Thinking about your New Year’s goals?
If marketing an online business is one of them, you’ve come to the right post. I’ve got a story for you.
But first I just have to tell you: The ninja and I are psyched. We just did our year-end assessment, where we dedicate a day to review our successes and analyze things we need to improve.
We discovered that this year our online business income has doubled!
This, I don’t have to tell you, in a historically-stinky economic year, in which sadly, tens of thousands of people were downsized from their corporate jobs, or are suffering enforced furloughs.
But this story isn’t about us. It’s about someone else’s success marketing an online business.
As you know, you can make your living providing solutions via ‘how-to’ eBooks and continually adding value for your members on your membership sites — that’s how the ninja and I do it.
However, many roads lead to Rome.
Instead of consulting or providing information, you may simply want to grow and expand your already-established business online.
That’s what this guy is doing. Listen…er…read on, people! Read this and motivate:
Dentist finds online goldmine
Dr John Burch of Mountain View, CA has a hand-built site that he uses to multiply business for his dentistry practice. People come from as far away as 50 miles because they’ve gotten to know him through his Web site.
Did this surprise him?
Yep.
Gas is expensive. And honestly, there are herds of good dentists in the Bay area, so why do Dr. Burch’s patients drive farther than they have to?
Marketing his online business is the key.
Marketing = providing solutions and being accessible.
His well-managed site gives him credibility and authority long before people even meet the man in person. You know how nerve-wracking it can be to go to the dentist! People are looking for reasons to trust this guy, and his Web site gives them warm and friendly reassurance.
As a totally unexpected benefit, people who are familiar with him through his site opt for more and longer treatments. This brings more value to his business exponentially.
As you might imagine
Dr Burch is enthusiastic about Web marketing. He’s put together presentations about maximizing the potential of the Net for his peers, most of whom have purchased expensive Web sites for their businesses (costing $10,000) which currently have no ROI (return on investment).
These sites are like fancy business brochures stuffed into a drawer. They never see the light of day.
In contrast, Dr Burch’s site “already brings in $10,000 a month in additional revenue.” Instead of spending $10 grand on his site, he earns that figure with it.
He puts it bluntly for his dentist buddies, who are looking for their stock portfolios to provide for their future retirement needs.
“If you think in terms of Asset Equivalent Value (AEV), it would take a portfolio in the amount $2,000,000 (at 6% return) to give me the same extra monthly income.”
I mean,who among us has 2 million bones to invest in the stock market? Seriously. Ninj always says our Web business is our retirement plan. I think he’s onto something. 
Oh, P.S. As of Sept ‘09, Dr Burch says his original Web site now is completely on auto-pilot, bringing in 40,000 visitors per month! He’s still practicing dentistry, but he’s got hobby sites now and he’s having a blast.
In fact, he’s got 18 hobby sites, many which are becoming vital income streams of their own.
His goal?
To make money from his hobbies instead of spending money on them.
What’s your New Year’s goal regarding marketing your online business? Please leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!
