How do run a successful business online. First learn how to do it!
(Image: Construction worker working on a building structure)
My brother-in-law is a successful construction attorney. He "retired" after almost 40 years and now travels the world when he feels like it to consult on issues.
But it wasn't always that way. When he was in college, he worked for construction companies over the summers.
After 4 years of college and 4 years of law school, he finally started practicing law. Construction law for a local firm. With his background, he understood his clients much better than most attorneys. So after a few years, he moved and formed his own company.
One way of looking at this is, he spent 8 years making absolutely no money from his chosen profession. Just learning how things work. Then when he had everything he needed under his belt, he was more than prepared to grow his business.
I think online businesses are the same, though the timeline can be much shorter. Still, there are a lot of moving parts. Keyword research, search intent, grammar, linking, graphics, analytics to name a few. You really need to learn these things even though WA makes it easier for you.
It's like driving a car. You are a much better driver if you understand something about how the car works. So, you don't try to put the car in reverse when you're going 60 miles an hour. Or forget to fill the gas tank. Or forget to check the oil.
You want to know how to use the tools. No tool is perfect. That's why there are saws and sandpaper. Saws will cut, sandpaper will finish the job.
You need to know your audience so you can write for them. But until you get an audience, you may not know who they are. Takes time.
It's like any business. You can't wake up with no knowledge, no capital, no experience and all of a sudden make money.
But the tools. They are out there. And they are here. I've found the videos and blogs here not only give me knowledge, they also inspire me to try new things.
Hopefully it will do the same for you!
Recent Comments
8
Thanks for the interesting read. Sometimes learning how things work is the part we would like to skip. We think, "Oh, I got this," when in reality we need to read the rest of the story to have the whole thing. We. right skip chapter 3 because we think we "got this," when Chapter 3 is the key to making the first two parts work!
This is also a reminder to me to finish up the training course!
Karin
Ah, yes, you brought back a memory I had when I was younger. I blew the pistons in the engine on my blue Honda Civic because I forgot to check the oil and make periodic changes. I was in in the University. I didn't have much money to do it. It was my second car. My first one was a Volkswagon. Living in DC, having the Honda Civic was better. I couldn't afford the oil change or check it. Lesson learned. After that, I never made that mistake again. You are right. The same principles apply to an online business. All these things we must do to create content, publish, and then promote like crazy.
You need to know a bit more than your target audience does.
Michael, that's a well-thought-out, top-notch blog post; I appreciate it.
Abie
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Hi Michael!
Indeed, we have to first learn before we can earn. However, most people want to earn first! Thanks for the sage advice!
Have a great week ahead! Wishing you the very best!
Kind regards,
Nichola
Human nature Nichola.
Imagine you wanted to be a rich doctor.
Forget about the danger. Would YOU want to operate on someone the day you decided to become one?? Probably not.
We all need to walk before we run. And crawl before we walk.
You can't make a sale until you have customers.
You can't have customers until you have a presence on the web
And you can't have a presence on the web until you know how to build one!
Michael
Human nature! You said it all!