Where to Begin

I’m not sure if this counts as new year’s resolutions but I’ve been marinating an idea in my head for a couple of months now.  It seems like the best time to implement the idea as we all love new projects for the new year.  I have decided that I’m starting a drop shipping e-commerce site.  It makes sense if you know me.  I love to learn new things.  I enjoy researching.  I enjoy the process of learning new technology.  I dive into a new project with everything I’ve got.

I think this business model suits me better than Amusing Violet, my social media marketing agency, as it currently exists.  This business relies on my sales efforts, discipline, and talent for getting people to trust me with their marketing.  So far, it’s been a goose egg!  I had to reevaluate what my strengths really can do for me.  I am better at operations, marketing and the basics of financials.  Person to person sales pitching sucks!

So, with drop shipping, you choose a niche, choose products and find suppliers, build an e-commerce store.  Next your set-up all the apps, price merchandise, then set up your social, SEM and other paid traffic sources.  So far, these tasks really fit in with my true nature.  I know what you’re thinking.  What are the downsides?  I could pick a dud of a product and would have wasted a lot of time and money building the store and driving the traffic, but I would know what to look for even more if I must start over and find a new niche.

I’ve been reading two gurus.  The basic differences are that one believes in SEO or organic traffic and one believes in paid traffic.  I’ve been preaching paid social for several years now.  Before it was fashionable so the decision seems easy for me.  The course I want to buy is $2000.  Wow, I know it’s a big investment in a course but it includes one on one coaching a thriving forum, video tutorials.  I must start somewhere.

Okay so here’s the plan.  I want to raise about $5000 so that I have the money for the course plus a few months for the marketing efforts.  How do I do this?  I called over 10 temp agencies today to sign up for whatever projects become available.  Yay, someone already called me back.  I have an interview tomorrow.  I believe that was a good sign that I have the beginning of a plan.

A little more marinating…

As I have been doing my research I have discovered another option.  One of the mentors that I have been following not only does drop shipping but affiliate marketing.  I love reading his blog because he is honest and open.  He shows his dashboards and his financial statements.  He gives you honest advice about what you can do to improve your life.  He seems humble and I trust him.  His course on affiliate marketing costs $197 dollars.  I have scraped this money together and have purchased the course.  He is honest so far that it takes dedication and hard work to do affiliate marketing.  But the key is to keep sharing and being earnest.  The name of his course is an earnest affiliate.  I like that very much.

So now the plan is to move forward with the affiliate marketing business model.  I am going to diligently go through the course and follow all the instructions step by step.  I am going to try to think about things with a long view.  I am going to use all the skills at my disposal to do the best job that I can for my new business.  I hope that you can keep me accountable.  I hope that you give advice in the comments.  I hope that you send me good wishes.  I am going to need them.

As I have taken account of all my skills and assets, I mentioned that time was the most valuable asset that I have and I am going to first and foremost make good use of it.  The second most important asset I have is the ability to write.  I hope to always be honest, interesting and humble.

So, this is the story, how I went from rock bottom to developing a lucrative online business to support myself, buy a home, travel and contribute to my family.  Follow me on this journey!