I’ve said this many times before… “If you’re not building a list, you’re not building a business… You’re building someone else’s business.”
But it goes even further than just building a list… The real question is, “Do you have any real assets in your business?”
The Wiktionary defines an asset as: Any component, model, process or framework of value that can be leveraged or reused.
The key words in that definition are “leveraged” and “reused.”
- If you’re just driving traffic from Google to a merchant’s website, you are not building an asset for your business.
- If you depend on surf programs, exchanges and safe lists for your traffic, you are not building an asset for your business.
- If you only advertise in ezines, you are not building an asset for your business.
Don’t get me wrong… You can generate a lot of traffic using the methods above. But once you stop, the traffic stops. If you depend on one source of traffic and that source dries up, so does your cash flow.
You need assets that generate sustainable traffic and sales around the clock whether you work or not. That’s what it’s all about, right? Making money on auto-pilot!
So what kind of assets can you create to build your business?
Asset #1: Your List. Building a responsive mailing list is the best investment you can make in your business. I say, “Investment” because it takes time and money to build a good list. But your efforts will be rewarded ten fold in time.
If Google forces you out of a market or drops your ads, you will still have your list. It’s your asset and no matter what happens, they can’t take that away from you.
And once you build a list of any size, you can leverage that asset in many ways:
- You can swap ads with other list owners to build your list faster.
- You can endorse affiliate products or sell advertising to increase your cash flow.
- You can get feedback on products you may want to create by conducting surveys.
Once you establish yourself as an expert (or at least knowledgeable) on your topic, your subscribers and customers will respect your opinions and advice about the quality products and services you sell.
Asset #2: Your Blog. If you do it right, you can get a ton of free traffic just by publishing to your blog each day.
- If you publish quality content, run contests, or give prizes to your readers, you will get repeat visitors and traffic through word-of-mouth advertising.
- If you target a niche market that’s not too competitive, you can generate free traffic from search engines by using the right keywords in your posts and links.
- If you encourage visitors to comment on your posts, you get other people to add unique original content to your blog.
Publishing a blog is a great way to communicate with your subscribers and customers while building an asset for your business.
Asset #3: Your Articles. An article is an asset because it’s yours. It’s something unique that you create and you can use it any way you wish…
- You can optimize your articles for specific keywords, submit them to article directories, and get free traffic from search engines.
- You can submit your articles to a distribution service and get them published in major ezines for instant quality traffic.
- You can combine your articles and create a viral PDF report to give away to your subscribers.
Now you might be thinking, “But there are tons of PLR articles that I can buy dirt cheap.” Sure, you can buy private label rights to tons of articles for pennies each. I have thousands on my hard drive… Do you want them? They are worthless to me…
99% of the PLR articles and ebooks people are selling are poorly written by people who don’t know the topic at all. I wouldn’t sign my name to a PLR article and an ezine owner would have to be pretty desperate or plain stupid to publish them.
You won’t get much traffic from search engines because Google and Yahoo! Systematically purge duplicate content. Unless you’re the first to get a PLR article listed in the search engines, you won’t see any traffic from your efforts at all.
About the only thing you can do with PLR content is re-write it yourself. But there are much better articles written by experts that you can use “templates” to create your own.
I’ve given you three examples of assets that you can create for your business. There are many more including, viral reports, audio and video reports and reviews. Basically, anything that YOU create that will continue to generate traffic and sales over time is an asset to your business.
For more affiliate marketing tips, visit my blog at http://affiliatecashsecrets.com/blog. Feel free to distribute this article in any form as long as you include this resource box. You can also include your affiliate link when you sign up at my website: http://www.AffiliateCashSecrets.com.
Stay tuned to this blog for more business-building tips from me.
To your success!
Derrick VanDyke
P.S. Feel free to reprint this article in your newsletter or on your website or blog. Just leave the resource box intact (you can replace the link with your affiliate link). You can Sign up here and make 70% commission.
« Previous Post Next Post »43 Comments About “How Many Real Assets do You Have in Your Business?”
Very well said. I will start implementing everything you suggested. Keep up the great work Derrick!
Warmly,
Adriel
Hi Derrick,
I am member of your Affiliate Cash Secrets, and I really enjoy all the subscribers I am getting from it every day.
Looking forward to your release in February.
Best Regards,
Boris Lindinger
All what I have to say can be expressed in so poor (but in your case 100% true)dg.: YOU ARE SO SMART!!!!
Unfortunately, my written English is not enough good and doesn`t allow me to to tell you …exactly…that `your way` gives a unique seal on internet marketing. So non-aggressive manner opens you `all doors` and I see how much can I learn from you. Thank you and all the best!
Hi Derrick,
Thanks again for all the presents over the Christmas period. I haven’t had a chance to read half of them yet let alone use them. However, I have been using them and applying what I learning.
Your comment about PLR articles really struck a chord. I too would not put my name to any of these. I don’t mind taking the flak for a poor article that I’ve written but to put my name to a poorly written article that someone else has written, well that’s lunacy.
