I have some changes in mind for 2017. Business changes!
Really, over the past 5 years or so my business has been changing a lot. Most of the change has been kind of forced on me because things just start happening in a different way than what I was used to. I am making money on things now that are completely different from how I made a living 5 years ago, and not by choice, it just happened that way.
So, I have decided that instead of fighting it and trying to keep things working in the way that I am accustomed to, it is probably time (really, probably past time) to go with the flow and start focusing on the things that are working. Focusing on the things that are working probably also means not focusing on things that are not working like they used to.
So, the things that are not working, if I am not going to focus on them, does that mean I should give up on them? Well, no. I don’t think so anyway. What I do think is that I have some things that I do that used to make a LOT of money and no longer make much, and instead of giving up on those things, I can refocus in a different way and perhaps get back to making a good income from those things.
So, I am talking about new focuses and also re-focuses.
New focuses
About 2 years ago, I started selling some merchandise on Amazon using the FBA (Fulfilled By Amazon) system. Even with only minimal effort put into this, it has turned into a good money maker for me. The thing is, I basically have only one item that I am selling on FBA! I have actually 4 different items, but they are all variations of the single item that I started with. Nothing wrong with that, but it still comes down to a single basic item and its variations.
This one particular item, though, is making me some really nice income, and that income has increased by about 3 fold this year compared to last, so far. It tells me that I can still do better by coming out with other related products that compliment that one item. Thing is, I have no competition for that item. It is not a high demand item, but even with a relatively small demand and since there are no other sellers I have really captured the marketplace for that item. I have ideas in my mind of accompanying products and also a new class of customers who would want related items. So, I will focus on that!
Overall, I think that Amazon has a bright future for me in terms of earning income. I will be sharing more about this on this site in the coming weeks and months.
Re-focusing
For things that have been good earners for me for previous years, but have slipped, it is time to re-focus. Think about it like this… if your eyes are bad and you get glasses you can see well. If you have been using the same glasses for 5 years and over time things have become blurry, well it is probably time to go for a new eye exam and get new glasses… re-focus your eyes!
One of the things that have done very good for me in the past years is blogging. I have made some really good income by blogging, but it is not what it was 5 years ago, that is for sure.
What it comes down to with blogging is that I have some sites that have great potential to earn money, but I need to get more active on those sites. This particular site, for example, has been pretty dormant, but I intend to change that. I want to write more, share strategies and listen to others who will participate here to hear what their strategies are and what has been working for them. That is a good way for both of us to benefit from me using this site more.
I have other sites that are still very active, but just don’t earn the way they used to. I have already started re-focusing my attention that I am giving those sites. Not focusing away from those sites, but rather changing the focus of the sites. Maybe instead of just writing for entertainment value, writing about stuff that gives great benefit to the reader and will offer an income potential. Although I have not gone so far as to have done that yet, I have things in the works that will start appearing soon, which will move things in the direction of offering services to clients instead of just offering entertainment to people who want something to keep them busy. Hey, I enjoy providing entertainment too, but I still have to feed my family, and I think that a balance can be struck that will do both.
Exciting times ahead
So, I really feel that 2017 will offer some exciting times ahead for the Martin household. As I wrote the other day, my wife and one of my sons will be going to Alaska to work for part of the year. I will be focusing on a little different way of making income. All around there are interesting times ahead. I hope you will follow along. I have things that I can share that will benefit you, and I Hope you will share things that will benefit me… and other readers here too.
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