When done right, communication is the most powerful thing in the world. A true message communicated powerfully will permanently change the way people think and act.
Effective communication also happens to be one of my passions. So when Michael Dunlop asked me to edit a book of interviews with 20 of the world’s most successful online entrepreneurs, I saw it as an opportunity to flex my communicative muscle.
I expected to edit each interview into a piece of effective communication that would change the way the reader would think, act, and ultimately make money online. But what I didn’t expect was the impact that the interviews would have on my own personal video production business.
I received a few new interviews every week and – without fail – editing each one gave me an inspirational realization. I’ve been using those moments of clarity and excitement to spur major growth in my business ever since.
Below I’ll share with you my top 20 inspirational realizations from the 20 entrepreneurs of Web Domination 20.
20 Inspiring Realizations from the World’s Top Online Entrepreneurs
#1 You can Start at Any Age and Any Skill Level
There’s always an excuse to not start a business. Maybe you think you’re too young, too old, or too inexperienced. But the truth is there’s no such thing as a perfect time to start a business. Start now – and you can learn on the way up.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me: 24-year-old Jacob Cass – award-winning designer and owner of Just Creative, Logo Designer Blog, and Logo of the Day.
The Source of the Realization:
Jacob told us that he got his start as a graphic designer in high school, just playing around with pictures of his friends on his computer. By the age of 16, without any formal training, he got his first freelance design gig. Fast forward a few years and he’s got a trifecta of hugely popular websites and a job working for a New York City design firm whose clients include Powerade, Vitamin Water, and Jerry Seinfeld.
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
The Design Process
The Designer’s Toolkit
What Makes Good Design
Designing to Convert
Colors & Branding
Working with Designers
Web Design Trends
#2 Every Success comes from Humble Beginnings
Most people who start a website get discouraged after the first few months because their site doesn’t become rich and profitable right away. But how something starts isn’t a good indicator of how it will end. Keep at it, keep improving, and your efforts will eventually be rewarded.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Matt Wolfe – the owner and curator of The WordPress Classroom, a $37-per-month membership program that features regularly updated videos that explain how to make great WordPress websites.
The Source of the Realization:
Wolfe’s first blog made just a little over $100 per month through Google Adsense. Hardly living wages. But Wolfe persevered and in January 2012 he made $22,899, mostly through membership sites.
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
How to Differentiate Your Content
Inside “The A La Carte Method”
How to Make a Site Members Only
Setting the Right Price
4 Ways to Promote Your Membership Program
Retaining Members
Matt’s Plans for the Future
#3 Entrepreneurs Don’t Have to Work 60 Hours a Week
As an entrepreneur, sometimes I get discouraged thinking about all the hard work that goes into building a successful business. The more high-profile clients we attract, the more 60-hour weeks I’ll have to work…
But that doesn’t have to be true.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Tyrone Shum – the outsourcing expert behind OutsourcingLive.com
The Source of the Realization:
Back in 2005, Shum’s booming Dragonboat paddle business was forcing him to work overtime week-in and week-out. That’s when he started outsourcing his labor. Within six months, Tyrone went from working 60 hours a week to just 10 hours a week.
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
When and How to Get Started
The First Position to Hire
The Interview Process
Shum’s All-Important Management System
Quality Control
Training Methods
The Future of Outsourcing
#4 Blogging is About Helping People
Sometimes “making money online” gets a bad rap because people think that it means “scamming people out of their money online.” But while some bloggers have made hollow fortunes by taking advantage of their visitors, web users are increasingly savvy. Today, the easiest way to make money online is to provide a huge amount of value for an audience.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Neil Patel – the professional blogger behind GreenExamAcademy.com and SmartPassiveIncome.com.
The Source of the Realization:
“The more you can help out your audience, the more they’re going to help you out in return through shares or getting subscribers or becoming a customer for any products that you may have.”
Neil Patel
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
Picking the Right Niche
What Makes a Good Post
Driving Traffic
Multimedia Content
How Social Media is like a Party
Complete Email Marketing Strategy
Pat’s Road to Blog Profits
#5 You Don’t Need to Use Every New Tool / App / Social Network
Every week there’s a new “shiny object” in the Internet marketing world. As an online entrepreneur, there’s a part of me that feels like I need to keep up with all of it. But that would probably mean installing a new WordPress plugin every week and spending more time on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn than building my business.
Luckily, there’s hope for online entrepreneurs who don’t have the time or desire to keep up with all the latest trends.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Derek Halpern – founder of SocialTriggers.com, a website about the psychology of blogging.
