Why are you here today? What are you looking for?

Welcome to ScottFox.com and my E-Commerce Success Blog!  I'm glad that you've joined our community.

I have an easy question for you to get our conversation started: 

Why are you here? 

As a new member of our community, please tell us a little about yourself and let us know what you're looking for. 

Is it specific technical information to help build a web site?  Or e-business strategy?  How about e-commerce marketing advice?  Or are you looking for moral support and community as you start a new business? 

Please leave a Comment below - We'll try to help if we can!

Comments

[Eddie Lewis]

I'm here because I read your book, Internet Riches, and I want to sort of "hang around" for a while to see if there's anything else I can learn.

I am a professional musician, private teacher and composer/arranger. I've been self employed all of my adult life. The only day jobs I've ever had were short stints with UHAUL (in Chicago) and Dominos Pizza (here in Houston) which totaled less than a year combined.

I've been doing my business online since 1993 and I'm always interested in learning ways to do it better. My website was already pretty successful before I read your book - but lately I've been working on other projects to get out of the "Self Employed" quadrant and into the "Business Owner" quadrant (as explained in one of the rich dad poor dad books). I think I am a natural "Business Owner" but the switch hasn't been as easy as I had hoped. I've been self employed for twenty-five years and old habits die hard.

I have plans for new websites and reading your book has helped. One of the new sites is launching in the next few weeks and I'm sure it will be a success for what it is. But it will need very little daily maintenance and we (my wife and I) will be shifting gears towards a much bigger project once it's done.

So, that's why I'm here. Just to catch an odd bit of info crumbs as they drop.

[Jim Vickers]

I've just read (studied) Scott's book which is the best of several I've read recently related to internet marketing and commerce. I'm on my second reading now and intend to make Scott my primary mentor.
My ultimate objective is to create an on-line business that can be automated to leverage my investment in terms of time and money. My primary obstacle at this point is to come up with the product. I suspect that is the case with everyone when they are trying to get started. Scott does a great job of presenting the different kinds of products. I'm just struggling to take it to the next level.
Any suggestions that might help me get beyond my roadblock would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Jim Vickers

[Scott Fox]

Welcome Eddie and Jim!
Glad that you both enjoyed Internet Riches so much. Please join the party here by commenting where ever you have a question.
Scott

[Donn Boyer]

A couple of years ago, an aquaintence of mine told me a story of a pharmacist friend who developed a website for home furnishings. He devised a way to take orders and have the products drop-shipped from the manufactures' facilities. Talk about passive income!...He was able to retire and today is very wealthy.
Anyway, this story keeps rolling around in my head. If he can do it, so can I. That prompted me to start getting educated. So I went to Amazon and searched for the best reviewed "how to" book. I now have started reading Internet Riches and I'm expecting great things to come my way!

[Scott Fox]

Right on, Donn. Thanks for visiting.
I hope the book treats you right.
It sounds cheesy but the first critical step to e-business success is believing that you can do it - and you can! Just like your friend.

[Gwendolyn Rogers]

Hi! I got laid off Feb 2007 and have been seeking employment (been working temp off and on)and I really don't want to work for anyone. I want to do "my thing". I am a professional singer for 17 years along with working a FT job was tough. But I'm still here and sane. I want to leverage my time with more singing but need income. So I'm still in the thinking phase as to what it is I want to do with the internet. I want to make a positive impact and help people..Love to teach and see the "light" come on...I want to change peoples' lives....and show them you don't have to go to a "job" to make a living.... but I gotta do it first..RIGHT!!!

I'm looking forward to your information... I am a sponge desiring to get as much info as I can.

G

[george]

i am a law graduate,presently working in a Covt firm. i am fed up commuting to work which is more than six hours every day. iam reading your book "Internet Richies", and also seeing your blog. i desire your guidance and ideas for starting a business from my home.
Thanks a lot.

[Scott Fox]

Gwendolyn and George - welcome to both of you!
We'll do what we can to help.
Scott

[Stewart Scott]

Hello Scott
Your book was a true inspiration and very informative! Since reading it I have created three e-business ideas that I have written in depth reports on. This is so I can develop a greater understanding in what exactly it is I am trying to achieve. I would like to share these ideas with you as I am in desperate need of further guidance to getting the first show on the road. I look forward to hearing from you or one of your representatives.

