What Is An Online Business? Can I Start It? How Much Time I Need To Allot And How Is It Different Than Any Other Business?
Hey Friend,
Today I am going to share a question from Priya and
she writes;
“I am interested to know about an online business.
But what exactly is an online business?
Can I start it? How much time I need to allot and
how it’s different than any other business?”
Hushh!!! Girl, its’s not a question but it’s a rapid
fire. Kidding.
Yes Priya, I am going to answer all your questions
right here.
Thank you so much for asking “All of them” :-)
It’s going to be little lengthy mail but once you
finish reading you will not have any questions regarding online business.
Let’s get started.
Let’s first understand what an online business is?
Many of the times, we confuse online business with earn
money fast type of scams. They are in different forms; data entry, opening
emails, writing reviews, some kind of copy paste and many more.
Think honestly, will you call it ‘Your Own
Business’ if you are planning to do any of the above activities?
Obviously No
On the other hand, you are helping someone else to
build their business.
This
is not even a job, because there is uncertainty whether they will
really pay you. Unfortunately in most of the cases they don’t!
You are not on any payroll.
That’s the reason I called it scam.
These ads are common on Facebook, websites and many
other social media platforms. Sometimes in form of small write ups, sometimes
asking phone numbers or sometimes polished design with big promises.
Have you ever seen those local train ads which say,
How you feel?
I feel exactly the same when I see these online
business ads.
They are making the online world uncomfortable
and confusing.
Unless you are not extremely desperate, my
suggestion stay away from such scamy posts.
Here is next one.
Do I provide any such kind of work?
Heck, No I don’t provide anyone any kind of work.
But, I help aspiring woman entrepreneurs to start
& grow their Online Business.
Now let me give you a simple definition of
online business.
If
you are selling your product or service online that is using internet.
It’s
called online business or an e-business.
Simple. right?
Here are some examples.
If you are selling your chocolates on eBay, you have
an online business.
If you are a nutritionist and offering your diet advice using
your own website it’s an online business.
If you write blogs then you can convert that as your
online business.
To sell your lovely handmade jewellery you
normally participate in exhibitions but also you promote them through
social media you have an online business.
If you are a member of any business group on
Facebook and you are selling your dress materials. It’s an online business.
I am referring to Building a Real Business
of Your Own.
It will not only generate
money for you but
will help you to fulfil your dreams.
Precisely it’s going to be your
product/service, your company, your business.
It’s your game and your rules.
And the only winner, that’s ‘You’.
Let’s move ahead to next question.
Can
I start my online business? What is required in order to do so?
Here is the answer
Anyone
on the earth can start online business only if you qualify the following two criteria.
Here is Criteria number one.
You should be ready to work hard.
If someone has told you, for an online business you
need no money, less work, less time, lot of sell and huge profits.
They are lying because it is just not true.
There are definitely advantages of online business
which we will talk soon.
But one thing is certain you really need to
work hard and need a lot of patience in order to have success in your
online business.
In fact that is applicable to any kind of
business on earth.
So how many hours I need to work?
It depends completely on you.
How big you want your business to be and how fast
you want to reach there.
Here is criteria number two.
You need an internet connection.
And guess what? You already qualified this criterion
since you are reading online.
Here comes the next one:
I realize I can start my online business.
But is it really good idea? What are the
benefits of an online business?
Why shouldn’t I open a shop instead?
There are many advantages but here are four big ones.
Work
Hour Flexibility
If your business demands 6 hrs a day, then it need
not be 11 to 5 schedule.
You can work 2 hrs in the morning before kids wake
up, 2 hrs in the afternoon when they go to school and 2 hrs at night when they
sleep.
The point here is you can plan your own
schedule the way you want.
This is real blessing for us women who are
multitasking all the time.
The good news is we can have enough time with our
kids and family.
You
Are the Boss
If you work more you will earn more.
You have to set targets, you have to plan, you have
to execute.
But one important thing, if you are not disciplined
this can be little difficult.
If you go on an unplanned vacation, your business
will also go on vacation.
No
Commutation
You don’t have to catch 7:30 local train to reach on
time.
Don’t have to run to swipe your card or sign a register.
You don’t have to rush to open that shop at 9:30 am
and close it at 11 pm.
You can happily work from your favourite coffee
shop and sip your hot chocolate.
How cool is that?
Very
Low investment
Yes, you can start with zero money investment
literally.
But as you grow, you need low investment, primarily
to buy your domain and build your website. And trust me; it is far lesser
than opening a shop.
Yes this all sounds cool.
But remember hard work and patience are the
keys.
At the initial stages you need to be a lot more disciplined
and responsible.
It’s the correct time to answer something very
important.
If it’s my dream, my company, my plan and I need to
work hard, then where you come in picture? Why I need you?
Very True! Off course you can do it all by yourself.
Now just think for a moment.
If you want your house to be renewed, what you do?
Pick that hammer and hit those walls, do you?
Off course not!
You are smart enough to know, there are better ways
to do it.
You call interior designers get the designs.
Work on your budget.
Then get it done by the needed workers like
carpenter, meson, electrician or plumber.
So how it’s applicable here?
I am going to be your interior designer, I mean
mentor.
I
am going to provide you the tested framework and well proven strategies to
build and grow your own business.
The workers in this case are web designer,
programmers, content writers, and marketing people or if you need your
personal assistant.
It all depends on your budget and who you need.
At the initial stages if you wish you can do it all
or with very minimum help.
I always suggest it! Lean Startup!
Let’s land this plane here!
I believe in you. You can do this.
I believe in your dream to create your own business
that’s both profitable and fulfilling.
Trust yourself.
You have everything you need, so don’t give up and
don’t quit.
I’ll be cheering you on and hope that you’ll keep in
touch as things progress with your new and soon to be successful business.
With all my love and best wishes
Take Care,
Stay Tuned,
Sheetal Mulay
