Starting Over — What I’d Do Differently Today
When I began my journey in online marketing 20 years ago, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. (some say I still don’t!)
I still remember typing “How to make money online” into Google, desperate for answers.
Fast forward to now, and I’ve somehow gone from scraping by on beans on toast to occasionally dining in Michelin-starred restaurants.
Was it skill? Not at all. It was a mix of luck, persistence, and figuring things out the hard way.
If I had to start again today, here’s exactly what I’d do to build a business from scratch-hopefully with less trial and error.
If you are interested, Here is what I am doing now
Building the Foundation
I’d start by figuring out what I enjoy.
Without passion, you’ll burn out before you even get going. I’d grab a notebook and jot down everything that genuinely interests me.
This is key because you’ll only stick to the work if it excites you enough to show up every day.
Then, I’d choose a social media platform that I actually like using. The truth is, most platforms are mental health minefields.
But if you curate your feed properly, some, like Twitter (or X, but I refuse to call it that), can be manageable.
I’d focus on one platform to avoid spreading myself too thin.
Writing entertaining content would be my next priority. Instead of getting lost in copywriting manuals, I’d dive into books about storytelling and scriptwriting.
These teach you how to captivate an audience, not just sell to them. Then, I’d write and consume content daily to sharpen my skills.
For long-form content, I’d stick to Medium, even though the partner program is in crisis. Back in the day, I ran traditional blogs, but after one algorithm update, my income plummeted, even so I still publish on my blog and use it as a hub for my content.
However, Medium is simpler, no hosting, no upkeep, just writing and publishing.
Finding the Offer
Once the foundation is set, I’d figure out what I can offer. This part is critical. I’d ask myself, “ What do I know that people want and are willing to pay for? “
For example, years ago, I could’ve taught motorcycle racers how to shave seconds off their lap times. Today, I’d focus on helping people build online businesses and scale them to six figures.
Whatever the offer, it has to be something I believe in completely.
If I couldn’t find an obvious offer, I’d simply teach what I’m doing right now to people a few steps behind me.
There’s always someone looking to learn what you already know.
Attracting the Audience
With a solid plan and offer in place, the final step is finding an audience.
This is where consistency and strategy come into play. Imagine fishing-you place the right bait in the right spot and wait for the fish to bite. That’s exactly how I’d approach audience building.
I’d find out where my ideal audience hangs out and put valuable content in front of them every day. That content would include a free offer a newsletter or a guide with one actionable tip.
The goal?
Get them onto an email list.
From there, I’d entertain and educate them, slowly guiding them toward my paid offer.
A Simple, Effective Plan
If I were starting over, this is the exact blueprint I’d follow.
Write entertaining content about something you’re passionate about. Post long-form pieces on Medium and summarize them on social media. Use that content to drive people to your newsletter or free resource.
Then, when the time is right, present them with your offer.
It’s straightforward, flexible, and proven to work. The best part? You don’t need to have it all figured out from day one.
Just start.
Adjust as you go.
That’s the beauty of online marketing it’s always evolving, and so can you.
Originally published at https://simpleisprofit.com.
