I’ve made this mistake so I’m not getting on my high horse here.
But I’ve learned from it and I don’t do it anymore (not much anyway). Let me tell you what IT is. I read about it most days and I’m surprised that so many people do IT but if you can avoid doing this then you will save yourself a lot of heartache, disappointment, time and money.
The IT I’m referring to is this.
Let me explain with how it is asked in most forums or via e-mails to me in my office.
‘Dear Guru,
I’ve spent the last two years building my blog about (insert topic here). I’ve got about 1000 people on my e-mail list who get my newsletter each week.
I’m just wondering how to go about monetizing it now. I don’t have any products to sell and only give away free stuff to my readers.’
So, what this person has done is the wrong way round. If you want to make a hobby of the web then do what they do. If you want to generate an income then don’t. The blog can still be used but it must be built around your products be it Kindle books, members only videos or webinars people pay to attend. Whatever.
You can’t afford to invest two years of your life building something which won’t sell. I cover testing the market in Click and Grow Rich (the book) but for now, please consider doing things the right way round.
Have fun.
Paul Browning