If you’ve ever heard of the phrase 1,000 True Fans then you know the idea that with them you can earn a comfortable living:
“Assume conservatively that your True Fans will each spend one day’s wages per year in support of what you do. That “one-day-wage” is an average, because of course your truest fans will spend a lot more than that. Let’s peg that per diem each True Fan spends at $100 per year. If you have 1,000 fans that sums up to $100,000 per year, which minus some modest expenses, is a living for most folks.” – Kevin Kelly
My Strategy
Now I don’t sell anything on this blog or even run advertisements but I may sometime in the future. For now, I simply use this blog as a way to tell people how to make money online without the hype. I do this by sharing my experiences as a full time internet entrepreneur who runs a wide range of websites for a comfortable living. And you know what? This strategy works. I have 3 times as many readers as I did in the two years that I ran this blog back in early 2007 to late 2009 before re-branding, re-focusing and moving to my new home here.
I’m building my fans by providing quality content without the spin. I respond to every single blog comment, tweet and email people send my way. My hope is that if I give you solid advice on how to start or improve your online business you will subscribe to my blog and maybe even spread my message. Now of course not every one of my readers would be qualified as a True Fan based on the definition above, but I’d like to think that if I stick to this strategy and continue to add value that I will build my 1,000 True Fans eventually.
What do you think?
I don’t have all the answers but I have been doing this for five years and am willing to offer my advice free of charge. All I ask is that you keep on reading and tell a friend or two ๐
Enjoy the weekend folks! Next week I’m going to continue my series in the Niche Five Figure Network case study. See earlier real life case studies here.
Quality and community are the way to go, in my opinion. Build a relationship and help each other along the way and things have a way of working out for everyone. I think slow, steady growth is much more sustainable in the long run.
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..What Trips Your Unsubscribe Trigger? =-.
I agree that the quality and community are key which is why I do like to respond to every single comment and frequently visit the blogs of people that comment here as well ๐
+1 fan from talkfreelance.
Hi chris hope I am one of your true fan. Thanks for your reply regarding my blogging career. Hope I will expect more info and sharing from your blog. I too spread your blog to my friends. All the best for your 1000 fans successful reach. ๐
.-= Manikandan´s last blog ..SEO Elite – Best SEO software for sale =-.
Thanks Manikandan! Let me know how the blog goes and feel free to ask me questions again any time.
I have to say Chris, that your “no hype” approach to online business is one of the key reasons that I have been a subscriber of your for some time. It makes such a refreshing change for a blogger in the IM market to be offering real value rather than just pushing products all the time that it really helps you to stand out. And that in turn of course means people pass on links to your content so others can benefit too.
.-= Richard @ Lifestyle Design Unleashed´s last blog ..Why Materialism Can Only Make You So Happy =-.
Hey Chris!
You are totally on the right track. I can see that you will have a bright future a head of you.
Developing a loyal fan base is the #1 way to make steady money online. Your Amazon sites could die tomorrow. But if you have a loyal following, nothing can take that from you.
Next you got to work on building up your mailing list. That is another extremely valuable asset ๐
Regards,
Dan Brock
.-= Dan Brock´s last blog ..Internet Marketers: You Have Been Seriously Mislead About Internet Marketing =-.
Hey Dan,
Yah this website is another way to diversify and mitigate my risk. Thanks for the comments.
Chris
Your blog is truly refreshing! I bookmarked it!! Because first of all it does not have so many advertisments all over. In fac it does not have advertisment and does not promote the rush to make money, a lot of maney and real fast if possible. With a lot of blogs you feel that you need to run and hurry, and work, and count how much you earned, what is left. With you is like taking a break, breath some air and indulge yourself a moment to enjoy what you are doing, life is not just about making money. Nice job! But i have to admit i clicked on your underlined text to see if they lead to another site ๐
Hey Barbara,
Thanks for the kind words! About the only place you’ll find advertisements is on my resources page and those are all companies I can feel comfortable recommending to others. I had a good experience with them so I know others that try them out will as well.
OK, sign me up as a true fan.
I just cruised around here for the first time.
I like the straightforward info on what you are doing.
Not sure if I will commit a days wages yet, but maybe at least an hour and a half a years ๐ That should still work out o.k. though LOL
.-= purposeinc – dk´s last blog ..thinktank invites coming very soon ๏ฟฝ Expected to Sell Out Very Fast =-.
lol, glad to see you stopped by dk. I’m looking forward to meeting you someday. I was at Elite Retreat back in October and met with the crew and everyone said you were a pretty cool dude ๐
I’d come to Think Tank but I’m trying to limit my traveling to just one conference a year right now.
When i read your article in warrior forum about Amazon associates, with so much dedication and so much efforts, you had provided us a great insight of what we can put as target to be achieved in future years.
Since i have read your article and Replies to all the querries there, i am a FAN of yours, though i may not be a true fan.
Thanks for being there to support newbies like us, who love to learn new stuffs daily.
You taught me my FIRST QUALITY LESSON in the world of Amazon products.
Hey Shoeb000 glad I could help you out. No worries on being a True Fan or not hah hah, just feel free to subscribe to my blog and read my new articles from time to time ๐
I have already subscribed your newletter as well as FEED.
You are indeed helping us guys who are new to industry and seek more knowledge than anything.
I love to learn new things. Hope to get lot of experience from you on Internet marketing.
Thanks for your precious time.
Bye the way, by profession i am dentist and webmastering is my hobby and passion as well. ๐