The Source of the Realization:
“If you know what makes people tick, it doesn’t matter which tools you use. The tool is just a mechanism to get your message to that person. If you know the psychology of that person, you’re essentially future-proofing your marketing efforts.”
Derek Halpern
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
When to Start Selling Online
How Psychology can “Future-Proof” your Marketing Efforts
How Derek Collects Data
The Role of Blogging in Business
Triggers that Encourage Social Sharing
Step-by-Step Guide to a Psychologically Effective Blog Post
Where to Put Opt-In Forms on your Site
How to Write “Hard-Hitting” Content
#6 Online Success isn’t Just About Money, but the Power to Change the World
Amassing email subscribers, a blog readership, or a popular YouTube platform are all good ways to begin earning an online income. But more importantly, they’re ways of becoming an influential person. Many online entrepreneurs communicate with 10,000’s of people on a daily basis – and they can use that influence to change people’s lives for the better.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Gideon Shalwick – one of the YouTube’s expert video marketers and the author of Rapid Video Blogging.
The Source of the Realization:
“Once you have influence, you have the potential to do lots of wonderful things: make money, be a thought leader, change people’s perspectives on certain issues, build charities … whatever it is that you want to do with your business or organization.”
Gideon Shalwick
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
How Gideon Learned Video Skills
The Best Camera, Microphone, and Software
How to Dominate YouTube
What You Need to Know about Video SEO
How to Get More Views
Selling with Video
The Six Weapons of Influence
The Future of Online Video
#7 Search Engine Optimization isn’t About Tricking Google
With a long and ever-changing list of SEO tactics and strategies (both black hat and white), it’s easy to feel like it’s all too complicated to keep up with. But ranking well is less about gaming the system and more about creating content that actually deserves to show up at the top of Google’s first page. To me, that’s refreshing and encouraging news.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
David Sinick – the SEO expert behind BeastMedia and the co-author of WordPress SEO Blueprint.
The Source of the Realization:
“There are tons of different factors that go into ranking well, but the biggest is high-quality content.”
David Sinick
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
What Google’s Looking For
Blogging and SEO
Social Media and SEO
On-Site SEO Optimization
Tactics Building Off-Site Links
How to Avoid Getting Punished by Google
Rising Trends in SEO
#8 It’s Possible to Grow Big Quickly, If You Do Everything Right
By now, you’ve heard it a million times: there’s no such thing as an overnight success. This is true, but there is such a thing as an accelerated path to successs.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Syed Balkhi – 21-year-old co-founder of Uzzz Productions, WPBeginner.com, and List25.com.
The Source of the Realization:
Thanks to some amazing strategies, great execution, and a holiday giveaway, List25.com has grown very quickly. In its first three months, List25 garnered over 100,000 Facebook fans, 10,000 Twitter followers, 1,000,000 views on YouTube, 3,000,000 collective Stumbles, and 5,000,000 monthly page views.
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
The Importance of a Cross-Platform Brand
Building Relationships with Your Competitors
How List25 got its first 30,000 Fans
Tips for Higher Facebook EdgeRank
Advice on YouTube
The Importance of su.pr URLs
Pinterest, Tumblr, and Google+
#9 Facebook can be the Ultimate Marketing Tool
I never thought about using Facebook ads, until I heard Brian Moran’s interview. He’s set up Facebook marketing campaigns so effective that the more money he puts in, the more money he gets out – all while picking up thousands of email subscribers.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Brian Moran – expert in Facebook marketing and founder of Get 10,000 Fans.
The Source of the Realization:
“Facebook Ads is just outrageously powerful. It’s cheap too, though it’s getting more expensive by the day because more people are jumping in.
You can just get so targeted. … But it’s also simple enough that it lets a complete newbie come in and set up an effective campaign.”
Brian Moran
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
How to Get Started
Customizing Your Fan Page
Website Integration
How to Get More Fans
Effective Status Updates
Building a Community
Facebook Monetization
Facebook’s Future
#10 Boosting Conversion can be as Simple as Transcribing your Real-Life Pitch
When I was designing my business website, I wracked my brain trying to think of what to say. It seemed that making a site that converted was very complicated – and I didn’t have the technical expertise to make it happen.
But then I listened to Ben Jesson’s interview and heard him tell the story of how he boosted a website’s sales a million dollars mostly just by using the CEO’s real-life sales pitch for sales copy.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Ben Jesson – co-founder of Conversion Rate Experts, whose clients include Google, Apple, and Sony.
