Tag Archives: Online Business Ideas

08 Apr

Powerful Online Business Ideas for Security Professionals

Powerful Online Business Ideas for Security Professionals

I have wanted to do an article about this for some time. And since I have been helping lawyers I thought I offer some online business opportunities for law enforcement. I was talking a while ago with a local area police officer. I was explaining to him how the security niche is wide open. Not for just anyone but for those people that are highly focused on geo targeted niche areas. Inside of a conversation he became a client (laughing). And he now runs a private niche blog on security products targeting a local community. A short focused idea led to four figures in his case a month.

Do you really know your stuff when it comes to security for homes?

There is a wide open opportunity to build a small niche based blog. The type of blog that focuses on a small select area. The type of blog that focuses on consumers. The type of blog that can link to security sales in several methods.

Powerful Online Business Ideas for Security Professionals

These are 3 simple short and sweet money ideas that you can start getting paid from within 30 days. Remember this is only enhancing what you are already doing. Your advantage as a officer of the law and or  security professional gives you an inside advantage.

Keep in mind that though these online business ideas are over saturated in the general security niche. the small locally targeted online niche is wide open. In other words your focus is going to be on your local  geo targeted area.

Information courses, reports, and videos: Hey this is a no brainer. And all you have to do is either write a short report (say a few pages) or do audio or both. In fact you add a video and your price goes up on the product. That’s because the more learning mediums via medias you add the more valuable your product becomes.

Affiliate links: Your favorite and most recommended products more than likely have affiliate programs. Check their online website. Also check the general security blogs to see what they are selling. Naturally you pick what you trust.

Refer local security companies online: Hey that local alarm company could use more business. Right? That company you buy your law enforcement products from could use more business right? Develop a blog that focuses on getting leads for them. I could help you with this one in detail.The idea is that they are gaining leads from highly targeted traffic to their website.

All three of these online business ideas take work. But if you focus on a select target and micro niche you could start making money in no time. The best part is that with little competition in a highly competitive market you will dominate.

03 Apr

Online Business Ideas for NOT Looking Foolish

Online Business Ideas for Not Looking Foolish

Read this carefully and follow these online business ideas or you may look foolish online.

If you say your an SEO expert and have only ONE webpage that anyone knows of then um sorry your NOT an expert.

If you say your a Social Media Consultant but you don’t respond to people on social medias like Twitter or even via email (the first social media) then your NOT an expert.

If your email autoresponders involve sending affiliate links EVERYDAY since the person signed up. Your NOT an email marketing expert.

If you say your a GURU (as in the definition meaning leader) yet encourage your customers (students) to do the exact same thing. In other words do any and everything else BUT LEAD. Then your NOT an expert or leader in your field.

Just because I hum a song doesn’t make me a vocalist even if I am good

And just because I strum a guitar doesn’t make me a guitarist. Just because I use clippers to trim my beard doesn’t make me a barber. Just because you create a website doesn’t make you an internet marketer. I will repeat that in bold again. Just because you create a website doesn’t make you an internet marketer.

So what makes a vocalist, guitarist, barber, and of course internet marketer? The right to claim those positions is based by what you repeatedly and consistently DO. Remember the KIEARC method? The R and C in that acronym stand for repetition and consistency.

Now here is the next question you should be asking yourself.

What makes a great vocalist, guitarist, barber, and of course internet marketer? The right to claim that title is based by what you repeatedly and consistently DO WELL.

If your going to constantly blog about something you better make sure you good at it. “But Darren how do I know if I have talent?”

That’s easy,  talent is what strangers consistently complement you on. Strangers who complement you for no reason don’t have an invested interest in telling you the truth.

The truth of your talent needs to meet the reality of your love. From there it is a matter of a Google search to find the money in your niche.

The smartest online business ideas I have ever seen involve establishing a consistent time frame. And in the meantime honestly say to visitors that you “advise” people. Also explain what that means by clarifying your level of knowledge.

Look at it like this: a third grader shouldn’t say they are a college graduate

But to the preschool to 2nd grade kids that 3rd grader is a  God (laughing). Just let your visitors know what level your on. Believe me the experienced people will already know anyway. Lets use me for instance, I am quick to tell people I know about PPC (pay par click strategies) but I am NOT an expert. But some of the things I could share with newbies would blow their minds. On the flip side I am a Social Media Master who is always working to perfect my skills.

You could learn a million courses, but that only makes you an SEO learner. And if you actually do it (work on SEO) for a little while. Then that makes you a SEO practitioner. But it is actually doing it for yourself that will make others notice. Though I don’t believe you need to follow the 10,000-Hour Rule to be an expert like in Malcolm Gladwells  hit book Outliers.

However, you do need  to establish a time frame of consistency. Don’t think about how long. Like the 3rd grader teach the lower grades and communicate honestly to them your skill level. Then focus on getting through those higher grades towards college. And on the journey realize that if you do not follow through you will look like an amateur. After all when is the last time you heard a 2nd year ice skater call themselves a Gold Medal Olympian?

02 Apr

10 Online Business Ideas for Salons

10 Online Business Ideas for Salons

If your a salon owner do you realize how much money you are missing online? Oh I am not talking about that standard get advertising sponsor bull. I am talking about you building a mini online empire! The irony is that the guy writing this (me) is losing his hair (laughing out loud).  But I am more than happy to share online business ideas with you.

Salons involve fashion,  gossip, and men (yeah guys they talk about us). And the more interesting part is that they break down into sub micro niches. No two hair salons (even if they look like it) are actually alike. People in the salon industry are very particular about what they do, want, and sell. And as all of us seasoned vets online know that is actually a GOOD combination for any online business.

1. Online Entrepreneurs offer local Salons the following services: hey many salon owners may need help setting up their business. I explained this online business opportunity for online entrepreneurs in a similar post about restaurants.

