Does SBI really work?

by Larry
(New York)

Hi there, Sassy, I love your site. I live in NY and am a vegetarian (um, a bit less now that I have a daughter...).

Sorry if this seems a bit weird, but I am wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions about your use of Site Build It.

I have been a Site Build It member for the last couple of years, kind of struggling to get my site together (largely for lack of time). I've changed topics a couple of times, now working on a site (it needs work, just really started working in earnest in April). I am going to stick with this one.

I guess I just want some reassurance that Site Build It works and has worked for you.

I take it that you have 3 different monetization methods, (1) coaching referrals (2) ads and (3) your ebooks.

I was thinking about a similar mix, but on a different topic.

Anyway, would be good to hear from you just to hear that SBI has worked for you. If you had time to talk that would be great, too, but just some reassurance that this worked for you (and how long it took for you for your site to talk off).

I don't know if I seem too paranoid, or if I am just trying to get over the "hump" period (I do only have 11 pages up so far). I've traded a couple of messages on the forums, but I guess I'd feel that SBI was a bit more real if someone who wasn't an "SBI regular" answered my questions...

Thanks much,
Larry

*****
Sassy Sez: Hi Larry! Great to hear from you. And my apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

I SO understand where you are coming from. There are many people in the forums who have been there for a loooong time, and they know each other, and there are the Moderators, and you just don't know if they are the few and far between of people who succeed.

Like you, I sent a few emails when I first started out asking the very same thing you are asking me!

When I first started my site, I was 41 years young and had tried just about everything I could think of for a career. Nothing stuck. I was really feeling like a HUGE failure in life.

So when I started with SBI, I really felt like I HAD to make it work. There was just no turning back. I loved the idea of working for myself from home, teaching others my passion via my website. And cannot express to you how lucky I feel that I found SBI. Truly.

But I believe the KEY is choosing a niche you are passionate about. Because if you choose something just for the money of it, you will eventually burn out (I have seen it over and over again in the forums). And it is obvious from the look and feel and content of people's websites if they love what they are teaching, or if they don't.

So anyway, because this is my passion and my life, it has been easy to stay motivated. I work HARD. 6-7 days/week full time. And it pays off. (Although BELIEVE ME I plan on cutting back my work load in the near future - just have too many plans to do that right now.) My niche might not be as profitable as others, and the money may have taken a bit longer to come than it might for others, but I am currently bringing in a very nice monthly income.

The part that most people just don't "get" is that, like any new business, you work your ASS off in the beginning and reap the rewards later. The difference though is that in a "bricks and mortar" type business most people don't start seeing a profit until at LEAST after year 5. Where with an online biz, you can start to see profits within the first few months (well, that is my experience; some may have done it more quickly, and others may take longer).

But the key point I want you to know is that after 4 years I am just on the TIP of what I plan on doing with this business. Hubby and I are currently making cooking DVDs to sell on our site, we have an idea for a food line, and much more. Long-term planning (dreaming!) is just as important to your success.

I guess what I am trying to say is that your site is just one tool for your actual "business". As you and your site grows and matures, you will discover more and better exciting ways to monetize. And that is where the FUN begins.

So does SBI work? YES, in my humble opinion, as long as you choose a topic you are passionate about that will carry you through for the duration. Plus, if you can figure out a niche that is part of your daily life anyway, everything you buy and do practically is a write-off. For me, all kitchen tools, all restaurant bills, most trips we take, a portion of the groceries, etc.

And if you are simply wanting to create a site that will bring in some extra dough while you are working at something else you are passionate about? Well, I believe SBI is a perfect answer there as well, but it might be more difficult to stay motivated.

I hope this helps! And if not, and if I have missed the mark and have not answered your question directly, please do not hesitate to write back.

All the best to you,
Sassy