Thursday, October 30, 2008

Website Repurpose Phase 1

Hey Everyone!

I'm posting another video about my website plans. I unfortunately had an issue with my webcam and the video went a little laggy in the middle of the video, so sorry about that. I just started using a freeware app called kdenlive to edit the video - hopefully this will make it more viewable. With more use I think I can get the hang of it and clean my vid's up nicely.




Thanks for watching! Don't forget to check me out on twitter @ www.twitter.com/jasonhodge

Jason

Friday, October 24, 2008

Online Business #2

Plan For Success

This is a follow up to the the last post I did on my failed online business (although its hard to call it an online business when all the work was done offline).

After my last post, I have been thinking hard about a product based business I could start.

Product based would be the best in my opinion due to a few different factors:

Products can be reproduced either electronically or physically through a manufacturer.

The sale and shipment of a product can be automated.


Automation means that I can build up my business rather than being overworked without the capitol to hire any employees.


I have chosen a product and am currently working on updating www.hodgecc.com to reflect the change. I plan on doing search engine optimization as part of the design and once completed will test possible sales of the product. This process will give me a better idea of the profitability of my product and if I should scrap it or not.

I can't give too much away until I fully unveil the new website, but I will follow the progression on my blog as much as possible.

Please don't forget to check me out on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/jasonhodge)

Jason

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Failure... Or Is It?

I thought I would write up a post concerning my first online business attempt. It involves triumph as well as failure, and some lessons learned in between.

First, let me tell you about the business. I am technology oriented (its my day job) and I thought, "Hey, I can bring in some extra money by doing work on the side!" The thoughts were flying through my head about what needed to be done, "I need a webpage!" and "People will flock to my website and pay me!". Well, my thoughts weren't exactly like that, but pretty much. I figured if I had a webpage and a reasonable price for my service that would be all I'd need.

First the webpage

So I purchased a domain (http://www.hodgecc.com) and opened "Hodge Computer Consulting" which provides local personal/business computer repair service for a price much lower than the "easily recognized" brands were offering it at in my area. Although I know technology, I am not that great of a web designer. I did what I could and put together something that I thought was fairly respectable. I still think it looks pretty good, but the code is definitely dirty and needs to be cleaned up at some point. I got the website added to a google analytics account to track the number of people viewing the site - and guess what, there wasn't anybody there. The only page hits where from me - very disconcerting. I knew nothing about SOE (search engine optimization) or anything else that a business website really needs to draw traffic and paying customers (and I am still learning). My first big mistake, but not my biggest.

Next the service

So, as I said before I wanted to offer computer repair service. I thought that at the price I was offering, people would be knocking down my door. Well, had my website worked they may have been but they weren't. Then one day, Lo and behold, I actually had a local business contact me for assistance. I went to their location and performed the work they wanted. They actually called me back a few times after that, but there have been no other customers.

A few problems: Although I did get some measure of success (although not really), I found a few things out. This was completely the wrong business to start. Not because service based models are bad, but because if my business did ever take off it wouldn't scale easily. What would happen is that I would not only be working my day job, but I would also be running around all night to houses or businesses and I would simply feel like I traded a good opportunity for more time away from my family - something I don't want. Not only that, but lets just take your day job and add another 8 hours of doing the same thing - lots of fun right? I think not.

So my biggest mistake was choosing a business that needs a lot of my time and really can't be automated. So now I am trying to come up with a way to change my service into a product that can be sold and doesn't need to have me standing over a broken computer. If you have any suggestions, let them rip - I would love to hear them. I will most likely post a follow up on what I do with the website.

So, my suggestions when starting an online business:

1. Make it scalable.
2. Make it something that can be automated.
3. Make your website look professional.

Thanks for reading!

Jason

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Video Welcome

Hello again - today I did a short video to expand upon the intro post I did. It tells a little about me and my plans for this blog.

Watch it Here:

Monday, October 20, 2008

Welcome!

Hi There,

I decided to start this blog to help find my passion. I have many interests but I haven't found anything that I would say I feel "passionate" about. I will use this blog, and my readers comments to help either find something I am really passionate about, or help to realize I am already passionate about something and I just need to "take it to the next level".

I am new to blogging, so we will see what happens. I am hoping to not only post text updates but video updates as well. And as far as I can tell, the posts could be about anything under the sun as I try and narrow in on "my passion".

And perhaps there is someone else like me out on the web that also wants to find their passion - or maybe you already have and can help the rest of us. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

Jason