovation doesn’t always require brand-new ideas.
By observing what works well in other domains and adding your unique twist, you can continuously generate fresh concepts and innovate within your field.
Bottlenecks to Bottlerockets…
Have you ever found yourself starting a project for your online business only to encounter a roadblock that completely derails your progress?
The truth is, this isn’t unique to online businesses or individuals trying to earn money online – it happens all types of businesses, all the time.
There’s a methodology that addresses this issue effectively. It’s known as the Theory of Constraints, which originated from the manufacturing world.
Essentially, it involves identifying the most significant restriction (or limiting factor) preventing the achievement of a goal and gradually eliminating that constraint.
This restriction is often referred to as a bottleneck in production.
The Theory of Constraints (TOC) was developed by Eliyahu Goldratt, who gained popularity through his best-selling book “The Goal.”
Since then, TOC has evolved and become a crucial component of management best practices.
The key takeaway here is that the concept of a “bottleneck” can impact any business.
When you encounter obstacles in your online endeavors, when you face repeated failures, it typically boils down to one or two things – these are your bottlenecks.
You need to find a way around them, through them, or over them.
The goal is to remove the bottleneck so that you can progress with your business. Keeping your projects moving forward is the ultimate objective.
If you stagnate, you lose.
Sometimes the bottleneck could be as simple as a fear of being on camera. Maybe you can address this by creating faceless videos or exploring other alternatives.
Perhaps your bottleneck lies in struggling with technology and software.
You might resolve this by adopting a user-friendly technology policy or hiring someone to manage complex systems for you.
The bottom line is to maintain momentum in your projects at all costs.
The Theory of Constraints and the concept of bottlenecks exemplify how ideas and strategies from one industry can be applied effectively in another.
Sometimes, the solution you’re seeking may lie beyond your industry’s scope.
Success often emerges from a path lined with introspection and accountability.
There’s a metaphorical highway filled with individuals blaming others for their setbacks – they never reach their destination.
Avoid falling into that trap. Ask questions, shoulder the responsibility for your failures.
Instead of saying, “I didn’t have time,” ask yourself, “How can I make time for this?”
Asking the right questions in the face of challenges can pave the way for success. This is how you triumph.
