A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

OK, I have a strange request for the fine folks on this forum. I've been a lurker here for a LONG time but never posted. I'm looking for a legit work at home business opportunity, but I honestly don't know specifically what I want to do.

What I DO know is:

1. I want something that is 100% automated online (but I'm not opposed to offline marketing)
2. I don't want to call people on the phone, spend time on conference calls/3-way calls, or attend meetings.
3. I prefer something that isn't MLM, but I'm not totally opposed to it.
4. There must be an actual product or service that provides value to the customer. I don't want a "system" that just recruits others to pay for the same "system" where there really isn't a product/service involved.

Now I'm sure I'll probably get bombarded with emails from people claiming to have the best opportunity on the planet. BUT, I'd like to only hear from people who are willing to prove they are working the business AND making money from it. And please don't email me if you just joined something last month and have earned $2.78 already. I want to know about REAL money. Money that has the potential to replace a full time income (~$60K/year in my case).

Yes, I realize I'm probably going about this the wrong way, and I'm sure I'll get blasted by a bunch of folks telling me I'm an idiot. But nonetheless, if I can find something that is totally legit and meets my criteria, I want to put a good solid effort into making it work on a 1-3 year plan I can commit to.

If I find something that really works, it would be the first time in about 16 years, and I could officially stop calling myself an opportunity junkie. :-) Basically, the underlying reason for this request is that I'm just not convinced anyone is making decent money online.

Thanks!

Max Gemini

Hmmm, the ol' silent treatment...
 

Should I take the silence as an indication that this truly was a stupid request? Or is this just not the right board for such a post?

Max

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Max, at least you didn't get inudated with ridiculous "ops", or was called an idiot.

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Okay, Max, here goes:

Dennis Beavers, who sometimes frequents this board but can usually be found on FIB as well, sells for Kaiser & Blair and has a great business doing so. You can do it several different ways. It looks to be one of the better opportunities around with great company support and products.

Sandi Bowman

It's not a strange request, but the answer can be so, uh, personal...
 

Here is what you are looking for:

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=1358889



It is a link to Mike McGroarty (I hope it is anyhow). It is MY affiliate link too. Let's get that on the table right up front.

He has done what you hope to do with his business:

It is automated online but uses OTHER people offline to tend to it.
Mike doesn't call people on the phone, attend meetings and it isn't MLM.
Mike sells an actual product that he has to ship (well, actually, NOW his hired part time assitants do all that).

I met Mike when he first started out. I watched him grow to a 100 thousand dollar a year plus INTERNET income, and he did it while working a full time job, taking care of sick parents, wife and tending to his kids.

He is for real. With his course and your 1-3 year plan, there is no reason why you couldn't reach your goals. I would hope that you'd think Mike is making "decent" money online. He is. But he has kept his job for reasons he's posted here and other places.

NOW for the disclaimer. YOU have to work to get it to the AUTOMATED level. There is the learning and DOING curve.

Well, now you have at least ONE real option. I can only assume that 1-3 year time frame is to be used to build a business up. IF you want it overnight, then this isn't for you, keep trying and let us know when you find it, OK?

Gordon Jay Alexander

PS. His actual product that he sells isn't about gardening, it is a set of Videos that teach people how to do what you want to. AND I'm an affiliate too also learning and applying what he has taught me.

Re: It's not a strange request, but the answer can be so, uh, personal...
 

Thanks Gordon! I've purchased one of Mike's ebooks in the past (not about gardening) but I probably started reading it and then never applied the information. Go figure. :(


Yes, I'd say $100K/yr is pretty darn decent money!


Totally understood!


You are correct. The 1-3 years would be to focus on building the biz, and hopefully then be able to have something on autopilot that continues to build.

I already visited the link and registered for his 8 page report.

Thanks again!

Max

Re: It's not a strange request, but the answer can be so, uh, personal...
 

I checked out Mike's 8-page report today on the bus ride home from work. It's pretty general, which I can understand since it's really a sales pitch. However, it's the same stuff I've read on hundreds of other websites about affiliate marketing. I totally understand affiliate marketing and how to do it, but my problem is finding a good niche market to focus on. Everything I'm good at and interested in is way too general. For instance, money is probably my favorite topic. Anything from investing, to debt elimination, to budgeting, etc. How many gazillions of websites do you think are out there about that stuff?