[Scott Fox]

Hello Stewart,
Very pleased to hear that Internet Riches was so helpful to you.
I'd love to help you personally with your new business ideas but there just aren't enough hours in the day.
If you'd like to post some general questions here on the blog, I or other readers may be able to advise you.
Alternatively, I offer a limited number of private consultations by phone each month as detailed in the Scott Fox Shop:
http://shop.scottfox.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=8&categoryId=1
Welcome!
Scott Fox

[Stewart Scott]

Hi Scott
I just have one query at this stage I am looking to gain revenue through membership - what system/facility would I need to use? Does Ipowerweb.com have this facility as part of their templates? Do you have any additional info on e-com/membership?

Many thanks

[Stanley Miller]

Hello Mr. Fox

I have your book and I am in the process of reading it. I have always wanted to start an internet business, but I have no idea as to what type of business to start.

I hope with your help and information you can point me in the right direction.

Sincerely, Stanley Miller

P.S. When will you come out with your second book maybe on an advanced level ????

[Scott Fox]

Stewart,
No, IPW does not offer membership web site tools or billing. In fact, I revoked my recommendation of Ipowerweb here:
http://www.scottfox.com/2008/02/ipower-web---ho.html
I have not yet found an affordable yet reliable and scaleable membership site solution or provider. I'd be very interested in any recommendations any other readers may have.
Current front runners are Ning.com (but you cannot charge for memberships) or Visiongate.com (which costs $200/month).

[Scott Fox]

Hello Stanley,
Thanks for your interest in another book from me!
I'm working on it now - it will focus on Internet marketing strategies for entrepreneurs.
In the mean time, please stay tuned here to my blog for the best info.
Welcome!

[sky]

I have a relatively new ecommerce business and I would like to learn some ecommerce marketing strategies to grow my business and get more sales.

[Holly]

I believe strongly in following passions and it has lead me in this direction. I started a blog 6 months ago and have had a lot of fun learning about a lot of things I didn't even know existed. I would love to find a way to make money at this.

[Mary]

Hi Scott,

I got laid off from my job. And I am having a hard time making the decision of going back to Corporate America. I have been taking pictures of the great outdoors for over 20 years and have decided to go online with my passion and sell my pictures. Hopefully it will take off so I don't have to go back to Corporate America. I love your book, and I hope to learn alot more through your website.

thanx
mary

[Scott Fox]

Sky, Holly, Mary - welcome.
It sounds like you are all here for the right reasons. Together hopefully we can make some progress toward your goals.
Thanks for spending time with us.
Scott

[David]

I am still reading your book and enjoying it very much. I plan to become involved in affiliate marketing as a starting point. In the future I also plan to develop a product of my own to sell on-line. I would like to be financially independant, and hope that this may be a path to get me there.

[Jason Hudson]

Scott is awesome! Thanks for the tools, man. I set up my domain and hosting on iPowerWeb this morning after a few days of letting the information in INTERNET RICHES marinate in by brain.

I'm starting a niche business and right now my main question is how to gather content to add my page. I want to provide more infomation than I alone can compile. Should I use classified ads like Craigslist to look for blog writers, info gatherers, etc?

[Scott Fox]

Hi Jason,
Welcome! Glad that Internet Riches was so inspiring to you.
Best of luck with IPW, I actually revoked that recommendation last winter due to poor customer service but hopefully it will work out well for you.
To find collaborators on your content venture, I'd recommend finding online communities, forums, message boards, blogs, and newsletters that include your topic. Participating in those communities will give you a good idea both of what kind of content is missing from the marketplace and also allow you to make friends with possible collaborators.
Then you can post messages there (probably for free) to solicit content, too.
Scott

[Erin]

Hi,

Just started into the book - great so far. I'm in the Haulage business and find it hard to compete with the 'big guys'. Hoping to get some good advice and tips and put them into practice. We have a good team here, great vehicles, good branding and glowing references from customers. We want lots of people to use our services - I just need to find 'them'!!
Erin

[Mayur]

Hi Scott,

A big hello from the UK. I must say that I have almost finished your amazing book 'Internet Riches' and it is one of the best books I have read so far. Never ever have I seen the usage of such simple English in a book and the best part is that you even make the technical part sound so easy. Bravo!

Scott, I am working in the hospitality industry and I am a Front Desk supervisor and my best friend is a Restaurant manager. We both are interested in developing our entrepreneur skills online. I was wondering if you have any suggestions or do you know any people who have come from the same background as ours and what type of businesses they have opened?

We have been pondering over many ideas but cant seem to come up with anything profitable. Your suggestions or advice would be most welcome.

Thank you. Best of luck for your next book!

[Scott Fox]

Erin - Glad to have you here with us. The opportunities for marketing 'real world' businesses online are growing daily. Please try listening to my weekly radio show at ScottFoxRadio.com. I have been covering a lot of marketing strategies lately. I hope it is helpful to you.