2. Create a localized geo targeted TMZ part to your website: Hey if there is anyplace that would be better why not have a TMZ section or something similar to it? The purpose is to generate traffic so you can possibly sell products and schedule appointments.

3. Print out copies to the TMZ section of your website to give to your salon patrons. Let the people see what your doing as well as those magazines they are flipping through. The BEST part is that unlike the magazines they can walkout with your printouts.

4. Create a online fashion section from head to toe: cover all areas of fashion and see if you can get some affiliate links to fashion products.

5. Create a sexy men online calendar: Hey ladies would come to your site often if you talked it up a week or two before the release. Use cafepress to get them printed up. Besides you can get a lot of public domain photos as well. You could give them to customers for FREE. Also give them away at any expos you attend.

6. Create a info product line like “Inside Sister Secrets to Hair Care” guide for sale and download. You could sell through e-junkie.

7. Create online scheduling. And offer discounts for prepayments. Hey remember money now is always better than money later.

8. Create a online incentive program to get them purchasing from you online. An example would be “buy anything online and get a FREE shampoo.”  My fellow Third Tribe brother Derek has some great online business ideas for developing online customer loyalty.

9. Get your product supplier to fund your online web development and growth: WARNING this is only AFTER you build up the ideas I mentioned earlier. The other online business ideas in this article have to be executed. Not all but you have to do something. That way you can show you are bringing traffic. Get them to for instance pa for your printing of your gossip section or a newsletter all together.

10. Get a SEO expert to help you get local area ranking in one of those salon 10 or 1 box maps in Google search engines. Here is an example of what I am talking about.

Somebody should start a blog targeted at helping salon owners become bloggers and web owners themselves. Your money is waiting on you.

01 Apr

The Secret Lie of a Top 10 Home Based Business

The Secret Lie of a Top 10 Home Based Business

Shhh don’t tell anyone” said the secretive GURU to his friend. “If they find out that these top 10 home based business ideas are actually the top 30 business ideas then we are out of business.”  If you visited this site before then you know two things. 1. I don’t like being called a “GURU” and 2. I always come up with quotes so here is a new one. “In internet marketing the GURUs  truth is not a lie. Its only a delayed truth positioned in a way that doesn’t allow them to lie.” In other words the trick isn’t in their tricks but in inability of some to understand their magic.

There are plenty of online business ideas that create great business. But the part that becomes dangerous is when a idea reaches a plateau. My mentors for years have tried to get me to do live webinars. I have considered lately doing them. However, I am leaning towards NOT doing them. Why? Because one of the top 10 home based business strategies is to do a webinar. And now it has gotten crazy. People are doing webinars on doing webinars. And if I got in early 6 months to a year ago I would have been on the cutting edge.

So it starts when a group unrelated to each other comes up with some keen ideas for business. Then the second level of people come in and really make things interesting. They say “WOW this works hey I wonder how many people would like to know this for a price?”And that’s when the end of great online business ideas begin.

Now at this point I should tell you that there is nothing WRONG with selling info. I of course sell info products and provide consulting. But the issue here is the misrepresentation of the information being sold. I will NEVER tell you to buy something that isn’t what I absolutely believe it is period.

There is a secret shelf life to these so called top 10 home based business listings. Also a secret street life. Look on Social media and see what they are selling that stands out suddenly. If it seems like every Tom, Dick, and GURU are selling or doing it then maybe it is not something you want to invest your time into.

The exception of course is if you have

  1. Micro Niche unrelated to info products
  2. Unique Selling proposition.

In order for a great opportunity to exist a TOP opportunity to exist you need a source that is trustworthy with a track record. Then you need to know if everyone is selling it and the same exact thing. A Top 10 Home Based Business. May be ready to actually topple so beware. The essence of the secret is

Time of discovery X GURU X Customers X Broadcast on social medias = NOT a Top 10 Home Based Business. but a home based business about to flame out.



01 Apr

Miraculous Web Business Ideas in Minutes

Miraculous Web Business Ideas in Minutes

People always ask me (especially lately since my post here) how I come up with so many ideas. I used to tell them it is keebler elfin magic. But since the Keebler elf magic squirrel incident (he he) I decided not to use that to cover up the truth. The truth is that I create a lot of web business ideas by remixing them. My mother always told me I had a talent for mix and matching things. For instance I used to take previously written reports from school and make new mixed versions citing my older reports (laughing). Now let me clarify I didn’t copy anything from the other reports. I just remixed them.

Here is an example I will use starting with blog headlines. The idea of any blog post is to start with the headline. So this will be a great way to generate content and more.

I picked out 3 blog posts with interesting headlines

ATTENTION: if your like me you will click the links. However don’t forget to come back to find out how to create web business ideas in minutes. I am not kidding this really works.

  1. Anatomy of a Landing Page: Design Elements Exposed by Bryan and Jeffery Eisenberg who are geniuses at online conversion and testing.
  2. 14 Funniest Anti Microsoft Picture from dailybloggr
  3. and Three Benefits of Guest Blogging You May Not Have Known from fuelyourblogging

Now lets look at each of these headlines

  1. Bryan and Jeffery are going to “expose” the details of how a landing page works”. Well WOW who wouldn’t want to see that? Especially after you see they know their stuff and good old Darren has recommended them right? (laughing again).
  2. And Dailybloggr (Mani is a good guy) is going to make you laugh. I mean who wouldn’t want to see “Funniest Anti Microsoft Pictures?” We all want to laugh at the so called evil empire right?
  3. Then fuelyourblogging is going to share with us “3 (as in short quick) Benefits of Guest Blogging You May Not Have Known“.

The bold highlights above are actually the key phrases that attract people.

