how to start an online business (from pakistan)
TRANSCRIPT
How to Start an Online Business (from Pakistan)
The Essential Steps to Starting a Sustainable Legal Internet Biz
WordPL – Oct 2010
Salma Jafri
Who am I anyway and why should you listen to me?
Nit-picker
Wife
Fire-breathing
dragon Mom
MBACustom
Social Pages
Social media mavenPrint
columnist
Affiliate marketer
WRITER
Serial entrepreneurBlogger
WordPLWordpl.net
Lets get on the same page firstWhat this workshop is NOT about What this workshop IS about
Get rich quick schemes Effort, time and dedication into building an online biz model that pays dividends over the years to come
Home businesses Passive income generating opportunities
PTC sites Doing what you love and loving what you do
Other scams
Freedom is equal to un-productivity
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Fear Factors
P.S. Its all in the attitude > you CAN make money online…
Don’t know where to start
Don’t know how to find a market or clients or buyers
Don’t know what you have to offer
Can’t decide what to do
Don’t think int’l payments can be received in Pak
Too scared of getting sucked into a scam
Don’t want to give out credit card details on
the Net
Don’t have a credit card
Just wanna whine “XYZ is not possible from Pak”
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Online Business
Virtual Storeaka
Website
Physical productsInfo products
Customersaka
Traffic
Marketing, Social Media, SEM,
Blogging, Networking
Moneyaka
Payment processors
Moneybookers, wire transfer, Western
Union, 2CO
Sell your own product/services
Sell other people’s products /services
Infographic: How to Start an Online BusinessWordpl.net
Types of Online Businesses (you can start from Pakistan)
Option 4: Sell own
product/service
Option 1: Freelance services
Option 2: Make money
blogging
Option 3: Affiliate
marketing
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PAKISTANIsuccess stories
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Maryam Nasim
“I think internet is magical. I have made some of my best friends over the internet. I use it for my work, entertainment and everything else I need for information. My work structure would be entirely different if I did not have access to the web like I do.”
Website: http://maryamnasim.com , http://pinkwool.com
Niche: freelance illustration & animation, free printables
Monthly Income: $1000 - 5000Primary money-making method: Freelance services
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Haris Nadeem
“… If you want to start a website, then blogging is the easiest way. I started off with a blog on free host. Then after convincing my parents for a credit card and bought my own paid domain.”
Website: http://www.sizzledcore.comNiche: gadgets, technology &Internet media.Monthly Income: $5000 approx.Primary money-making method:blogging and advertisements
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Erum Zehra
“I love the flexibility working online gives me. Due to this I have always been present around my children, and have also attained the personal fulfillment that one gets from acquiring professional achievements. A great testimonial from a client makes working from home totally worth leaving the competitive corporate world behind.”
Website: http://www.acewebcontent.comNiche: Web Writing for Small BusinessesMonthly Income: $500-1000Primary money-making method:Freelance writing services
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Sohail Abid
“To sum up the life of a good freelance developer: you can make three or four times the pay of a regular 9-6 employee with half the time/effort. The most lucrative advantage is FREEDOM. Take my motorcycle tour of Pakistan (www.facebook.com/tourdepakistan) as an example. Only a freelancer can take up such uncertain and free trip.”
Website: http://www.sohailabid.comNiche: software developerMonthly Income: undisclosedPrimary money-making method:Freelance software development
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S. Mohkim Khan
“Blogging was my core earning from beginning 2008 right after I graduated to July 2009. It was one of the smartest things I ever pursued and was serious about, at least in my opinion.”
Website: http://startupmeme.comNiche: Web Startups, Social Media And TechMonthly Income: $500-$1000Primary money-making method:Blogging, Sponsorships
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Abid Beli
“ I think we need still more online retail shop .. (you should) be professional & show your educated attitude - do competition on quality services not on prices. Secondly because of new online retail shops new customers [are] also attracted [to] online shopping.”
Website: http://www.beliscity.comNiche: EcommerceMonthly Turnover: $80000Primary money-making method: Product Selling
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Erum Munir
“I started out on the net in 1997 with my first Geocities (yah remember that era, anyone?) web page and it has been a great journey since then. From that one web page to an entire website and on to my own business DotsnDashes Website Designs a couple of years later, yep I have come a long way.”
Website: http://www.DotsnDashes.comNiche: website dev & design, e-productsMonthly Income: $1000-5000Primary money-making method:Freelance web services, e-products
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Saad Hamid
“…Living in a country with less-awareness about a revenue medium like this, I have found blogging to be one of the best professions. Start blogging with passion and you will eventually start making money too.”
