When you're building a side hustle, especially in affiliate marketing, it’s easy to get caught up in social media. But one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal is actually email marketing. The return on investment can be staggering—studies have shown it can be as high as $40 for every dollar you spend. Think about that. An effective email list isn't just a contact sheet; it's your own private gold mine.
In a world of constant pings from texts, tweets, and emails, sending a potential customer a physical piece of mail seems almost old-fashioned. Postcards, flyers, and catalogs feel like relics from a different era. At one point, this was a go-to for small business owners because it was a low-cost way to share detailed information and reach just about any target audience.
Maybe creating your own digital product from scratch doesn’t sound like your cup of tea. That’s perfectly fine. There’s another path you can take—one that requires some initial effort and investment but can generate income for years if you set it up correctly. This is a great way to that has long-term potential.
It’s a common misconception that if you have a great product or service, customers will just show up. The truth is, a side hustle can't grow in obscurity. For any venture to succeed—especially when you're just getting started—people need to know you exist. More than that, they need a reason to choose you. This is where effective branding and smart come in.
Every year, just as he seemed to be wrapping up his big presentation, Steve Jobs would pause and say, “Oh yeah, one more thing...” That was the moment everyone was waiting for. It was when he’d reveal the iPod, the iPhone, or some other game-changing product. It was the perfect ending to his annual story, and it’s a masterclass in how to launch a product.
There's an old saying in sales: "Timid salesmen have skinny kids." While writing copy for an online business isn't exactly the same as a face-to-face pitch, the core principle holds true. You have to be willing to ask for the sale. This is the single most important part of your copy, yet it's where so many people freeze up, especially when they're just getting their off the ground.
The internet has completely changed the game for commerce. You can launch a business from your kitchen table and reach customers in Boston, Barcelona, and Borneo all at once. It seems easier than ever to build something that provides a comfortable living, maybe even an extravagant one.
"Selling is essentially a transfer of feelings." That classic line from Zig Ziglar gets to the heart of a major challenge. If you can master the art of sales copy, you can effectively write your own paycheck. A good copywriter should never be broke; they can literally create money from thin air.
It’s a thought I wish more businesses would embrace: the real power of social media lies in building relationships, not just hunting for prospects. Far too many companies and professionals jump straight to selling before they’ve even figured out what people want to buy. The goal here is to shift your perspective on social media and offer some practical ways to change the results you’re getting.