Mayur - Thanks for joining us and for the compliments about my book. Let's see if we can cook up some hospitality industry ideas. Anyone else want to chime in?

[Lisa]

Gday from Australia. Scott I just love your book and am using it as a tool to get mine and my mums online belt business up and running. We have a unique product that we have hand made from beautiful leather and all are creations are patent protected. I would love to share our belts with communities who love life like we do and enjoy out door concerts, festivals, fitness and just wearing our belts out shopping.

Can you please help us work out to to get the word out there into such communities.

Best regards from Down Under
Lisa and Gosh xx

[Jeff Steele]

Hi Scott,

I just finished reading your book and I am feeling very inspired to finally get going on the online business I've been dreaming up for some time now but I've been foolishly procrastinating at getting started.

I work as a software programmer but my true passion is fitness and I recently became a certified strength trainer (weird combination I know). I was planning on starting a niche internet business aimed at personal trainers who want to track their client's progress more closely by using a web app which tracks fitness routines, goals and results.

The competitive advantage I'm hoping to bring to the table will be that my application is designed specifically for "tablet laptop pc's" which can be used in "slate" mode (like a digital clipboard) so the trainer can carry the tablet laptop around the gym and record their clients workouts on the fly. I'm hoping celebrity and professional athlete trainers will see the added value in this product to start then down the road when tablet laptops get cheaper I could target broader markets in the fitness industry.

Is this an idea that has potential or am I likely to fail due to the niche market being so narrow at this present time (since tablet laptops aren't too cheap right now and personal trainers tend not to be too wealthy).

Any feedback (from Scott or other message posters) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Scott for helping to motivate me to get off my butt and do something with my skills!

Jeff Steele
Victoria, BC, Canada

[Scott Fox]

G'day Lisa and Gosh!
Great to hear from you. It's been a few years since I've visited Oz and I miss it.
For your business I have two thoughts:
- ArtFairInsider.com is a blog that talks about exhibiting at art fairs. It's US based but may teach you some helpful things.
- Etsy.com - you can sell handmade items through this site and they handle all the technology.
Hope those pointers are helpful.
Scott

[Scott Fox]

Hi Jeff,
This sounds like a fine idea to me. You have identified a niche that you personally care about and have expertise in. You have identified a way to differentiate yourself, and a specific product that you can sell that has an obvious value proposition.

It doesn't sound TOO niche to me - there are personal trainers in every town and they have millions of clients interested in more effective health regimens. Technology is an easy sell to people interested in efficiency.

Price is not an object if you can truly demonstrate a solution to people's problems.

That and your personal enthusiasm are what can create success.

Only you can tell if there's really big potential here but I'd pursue online research until your eyes turn red to find out more about existing competitors and the market size potential.

Best,
Scott

[Joanna L Urwin]

I am thrilled to have come across your site and have just ordered your book thro' amazon.co.uk. I am self-employed and have been producing corporate videos for the past 20 years and have now found that I have a cheaper and different kind of competition than 20 years ago - however, I realise it is also a potential opportunity for me too, so I would like to explore how I can use my skills and experience to work with the internet and earn a good income!

[Joanna L Urwin]

I am thrilled to have come across your site and have just ordered your book thro' amazon.co.uk. I am self-employed and have been producing corporate videos for the past 20 years and have now found that I have a cheaper and different kind of competition than 20 years ago - however, I realise it is also a potential opportunity for me too, so I would like to explore how I can use my skills and experience to work with the internet and earn a good income!

[Andrew Selvaggio]

Since around 1996 I would dabble in the idea of having an internet based business. Not sure of how to do it and always being beyond my reach. I see now how I can use my expertise in creating a site which will offer me the opportunity to become free! The big challenge is deciding what the right business approach to move forward with is and how to do it. I am looking to understand how I find vendors that I can link to my site so I don't need to keep inventory. I haven’t even finished listening to the book and I am chopping at the bit to get going! Also is there a place where I can download the check lists and to do's that are mentioned in the audio book?