Website: http://www.sizlopedia.comNiche: TechnologyMonthly Income: $5,000Primary money-making method:Blogging
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Salma Jafri
“Cultural differences, physical locations and geographical boundaries no longer separate the two arms of business: buyers and sellers. The lifestyle opportunities that technology offer are both overwhelming and awe-inspiring all at once.”
Website: http://www.wordpl.netNiche: Web content, SEO articles, e-booksMonthly Income: $3000-5000Primary money-making method:freelance services
Wordpl.net
Types of Online Businesses (you can start from Pakistan)
Option 4: Sell own
product/service
Option 1: Freelance
services
Option 2: Make money
blogging
Option 3: Affiliate
marketing
Wordpl.net
Option 1: Start Freelancing!
Quick to start
Work from anywhere
No overheadsImmediate cash
Freedom/Control
Flexibility
Learn while you earn
Best use of existing skill set
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Start Freelancing!
•Choose your niche / specialtyStep 1
•Find freelance projectsStep 2
•Get paid
Step 3 •Build credibility
Step 4 •Start marketing like crazy
Step 5Wordpl.net
Start Freelancing!
•Choose your niche / specialtyStep 1
•Find freelance projectsStep 2
•Get paid
Step 3 •Build credibility
Step 4 •Start marketing like crazy
Step 5Wordpl.net
Choose a Niche
Wordpl.net
•Choose your niche / specialtyStep 1
•Find freelance projectsStep 2
•Get paid
Step 3 •Build credibility
Step 4 •Start marketing like crazy
Step 5
Start Freelancing!
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Places to find freelance work
1.Bidding sites
Elance, Odesk, guru, scriptlance, get-a-freelance, vworker
Portfolio/profile, no website required,
escrow & wire transfer services
2. Job Boards
Problogger, craigslist, 99designs, freelancewritingjobs
Vetted, categorized, one-on one interaction,
payment processor
3.Social Media
Online referrals, social media, blog, website, forums,
communities
Friends, neighbors, ex-collegues, former
bosses, relatives, local biz
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Bidding sites
http://www.elance.com/php/search/main/eolsearch.php?matchType=projectWordpl.net
Job Boards
http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/10/freelance-writing-jobs-for-october-4-2010/
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http://search.twitter.com/search?q=looking+for+logo+designer
Social Media
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Email/social media
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Start Freelancing!
•Choose your niche / specialtyStep 1
•Find freelance projectsStep 2
•Get paid
Step 3 •Build credibility
Step 4 •Start marketing like crazy
Step 5Wordpl.net
Build credibility
• How to pitch for work (Proposal Writing)
• Provide samples
• Make portfolio
http://wordpl.net/index.php/2010/08/win-first-project-on-elance/Wordpl.net
Start Freelancing!
•Choose your niche / specialtyStep 1
•Find freelance projectsStep 2
•Get paid
Step 3 •Build credibility
Step 4 •Start marketing like crazy
Step 5Wordpl.net
Start Marketing like Crazy!
“If you build it they will come”
Join forums and communities such as http://www.freelanceswitch.com; http://www.freelancefolder.com
Start a blog
Join & network on social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube)
Join relevant and similar FB pages/groups
Take out a newsletter (email marketing)
Search engine optimize (SEO) your site
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My Marketing
Efforts
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Start Freelancing!
•Choose your niche / specialtyStep 1
•Find freelance projectsStep 2
•Get paid
Step 3 •Build credibility
Step 4 •Start marketing like crazy
Step 5Wordpl.net
Get Paid!
A/C Holder NameA/C Number / IBANBank Account TypeBank NameBank CountryBank ID Type (you will choose SWIFT here for international wire transfers)Bank ID Number (8-11 characters)Bank AddressBank CityBank ProvinceBank Postal Code
http://wordpl.net/index.php/2010/01/how-to-get-paid-on-elance/
WIRE TRANSFER ONLINE PAYMENT PROCESSORS
MoneybookersAlertPay2Checkout
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Pakistani freelancers in action!
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Pakistan in Freelance World
http://www.elance.com/p/online-employment-report.htmlWordpl.net
Types of Online Businesses (you can start from Pakistan)
Option 4: Sell own
product/service
Option 1: Freelance services
Option 2: Make money
blogging
Option 3: Affiliate
marketing
Wordpl.net
Option 2: Make Money Blogging
Match content to
search queries
Earn with ads
Earn more with
sponsored ads
Earn even more with affiliate links, info-products,
membership sites, etc
Wordpl.net
Start Blogging!
•Choose a nicheStep 1
•Make a websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Monetize your blogStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Choose a Niche
“When I was younger… I [didn’t] want to be pigeonholed…
Basically, now you want to be pigeonholed. Its your niche.” – Joan Chen, actress
YOU
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How to choose a niche
Do what you love Do what you know
Choose something you want to know more aboutWordpl.net
Can your niche make money?
