Online business is a business that makes money (or great chunk of it) from online sales. Most of the systems, processes, and operations are done online.
In my opinion, the major difference between online biz and offline biz is speed.
Online biz feels faster to me.
Why? Because you can reach thousands of people on social media, or through paid ads, or with cold emails within minutes.
Offline you have to rely on word of mouth and flyers, and business cards.
So today, I’ll show you how to start an online business.
It’s quite simple, really.
Step #1: Decide what you want to sell.
Step #2: Drive traffic to the offer.
Step #3: Convert traffic into sales.
Let me explain each detail.
Step #1: Decide what you want to sell
A quick way to decide what to sell is by jotting down your skills on a piece of digital paper.
Let’s say you’re good at writing.
What can writers sell online?
Courses, coaching, content creation, ebooks, email marketing.
“But what if I want to sell my other skills?”
Feel free to do so.
For example, I learned web design back in 2010-ish.
I created my personal site to practice my newly-developed skill. Then I made one for my dad’s company.
Finally, I reached out to my godmother to offer her my web design service.
She loved the idea of having a website for her school. So that day, I got paid to create a website for the first time.
Over the years, I’ve designed around 200 websites. And it all started with creating my personal website and reaching out to friends and family.
“I have a solid online following. What can I sell to my followers?”
You can totally sell coaching, digital products, and your services to your audience.
You could turn one of your skills into an ebook or a video course.
And once you do, your job is to drive traffic to it.
If you want to plan, launch, and grow your online business, click here to learn more about Sovereign University.
Step #2: Drive traffic to the offer
This is where most people quit.
But you won’t quit, because you’re built differently. Right? (the only answer to this question is, “Yes”)
Driving traffic means making people view or visit your offers.
Depending on what you’re selling, the method to drive traffic will be different.
For example, if you have an online following, you can drive traffic to your offers by posting a link to your products or booking form.
On the other hand, if you have a B2B (business to business) company, and you sell professional services like web design, you can drive traffic by sending cold emails.
By the way, a cold email is an “unsolicited e-mail that is sent to a receiver without prior contact” – Wikipedia.
That’s why it’s called COLD.
Driving traffic is scary for many beginners because they fear being judged or feeling rejected if nobody buys.
Their ego gets in the way. And they quit.
Don’t let your ego ruin your chances of winning.
The world rewards courage. And driving traffic requires courage. Therefore, ignore any negative self-talk you might have, and start telling others about your service.
Keep reading because somewhere in the next couple of paragraphs, I’ve included a link to a video explaining how I got my first clients.
Step #3: Convert traffic into sales
Depending on the methods you use to drive traffic, the way you persuade strangers into buying differs.
If you’re selling courses, write a great description explaining the value buyers will get from it.
If you’re selling services, hop on a sales call with prospects. During the call, explain your offer’s value to the prospect.
Providing VALUE is the key to making money.
But what is value?
Something is valuable for people when it’s desirable or useful to them.
You provide value by solving a burning problem/pain.
You provide value by helping people achieve their goals.
Bonus Step: Take action
Don’t get fixated on problems you still don’t have, like choosing a niche.
Focus on getting your first clients.
Do so by reaching out to friends and family first. Give them a “family” discount to get to buy.
Then deliver on your promises.
And finally, get the testimonial.
Once you have more experience, niche down.
Too many beginners get stuck at the “hOw dO I ChoOSe a niChe?” or learning new “secrets.”
They use this to procrastinate.
Because they’re afraid of being rejected.
So they never start.
See, starting out actually means promoting and selling, not planning or “learning” or choosing a niche.
Get started today.
P.S.: >>> Here’s a video I promised you. In it, I explain how I got my first clients.
If you want to plan, launch, and grow your online business, click here to learn more about Sovereign University.