[Kevin Venner]

Hello Scott,
I have enjoyed listening to a few segments on your blogtalkradio and I am persuaded to buy your book. I feel fortunate to have found a link for your site, today, on the Meetup.com website. I moved to LA from Dallas Texas to launch an internet business that deals with the lottery and a social network I hope to bring together for the purpose of pooling - increasing a person's chance to win without increasing one's out-of-pocket expense to play.
On that note, I thought it serendipitous when I saw your quote on Page 21 of the "7 Simple Steps to Stimulate Your Success Online," which stated,
"“If you hope to win the lottery, you at least need to buy a ticket.”
—Scott Fox
My challenge is to get the word out about a better mousetrap that is available to people around the world - some of whom pay $2 and up to $3.50 for a $1.00 lottery ticket. This internet scalping goes on to the tune of millions of dollars each month. The lottery industry sells $70 Billion of tickets in North America and $225 Billion worldwide, which is a tremendous market to tap into. How to do it would be like winning the lottery for me. I have the methodology for players, but I have to reach them online with my message. That is my challenge on a limited budget.
I would love to meet you over coffee sometime, or buy you breakfast, lunch or dinner to visit.
Kevin Venner
http://plan2win.xzottolotto.com
818-230-2507

[Scott Fox]

Hello Joanna, Andrew, and Kevin,
Welcome to the club.
It's exciting to hear your enthusiasm for e-commerce. I'm sure that you are off to a good start with the positive attitudes you are sharing with us.
Thanks for visiting.
Looking forward to hearing more from each of you.
Best,
Scott

[Rose]

Hi Scott. The bookstores in my area are having a hard time keeping your book "Internet Riches" in stock! About an hour ago I ordered your book from Amazon and I can hardly wait to receive it. My goal is to work from home. I am already looking into a few business links from your site. Thank you!

Best regards,

Rose

[Scott Fox]

Hi Rose,
Great to hear that your local book store is selling out of Internet Riches!
Welcome and don't be shy about asking questions.
Best,
Scott

[Nancy]

I'm being passed over for opportunities at my professional job since turning 60. My revenge will be establishing a very successful series of websites. I'm thinking of following your current advice, Scott, to use Site Built It! to develop the idea most likely to monetize well.

My son and I read Internet Riches last year. Now it's action time. This morning I also registered several domain names at internetmillionairedomains.com, a few for investments but most for actual development to some level in the next year.

[Raymond]

Hello Scott

I am confused over 2.0 web technology and where that is leading to. I have also been informed that 3.0 web techology will be even greater as a means for multi-modal communication. If this is so why have Internet marketers not address this issue to grow the business infrastructure? I maybe talking out of turn, but the "hype" that some websters use to promote their business opps is beyond me. The latest fad seems to be "cash gifting" which I beleive is the Internet version of the old fashion chain letter. Now I am more intelligent then that and I have looked at and done my due dilligence that over 50% of Internet opportunities are hype can you set the record straight for newbies as I am one but wants to do the right thing to grow a business on the internet. I have not purchased your book which is not procrastination; none of the gurus ever talk about this book which leads me to think the gurus want to monopolize the Internet. I have been on the Internet since 2000 and have not made a single dime yet I receive blogs, email from people (guru wannabes) that I personally do not accept each promise becomes a competition promising pie-in-the-ske end results: the use of videos to display rich toys like jets, vacations on unknown pictures of a beach, super cars, etc. in relation to "large incomes" as display in hand "fanned" as palying cards in demoninations of $100 bills yielding a monthly income of $25000.00 for little investment of $100.

Please where does the hype end and reality begin? I beseach you maker of entrpreneurs Oh wise one; sorry I have grown disgusted with the hype that satire is one remedy for information overload. Please set the record straight and I will be a life-long student.

Ray of Hope

[Scott Fox]

Hi Nancy,

Great to have you here. I'm glad that Internet Riches has helped spur you to action. Somebody smart once said "there's no time like the present!"

Best,
Scott

[Scott Fox]

Hello Ray,

You are right. I am glad that you have joined us here at ScottFox.com.

I try to avoid all that hype nonsense that you see everywhere else online. There are real opportunities available in e-business - you don't need all the artificial excitement, exaggeration and BS to distract you and drain your wallet.

You may be correct that's why you don't hear about my book, Internet Riches, from other "gurus". I speak a little too plainly for a lot of people in the online marketing business.

Please share your thoughts here on ScottFox.com and I'll do my best to help you on your entrepreneurial journey, too.

Best,
Scott

[Chris]

I need some support getting started with an internet business, i.e.; best way to drive traffic to a site that isn't very much money, best hosting service for a semi-experienced web builder, (have built two sites for other businesses that did pretty well as far as listings went), and any suggestions about keeping my moral up. I have very limited support in what I am attempting to do at this time.

Just any good ideas on how to turn up some money in a very short period of time.

Thanks,
Chris

[Chris]

Hi Scott,

I have listened to your audio book for the second time now. My internet idea came to me in just the first few chapters of reading the first time. However 4 weeks later my website is still not completed. The problem I have is that my idea is for an online community and I want it to include a forum and a few other pieces of technology for an online community. I have a technical background so I am making steady progress, I have all the tools at my disposal and know what I am doing to some extent.

