In an earlier article, I wrote about some of our real-life experiences trying to start up an online business. We have sold eBooks, homeschool curriculum, and even home-study courses with online business how to lessons. And we have learned a lot about what works and what does not work.
The first eBook we ever sold, my wife wrote. It is called Raising Leaders, Not Followers. Basically it was an eBook designed specifically for homeschoolers, teaching them how to raise their kids for leadership positions. My wife approached me with the idea, and I said, "Honey, it is not really a barn-burning topic. I just do not know that you are going to make any money with it." Well, she proved me wrong. She sold $11,197 the first 19 days. How is that for internet marketing 101?
Not too shabby, right? On the heels of her first success, my wife started thinking about another eBook for the Christmas season. She said to me, "Sweetie, I am going to write another eBook about preparing your heart for Christmas. It seems like a lot of people get close to Christmas day and end up discouraged because they were not really prepared for the season. The presents are great, but what do they do next?"
I said, "That is a wonderful idea, but with all the free stuff on the internet for Christmas, I do not see how you are going to sell anything. You got lucky with the first one. That was a fluke. But this one, you would be lucky to sell 5 copies." I was a very supportive husband, right? Well, she proved me wrong again. She sold over $2,200 the first month with that Christmas book. Imagine getting a $2,200 Christmas bonus every year. That is what we do. My wife created it 3 or 4 years ago. We roll it out every Christmas, and every Christmas, we get a $2200 to $2500 bonus.
Do you see what I mean? I will admit that I may not be the brightest bulb, but seeing my wife hit two home runs on the internet without any business or marketing training convinced me. I started thinking I could do it, too. I could start an internet business.
My opportunity arrived out of the blue with a Ford F-150 pickup truck I owned. My youngest daughter had been driving it. One day at softball practice with her high school team, one of her friends said, "Gentry, is that your truck on fire?" Would you believe there were 20 foot flames shooting out of her engine?
As it happens, there was a faulty cruise control switch that was a recall item from Ford. So after we got the fire put out, the truck was a total loss. The guy told me,"There's a recall notice on this." I called Ford, and they said, "We sent the recall notice to Texas." I said, "Thank you, but I am in Idaho in seminary." But they refused responsibility. I was so upset.
I decided to start an online business, so I put up a little website that said, "My truck caught on fire." I had pictures of the truck, and I opened up the hood and showed how all the engine compartment was burned up and all the wires were burned up. I said, "Why don't you help me while I help you? I'm going to give you all this free internet marketing stuff. Graphics package. Some software. eBooks. Marketing tips." All this stuff I had compiled and got free off the internet. I compiled it into a product and sold it for like $47. And I made $5,470 in the first 9 days.
I am serious. If I can succeed on the internet, you can, too. You do not need a degree in business. All it takes is a little online business how to, and you will see your business skyrocket.
The first eBook we ever sold, my wife wrote. It is called Raising Leaders, Not Followers. Basically it was an eBook designed specifically for homeschoolers, teaching them how to raise their kids for leadership positions. My wife approached me with the idea, and I said, "Honey, it is not really a barn-burning topic. I just do not know that you are going to make any money with it." Well, she proved me wrong. She sold $11,197 the first 19 days. How is that for internet marketing 101?
Not too shabby, right? On the heels of her first success, my wife started thinking about another eBook for the Christmas season. She said to me, "Sweetie, I am going to write another eBook about preparing your heart for Christmas. It seems like a lot of people get close to Christmas day and end up discouraged because they were not really prepared for the season. The presents are great, but what do they do next?"
I said, "That is a wonderful idea, but with all the free stuff on the internet for Christmas, I do not see how you are going to sell anything. You got lucky with the first one. That was a fluke. But this one, you would be lucky to sell 5 copies." I was a very supportive husband, right? Well, she proved me wrong again. She sold over $2,200 the first month with that Christmas book. Imagine getting a $2,200 Christmas bonus every year. That is what we do. My wife created it 3 or 4 years ago. We roll it out every Christmas, and every Christmas, we get a $2200 to $2500 bonus.
Do you see what I mean? I will admit that I may not be the brightest bulb, but seeing my wife hit two home runs on the internet without any business or marketing training convinced me. I started thinking I could do it, too. I could start an internet business.
My opportunity arrived out of the blue with a Ford F-150 pickup truck I owned. My youngest daughter had been driving it. One day at softball practice with her high school team, one of her friends said, "Gentry, is that your truck on fire?" Would you believe there were 20 foot flames shooting out of her engine?
As it happens, there was a faulty cruise control switch that was a recall item from Ford. So after we got the fire put out, the truck was a total loss. The guy told me,"There's a recall notice on this." I called Ford, and they said, "We sent the recall notice to Texas." I said, "Thank you, but I am in Idaho in seminary." But they refused responsibility. I was so upset.
I decided to start an online business, so I put up a little website that said, "My truck caught on fire." I had pictures of the truck, and I opened up the hood and showed how all the engine compartment was burned up and all the wires were burned up. I said, "Why don't you help me while I help you? I'm going to give you all this free internet marketing stuff. Graphics package. Some software. eBooks. Marketing tips." All this stuff I had compiled and got free off the internet. I compiled it into a product and sold it for like $47. And I made $5,470 in the first 9 days.
I am serious. If I can succeed on the internet, you can, too. You do not need a degree in business. All it takes is a little online business how to, and you will see your business skyrocket.
About the Author:
Stephen Beck can teach you online business set up tips and how to make your first $1000 on the internet. Get your FREE link to his webinar replay, where Stephen shows you exactly what you should do: http://www.youronlinebasics.com/go.html.