Max

Automating a business...
 

Hi Max,

I think the key to your request is your desire to have an "automated" business...

I think there are really very few businesses that are "100%" automated. However, there are many businesses which are mostly automated...

I think the key to getting a business automated is setting up a "system". In some businesses, that can be done (to some degree) with a sales web page and software. For example, if you write an ebook and sell it, the actual sales process and delivery of the product can all be done this way. (Clickbank http://www.clickbank.com has a good system that works for this.) Promotion of the product can be "automated" by running ads online (or even offline). It's not 100% "automated", though, because you still need a "human" to deal with customer service - but it's mostly "automated".

Other online businesses which can be mostly automated just using software are selling downloadable audio products, video products (which are viewable online, perhaps behind password-protection), and software products (though software tends to need more support than other products). Of course, these could also be sold on a subscription basis. (For example, some auction sniping software is sold on a subscription basis - you pay your subscription, which lets you use their software to "snipe" on eBay auctions as long as you're subscribed.)

The other way to automate a business is to outsource some of the work, or to use employees or other hired help (like freelancers, virtual assistants, etc.). To get this going, you need to set up a "system" of creating and delivering a product or service, and where your employees, freelancers, etc., fit somewhere into your "system". (I'm in the process right now of setting up this kind of system for a product I'm involved with...)

There are very few books that talk about this! (I'd say there are about 100 times more books about marketing than about how to set up a "system" for your business...!) The one book that most people mention is "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber. Another relevant book is "The Goal" by E. Goldratt and J. Cox. This topic is also discussed in Benjamin Suarez's "7 Steps to Freedom II" - where amazingly, Suarez reveals his whole - somewhat complicated - system that he uses at SCI. (That's what all those flow charts are about in "Step 4" of his book, for example. Most people, I think, are overwhelmed by the complexity of his business when they see the book. The fact is, a small operation can be much more simple yet still be automated.)

Apart from using the web and software (which has its limitations), probably the easiest way to partially-automate a business is to outsource as many functions as you can to freelancers... Of course, remember that at the end, after paying them, you still have to make a profit!

I hope that helps! :)

- Dien

Re: Automating a business...
 

As the guru just said nothing is fully automated. I have a shopping cart and occassionally something goes wrong or a customer has a question he or she emails me 24/7 for a quick answer. If I want to say in business I have to do this or hire someone to do this.

Re: Automating a business...
 

I just want to clarify - if you were referring to me - I'm no "guru"!



(This picture is not me!)

- Dien

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Dien, you're right about the guru thing...you're much more than that! I think of you as an honored teacher and leader as I'm sure many others do also.

Sandi Bowman

Re: It's not a strange request, but the answer can be so, uh, personal...
 

Hi Max,

Keep in Mind...

There are "Tons" of Niches...

And all the little NICHES out there, and sub niches and sub sub sub, well, you get the pic. :)

What Most People Miss out on is the idea of Focusing on Particular Niche "Groups" of people and businesses.

Social Network marketing is Huge and Untapped, especially in Affiliate marketing. ;)

Athough, it's important to 1st Learn the Basics...

Even if we Think we Do!

http://www.associateprograms.com/art...-niche-website

And 9 Pages or So...
http://www.associateprograms.com/art...ogram-Tutorial

An Excellent Niche marketing article I posted awhile back...

MARKETING Rx
How can you make money in a niche market?
http://money.inq7.net/features/view_...2&dd=03&file=1

Lots of Unsaturated markets...

Phil

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Max,

You got the silent treatment from me, because my business only meets 3 of your 4 criteria. I gather from rule 1, that the 100% automated online business was mandatory.

My business works well online, but it is very difficult to do it 100% automated. Rules 2, 3, & 4 are no problem.

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but felt you didn't need your first 3 responses to be opportunity outside your criteria.

Dennis

OK, maybe I shouldn't have said "100% automated"
 

Hi Dennis, and thanks for the response! I guess I'd still be open to looking at something that isn't 100% automated. I probably shouldn't have used 100%. I'm open to looking at anything that has a solid "system" to follow, even if it requires a good bit of manual operation.

