AssociatePrograms.com

alfaped · Guest

Hello friends !

I've followed these pages for a while. I cannot avoid noting the friendly atmosphere here, and that brings my courage a step further. I therefore ask you all to give me your thougths about my upcoming net business, pitfalls, success factors, tools I need (besige SBI which i have purchased with my daughter who is also my business companion Smile

)

I am a computer expert. Wow ! I should know everything, shouldn't I ? Actually; no. I know my business, which is computing. I definitively do not know Internet marketing, how and which mechanisms that work, etc. etc. What I really knon is: How do You analyze the needs of a customer, how do You design a high-performance database, and a lot of other small pieces that together form the basis of a successful construction.

I feel that I have genuine information to give away to computer consultants, based on 26 years in the business, 15 of them concentrating on the Oracle database. My marked is therefore computer professionals, which I am perfectly comfortable with.

I see for myself the following scenario: I can write a series of articles (ebooklets) that sell themselfes, and in the end, they will constitute an eBook. How do I start ? I don't have all the eBooklets written yet, they are just large ideas in my head... In addition, and in parallel, I could try to open a bookstore, being an affiliate of let's say Amazon or whatever, where I recommend books I know give customer vaule. I know that my articles will be of high, practical vale, based on many years of experince from highly different customer cases; But that's just the point: I know my skill, but how do I sell it in the most efficient way ?

I write this to you guys and ladies, because I see so much competence here.... A great forum. Perhaps my humble request for help could build i course on this site which Allan (Here's to Your improveved health, mate; You seem to be coming up from the bottom) could bring to his main site......

The basic theme here is then: I know something as an expert, how do I sell it, not being a seller Wink

I cincerely appreciate anyone who use their valuable time to give some advice, links, thoughts or other hints that could give me courage and direction.....

Debs · **Joined**: 16 Aug 2003 **Posts**: 4296 **Location**: NY

alfaped · Guest

Thanks, Debs !

I try to,but the problem is; i'm not a sales person, or that's what I think. I believe many starters feel the same, and that discourages them. Let me expain: i know just about every trap You can enter into as a data base professional, and I know how to steer Youj away from it; but is that a good enough businesss idea, and how do I exploit that..

Basicly, what I say is that I have the knowkedge; how do I professionally bring it to the marked, a marked where I can succed like many of You have done ?

speedguide · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 2:54 am Post subject:

alfaped,

Remember, time is money. If you can save hours of high end database development time for someone that is worth something. This will not be a $17 eBook but a highly specailized product that is directed to a niche. And should also be priced accordingly. What would you pay for your "knowledge"?

The niche is it. You can learn to sell and promote. As Debs said be upfront and show your expert knowledge. However, don't think this is going to happen in 3 months. This is a marathon not a sprint.

Don't try to complicate things. Just as you would plan the database... do the same with your web business.

Just my 2 cents,
_________________
Gary
- ONE is to small of a number to be a success!
Learn HOW TO create targeted, focused Content for your website!--> http://webcontenttips.com - Join Our Weekly Newsletter

Guest · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 3:58 am Post subject:

Hi,

I hope this isn't confusing but...
My own personal opinion is to follow only the best people who you believe and trust in the type of business your looking to start. Then do the same and follow the best people in your special interests whether it's a hobby or your profession.

For example when I decided to start an online business I did a lot of research. I was looking for proven successes, no hype. There is way too much hype on the internet. I chose Ken Evoy's myss which led me to some other great people including Allan of Associate Programs.

Offline I highly recommend Frank Feather, one of his books Future consumer .com Here's his website http://www.future-trends.com Great insight to the future of the internet.

Then I signed up to http://www.marketingsherpa.com (they have many newsletters and case studies) http://www.marketingprofs.com (another great resource)

Take your special interest(s) or speciality and develop a niche within a niche. For example a marketing professional who's company specializes in the wine industry. A web design company who specializes only in restaurant websites. A computer expert who specializes in helping local businesses with database email marketing and getting their business online. As Ken and Sharon Fling will tell you the Local market is huge. Find a niche within a niche, build relationships and you won't have to sell. It's called give to get marketing and globally or locally it works!

Sorry, if I've dragged on too much. Do lots of research throughout this site and others. Find your mentors and you'll do well.
All the best
Phil
CA

ChipT · Guest

Hey -

Just my 3 here -

1. Use your real name to begin to brand yourself. What is an "alfaped"?

2. Find a hungry target market with money. This is what most people never do. They create some product that THEY think is great ... but don't find out if there is a market out here that thinks that way.