So I remix them into the following headlines

  1. “The Funniest Benefits of Hot Business Ideas Exposed”
  2. “Exposed: The Secret Anatomy of Generating Traffic to your Blog“
  3. “3 Funny Anti Landing Pages that Lack Design Elements”

Now all I have to do is add content

For instance lets take “Exposed: The Secret Anatomy of Generating Traffic to your Blog” for developing web business ideas. I would write content detailing the strategies used in SEO and social media. Then I would explain how to combine and mix them. Just like I did with this story.

I would talk about Keywords in relation to tweets and backlinks in relation to 3rd party twitter sites. Also I would talk about finding guest blogging gigs with social media to generate those important backlinks. Then edit and post.

Next I would watch the traffic flow after promoting the posts for a few days via email, social media, and other methods.

The most popular (visited and commented) posts are developed into a email signup campaigns through aweber.

And thats when I also start searching for products either via an affiliate or make my own. Or (you guessed it) remix the two.

So lets recap:

  • Generate headlines from several posts
  • Create original content by mixing strategies and or tactics in relation to that headline.
  • Monitor to see which one gets the most visits and comments
  • Develop an email list building strategy with aweber.
  • Develop a product line to offer your email list subscribers and visitors.

Now you have a realistic strategy for developing headlines, content, analytic, email marketing and products. And that how my web business ideas are developed overall. If you would like to learn this strategy and more in detail please contact me.

31 Mar

10 Stupid Online Business Ideas to Avoid

10 Stupid Online Business Ideas to Avoid (unless your stupid)

I keep seeing the same poorly thought out Internet theories online. The amazing part is that people really think these are good ideas. Part of them may be good ideas. Like my thoughts on affiliate marketing. But the sad part is the piss poor way they are presented.

1. Focusing on a affiliate page in your social media profiles: really smart (NOT) you mean instead of building with a potential customer you would rather lose them to someone else? Bad move get your people to your website.

2. Email signups with no double opt ins: I seens corporations do this and wonder how that actually survive as a business. Yes double opt in s do mean less signups but more actual confirmed signups.

3. Creating a general blog site about blogging: So ok I know Darren Rowse isn’t the only person who should be blogging but HEY why copy what he does?! Get into specifics. Want to talk about blogging? how about a Darren Rowse blog site meets attorneys or car enthusiast? showing those niches how to setup their blog?

4. Another  internet marketing site?!: OK one of THE most disappointing things is to see a “internet marketing site”. I AM NOT an internet marketer I am an online  entrepreneur who shares free online business ideas. I almost never refer to myself as a internet marketer. You know why? EVERYONE is doing it why do what they are doing?

5. Blah Blah personal coaching website: I talk about this in detail here. But the idea is that if you list the same-ism as the 50 billion other sites and wonder WHY your not getting business well now you know.

6. So Called Fitness coaching sites: same thing as personal coaching come on people. You need to focus on the particulars. What TYPE of coach are you and for who??

7. Affiliate marketing sites with no affiliation: Hey what the heck?? You mean you work like a dog to help someone make money but you don’t brand yourself? One of the more intelligent online business ideas is to focus on your brand not theirs.

8. Sending Mass Emails via Facebook: BIG no no I let over 500 people go from my personal Facebook page the other day because of this.

9. Piss Poor Autoresponders: maybe sending affiliate links 3 days strait after people signed up to your email list is a “bad” thing.

10. NOT replying to potential customers and being a unsocial social media expert: this amazes me how the social media expert doesn’t reply. Like WOW! Your an expert but you can’t reply back?

30 Mar

8 Online Business Ideas for Establishing Credibility as a REAL Mom Blogger

8 Online Business Ideas for Establishing Credibility as a REAL Mom Blogger

You probably heard the wild stories about fake mommie bloggers who are really some weird guy trying to garner trust. The most infamous was this one. But the people of course that get hurt in the process are the REAL moms. Especially those that are blogging as business moms. So below are some keen (and a few common sense) online business ideas. Use these ideas daily to establish and build your credibility as a mommie business blogger and overall online professional.

Though there is no 100% proof positive way to prove anybody is anyone. I do think however that the more you increase your presence online. The more the pieces start to fit together. In time people will find out if you are a real person or not.

Here are  8 Online Business Ideas for Establishing Credibility

1. Attend live events: meetups are great ways to connect and make actual friends and relationships.

2. Do Ustream events: that live webcam stream is no joke! Some people have even done 24 hour marathons on them.

3. Do a conference call: get a FREE number from FREE conference call and setup a talk session with people.

4. Have a webinar: an online webinar though doesn’t have to involve your actual presence. It does do wonders in two ways. First they heard your voice and authenticity. You connect as a human being not a human promoting (laughing).  Second you are building trust by educating people with great content via your online business ideas.

5. Youtube anyone? Hey get on Youtube and share not only your business tips but funny stories.

6. Involve yourself with your local organizations online activities. For instance work with your local marketing association and see if you can get listed in their directory. The same applies to

7. Get recommendations from linkedin and share with others: I am actually doing this as I write this. Linkedin is a major international organization and if you posted your recommendations

8. Share any certifications (i.e. state certifications for a CPA). Whats really cool is I just looked up my wife’s certification. this will definitely make you stand out. Anyone certified would not want to lose their certification.

08 Mar

Why I Share Online Business Ideas

Why I Share Online Business Ideas

If I knew what I knew then about creating wealth or at least just creating products. I would indeed be a wealthier man. What seems like EONS ago I used to work for corporate America. I would sit in these meetings surrounded by people who thought they were important (they really weren’t). I would watch them think, speak, and educate. I would assimilate their knowledge and begin to form my own ideas.

Lets take a trip down memory lane

In the early years I began to share some of my earliest ideas across the country via conference calls. I remember MCA records executives eyes widening when I told them how to remarket their audience. Especially when I said on a LIVE national conference that the leadership was doing a piss poor job.