Max

I think you are hopeless. Consider driving the bus, instead of riding on it.
 

I think you are in a hopeless situation and the part about the bus driving, well, it worked for Richard Dennis. He drove a bus for YEARS in Miami until he made a DECISION to break out of his rut...

and into his groove...and he paid the price too.

Richard is a success story. He worked HARD and took as much abuse as any "apprentice" could stand, but he learned from masters and in fact wrote one of the ALL TIME great ads. And he hasn't looked back either.

See Gemini, you say you KNOW all about Affiliate Marketing and HOW TO DO IT but you're NOT doing it because you SEE the gazillions of websites on subjects you have a mild interest in.

Like debt reduction. The GAZILLION sites hasn't stopped Leo Quinn from buiding a solid business both on and off line helping people get out of debt. He doesn't worry about the gazillion, he FOCUSES in on what he can do.

Don't think I'm being cruel, but, you want the LAZY and EASY way out, and I say that because you won't do the HARDEST thing...

which is to CHOOSE and DECIDE

See, your problem isn't FINDING the good niche market, that is your excuse...you've got a lot of niche markets and as far as that goes, there are many people who far exceed your goals as stated in the original post by a GENERALIST in affiliate promotion, something you KNOW how to do.

You will remain HOPELESS until you cast off the excuses and decide what you want, for real.

And a word about Mike McGroarty and Richard Dennis and Leo Quinn as well as myself and Dien Rice and scores of others; WE all have thousands of dollars tied up in

LEARNING and EDUCATING ourselves about what works, what is real, and the HOW to do it. But then we take WHAT WE KNOW, and try to use it.

I think you have an attitude problem. But, that's just my OPINION.

Gordon Jay Alexander

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Dien ok your a teacher and a leader like me. That is far better, sorry. But you do know your stuff. Much better you give freely not like the guru who say there are and aren't they just want to take our money. I know I spent a lot for their books.

Re: I think you are hopeless. Consider driving the bus, instead of riding on it.
 

Gordon, you certainly have a way with words, and oddly, I really appreciate it! I cannot argue with one single thing you've said here.

I DO have an attitude problem and I need to change that if I'm ever going to be successful (online or off).

Looks like I need to work on CHOOSING and DECIDING. Unfortunately, that's the hardest part. :(

Thanks for the reality check!

Max

Help is Available... Well Maybe for those interested in Taking Action!
 

Might Help...

Some Future Entrepreneurs. :)

Might Not. ;)

But Hey it's a Great Resource...

And it's mostly "FREE"!

Ok only Some stuff in Life is Free...

Good Luck if You Do. ;)

http://www.myownbusiness.org/s1/index.html

Phil

Re: It's not a strange request, but the answer can be so, uh, personal...
 

Hi Phil:

I meant to thank you for posting links to those great articles. They really did help me come up with a few ideas to pursue.

Thanks! :-)

Max

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Hi Sandi,

I'm glad you think positively of me... Of course, I value your many posts and also those of many others here!

It sounds like a cliche, but it's by sharing that we all can build our knowledge and success!

Thanks Sandi... :)

Best wishes,

Dien

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

OK Max,

Since you are open to something other than 100% automated, you might consider my business - with Kaeser and Blair if you live in the US, but with some other company if not.

I sell promotional advertising products to a wide range of businesses from "Mom & Pop's" to large corporations, a number of health care and educational institutions, various clubs and organizations, as well as gov't agencies from very local to federal.

All of these buyers at some point in time need to find products to put their organization's name and/or logo on. Many of these buyers have turned into repeat customers, having done business with me from 4 to 21 years. Many will re-order their ink pens, screen-printed or embroidered caps, magnets, coffee mugs, and much more.

Some K & B dealers are getting 80 to 100% of their business online, so it can be automated at that level.

For more details, pease visit my site: www.CuttingEdgeAdvertising.com

Dennus Bevers

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Here is a company you can check out,and yes it is my affilliate link.
At the bare minimum you will get an education on internet marketing.
the sign up is free.and you will need several days to go over it.


Happy Hunting
www.payitforward4profits.com/horney

Re: A strange request... Looking for a business to try
 

Thanks Tommy, I'll take a look at it.