3. Find the market first. Research its problems. Create your product to fix those problems. And run all of your correspondence through a spellchecker before you ever distribute it.

Hope this helps focus you a bit -

God Bless you,
Chip Tarver
<><
Author of the Best Selling "First Contact Secrets ? Insider Tips Reveal How to Successfully Connect With the World's Master Marketers" Chip@FirstContactSecrets.com www.FirstContactSecrets.com (Get great private tips from 43 International Master Marketers in your own eCourse on making excellent first contacts from my exit pop on the FCS site)

Charlie · **Joined**: 22 Aug 2003 **Posts**: 3305 **Location**: UK

shreds-df · Guest

Alfaped,
Maybe this idea generator could be helpful. I just happen to be in the process of muddling my way through trying to create an effective database. Being quite technical myself, but definitely not in the database arena, I would like to know the most efficient and cost-effective way to create a database that I can make available to the masses through email. Will a spreadsheet work with most, will delimited text work, etc. I will soon be purchasing a new Windows XP Pro computer, but in the meantime had to reformat the drive on my existing PC thanks to "the Worm." After going round in circles I decided not to purchase a $300+ software package to update my old computer but installed Redhat 9 operating system for a mere $40 bucks. Lo and behold I was back on the internet within an hour and computer life has been grand ever since (which tells me why MSFT seems to be struggling and RHAT is going gangbusters)! However, I now need a database program. Is there a problem with databases working with different operating systems, etc.? What to do, what to do??
Perhaps your informational content could describe and compare the different types of database software, what works best for different needs, the most user-friendly interface, costs involved, which ones are compatible for which operating system, etc. You could perhaps affiliate with some of the database providers, plus offer your own area of expertise in the database arena, help people get started creating basic databases and offering your fee-paid services for problem solving or extensive database creation, etc. Hope the ideas help!

DatabaseDesigner · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 1:36 pm Post subject:

Hi, shreds-df !
Since You've got RH Linux, You have already made some choices: You need a database compatible with Linux. That rules out Access/SQL server. Impossible to give You detailed advice, as I don't know what Your database should be used for. The word "database" is often misused: It is supposed to hold vast amounts of data. If a spreadsheet is in Your thoughts, maybe that's the right thing. Try to get an Oracle Personal Edition, it works on all platforms, but You need to know a litte about SQL language and database administration.. But again, without knowing Your uses (application) it's hard to give advice Rolling Eyes

With regards to selling my consulting services: I had this hope that if I once and for all wrote about databases, posted it on my website and sold it as eBooks, I could spend my days on a beach thinking abouts all those consultants who had to sell their services for a living every day Very Happy

Just a wild thought, but I'll try !!

jen · Guest

Dear DatabaseDesigner, thanks so much for your input and advice. I will research Oracle Personal Edition, as when I get my new desktop after 1st of year I will need a database that is cross-compatible. Having been a network administrator for a lot of years, I fully understand your desire to give advice from your laptop at the beach or some other exotic locale ... hey, with broadband that's becoming a distinct possibility, finally! That was always my dream too, to escape the madness of in-house demands. Guess that's why we're both here, huh!! Wish you the best on your journey to net independence, you've taken the first steps and are on your way. Oh, incidentally, mine is a stock database that will be quite extensive, plus an e-book and hopefully a newsletter and chat board. Making the dream happen! - shreds-df

Larry Chamberlain · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:04 am Post subject:

Hi Charlie,

DatabaseDesigner · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:49 am Post subject:

Jen,
That's the way to go ! I read an article the other day about an Access database that became a nightmare when they got 7 users from the Net....
The DBA said that Access was impossible for Net use. I don't know, really, but I am not surprised. By the way, if You're building a database, consider reading articles on my site. I try to give free lectures until they become ready to be commercialized; then I will pack them into a non-free ebook. You could hopefully get some hints for your development of your stock database. Sounds like a good business idea, that one !

jen · Guest

DatabaseDesigner, thanks, will check out your site. Whew, glad I didn't decide on Access!

DatabaseDesigner · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:51 pm Post subject:

Actually, Jen, the lecture I'm writing right now about normalization, is just about sound structures. Follow along, and you'll see. This is not too easily done in Access as in the more powerful systems, and it can really bring you down fast, but only after you've gone into production, you find out. That's a little too late....