Starting an online business can be overwhelming…
It can compare to being dropped in the middle of the ocean in a rowboat, then trying to paddle your way to an unknown destination you were told about one time.
I’ve been there. A thousand questions are running through your head. Where do you start? How do you build a web site?
You’ve heard that it is critical to provide value to potential customers though blogging, but how can you blog if you don’t even know what your product is? Or don’t even have a subject to talk about.
You’ve heard that it’s important to do ‘online marketing’ but since you haven’t sold any product yet, you’ve got no money for paid advertising. You assume social media is a free way to spread the word, but have no idea where to start aside from setting up some profiles.
Going back to our rowboat metaphor. What you need is a compass in your hand, and someone to point the direction to paddle.
My intention is to point you in the correct direction by outlining a series of posts that will act as your compass, helping you stay on course while you develop your online business.
I started my first business overly optimistic. I was completely blind to what lay ahead, and to how I should have prepared for it. I didn’t even know the questions to be asking. I made a lot of costly mistakes.
Although I am surely not a seasoned expert with decades of business savvy. I feel that you can benefit from the mistakes I’ve made, and learn from the things I’ve figured out so far.
This post outlines my upcoming series based on these lessons I’ve learned, the techniques and tools I’ve found useful, and lot’s of tips and tricks (especially if you are set up with a Mac).
I hope you find this series to be highly valuable while setting up your online business. Below is a general outline that will most likely change quite a bit, and be filled in slower than I intend to at this moment, but please enjoy, and feel free to let me know any specific topics you would like to see covered in the near future.
Where to start
Establishing and documenting your business goals and plan.
Choosing a web site / blog platform
Blogging for Business
The difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org
Choosing a WordPress framework / theme / child theme
Online Marketing
Developing a keyword strategy
Developing a content strategy
Creating landing pages
SEO
Paid advertising (Google AdWords)
Developing organic search traffic
Social media
Email lists
Auto-responders
Lead nurturing
A/B Split testing
sign-up forms
eBooks
Copywriting
Tips and Tricks
Cognitive Productivity
Working with text / keyboard on a Mac
Becoming your own editorial manager / copy editor
Maintaining your Mac
Implementing new tools into your workflow
Useful Tools and Services
Evernote
Text Expander
Moz
Dropbox
The Adobe Suite
Alfred
Flux
Automator
Keyboard Maestro
DreamShot
Better Touch Tool
1Password
Backup
Omnifocus
Hazel
Skitch
Space Gremlin
Super Duper