Don't worry; I won't be selling you MLM or dropshipping today.
Starting one's own digital business can be a daunting task. From procuring your first batch of stocks to building product awareness to digital marketing to selling the product on multiple marketplaces such as Lazada, Shopee, Amazon, and Qoo10 to creating your own financial reports. How much more are you willing to pay for help in order to sustain this bet of yours?
Many people think that starting your own business means doing everything by yourself and slogging day and night for the business. However, that is not true, at least not in 2023.
Though there are some shortcuts for daredevils who are not worried about showing their faces online, there are still certain ways that the rest of us shy cats can leverage. In fact, the majority of millionaires and billionaires don't need to show their face to start a successful business. If your New Year goal for 2023 is to become financially free, here are some methods that will give you a head start.
The Different Types of one-man online businesses
1) The Distributor
This is one method that I still love the best: the old-age method of distribution by bringing items in from overseas and selling them in your local community. I'm not saying that you should buy from Taobao or any other well-known marketplace to resell. Whatever can be easily purchased by you can also be easily done by others; you won't get any edge over it.
To find good brands, you need to look for ones that have some exposure in your local community or are already well-known. They may have done some marketing or have local online exposure. Then, go to their website, hoping that they have a distribution model that does not apply directly to individuals.
One such example is TitanPower+, which has a distribution model that is specifically aimed at wholesalers. They have a fixed retail price, and then they discount their pricing for distributors who buy in bulk. This model makes sense because it allows them to make profits in volume, providing enough turnovers to support their marketing efforts.
Another example is the premium C&S Bathroom tissue paper on https://fmg-online.com. Their localized remake of premium quality toilet paper has created quite a storm and raised awareness in the Southeast Asia region. They are now selling very well in retail, so reselling them could give you a good start if you stay in this region.
The Execution: Make a small purchase and resell to your community. Since their ads are already running for you, you save on all the marketing efforts.
Your value-adding: you make money by saving people's time and effort.
2) The Service Provider
The creative sector is still highly attractive. Despite the emergence of freelance platforms over the past two years and an increase in freelancers, quality freelance work at affordable prices is still in high demand. If you can provide quality work, you can gain an edge over other players in the industry.
The Execution:
Provide your services for free! Yes, I mean free. Anything that is free is worth a try, even if it's rubbish. No matter how good you are, you need to start modestly, and people will be willing to give you a chance. If your services truly stand out, you will soon gain traction and start to get paid work.
Your value-adding: You are the value, and by promoting yourself, you expose yourself enough to get recognized.
3) The Marketer
Business owners are always looking to increase their sales; either because they don't know how to do it, or because they are never satisfied with what they have. You come in to help them make more money. If you are adept at data and analytics, and able to explain why something is happening or why they are not making enough, you will be an invaluable asset for any business owner or company.
The Execution: Join a company or set up your own agency; it's not difficult. Just like the creator, offer your services for free and people will come to you very soon.
Your Value-Adding: Your knowledge is your value. By learning how to make money out of money, you will soon gain recognition for your services.
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