I look forward to the release of your new book next month.
Nickolove
Derrick,
I’ve got a couple of links to your ACS site, and even though I’ve only been just playing around, I’m getting some good numbers for hits.
Sales are very low, however, I expect I’ll be earning the lion’s share through my affiliate account. That is perfect for me, at 64, because I really don’t want to work that hard. But this sure is fun! I should have done this 40 years ago, instead of traveling the USA in a truck!
This blog looks good, and as I’ve become used to, full of timely and informative topics! Keep it coming!
See Ya!
Ray Felix
All is good, but I am naive to blogs, plr’s and building lists I want to know all there is to know to see some revenue I haven’t made one red nickel from any thing on the web it’s pretty discourging.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS
MAGDY ESSA
CAIRO EGYPT
Hi Derrick,
Great information, really hits home on the basics. You reinforced some of what I knew to be true already, but truly opened my eyes on several points, in particular about the PLR articles.
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us. You have a gift for presenting useful information in a very understandable manner. I’ve been having trouble getting focused, and this post really turned the light on for me. Thanks, and have a happy and prosperous New Year.
Brian
Derrick I am a 48 yr old dad who until just recently was totally computer illiterate. I have resolved to use the internet to earn money and your site and gifts are starting my education. You are the light in the tunnel. I am learning but frankly havent put the pieces together yet I see the pieces and know it can be done. Is there any way to accelerate my learning processs or do I just need to keep reading 500 pages a day? I received an e-mail saying this is not adsense from you and was wondering is adsense no longer a viable option? Where can I go to get questions answered and find out if things are outdated and useless? To find out about things like commission thiefs and other pitfalls that are common knowleldge to the informed so to speak? Thus far your info has been very helpful in createing the belief that I can get this done. I am looking forward to working with you so that I too can be earning and learning as we trudge this happy road called destiny. Thanks for all your help thus far, I am sure I will need more!! John
Great article,
You are right about the plr articles
I have had a couple of problems with
them in the past.
Look forward to more great articles
in 2007.. Happy New Year!!!
Joe Gilharry
http://undergroundmarketingtactics.com
Very informative, thanks Derrick, I will apply your suggestions for sure. Alba
Hai Derrick,
I am too new to this bussiness and sometime I am so blank, but your writings give very good ideas for me to make a go.
Happy New Year,
Badleeshah
Derrick,
I enjoyed Ray’s comment about being 64 and a (truck driver)I think he meant he had been a truck driver. But I’ve got him beat when it comes to age. I’ll be 78 in 6 more days. But I’m still beating my head against the brick wall. I don’t know what to do next. I have no list
and don’t understand these blogs and forums. I keep hoping some kind soul will take me by the hand and give me a little shove in hopefully the right direction and not into the wall or perhaps a well and then fill the well
in.
Thanks for letting me vent my frustrations.
Esther Smith
Very helpful information. I look forward to reading more. Especially useful for newbie, but good for experienced as well.
Thanks!
Hi Derrick,
I can’t believe the high quality of gifts you gave away
this Christmas. You definitely broke the record on this.
I want to simply thank you for this spirit of generosity
and for the exceptionally great content you are sending.
An example of this is the 12 Responses to “How Many Real
Assets do You Have in Your Business?” article you sent.
It’s sharp content, you keep it real, very educational.
Again, thanks for killer content. Keep on the good work!
Hey Derrick,
Very nice work. I ama big fan of ACS and am steadily building some nice assests using your tools. The only asset I am not working on and should be is article marketing. I should really compile them and give them away like you say or submit them. Hope to see mor great work from you in the new year!
Stuart Stirling
http://www.startmyebiz.com
http://www.webtrafficoverdrive.com
Hi Derrick,
Thanks for all the great Christmas presents. I sent most of my members to your site to help them and return your favors.
Your info is always great and useful.
Thanks for everything.
To your continued success,
JT
http://www.successtraffichits.com
Dear Derrick,
Your article regarding assets was good and thought provoking and to be taken to heart. I’m constantly working on trying to build a big list and it’s my passion to do so. I know how important it is and that it’s worth considerable as to how a person fares with their business. Thanks for all your good information. You explain it very well and share it freely and I appreciate it very much.
I hope you had a great Christmas and have a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year.
Nancy
that is a very good way of doing business i must say, but what beats me the most is how can i establish my own website as a South African and how much will it cost me in Rands?, i love your adverts please keep them coming Derrick.
i need to make something of my life, especially financially, Thank you so much.
Hi Derrick
Great article. I have just downloaded a few PLR’s but I use them for ideas only to write my own articles. I’m glad to see a couple of other older people giving internet marketing a go. It often seems like its the realm of the young but the replies here tell me that anyone can be involved.
Just one question what is ACS?
Hi~
thanks for the regular follow-up. The best part is that I got my Board of Directors interested. Gues what? they are the topmost achievers here in Nepal. I’ll introduce them to you some time later, after we come back from Pokhara {below fishtail mountain range of Nepal} But I’ve posted your downloads to them too.