I remember the VP of Universal telling me that digital downloads were a fad and was going to be a thing of the past (ha!). I remember sharing an idea with Interscope records that caused them to sell 800,000 copies in one day. I remember when Universal Distributions president Jim Urie said on a national conference call to me that “maybe it isn’t the right time to create an online community” 3 years before the birth of Facebook and Myspace. Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying I had online business ideas about creating those two giants. I am simply saying that my thinking was in alignment with the times. How aligned is your thinking with the times we are in?

Radio was the same way. I thought up online business  ideas for salespeople to make more money. Many of which couldn’t think their way out a hole in the ground. Radio was intense where the time frame to think on your feet was short. But that combination made me a stronger idea generator and developer. What experience made you a better person and sharpened your talents?

My Online Business Ideas are my USP

Whats your unique selling proposition? Mine is my ability to think up interesting campaigns and business ideas for very famous and powerful people. Whether it was Pepsi, or Eminiem or a legend like Gladys Knight.  One thing remains true I am an idea person. Sometimes by pleasure and other times by FORCE (laughing). That and my ability to be resourceful are what make me who I am and give me an edge. What gives you an edge?

Do you know the WHY in what your blogging about?

I remember a old teacher of mine saying that whatever you wanted in your life ask yourself WHY. What is the essence of your purpose? Let me give you an example as it relates to online business ideas. I love entrepreneurship but that is a general love. But there is a reason I love it especially online. I love it because of the innovative ideas and massive resources. Yes money but even greater than that is the idea that generated that income and revenue source.

What talent can you stare down a Billionaire with?

Ask yourself this question. What talent do you have that you feel you can stand on an even playing field with a billionaires? If you can’t answer then you should think before starting a business online. I am sure some of you are thinking “darn Darren I just wanted to make money online.” Not a problem. But there are people who make money online and people who are online entrepreneurs. Know the difference. One group emulates (and imitates) the difference. While the second group becomes the difference.

The day you feel you can stand toe to toe with a business giant. That is the day you begin to grow.

The reason I share online business ideas and online business opportunities is that I believe I am doing what is coded into my DNA. And that it will bring me abundance for that generosity. Also that I will help those who need an honest idea from a more than brutally honest guy.

Why be Darren Rowse, Sonia Simone, Seth Godin, Steve Pavilina, or Terry Dean? They are good at what they do. But I am great at what I am coded to do. Millions will follow them trying to blog like them to become good bloggers. As if imitating a masterpiece would bring you closer to their results.

“But why major in good when you can master in greatness?”

On of the best online business ideas I ever had so far was to be myself.

01 Mar

Online Business Ideas for the Restaurant Niche

Online business ideas for the restaurant niche involves helping the late comers transition online via YOUR services (website development, marketing and ecommerce). I have had (7) different customers come to me with this idea in the last month telling me about this niche in detail. Think about it, you don’t even need to know how to create a website thanks to freelancers who can build the site for you.  The idea tech skills or not is that you are the middle person.

WHY: OK lets talk about WHY they want to create online business opportunities.

Explain to their business that a website that takes orders solves two problems.

The easier they can get orders online the better they can have them prepared. Here is a great example a restaurant that has a business lunch crowd could save time and pickup their order and skip the line.

Another plus would be their ability to ship food long distance like my favorite pizza place Giordanos in Chicago. I am from Chicago but living in Dallas (company based in Las Vegas). And I will tell you that the fact that they deliver to Dallas or anywhere in the USA is GREAT! If you know of a restaurant that is famous in your area they may want to consider this option depending on the type of food they offer.

The Plan: OK now you know what problem you are helping them solve so how do you reach them? Unfortunately there is no one easy answer to this. And if some one claims there is then RUN. Because get so called Guru is trying to take your money. The following online business ideas are some realistic suggestions. Keep in mind that you should target small business vs. corporations unless you have a connection to working with that model. Small business are usually more apparent.

Find out if your bank or banks in your target area are doing any training for business. Offer to introduce them to several online business opportunities by offering a free service i.e. a FREE website setup and hosting for a year if they purchase an option to setup their e commerce system through you.

  • Trade shows: Another great way to get people interested.
  • Chamber of Commerce events: great opportunity to share your online business ideas with other members and non members.
  • Local Business Associations: i.e. a restaurants association.

You have to formulate what services you are going to offer them and always present them with at least (3) different choices of packages and a fourth choice can be  custom package. The average package I saw between all (7) clients seemed to be on the low end $1200 USD on the high end $6,000 USD.

The variation also depends on the type of business. Remember a location that has more than 70% business sales is more than likely to spend more because they see the money if their smart. But if it s  business that get mostly residential patrons then make the price low and work with them.

PS UPDATE: I had to show you a a great link case study. This is how you can show potential clients how they can generate MORE customers from the internet! Thanks AJ for alerting me of this post.

28 Feb

Online Business Ideas FREE 7 Ways Report Series

Since I am generating all of these online business ideas. I thought it would be good for me to create a report series for you to benefit. In this report you will find a variety of money making ideas. I changed the names of the people asking since it was on the new and private third tribe forum.

For the last several week people have been asking me questions regarding online business ideas for a variety of great sites. Keep in mind that the majority of people who asked are intermediate bloggers with a wide array of backgrounds. I was very honored that Doctors, Accountants, Attorneys, and even award winning writers asked me for help. I am really excited for them all because they are taking advantage of a variety of online business opportunities.

Here are some of the areas I am covering in this first ever report series are

  • Site vs Self Branding
  • Rechecking your Keywords in your Market
  • Proper positioning as it relates to your email marketing Strategy
  • Finding Your Niche
  • Briefonline business opportunities for brick and mortar stores

Please enjoy my download and if you like it share with others. This is one of the proudest downloadable materials I am happy to share. What you are reading in this report are REAL people! The type that will take a online business idea and run with it because they recognize the value. I am excited because of  the online business opportunities that many of you will create from this report.

