| So I'm talking business models and you have a | | | | following:o You need a strong string of |
| one person web site or a part time business. So | | | | recognizable products or services that are |
| how does this affect you? | | | | instantly recognizable as belonging to your |
| It does affect you - because the internet is a | | | | company. For example we have a string of |
| very large and very unforgiving business | | | | products, which we constantly add to, called the |
| environment. Regardless of how many people tell | | | | PowerPack - its concept is that we sell all you |
| you how you can make thousands every month, | | | | need to set up a particular business in one |
| for every eBay there are millions of sites just | | | | product. Our most popular is the AdSense |
| taking a few $'s a month. | | | | PowerPack.o Ensure that you leave room to add |
| So where does Dolly Parton come into it, I hear | | | | extra products or services that are not too |
| you say? Well I also went to the Dolly Parton | | | | removed from your current product stream. For |
| Dinner Show just before Christmas, which I highly | | | | example if you offer lawn services - it's not too |
| recommended. Having just finished writing for my | | | | far away to also offer porch cleaning as well. If |
| latest information product - the Entrepreneur | | | | you provide golfing services - then also sell golf |
| Power Pack, I had my business head still | | | | balls, golf gloves etc. Follow the Martha route on |
| functioning. I realized that there are 3 major | | | | that one.o Decide how you want to present |
| women within the USA - Oprah, Martha and Dolly | | | | yourself - consider colors, fonts, sizing, quality |
| - and they all have started and run massive | | | | etc.o Work out which market you are seeking - |
| businesses that center on their particular skills. | | | | find a niche if you can, and build your product |
| When setting up your new business, the first | | | | range around this. |
| question you should ask yourself is "what do you | | | | At the start of this year I sat down with a large |
| want to do?" I know that this sounds a really silly | | | | mug of tea (I'm a Brit ok - I may live mostly in |
| question - but looking at our three famous ladies | | | | the USA - but my suitcase is always full of PG |
| again:o Oprah is known mainly as a talk show host | | | | Tips), a pad and a pen. |
| but she started on the radio.o Martha is known | | | | I looked at where I thought that my customer |
| for her TV show but she started catering for | | | | base would be this year and what kind of things |
| weddings.o Dolly has always been a singer - but | | | | they would be looking for. |
| she now has her dinner shows and Dollywood | | | | I then decided what product streams and |
| theme park and has also been in a few movies. | | | | services I would offer in 2006 and then defined at |
| The lesson here is to decide to do something | | | | least 4 products in each stream. |
| within an area where you can logically expand | | | | Common wisdom is to look at price ranges of: up |
| upon your skills without losing your market and | | | | to $9.97, $19.97, $47, $97 and $147 when looking |
| your past and current customers. People go to | | | | at IT and digital based items. On top of that goes |
| the Dolly Dinner Shows - because they are fond | | | | consultancy, training and individual coaching. So I |
| of Dolly and want she stands for. Oprah only has | | | | tried to decide on my item in each of these price |
| to recommend a book on her TV show and it | | | | slots as well as a group of free giveaways for |
| becomes a best seller because her opinion is | | | | viral marketing purpose. Now I am a prolific writer |
| trusted by millions. Martha has whole streams of | | | | so most of these were going to be of my own |
| income - TV, products, magazines, books etc - all | | | | design. Don't worry if you don't have the time or |
| with her name on them and her customers move | | | | inclination to do this - look out for existing resell |
| logically from one to the other, buying as they go. | | | | items that you can bundle together to make up |
| What is clear is that all of them have very strong | | | | the products. |
| brand images - but they also have numerous | | | | If you have a product or service based company |
| complimentary streams of income. Martha in | | | | that is not digitally based then you should |
| particular is a genius at using each of her product | | | | investigate your own price points. Doesn't do any |
| streams to feed off of each other - moving her | | | | harm to have your own ebooks to give away or |
| customer base from one item to the next with | | | | sell as well though! You might even try short |
| little effort. | | | | video training courses on how to make the best |
| I thought that there were a lot of lessons to learn | | | | use of your products or services - be creative. |
| from Dolly and how she runs her business so well, | | | | If you only have or only want a small company |
| whilst still being so nice about it! I think we can | | | | then concentrate on no more than 3 product |
| learn a whole lot from her! | | | | ranges. This gives you about 12-15 products to |
| So how does this affect a small one or two | | | | design plus some giveaways. |
| person business - click or brick? Planning is such an | | | | So set up your New Year Resolutions for your |
| important part of starting a serious business. You | | | | own company and try this activity. |
| must plan your business taking into account the | | | | |