by koanwrangler » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:00 pm
what a stimulating thread... I need to stop by more often.
After reading, I got curious and decided to see just how cheaply I could start over if I needed to.
First, I hopped over to ebay to see just how cheaply one can acquire a computer.
You can get a slow but fuctional laptop (it has to be a laptop- you want a Portable Empire!) for $49. I found one with wireless capability. They didn't specify shipping... but I'm thinking 15-20 bucks.
Since I'm in the information marketing business, I'm in business. I know where the coffee shops with free internet access are.
Next, I would write an ebook about how to do something. Research on Google and hanging out in forums would provide the topic. I'd write it in MS word, because my cheap computer comes with it, but Open Office (free) will work fine. Open office also has a PDF generator, so I can turn my text into an ebook.
Now, I need to spend $12. $9 for a domain and $3 for hosting at godaddy.
I can use MS Word to create my sales page and download page (save as HTML) or use NVU, which is a free WYSIWYG web-design program.
Now, it's time to spend another $3.99 for a test-drive of 1shoppingcart. I know, I know- aweber is better for lists. However, 1shoppingcart just plain does things that aweber doesn't do.
Now (and here's the tricky part) I'm going to give away my ebook.
A quick google search will show me who the big players are in my niche. I contact them, and ask them to please give away my free ebook to their subscribers. It's an easy sell. They look good to their subscribers. Their subscribers are getting free info- and showing me that they're interested in my niche. Cool.
Of course, they'll have to go through a "squeeze page" to get their free ebook, so I'll have the name and email address of everybody who downloads...
Voila- for less than $86, including computer, I've got a business.
But wait... where's the money?
I've added thousands of names to my lists in a weekend using this technique. That gives me thousands of targeted potential customers who have already expressed interest in my niche.
Now, I can create more products, find affiliate products in my niche, etc.
Since we're on a budget, I'd set up a sales page using paypal, which is free.
There are other ways to approach the problem, but that's how I'd handle it.
As far as I'm concerned, the need for attorneys, incorporation, CPAs, etc. are problems that come wrapped in their own solution. If you're making enough money to need a CPA or a tax attorney, you can afford one.