And best wishes to you too.
bye
Hi Derrick,
I haven´t start advertising my website yet, I still collect information how I should do to build a list, advertise in the cheapest and most effective way.
I´m soon ready to “take off”.
Thanks for your advices.
Happy New Year!! from Sweden
/Mats
Hi Derrick, great post. I have created exactly this 3 assets, the las I have created are my articles and I think this last is the most effective.
Alex
Thank you Derrick for all the Christmas gift you sent.You are so kind.I hope this coming year will be a GREAT year for you and your family.Happy New Year to all!
OFW (egaylagay)
South Korea
-First of all Thank You for all Christmas gifts.
-As you se I hav a website from a year ago totally unused.I made some attempt to build uploads and others when stopped because I observed how many knowleage is needed.
-I’m 51 year old automation and computers engineer. I made contacts via internet just in october 2005. I heared about many times and made Novell software courses and many others with databases but the ignorance made me to do nothing with and on the internet just in late 15,16 months.
-I find this possibility to build my ‘asset’ and I hope I will.
A happy New Year
and
many good business days
Imre
well done Derrick, you have helped me a lot.
Thank you
Hi, Derrick.
You have done a good jobs. I really appreciate it. Keep it up.
I have never thought seriously about seeking my path in jungle called Internet, but a month ago I payed attention on your e-mails (they are so,so different from all,all,all!!!) and look! At this moment I can imagine myself as a one sitting in second class of primary school, impressed and very interested to learn…
You deserve a great success and I am sure you`ll match it!
Thank you very much and all the best!
Branka, Belgrade
Hi Derrick,
This is good knowledge for service,i look forward to hear more from you in the future thanks.
Neville Swaby.
I have a Affliate Cash Secrets site. It pretty much covers Affliate Cash Secrets related stuff.
Come and check it out if you get time 
Dear Sir,
I went through entire article. This was an eye opener. As a beginner I wandered from this business to that business loosing thereby a lot of money through credit card and falling in great indebtedness. The following ideas are worth noting:
1. To have full knowledge in the subject matter of business.
2. To be bold enough to catch one programme and leave only after getting success.
Your guidance has given innner power in me. I hope I would get success under you and would not leave unless I get success. I have no business of my own. Your business is mine and my success is your success. You mentioned that if you love your job you will have money there. I shall get success and where there is success money is there.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Devendra Kumar
Because I never used this possibility it’s too hard to make a right choise, even to find one proper business that works.
The product(or products) is an another thing that must be found or made. The list of custumers that must be builded. Then I must find other custumers who are eager to view the product or even buy it. And many other more important things what I not mentioned above.
But I have no tools yet or even I own those tools I don’know that.
What bis to do?
Imre
Great Information
Hi Derrick.
Very important observation.Information overload is the real deterrent to success.So many sites,somany e books.One gets lost.
I enjoyed reading it.
thanks.
hkp
Hi Derrick
Hallelujah !! Someone who is actually explaining and showing how to do things. I’ve been from one person to the next, none of these so called gurus have shown me what to do to get started. They all say this is what can happen and look at how much I made this month, whooppee !! It means nothing to me without proving the results
Can you reply by email please, I want to ask a couple of Q’s off the post, if they’re relevant to everyone, then it can be posted
Thanks
Carol
Great information as always Derrick! Thanks!
You are a “Blessing” truly you are!! To provide such information. It is a excellent example of, “If you feed a man, a fish he’ll eat today, but If he learns to fish, he’ll always eat!” You get the idea, thank you Derrick!! Thanks for teaching us to fish!
I do not have a website yet. Yes i’m a newbee to the market and the computer also.I have been painting houses for over 25 years.Because of an illness i can no longer do this type of work.I have to retrain myself no matter what.I have been going around and around the internet for 3 months now and know to a lot of people that the word newbee means dumbass.I have received so much information from you free that i think i may have a shot.THANK YOU
hi derrick..
u hit me on the spot.
have been dabbling in internet marketing for 1 1/2 yrs.. wish i had started list building since the early days.
things would have been different now.
i dunno what’s the problem with me..keep procrastinating to reg autoresponder account.maybe coz the first time foraying into new territory is always the hardest..
regards
Derrick, I thank you for this info. This is the first time I have been on a blog.I plan on trying soon.I have been working on a few things that I have about ready.I am getting weary trying to get things going.My biggest problem has been the money. I maxed my credit card out .and havn’t gotten a new one.I got a small one and had to use that for advertizing .So I am trying for another with more to work with.Thank you for the help you have goven me.I don’t know anybody personnely to get help from.But I have injoyed the help you have given.Thanks again!!Dotty
Thank you Derrick for your generosity in sharing your expertise. I am grateful to learn from you. I would like to really get traffic to my site at http://ispark.computersolutiontrio.com. It like I discovered a great product and its working great for me. So i thought why not share it with others and in return get blessed too.
Just read business basics. Very helpful, no nonsense, ’straight to the point’ info. Thanks. Susan