Right click or left click and choose “save as” or “save target as”

Download your Online Business Ideas FREE 7 Ways Report (volume1)

27 Feb

Online Business Ideas for Creating Products Through Twitter

Psst come here hey wanna make some money? Take this little blue bird and what ever you say to it write it down for later. Ha ha seriously here are some simple online business ideas for creating your own products to sell through twitter. Little do you know you are walking around with a TON of information you have tweeted. I know because I have shared over 15,000 blog articles with less than 10% of that being my own.

See I believe the more I share great online business ideas and other great web resources I too will prosper by becoming valuable to others. But many times we share so MUCH of ourselves and so little energy towards creating simple products that work. This year I promised myself I would focus more on building a product line on this site as much as I have my other closely guarded niche sites.

See while contemplating I looked back and said WOW I cant believe I am missing out! I have a TON of info I haven’t shared or re-purposed as actual sellable content. I am sure there is someone out there that would like exclusive inside tips and business ideas i provided in the past.

Well I am not alone. Create ebook listings from your tweets to distribute. Health professionals you could create some quick online business ideas from your tweets. Make a listing of 101 hot things to do to get healthier and then GIVE IT AWAY FOR FOR FREE. Crazy right? No I distributed a ebook that was downloaded 20,000 + times last year that reached 90% of the world and was majority of the time without signups. How did I make money? from the affiliate links and links to my products. My only regret was that I didn’t have as many products then as I do now.

First line up a set of tweets for a weekend or a set time in the day. Usually when I launch an online business ideas I start with teasers and then move up to the heavy tweets. And eventually a countdown.

You can do the same thing in your niche. But the quickest way for get me to talk about you is to be a imitator not an innovator. I hate copy cats. Do something that is uniquely you and get your online business ideas via your ebook to 20,000 people around the world!

Believe me when I tell you that your money is waiting for you! Make something happen!

26 Feb

Killer Online Business Ideas for Scribe SEO

Killer Online Business Ideas for Scribe SEO

I have talents. I am a Idea generator and developer because that come natural. But the search engine optimization I had to learn. Well this is one of the plugins I like (I will be telling you about other great search engine products soon). Basically what Scribe SEO does is teach you how to optimize your pages for search engine optimization.

The reason thats important of course is to get more targeted traffic and hopefully more email signups and sales. Scribe has been getting some great buzz. And I think they need to implement the following online business  ideas to grow their business. Though I don’t think it is wise to implement all of the ideas listed. I do think they should customize maybe mix and match to launch some additional solutions.

Killer Online Business Ideas

  1. Free ebook Search Engine wordpress plugin for DUMMIES
  2. Free ebook wordpress for “Stupid people that really aren’t stupid.” This implies of course that it is like the first idea but without the direct branding name.
  3. Create a LIVE webinar meeting every month open to the public.
  4. Testimonies: Have people who are having success do audio/ video testimonies
  5. Create a certification program for people to teach writing  strategies on with the plugin.
  6. Add bonus backlink strategies or whatever additional training you think would work.
  7. Create a Scribe Forum (yeah I know Brian I can hear you groaning from here saying not another forum to mange LOL).
  8. Partner with other developers of premium WP plugins to offer a discount to their market.
  9. Create your own hi quality search tool for keywords that also teaches people how to use them. This is one of my favorite ideas because you get a better idea of WHAT you should be writing about for specific keywords.
  10. Create a Linkedin group to draw in other professionals and feedback. And of course Facebook create a fan page (if you haven’t done so already).
  11. Create a Youtube Channel talking about how to write for humans while being optimized for search. I know it is one of the least original online business ideas but still could be effective.
  12. Create a video version for optimizing blog posts with video. Now I don’t know if there is a major difference (remember my disclaimer at the beginning of this post) but if there are some keys that could help us optimize things further that would be great.
  13. Create a College version (half the power and free for students) to teach colleges kids majoring in certain writing and web courses how to write with the plugin. See if you can make some money through the Universities by providing. Also a great way to tap the pool of young minds.

That’s just a few of the online business ideas you could capitalize on.

26 Feb

Small Business Ideas in Action with Referral Week

This has to be one of THE smartest small business ideas.

I WISH I REALLY THOUGHT OF THIS! This is an excellent idea.

Small Business Ideas in Action with Referral Week

Referral Week 2010 is March 8-12 and basically the idea is to make 1000 referred leads to 1000 deserving small businesses.

So you click the link at the top and refer whoever you think could use the business. There is also a week long FREE web event. They will be sharing a ton of small business ideas to help entrepreneurs grow their business in this economy. Also if you would like to share and spread word please go here to add this pic to your blog. Thanks in advance I love it when people come up with online business ideas that are different.

Ivan Misner, founder of BNI and author Masters of Networking, Bob Burg, author of Endless Referrals and the Go-Givers Sell More, Ben McConnell, author of Creating Customer Evangelists, David Meerman Scott, author of New Rules of Marketing and PR, Guy Kawasaki, author of Reality Check, Chris Brogan, author of Trust Agents, Rohit Bhargava author of Personality Not Included, Dan Schawbel author of Me2.0, Anita Campbell, publisher of Small Business Trends, Ann Handley, editor of Marketing Profs, Lisa Barrone, Outspoken Media, Scott Allen, author of the Virtual Handshake, John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing, Scott Ginsberg of Nametag TV, Janine Popick, CEO of Vertical Response, and Pam Slim, author Escape from Cubicle Nation. Read the rest here.

Now the next step to take in my idea ridden thought is to package the referrals and make a ebook for FREE and let it go viral! This would help a ton of small business at once. Anyone being referred it would be a good idea to in turn refer someone (doesn’t have to be the person that referred you). We have to get more hot small business ideas like this. Great job John!