Keyword/Niche: Asian fusion cooking classesSearch results: 5,970AdWords Keyword Tool results: 1300 monthly global searchesCheck domain availability: www. asianfusioncookingclasses.com
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Keywords go fast!
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Start Blogging!
•Choose a nicheStep 1
•Make a websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Monetize your blogStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Create a WebsiteDomain
www.namecheap.comwww.domaininseconds.com
$9-10 (1 year)
Hosting
www.serversea.com $5-7 (1month) (spend in Rs)
Install WordPress
www.wordpress.org FREE
Apply WP Theme
Wordpress.org themes directory100 top themes in 2010_Smashing Mag
FREE or Premium
Add WP Plugins
WordPress.org plug-ins directory FREE
Total Annual Cost $70 = Rs.6,000/- (1 Year)Wordpl.net
Start Blogging!
•Choose a nicheStep 1
•Make a websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Monetize your blogStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Create content
Wordpl.net
Start Blogging!
•Choose a nicheStep 1
•Make a websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Monetize your blogStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Monetize your blog
Google AdSense
Sponsored Ads
Chitika
Sponsored Posts
Paid reviews
Buy Sell Ads
Kontera
Product reviews
http://kommein.com/25-ways-to-monetize-your-blog/Wordpl.net
Start Blogging!
•Choose a nicheStep 1
•Make a websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Monetize your blogStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Get Paid!
• Wire transfer• Check (local)• Western Union
Wordpl.net
Types of Online Businesses (you can start from Pakistan)
Option 4: Sell own
product/service
Option 1: Freelance
services
Option 2: Make money
blogging
Option 3: Affiliate
marketing
Wordpl.net
Option 3: Affiliate Marketing
10 readers buy (1%)
$600 in your
pocket!!
1000 readers
$150 productw/ $60
commission
Affiliate Mktg
A lot like blogging – create site, add content, do product / service reviews
No inventory for selling products!
No merchant accounts for selling
No customer service issues to contend with
http://wordpl.net/index.php/2010/07/how-to-write-great-copy-for-the-web-ebook-review/Wordpl.net
Start Affiliate Marketing!
•Find a nicheStep 1
•Create websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Find affiliate products/servicesStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Start Affiliate Marketing!
•Find a nicheStep 1
•Create websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Find affiliate products/servicesStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Find Affiliate Products
• Product name + “affiliate” (e.g. ipad affiliate)• Clickbank• Commission Junction• Share-a-Sale• Pepperjam• E-junkie• Amazon Associates
Wordpl.net
Start Affiliate Marketing!
•Find a nicheStep 1
•Create websiteStep 2•Create contentStep 3
•Find affiliate products/servicesStep 4
•Get paidStep 5Wordpl.net
Get Paid!
• Wire transfer• Check• Western Union
Wordpl.net
http://wordpl.net/index.php/2010/07/how-to-write-great-copy-for-the-web-ebook-review/
Affiliate Marketing in
action!
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Types of Online Businesses (you can start from Pakistan)
Option 4: Sell own
product/service
Option 1: Freelance services
Option 2: Make money
blogging
Option 3: Affiliate
marketing
Wordpl.net
Skills to Run an Online Business
• Clear focus and direction• Self-discipline & motivation• Jack-of-all• Delegate and automate• Adaptability and flexibility• Thought leadership
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The Work at Home Lifestyle
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Marketing & tech & social media, oh my!
Wake up, Family, Work, Family, Work,
Sleep
Where does the time go?
I don’t think I’m
going crazy – I know it!
What if I fail?
Will my parents/friends/
spouse support me?
I want my own bank account
dammit!
The most important thing you need to know do!
“Ideas are a dime a dozen…”
“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
“If you wait until all the lights are "green" before you leave home, you'll never get started on your trip to the top.”
“Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.”Wordpl.net
Why wait?Wordpl.net
For more info…
• Complete resource pack with active links• Complete e-books pack covering topics like FB
mktg, AdSense, blogging, freelancing, etc• Contact email addresses for more info• Future detailed sessions on each• One to one coaching
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Where you can find me• [email protected]• [email protected]• www.wordpl.net• www.wordpl.elance.com• www.twitter.com/salmajafri• www.facebook.com/WordPL• http://pk.linkedin.com/in/salmajafri
If you liked this presentation/workshop and would like to know more, please leave a comment at: www.facebook.com/WordPL and I’ll respond. Thanks! -SalmaWordpl.net
How to Start an Online Business (from Pakistan)
The Essential Steps to Starting a Sustainable Legal Internet Biz
WordPL – Oct 2010
Salma Jafri