My question is, given the complexity of what I am trying to do (to think I listened to the book twice on keeping the site simple, lol), should I pay someone to do it for me so it is up sooner or should keep chugging along in my spare time for another 4 to 6 weeks.

Thanks for a great book, I will keep reading it until my site is up to stay motivated.

Chris

[Scott Fox]

Hi Chris,
Welcome and I'm glad that you liked Internet Riches so much that you read it twice!

Your dilemma is common - how to deploy resources quickly yet cost-effectively to get started. I do this calculation myself constantly with new sites and projects, too.

For an online community have you tried Ning.com? This company offers free (ad-supported) social networks. They include forums, too. That might get you started very fast and cheaply.

I'm doing a lot of research myself on community software lately so please come back and share with us your progress and decisions.

Scott

[Tara]

Hi, I read your book and also read another one titled "The 4-Hour Workweek." I am trying to get out of the rat-race and give my family some financial freedom. I think that an ebusiness might be a good way to accomplish that. What really inspired me was the story of prosoundeffects.com. The guy who started it drop ships professional sound effects libraries. How does someone find such a specialized drop shipper? Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Scott Fox]

Hi Tara,

Welcome to my blog! Glad to have you here.

I'm not an expert on drop-shipping but I can suggest two resources for you:
- Google: search like crazy using very specific keywords and you're bound to find something useful
- Worldwide Brands: this is the leading dropship directory/company.
Anyone else have suggestions for Tara?

Scott

[Tara]

Thank you Scott! I was wondering about Worldwide brands. I actually came across them during an internet search and feel secure that they are a legit company now that you have mentioned them. If anyone else has good suggestions, please post them.

I would just like to tell you that you truly are my hero and want to thank you for being so supportive and encouraging. The depth of your character is revealed by your willingness to share your knowledge and help others on the road to their success. You deserve all the happiness in the world for helping so many people. In addition to the hard copy, I also bought the audiobook of "Internet Riches." I have it on my ipod and after listening to the whole thing, started right from the beginning again. It keeps me motivated and moving forward. I love how you refer to the reader/listener as "entrepreneurs - like you..." It is really helpful and encouraging to re-frame myself in this manner. Brilliant. You are the BEST! Thank you for responding to my post. I will be reading your blog, listening your podcasts and taking action to make my dream a reality. I look forward to updating you on my success. Best,
Tara

[Lois Wright]

I'm a 66-year-old woman who's been a single mother for about 20 years. I've raised my children and put them through college and now I want to pay off their college loans (parent loans) and my mortgage so I can retire. I am a nurse and, much as I love taking care of patients, the rigors of nursing at my age are becoming more difficult. So, I need to find a way to earn money without all the physical stress. My son found your book in the library and is using it to set up his first internet site. He encouraged me to try it as well. I don't know what my website will be about yet.

[Scott Fox]

Hello Lois,
Glad to hear from you. I'm glad that you and your son both enjoyed Internet Riches.
I'm even more pleased that you've come to the web site to join us!
Your expertise in nursing sounds like a great place to start when looking for an e-business opportunity. I'm sure you know all the statistics about the increasing need for nurses. The web could be a great platform for you to share some of your knowledge about health care. I would think about both B2C (business to consumer) strategies that target patients, but also B2B (business to business) strategies that target nurses and healthcare staff, too.
Welcome!
Scott

[Prakash]

I picked up Scott's book yesterday and started reading it as soon as I got home. I've been an employee most of my career and was self-employed as a computer consultant for a short time. I'm an employee once again facing some of the same challenges as in the past and some new ones. I've watched and even accurately predicted some of the things that took place on the Internet since it first appeared. I'm hoping I can contribute something useful to people over the Internet and make myself a profit in the process.

[Scott Fox]

Hello Prakash,
Welcome. You sound like a great candidate for the tools and strategies we talk about here at ScottFox.com. I'm glad that you found Internet Riches. Please keep us updated on your progress and don't be shy about asking questions, too!
Best,
Scott

[Karl Jennings]

Scott, Thank you for your wonderful book, and the newsletters, which are only inspiring. Finally, my website on the subject of the legalities of lotto-pools and lottery-clubs (non-commerical clubs, pools and 'syndicates'), is up and running.

It is: acelotteryclubs.com I hope to grow and improve it, as I go along, and sell my book to the world! I will continue to read your newsletters avidly. Thank you, Karl G. Jennings, acelotteryclubs.com