26 Feb

Hidden Money Making Ideas In Your Tweets

Do you have ANY idea how many hidden money making ideas are in your twitter Tweets?! I have heard a entire slew of GURU’s or as Ben Settle calls them “GooRoos” talk about not following back on twitter. That without a doubt in my mind has to be one of THE dumbest things I have heard of on twitter.

So wait everyone should follow you and then you follow back your special “chosen ones” ? And the past excuse was “oh I can’t read that many tweets hard to follow” yeah right like they can’t aggregate with Tweetdeck and Hootsuite available to say the least.

And now they really have no excuse. Because with the invention of lists on twitter you can’t complain any longer. The excuses are officially over for those so called leaders of twitter. So here is where the money making ideas part comes in because these same entrepreneurs are always trying to sell you ways to make money while stepping over the most significant online business ideas of the decade!

Twitter allows you to find out what your customers want without directly asking them. No other social media as I write this has that advantage. Just sit there and watch your twitter stream I almost guarantee you you will see some money making ideas just from watching

1. What others are doing in your field and or niche.

2. You find problems to solve for your market.

Remember the best online business ideas and money making ideas involve solving a problem. Solve the problems and you will NEVER be short of business that I guarantee. But if you constantly talk of your concern for cutting yourself off with your followers then your in trouble. Conversation is the brand but who respects someone who only has a speaker part of the phone? Come on Twitter leaders don’t cut off the follow backs and then wonder (and even tweet) why your mentally stuck for ideas for your blog, products, and marketing online.

23 Feb

Online Business Ideas for Developing a Lifetime Customer

Here are several online business ideas for developing a lifetime customer.

The fact though is if you don’t have them your business is in trouble. I have discussed this in the past.

Remember great business idea’s create, market, and over deliver value: No matter what marketing systems, tactics, and strategies (GURUs?) used to sell. It’s all about value. Value is the essence and foundation of any sale. No value no maximization of shareholder wealth. And that is the purpose of any for profit business. Simply put no value no business.

Begin with the 4 Pillars of value before creating any product and or service etc because the 4 pillars of value will help discover whether you are helping a potential customer do any or all of the following:

1. Solve a problem: what problems are you solving for your readers? Not what you “think” your solving but actual problem are you solving? Do you realize that the number one reason people visit a website is to solve a problem? You can write what you believe to be the greatest post in the world. And you can also get traffic. But the longevity and business from that traffic come from solving a problem. One of the greatest online business ideas to me was and still is Google. That is because they allow you to discover who your audience is and what they are searching for with the use of a small little tool. Their free keyword tool allows you to get an idea of what people are searching for.

2. Help them either grow, save, and/or enhance

their (11+) resources: Are you helping them save money or time? these are the biggest two. Are you helping them enhance their learning experience?  Some of the greatest online business ideas involves saving money and time while enhancing their customers experience. This is why twitter is killing CNN in this area. You don’t have to wait right after these messages you can log onto to twitter and see the big announcements. And the only thing that trumps twitter is Google.

Here is another great online business idea.  Look at your online competitor in a niche and what they are selling. For instance if they are selling  an ebook on a subject in your field for say $19.95. Then maybe you should sell a ebook, video instruction, and some weekly online audio tips for just 24.99. You may cost $5 more but the video and audio tips would enhance the prospective customers sense of value and their actual learning experience.

3. Helps them increase productivity with their time: Can you help your prospective and current customers do more in a day? Remember whether your a millionaire (and not all of them have a massive staff) or a do it yourself blogger you both have the same amount of  time.

In the previous example of competitors I mentioned your ebook, video, and audio. Well you could clarify how the audio is going to save them time. Listening to a short message while focusing on a project can help. Especially if they are reading your ebook at the same time because it hits several senses at once. The more online business ideas you can come up with to increase their productivity the better chances of keeping them as lifetime customers.

4. Peaks their Interest (curiosity, emotional, holistic, concern): You must grab their attention and keep it in a way that educates your readers (prospective customers and customers). If your boring your dead.

Magazines are one of the greatest sources for online business ideas. Why? cause they are the masters of attention.

The Sweet Spot: Great companies provide 3 consistently but legendary business provide all 4 constantly. Wondering why you are not getting enough customers to your site or why you are not keeping them?

Solve their problems, help them grow while showing them how to be productive and you will never be short of new or old customers. And peaking their interest? The right headline and opening paragraph will do that.

20 Feb

3 Online Business Ideas for Women

Here are a few online business ideas to help women entrepreneurs. Everyone is in search of small business ideas. Little do they know there  are a ton of ideas out there. Well this is only the beginning. Ladies without a doubt you are greatly discounting your knowledge. What you think everyone knows or care little about actually could be a calling for you to build an online business.

  1. Create an advice blog and or forum for new mothers in “name your city here”. Geo targeting is BIG and if you focused on your local area you would be surprised how much you could increase your online traffic even if you lived in a small town. You don’t need to be a 10 year super expert to use these online business ideas. All you need is some sort of experience and a micro niche. Whats a micro niche? that is a more detailed version of a niche. For instance I mentioned above that a great online business idea would be to create a website focused on a specific geo targeted market right? Well you would for instance create a site that is focused on the teen niche say a online teen crisis site for dealing with Teens and drug issues. Thats a niche but a micro niche would be focusing on a specific location like Denver or Seattle or Boston.
  2. Get into niche marketing the right way. Create a small line of website niches. My company has built an armada of online business this way. The advantage according to my wife Cara is that unlike men you will pay more  attention to detail. Whether thats true or not I can’t confirm but a an opportunity plus detail in niche marketing is a recipe for success, that I guarantee.
  3. Help your local brick and mortar business get a web presence by consulting with them and helping them get a blog, marketing, and online store.

Get started ladies your money is waiting for you and here is the interesting part.

22 Jun

10 Online Business Ideas for Easy Success

Believe it , achieve it promote it.

