internet business 101: prologue
posted 2004.10.12
"So i have this idea for a web site... "
When you're known as web site girl, the one friend who does everything online, and She Who Invented The Internet (and yes, that's a nickname I've picked up over the ages - what the heck, if Al Gore can claim fame to it, then so can I), lots of people come to you with their web site ideas. If I had a dollar, in fact, for every time I had someone ask my opinion about their web site idea, I wouldn't need to go out and build Internet businesses. ;)
Every time I start this conversation with someone, I get frustrated. I wish I'd had the time to write the book that's bursting out of my ears on the subject, so I could just give them a copy, since I say the same thing over and over and over again.
But then, I've been too busy building Internet businesses to actually write a book about building Internet businesses. At least, so far.
For now, though, perhaps we can make do with this wee blog.
I'm starting to flesh out entries (I have about three right now, with many more crowding in behind wanting to be told) to walk people through how to do it - how to decide if an idea is any good, how to build something from scratch with very little cash but lots of sweat equity, how to grow from an idea to a fully functional web site that not only pays for itself but eventually deposits some money back into your pockets.
I'll post the first few entries over the next week or so; and here's where you can help.
Are there specific things out there that you'd like to know, how to do X, how to figure out Y? If so, please leave a note in the comments, or send me an email. Otherwise, I'll try to cover the best of what I know, in the order that I think applies for most situations.
(Many thanks to Colleen, who encouraged me to get off my butt and write some of this stuff down.)
Stay tuned. We begin in a few days.
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Generating contacts is an area I've always had trouble with, hence no internet business for me. What tips do you have for connecting with the people who will need my wonderful new service/business/product.
Angie,
Sounds interesting! No specifics right now; for the moment, i'll tag along with your line of thought, maybe lateron more directed questions arise.
Not being active in the field yet, but thinking hard about it, I can use any nugget of wisdom I can lay my hands on.
Looking forward to it!
This sounds very good. For me its building and running transactionnal and database driven sites, as autonomously as possible.
Incidently, I just picked up "Webmastering for Dummies". I don't consider myself a dummy (I have been designing sites and a database's GUI for a couple years), but as I am starting to freelance, there are still many things that I need to know. The book does what you intend to do here, but I could do with your insight!
Thanks for the great idea Angie. I am excited to see what you have to offer. Yay!
Have you ever thought of doing some mentoring/consulting? It could be another side business for you. Plus, what could be more fun than using your expertise to help others?
I would love to have access to all (OK...maybe just some?) of the information in that wonderful brain of yours! I am in the process of a complete redesign of my website and have learned a lot, but of course always want to know more.
A raft of good karma to you for sharing your hard won knowledge.
Any info on how to test your idea in the market before placing too many eggs in that basket would be very useful.
And any information on how to expand into international markets would be great too.
I'd like to get some insight into what kept (keeps) you motivated through the process. Some examples of times when things were really going wrong or badly, and how you got through it would be helpful.
How can I make a million on the net and retire to Fiji?
Dear Andy: Funny man. ;) Believe me, if I figure it out I'll let you know - just as soon as I get my Fijian hut set up with 802.11! ;)
As someone who tries his best just to pay rent through freelance design gigs, I'd be very interested to know how to build something which consistently makes money for me with less effort than this freelance malarky, which can be too stressful at times.
Angie, I'll be keeping a close eye on this series! A quick thought... can you set up a new category for this series? And maybe a dedicated RSS feed for it. ;)
That's a great idea, Jonathan. I'll try to find time to do that tonight.
"How to decide if an idea is any good?" - I look forward to hearing it. Your blog offers a nice mix of general business and web specific links.