The Source of the Realization:
“Your website’s a robot-salesperson – and what better role model for your website to have than a real, effective salesperson? I recommend getting out there and hanging out with the prospects because it’s cheap, it’s fast, and it’s very rich in terms of the level of feedback that you get.”
Ben Jesson
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
What to Know Before You Optimize
Optimizing to Get More Email Subscribers
Practical vs. Pretty Design
Why to Avoid “Best Practices”
Free Split-Testing Tools
The Value of Real Life Salespeople
Optimizing Your Funnel
#11 You Don’t Have to Hire an Expensive Copywriter (and maybe you shouldn’t!)
If you’re thinking about a big online launch, you’ve probably considered putting down a bunch of money to hire an elite copywriter. But perhaps you should save yourself the investment, as Yanik Silver says that not only is copywriting a learnable skill, but you may be the best person for the job.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Yanik Silver – founder of Instant Sales Letters, the Underground Seminars, and Maverick Business Adventures.
The Source of the Realization:
“I think copywriting is a very learnable skill. You’re the one that knows your market and your product the best. So, if you did want to hire somebody after that, they’re going to be starting at a disadvantage. So, I would actually spend some time investing in resources and tools that could help you learn to write your own copy.”
Yanik Silver,
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
What You Must Do Before You Begin Writing Copy
The Importance of Story
Formulas and Strategies
How Visuals Can Make Your Pages Pop
Video Sales Letters
How to Overcome Their Objections
The Risk in Hiring Somebody Else to Write Your Copy
#12 Email Marketing Allows You to be Proactive Online
Starting a website without an email list means that you’re always just going to be passively hoping that people find your site and decide to visit it. But if you earn your visitors’ email addresses, you can proactively invite them to keep coming back.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
David Risley – the man behind DavidRisley.com and one of the world’s top email marketers.
The Source of the Realization:
“Email is your way of mobilizing the crowd. It’s your way of drawing their attention to something any time that you want. Without that, you’re basically just sitting there and waiting for them to feel like coming back. Your website isn’t really an asset unless you have a way to mobilize their attention.”
David Risley
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
How to Get Started
Using Auto-Responders
The Best Opt-In Areas
Managing a Healthy List
How to Write Simple, Effective Emails
The Relationship Between His Blog and List
Making Sales with Email
Future Trends in Email Marketing
#13 Being an Online Entrepreneur Allows You to Pursue Your Dreams
This is one of my favorite things about entrepreneurship. Since online businesses can be automated to run from anywhere, they give you freedom to make a living even while you’re chasing after other goals, like going to school or seeing the world.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Stephen Beck – webinar expert and founder of Wildly Wealthy Webinars.
The Source of the Realization:
After running a remodeling company for 20 years, Stephen Beck finally decided it was time to do what he had always wanted: go to seminary school. But he still had a family to feed back home. Beck was looking for a way to earn an income while he was away and he decided to try his hand at online entrepreneurship. After achieving moderate success with a website and ebook, Beck put on a webinar for the first time. That week, he earned $50,000 of revenue.
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
How to Get Started with Webinars
Attracting an Audience
Webinar Strategies
The Power of Interactivity
How to Deliver a Perfect Webinar Pitch
The Future of Webinars
#14 Being Ethical Pays Off
Doing greedy and dishonest business can turn short-term profits, but it’s always better long-term to treat your customers and visitors with respect and honesty.
The Online Entrepreneur:
Michael Dunlop – the 23-year-old founder of Income Diary and Pop-Up Domination.
The Source of the Inspiring Realization:
“I stopped promoting products through email because, ethically, it wasn’t the way I wanted to do things. That’s sort of why I created my own product. That way, I could really put my name behind it, put it everywhere, and be proud of it.”
Michael Dunlop,
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
The Easiest Way to Make Your First Dollar
Michael’s Three Monetization Methods
How More Content Means More Money
How to Come Up with Your Next Product Idea
Why Michael Doesn’t Offer a Service
Michael’s Affiliate Advertising Strategy
Landing – and Keeping – Advertisers
The Future of Website Monetization
#15 Every Cloud has a Silver Lining
Nothing ever goes exactly as you plan it. Sometimes, things even go horribly wrong. But even in the worst situation, there’s always a way to spin it into something positive. This is an especially important skill for entrepreneurs to pick up.
The Online Entrepreneur:
Lewis Howes – founder of LinkedInfluence.com, FBinfluence.com, and VideoTrafficAcademy.com.