  1. Create/Maintain a successful team

  2. Search for different roles. Go outside your “comfort zone”

  3. Network

  4. Develop habit of learning

  5. Stay connected

  6. Be a problem solver vs a problem identifier

  7. Mentoring – Have a mentor and Be a mentor

  8. Work hard and play hard

  9. Develop a long term view (at least 2-3 years)

  10. Most important – Take care of personal life first

26 Jan

Better Online Business Ideas Needed for GO Daddy

Better online business ideas are needed for GO Daddy. In 2008 Fox TV rejected Go Daddy CEO /Founder Bob Parsons commercial for the Feb 3rd Super Bowl. Bob and his team are known for some really great Super Bowl ads. Also Bob Parsons is one of the people that inspired me to recently start this blog (him and marketing guru Seth Godin). Bob has been rejected before but hasn’t really capitalized on this.

We live in a time where it is predicted that within two years the majority of the Ad dollars will be spent online. Also Go Daddy is the largest domain registrar in at least the USA and possibly the world.

So it perplexes me that Bob and his team hasn’t taken full advantage of this fopa by FOX to create a grass roots campaign around the “Beaver” commercial that was rejected. Intst that what the web is about? Great online business ideas that generate viral reactions.

Well Go Daddy is trying stir things up….. a little. For instance they had their You Tube video. BUT the embed was disabled (everyone say it with me “Doh”).  And they are supposed to show the actual commercial on Superbowl Sunday (go Giants) at their website. But they could have garnered more web traffic via viral marketing.

What I mean is that they could have not only through Youtube marketed themselves but via other social networking sites. They could have created widgets and offered them to their millions of Go Daddy customers for their websites. Thousands, maybe even millions of websites, and social networkers could have placed a preview to that commercial with a link to their Go Daddy Website to view the commercial. Then they could follow up that campaign on Monday morning Feb 4th by replacing the preview with the actual video and start emailing and blogging their entire network about it. The online business ideas are endless!

Think about it, the reason millions are spent on Super bowl commercials is to create the most powerful marketing you can have . Word of mouth. Well in the day of Marketing 2.0, blogging, social networking, and widget application is KING!

Why let your campaign die on a dying medium (TV) when you can triple its effect on a growing one (world wide web) for FREE?

Hey if life gives you lemons make lemonade. And when you have a billion dollar network like Go Daddy you can make enough lemonade to corner the lemonade market! LOL!

1. Don’t just market your creation, create your market.

2. Turn a negative into a positive.

3. Create better commercials that relate to your market. Sex sells but only differently. Afterall you been running those Go Daddy commercials for years now.

4. Create a campaign saying that you are turning down being on the SuperBowl that year (or forever) because the web is where the money is at and do a heavy online campaign to prove that fact.

Maybe Go Daddy has gotten too big for its britches. Maybe they need to talk to netscape, AOL and Yahoo for a humbling experience. Game up with you online business ideas or game out.

22 Jan

3 Business Ideas for TV and Film

3 Business Ideas for TV and Film because they need it badly. Almost a hundred years ago when silent films existed, stars like Lillian Gish and Mary Pickford flourished as silent film actors. Until the late twenties when the business idea of sound (talkies) were introduced. Many big actors and actresses lost their jobs due to the inability to keep their audience. Some actors didn’t have the voice for talkies. Others who acted for a cinematographic effect in silent films were interpreted to the moviegoers as over-actors in the sound era.

They were told by the studios that it was nothing personal “just business.” For almost a hundred years studios have controlled both the film business and later TV. Talented actors and writers have always received the small piece of the pie and thus the beginning of a long history of writers strikes.

A while ago I received several forwarded emails with links to this website I thought it was one of the more interesting online business ideas I have seen. You can view movies for free via a third party used source. They made money through affiliate links for other stuff.

I was truly intrigued by both the business ideas I was getting from the site to use for other things. And I was also intrigued by the negative reactions from five people who were also copied on these same emails was interesting.

The main argument and or issue that the five respondents had was that this site was taking money from the writers and actors. So under that analogy if I was getting a free pair of shoes made in a third world country I would actually be hurting the child labor market? If in the 1800′s I found a way to get free cotton then I was putting a dent in the slavery racket? Get it? I am not defending, advocating nor condoning  the free downloads or watching of movies, film, and music.

However I just think many focus on pennies in a futile effort to solve million dollar problems. Lets step back to my silent film example. the silent film stars needed to grow with technology. Those actors that didn’t adapt became obsolete.

The studios (like some companies in the music business) skill sets have become obsolete. They are now the “silent film stars” who refuse to go silently in the night. Refusing to adapt to today’s “talkies” which in fact are “freebies.” The day of the free download is here. Even the ghetto bootlegs have gone digital where you can watch movies on Yahoo, Google, MySpace and hear the people eating popcorn in the background.

If the studios learn anything from history it should be to adapt. It is no longer a question of who the 30 most powerful people are in Hollywood. It is who are the 30 smartest people. The person with the smartest business ideas are the ones who are going to lead that industry.

Instead of hiring writers and actors they should emulate silicon valley where they partner with them. This would KILL the unions, strikes, bring greater creativity, and prosperity.

Also TV should embrace the web mediums. Remember that TV stands for Tele-vision. The greatest tool that teleports visions is on the web not TV. TV has gone digital. They should market their shows in the same fashion.

3 Business Ideas for TV and Film

1. Greater broadcasting over the web.

2. Exclusive mini shows by indie producers, writers, and actors who they begin to partner with on these exclusives.

3. Marketing that embraces the change instead of reacting negatively to it. Yes pursue the copyright/trademark infringement but lead the charge for change not charge the leadership of change. Marketing departments of Music, Radio, film and TV should be empowered to be proactive in the Open Social era.

Remember Wal Mart became the biggest retailer because they marketed small towns in the America where the giants like Sears, and K Mart refused to go. Through their Open Social approach they were able to build a larger network than any retailer in the history of the world.

