July 31, 2007
Five Key Steps In Online Business Planning
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Five Key Steps In Online Business Planning
- By Jim Edwards
- © Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
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It rates easier than ever to start a new business on the
Internet.
Never before have the opportunities been more available,
the tools cheaper, or the prospects of success more likely.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran looking to expand an
existing online business, a casual dabbler looking for a
part-time income, or an offline professional wanting to
expand your market online, the following five key steps
will help you reach your goals.
Key # 1: Define Your "Target"
Clearly list and explain what you want to accomplish in
your web site business.
We all think about what we want to get or accomplish in
life and our job.
But did you ever list it specifically in terms of money,
traffic to a web site, or more sales online?
This principle and simple activity applies to an ebook, a
new website, an ezine or any other business goal.
Defining a clear target will give your conscious and sub
conscious mind something definite to shoot for.
Examples include: the number of subscribers to your ezine;
sales per day on your website; pages written in an ebook;
new advertising sources found; number of affiliates
recruited… and more.
Key # 2: Define the Cost"
You must "define the cost" in terms of the tools,
resources, and people you need to reach your online
business target, no matter what type of business you
operate.
How much will it cost in time per hour, per day, per week
and per month for each of these items?
Also, how much will it cost in terms of money to operate
the business, buy traffic, pay for hosting, design and
more?
Sit down and map out the costs before throwing open your
doors (or wallet) so you don’t get hit with any nasty
surprises.
Key # 3: "Make a List"
To create a real business that can be systematized, you
must list off every single thing or element connected with
your business, from the first idea to making daily deposits
into the bank when your idea bears fruit.
You may not know how they’ll all get done right now, but you
must recognize that eventually each of these items must get
done.
You can easily come up with a fairly comprehensive list by
brainstorming just to get them down on paper.
Then, when you think you thought of everything, let someone
else take a look and poke holes in your list with all kinds
of additions and questions.
Key # 4: "Prioritize"
Here you must list all the elements you planned in number 3
in the exact order of how you should complete them.
Car makers must build in a planned order, or the finished
product won’t work.
Once you sketch out your complete plan, let someone else
take a look to see if you forgot a step.
In fact, they might just point out that you forgot to tighten
the lug nuts and the wheels fell off at the dealership!
Key # 5: "One Step At A Time"
Most people want it all and they want it now!
Unfortunately, the real world doesn’t work that way.
Whether you do all the work yourself, outsource the job, or
a combination of the two, everything must get done in the
correct order in the correct way.
My motto reads, "Multi Tasking = Inefficiency!"
Don’t try to do two different jobs at the same time, you’ll
most likely screw up both and waste time and money doing
them a second time.
Doing web site copy and checking email don’t mix.
Creating auto-responder messages while checking
voice mail don’t mix.
So pass each milestone on your roadmap to get things done
properly and in sequence.
Launching an efficient and effective online business is not
difficult!
It just requires careful planning, step-by-step execution,
and attention to detail in order to greatly increase your
chances of success.
—-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-
author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to
work less, get paid more… and have tons more fun!
"The Lazy Man’s Guide to Online Business"
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9 Comments »
July 31, 2007
Dan :
Your article on 5 Key Steps In Online Business Planning was well done. Nice Job!
BTW my website listed above; the domain is mine, and the website is under construction. Your article made me realize some re-priortizing is in order. Thank you.
danise :
I’ve been in product development for years and never have extra money as it goes back into my business. I have two questions.
1. Would your system work with a product line of dimensional murals which is what I create and sell? I have product but need to market it. I also have ideas for writing an ebook, but wanted to know if affiliate sales would work for an actual product.
2. Would you be willing do do a trade for half of the money and allow me to send you some of my art. I just cannot afford the total $400. after a major financial setback last year that I’m still trying to recover from.
I have bought different audio and ebooks in the past and still don’t know how to set up all the functions to make an affiliate site work so I’m cautious about spending any more at all. Yours is the only program that looks like it might get me up and running, but not totally convinced. I just can’t put out $400. on a maybe, so wondered if you’d do a trade for part of the money so it would not be such a big bite for me. Thanks for your time.
Danise (863)868-6908
Internet Marketing Blog :
I gotta tell you Jim…
Another great post!
“Key 5″ is the one that it took me a long time to master… Once I did - My income more than doubled!
Ryan
Brett :
Great article Jim!
Lark :
What a relief, Jim. If I’d used my common sense I wouldn’t have blown $10K and a year of my life checking out this IM business model. Heck, I figured I was only investing in my continuing education. ~lol~
Be that as it may… your short to-do list pretty much sums it all up… but I might add… that actually having a passion for sharing with others your knowledge/product… should be job one.
Without passion one lacks motivation - the principal driver for expectation of reward… including fulfillment. And if one’s expectation is that all parties benefit from a long-term relationship… even better.
Now, this sounds like a good plan to me!
August 1, 2007
Mareen :
I just signed up for newsletter, and what shows up as the thank you is only half there. It can be scrolled up and sideways, but there are no scroll buttons.
You’ve said to be sure that your clicks work and things are correct. I’m alerting you to to problem.
August 2, 2007
Michael Hall :
I particularly like point number five,
will you be writing an article that will
give us a brief overview of the sytem you
use when creating and launching new products?
August 3, 2007
L. Lewis :
Great article!!!
We are on step 2 and slogging our way thru…Never even thought of #3..at least not in that structured a manner.
Thanks!
February 21, 2008
Martha :
You’re right. I also don’t multi-task. I rather focus on 1 task for an hour. I feel unstoppable. Multi-tasking feels like I’m being held back, and it gives me a headache.