The Source of the Inspiring Realization:
Back in 2007, Lewis Howes was playing linebacker and wide receiver for the Tennessee Valley Vipers Arena League football team. But two games into his rookie season, Howes broke his wrist while stretching out to make a catch. In a moment, his career as a professional athlete was over.
With his arm in a cast, Howes had difficulty finding a traditional job. He turned to online work and has since started websites that reel in millions of dollars.
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
How to Pick a Product Idea
Tools for Selling Online
Pricing Strategy
The Sales Process and Conversion Tricks
The Launch Process
The Power of Video Sales Letters
How to Build a List with LinkedIn
#16 Anyone Can Make a Software Product
I’ve always known the power of software, but for some reason I never thought that I would be able to make a software product because I didn’t know how to code. But the truth is that anyone can create a piece of software as long as they’re willing to invest a little bit up front.
The Online Entrepreneur:
Josh Bartlett – founder of Easy Video Suite and BeyondtheHype.com.
The Source of the Inspiring Realization:
Bartlett is a software guru, but he outsources all of the coding. So don’t let your lack of expertise discourage you from creating a truly original and helpful product.
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
Refining an Idea for Software
Why Software Sells
Where to Find Coders
How to Manage a Team
The Two Lists You Need
How to Deliver Your Software Product
The Importance of Customer Support
The Future of Software Creation
#17 Expert Advice is Hugely Valuable
A conversation is a difficult thing to put a price on. But many of the entrepreneurs we interviewed for the book also work as consultants – and their fees are sky high. At some point it dawned on me that all of the free advice I was getting while editing this book would have been worth $10,000’s if I were paying all of these experts’ consultation fees.
The Online Entrepreneur:
Ryan Lee – an expert on continuity programs whose websites pull in seven figures a month.
The Source of the Inspiring Realization:
“For the questions you’re asking me, I would charge $1,000 an hour.”
Ryan Lee,
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
4 Steps to Starting a Successful Continuity Program
The Software You’ll Need
The Best Type of Content
What Makes a Good Sales Page
The Two Most Powerful Words in Continuity Retention
Future Trends in Continuity
#18 Email Marketing Doesn’t have to be Sleazy
One thing that’s held me back from pursuing email marketing is the concern that people don’t want to receive mass emails. But after learning that James Schramko has an 85-90% open rate with some of his email lists, I began to understand that email marketing can be all providing value to an eager audience.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
James Schramko – owner of a huge affiliate marketing network and a pair of SEO businesses, LinkJuice and SEO Partner.
The Source of the Realization:
“Think of an email list as a promise. The promise depends on how they get onto that list, but it’s your job to keep that promise.”
James Schramko,
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
4 Steps to Affiliate Marketing Success
The Tools of the Trade
How to Build – and Manage – a Profitable List
What Makes a Product or Service Successful
Internet Marketing Karma
#19 You Can Work from Anywhere
I live in Fort Collins, Colorado, but as I write this, I’m in a tour van on the way to Portland with my band. I’m able to keep operating my business from anywhere I can connect to the Internet. This location independence is one of the greatest things about being an online entrepreneur.
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Cody McKibben – a traveling web-developer and founder of the Digital Nomad Academy and ThrillingHeroics.com.
The Source of the Realization:
“I left the States with a one-way ticket and probably less than two grand of spending money in my bank account. But I had clients. I had a bit of business. I knew that I had to build it up a lot, but I was confident that I could bring in income.”
Cody McKibben,
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
Advice on Living Abroad
How to Get out of the Rat Race
The Perks of Being a Nomad
Overcoming Travel Challenges
How Cody Makes Money
#20 Effective Sales Pitches can be Simple
I don’t consider myself a salesman, so negotiating a big contract makes me feel a little bit anxious. But reading Neil Patel’s interview gave me a different perspective. He landed a $15 grand a month contract at the age of 16 and attributes the sale to “simple logic.”
The Online Entrepreneur who Inspired Me:
Neil Patel – founder of KISSmetrics, Crazy Egg, and QuickSprout.
The Source of the Realization:
“Companies are logical. So all you have to say is, ‘Hey, I’ll do x, y, and z for you and it will save you x dollars and it will make you x more. Here’s how much money I want for it.’ It’s simple logic.”
Neil Patel
From Web Domination 20
What You’ll Learn from the Interview:
How to Build an Awesome Business
How His Blogs Make Money
Creating an Online Brand
Company Culture and Bringing on a Team
Landing Big Customers and Negotiating with Companies
Thanks for reading. Click here to pick up your copy of Web Domination 20.