Free TV? Free Film? One of the smartest online business ideas is for television and film professionals, to make the original idea greater than it ever was.

22 Jan

Online Business Ideas for Locating Great Hosting

OK here are some online business ideas for locating great hosting. But this is by far not the most comprehensive on this subject. Since I launched (through my company) a web hosting site I felt obligated to share some information. Especially those who are trying to find a way to make money blogging. I am not going to point out my current nor past hosts because of course my option of each would be biased.

Top Ten Online Business Ideas for Finding Great Hosting

I don’t care what they offer. Low costs, a lot of bandwidth money back guarantee. If their servers are down more than 90 percent of the time then your business on the web is losing money. You only have a second to pull a customer in when trying to make money blogging. If your down your dead.

How do you check if their 99.9% up-time is true?

I have four great ways to check.

First find out if the hosting service in question has a forum because they tell all. Irate customers will definitely air out any issues they have with the hosting. I remember looking at a host and reading the-negative comments on their forum. This initially discouraged me but when I read how the host moderators answered I was really impressed. No matter how mad the clients were they were always professional and prompt in their response. Hosting companies that have forums and that are willing to address the issue’s professionally and publicly should be respected.

Second type negative statements in Google using the hosts name i.e. “I Hate Go Daddy” and read. This may lead you to a lot of personal opinions but the key links you are looking for are in forums across the web where the discussions will be hot and heavy. Then Google positive comments excluding the ones posted on the host you are investigating.

Third Google the words “hosting reviews” and see if you can find some forums. Unlike the forums on the hosting companies website, these are specific forums that webmasters visit to talk about great and not so great hosting companies. Search these forums to see if the hosting companies you are considering are mentioned. Here are a few suggested forums WebHostingTalk (aka WHT) and HostHideout, Hostingdiscussion.com, Resellerboard.com and SitepointForums.com. But there are tons of them. And if you know of any good forums please feel free to comment.

2. Got Support?

Imagine signing up for hosting only to discover that “rickyretardohosting.net” can find their a** from a hole in-the wall. As your laughing I am sure someone isn’t. Remember three tactics to expose this challenge.

Response time. Email them some questions initially and see how long it takes. If they are delaying to answers to  sales questions then you know what to expect as a customer. One of the worst online business ideas to me was to create a barrier between your prospects and yourself.

Quality of the response: Did they give you the answers you needed or again did you discover another relative of George Bush?

Personable (politeness): How personable were they?

3. Are their servers Linux or Windows based?

Though windows has the brand names. But if you want script heavy hardware then know that Linux rules! Youtube, Facebook and Google use Linux. I started out on windows but when I began developing more web intense apps and I noticed that most were made for Linux. Initially this may mean nothing to you but as you develop your website(s) you may want to look into Linux. If you want to make money blogging you will heed my advice and use the correct server.

4. How many clients are using each of their servers?

Yeah that 2500 gigs and 300 disk space for 10 dollars may seem like a deal but not if they have 300 people using one server on a shared hosting plan. Your site (s) will be slow and you dont always get what you pay for.

5. What are the Sales, Billing, and support hours?

Sale usually keeps business hours but some really smart companies have 24 hour sales available via chat. I love these options for all three billing, sales and it is a must for support. If a company is flaky with their chat support don’t use them.

6. How many people are on their staff?

24 hour chat support means nothing if you are always waiting 4 customers behind. That should never happen. Though it does. One of the poorest strategies is to shorten your staff. If you really like the company and this is their only issue then check to see if they have a support ticket system / forum and then follow suggestions from #1 and #2. Actual live chat with little or no wait is by far one of the most powerful business ideas for sales conversion and retention.

7. How much of a knowledge base do they provide?

Can you answer your own questions from their knowledge base? Is it detailed? comprehensive? Offer links?

8. What kind of operational panel do you use?

OK I been pretty good so far not to bad mouth any companies but I must say this. PLESK SUCKS!! Horrible panel and I have yet to find ONE developer that likes it (I have roughly about 3700 plus developers and programmers in my network). Of course plesk was on Windows servers making Linux definitely more attractive with their Cpanel model. As I write this I have been using them for a short time so far so great.

9. Are there any services that are not displayed on your site?

You will be amazed what you find NOT listed. Sales, extra packages, server brands not listed. Just ask and see what they say you may be surprised. Plus always ask what extra they can throw in. The worst they can say is no. Hey the only way you are going to make money blogging is bybeing bold. And I see no better time to start than with your hosting.

10. Are there any bonus scripts or training services you provide?

The smartest thing I think any company can do is educate their customers. the more they learn the better they respect and support you. Most people are looking for hosting are novices just trying to start a site. But any company that offers free beginner’s or intermediate training in MySQL, PHP, Open Source, HTML, basic SEO, web marketing, and retail services are worth their weight in gold. And again it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.

Honorable Mentions

I had to mention these. you might think some should be on the top ten but I will explain why they are not.

How much Do They Cost? This is the first question and a given. Price is always a factor whether its a company or individual. Price must be balanced with the top ten factors.

What is the bandwidth? Again another given. the only thing to remember if your starting out you will probably use less than 100 gigs so don’t go over board. In fact the average blogger uses rougly less than 5 gigs if that much.

What are the storage capacities? Remember if your starting a website for the first time whether you want to make money blogging or not the capacity shouldn’t be more than 5 -10 gigs or less.

How many Domain’s do they Allow? Remember its not just one site that matters. Look at it like this, the web is the largest intellectual property in history! Did Donald Trump become a billionaire with one building or several? Keep your options open and see the future. A hosting company with unlimited sites could be the option for you. Most now offer that option.

What are your goals? As a website? How do you intend to grow whether you are a new upstart or a 5+ year company. Keeping abreast of the latest design and goals can save you time and money.