My fastlane is on the internet where I'm a non-technical user meaning I don't know how to code. There are certain skills that you need to be a successful entrepreneur and yes as MJ has shown you can make a lot of money without being a programmer. The truth is many programmers are not entrepreneurs and would rather tinker around all day than build something to make money.
Essential Skills for Non-Tech Entrepreneurs
1.) Wordpress
If you want to build a blog, e-commerce site, service business... whatever it can be done on Wordpress. Free themes, tutorials and cheap developers everywhere. I build 90% of my projects using WP and expect it's popularity to only grow in the upcoming years. (5 min install guide)
2.) SEO
SEO may not be essential to your business (depends on the niche), but having an understanding of Google's algorithm and the process for ranking for keywords can make you a lot of money. You may get traffic that's less targeted than an advertisement, but once you get the ranking it's free. Free money is the best kind.
3.) Copywriting
You have the domain, design, ranking, but if you're copy sucks... traffic will not convert into customers. Whether you're selling an information product or iPhone cases you need clear copy on the page.
4.) Email marketing
Social is exciting and fancy, but nothing beats email. If someone follows you on twitter, you're competing with the hundreds or thousands of other followers and tweets that are updated every second. How many emails do you get a day? 100 tops??? You chance of your message being seen is much greater with email. The money is in the list!
5.) Finance
Out of money is out of business. If you can't manage your cashflow, cut back on your expenses and make shit happen then you're screwed. I recommend bootstrapping at first... justify every dollar spent. You'll learn more from this than if you take 10k and blow it on development, design and some fancy press releases.
6.) Sales
Business is about making sales. Your facebook page, website, phone number and smiling face are all there to make sales. No sales = no business. Logos are cool, twitter followers are cool but SALES ARE THE COOLEST.
I like to think that I'm an expert at these things, but the truth is I'm not :bgh: . Everyday though I wake up and read a little more, network with people, write and work until my eyes burn. I'll get it one day and hope you all do the same.
What skills would you add to the list? Can we get to 10?
Essential Skills for Non-Tech Entrepreneurs
1.) Wordpress
If you want to build a blog, e-commerce site, service business... whatever it can be done on Wordpress. Free themes, tutorials and cheap developers everywhere. I build 90% of my projects using WP and expect it's popularity to only grow in the upcoming years. (5 min install guide)
2.) SEO
SEO may not be essential to your business (depends on the niche), but having an understanding of Google's algorithm and the process for ranking for keywords can make you a lot of money. You may get traffic that's less targeted than an advertisement, but once you get the ranking it's free. Free money is the best kind.
3.) Copywriting
You have the domain, design, ranking, but if you're copy sucks... traffic will not convert into customers. Whether you're selling an information product or iPhone cases you need clear copy on the page.
4.) Email marketing
Social is exciting and fancy, but nothing beats email. If someone follows you on twitter, you're competing with the hundreds or thousands of other followers and tweets that are updated every second. How many emails do you get a day? 100 tops??? You chance of your message being seen is much greater with email. The money is in the list!
5.) Finance
Out of money is out of business. If you can't manage your cashflow, cut back on your expenses and make shit happen then you're screwed. I recommend bootstrapping at first... justify every dollar spent. You'll learn more from this than if you take 10k and blow it on development, design and some fancy press releases.
6.) Sales
Business is about making sales. Your facebook page, website, phone number and smiling face are all there to make sales. No sales = no business. Logos are cool, twitter followers are cool but SALES ARE THE COOLEST.
I like to think that I'm an expert at these things, but the truth is I'm not :bgh: . Everyday though I wake up and read a little more, network with people, write and work until my eyes burn. I'll get it one day and hope you all do the same.
What skills would you add to the list? Can we get to 10?
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