So, I wouldn't normally comment on these "what's working now" sort of posts, but I can tell you really took the time to think and about and write your post, and you bring up a lot of good points.
Others may search the forum - and they would be right - but I'll try to point you in the right direction, first.
Ah - the Guru model - people who get rich by teaching others how to get rich. Yes, some of them are legit, and some of them are not. Sometimes the model is antiquated and doesn't work as well now. For example, I usually wouldn't suggest people start with dropshipping - although several members here still do dropship and do well, but they started YEARS ago and have also expanded beyond a pure dropship model.
Amazon FBA, Shopify, eBay, etc. are just sales channels - nothing more. Amazon has the 1,000 pound Gorilla for now, and likely for the foreseeable future. If you want to start a product business, I would typically suggest you launch there.
Why should you trust them? You don't know them - and you're right to be (slightly) skeptical. I get targeted all the time with a sales report that says $324,364 - and then I look at the time - one year's sales. So - maybe that's impressive to people who don't look or haven't started, but it's slightly deceptive to me. And I don't even know if it's true.
There are some well known people (Ezra Firestone, Ryan Moran, Digital Marketer guys, etc.) who do know their shit. If Ezra posts a screenshot of over $1m in sales in one month, I generally believe them. But they also want me to buy courses from them - and I know that. I also know much of their marketing is targeting towards new guys, which is ok, but I also know they still have things to teach me and learn. I simply don't have the time to consume every course they put out versus running my businesses.
If you want some course recommendations or want to know some people I'd recommend to follow, reply here and I'll link some.
There are no magic bullets: FBA, Shopify, Drop Shipping. These, really are just buzzwords. The KEY that will make everything else easier: build a product people want. Build a productocracy. Do something that is a little bit different - just a little bit better than everyone else. You don't need to reinvent the wheel, but you need a product that PULLS people.
The fact that you have a 9 to 5 is irrelevant. If you believe in your product and yourself, you'll make it happen. I had a 9 to 5 when I started, as many others did.
I highly suggest reading MJ Demarco's Book - Unscripted - if you haven't yet. Pay attention to his CENTS and productocracy principles.
Read this thread from START to FINISH: GOLD! - Ask me anything about eCommerce (Ongoing) - it's at 65 pages now, and was started three years ago. You'll get a sense of how ecom has changed in 3 years. Read that whole thread, and I guarantee you'll know more about ecom than 80% of the public.
I'm reading this right now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TY3ZOMS/?tag=tff-amazonparser-20 - which I can recommend after the other books and threads I mentioned.
Welcome to the forum. Speed+ for well thought out questions.
Others may search the forum - and they would be right - but I'll try to point you in the right direction, first.
I have been doing a lot of research lately about key words like, Dropshipping, Amazon FBA, Shopify, Ecommerce and I always come across some videos of "gurus" explaining how they became so rich doing any of this online business and giving ALL their tips to take us there too.
Ah - the Guru model - people who get rich by teaching others how to get rich. Yes, some of them are legit, and some of them are not. Sometimes the model is antiquated and doesn't work as well now. For example, I usually wouldn't suggest people start with dropshipping - although several members here still do dropship and do well, but they started YEARS ago and have also expanded beyond a pure dropship model.
Amazon FBA, Shopify, eBay, etc. are just sales channels - nothing more. Amazon has the 1,000 pound Gorilla for now, and likely for the foreseeable future. If you want to start a product business, I would typically suggest you launch there.
Not that I don't trust them... but I don't trust them! Why would they have to do "YouTube counsulting" and sooo many conferences and books that you have to pay if this dropshipping and Amazon FBA, etc, is working so much for them???
1) Am I right not to trust these guys on YouTube or do you think some of them are legit, in this case, which ones?
Why should you trust them? You don't know them - and you're right to be (slightly) skeptical. I get targeted all the time with a sales report that says $324,364 - and then I look at the time - one year's sales. So - maybe that's impressive to people who don't look or haven't started, but it's slightly deceptive to me. And I don't even know if it's true.
There are some well known people (Ezra Firestone, Ryan Moran, Digital Marketer guys, etc.) who do know their shit. If Ezra posts a screenshot of over $1m in sales in one month, I generally believe them. But they also want me to buy courses from them - and I know that. I also know much of their marketing is targeting towards new guys, which is ok, but I also know they still have things to teach me and learn. I simply don't have the time to consume every course they put out versus running my businesses.
If you want some course recommendations or want to know some people I'd recommend to follow, reply here and I'll link some.
2) In 2019, what online business do you think still has some potential and is accessible for someone who still has a 9 to 5?
There are no magic bullets: FBA, Shopify, Drop Shipping. These, really are just buzzwords. The KEY that will make everything else easier: build a product people want. Build a productocracy. Do something that is a little bit different - just a little bit better than everyone else. You don't need to reinvent the wheel, but you need a product that PULLS people.
The fact that you have a 9 to 5 is irrelevant. If you believe in your product and yourself, you'll make it happen. I had a 9 to 5 when I started, as many others did.
3) Do you have any recent reading (blog/website/book) that you would recommend so I can educate myself while being sure I am not being lied to?
I highly suggest reading MJ Demarco's Book - Unscripted - if you haven't yet. Pay attention to his CENTS and productocracy principles.
Read this thread from START to FINISH: GOLD! - Ask me anything about eCommerce (Ongoing) - it's at 65 pages now, and was started three years ago. You'll get a sense of how ecom has changed in 3 years. Read that whole thread, and I guarantee you'll know more about ecom than 80% of the public.
I'm reading this right now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TY3ZOMS/?tag=tff-amazonparser-20 - which I can recommend after the other books and threads I mentioned.
Welcome to the forum. Speed+ for well thought out questions.
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