How I Started a Digital Business Online
- And Why You Should Start One Today!
I began my digital business online in 1995.
What is it?
I create and sell ebooks, infoproducts, and other digital products - to raise funds that sponsor life-saving surgery for children from under-privileged families born with congenital heart defects (CHD).
Over 25 years, I have learned many things about how to run a digital online business.
Some of those lessons are no longer relevant.
Many of them still are.
So when some subscribers to my email newsletter, and a few past clients asked:
HOW TO START A DIGITAL BUSINESS IN 2024
I decided to dig deep into my bag of tricks and tools.
To create a 'big picture' outline or overview... that will serve as a framework or blueprint for anyone eager to get started.
Now, before you go any further into this, let me introduce myself properly - and explain why you might want to listen to what I've got to say.
Because when the student is ready, the master will appear...
But it's up to the student to determine if it's a True Master - or a 'fake-it-till-you-make-it' looky-loo who only postures and pretends to be the Real Thing!
😂
So...
Let me describe (very briefly) why I know a bit about how to start a digital business online.
A quick Google search will reveal that my website EZINEMARKETINGCENTER.COM - was registered in 2001.
That's when I got really serious about scaling my little digital business.
For five years before that, I ran my website on DrMani.com
(Until I lost control of that domain through a stupid mistake 🥲 It would cost me 5 years - and $350 - to win it back again!)
My first venture into the digital business space was to publish an email newsletter about heart health and disease. That's because I'm a heart doctor for kids (that is, a 'paediatric cardiovascular surgeon'). I wanted to share my knowledge and passion in a area of expertise.
Quickly, my 'Dr.Mani's Heart Healthzine' grew to a few thousand subscribers.
A giant digital content startup called 'The Mining Company' recruited me to become their Heart Disease Guide.
This company would change its name, and go on to become About.com - one of the Top 10 online properties, and valued at over 1 billion dollars in an IPO near the peak of the dot-com boom of 1999-2000.
All of this was done working part-time.
I was simultaneously in clinical practice as a heart surgeon for kids - a busy, intense and demanding medical specialty.
What made me work on this sideline is the core message of this introduction. And I'll tell you why and how I chose to build a digital business online.
Read on.
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My digital product business grew rapidly, with additions of many new ebooks, blogs, e-courses and several exciting new offers. Sales exploded. Along with it came a surge in profit.
And from being known as an ezine publisher, I became better recognized as an Internet Infopreneur. An entrepreneur who runs a digital business that creates and sells information products.
After harnessing my skills as a writer and marketer to a powerful purpose and a deep passion for what I was doing, things took off like a rocket.
At its high point, there were times when my 'solo show' digital business pulled in over $20,000 profit - in a DAY!
That was fun.
Especially when you hear (coming soon) what that money would do!
Anyway...
At that point, in addition to selling information products, I also started teaching my process to fellow entrepreneurs. Folks who were just getting started with their own digital online business.
Over the years, I have taught, trained and mentored THOUSANDS of people in the basics of how to plan, build and grow a digital business on the Internet.
In all, I have
Written over 65 ebooks (a few of them International Amazon best sellers).
Sold over a million dollars worth of digital products... and many more as an affiliate marketer.
Guided hundreds of entrepreneurs to become better Internet marketers.
And raised funds for a cause that has been my passionate purpose... to help 'heart kids' live!
Though my non-profit Dr.Mani Children Heart Foundation, I've helped to sponsor 152 heart surgeries for children... from infoproduct sales, royalties, and donations from clients and fellow entrepreneurs.
That has challenged, thrilled and fulfilled me - for nearly 25 years.
It's why I believe I'm qualified to show you...
How To Start a Digital Business - In 2024 & Beyond
If you're convinced about this (and trust that I'm NOT one of those charlatans out to scam or swindle you out of your money!), then the next question to address is...
WHO Should Listen To Me?
Now an online digital business can mean ANYTHING!
Amazon.com is an example of a digital business. It runs a popular website on which you can buy products and services, both infoproducts and physical items.
Google.com is another. It ranks websites and shows you the most relevant on a search - and also runs ads for other businesses to reach their audience.
I won't teach you how to become another Amazon or Google!
(Though, for a while back in 1999, my digital business indeed had a net profit higher than Amazon's! 😂 )
There are some beginners who want to learn how to build a BIG digital business that rakes in millions - or even hundreds of millions - of dollars.
And they are willing to invest time, money and effort to get there.
Again...
I can't teach you how to do that.
Sorry!
This course is only right for you if...
You see yourself as a 'passion-preneur' - who wants to turn a passion into a digital business
You want to build a 'lifestyle business' - one that gives you financial freedom without overwhelming you completely
You aim to create a nice, steady, even supplemental income stream of a few thousand dollars - for a modest effort
You are realistic - and not carried away by grandiose dreams of 'easy, instant or overnight' success
If this is YOU, then I can help you get started - and get growing.
But... Let's Keep It REAL!
Listen, somewhere down the line, I became frustrated by a certain kind of thinking that pervaded the digital business space.
As the Internet grew bigger, access became wider, and competition for online digital business heated up, people began spouting the idea that to succeed in it,
You had to Think BIG.
Small players became discouraged - because there was simply too much to do!
Large, established, corporate-style 'big business' became the model every entrepreneur - big and small - was told to follow.
And it all got horribly complicated.
A beginner who entered the arena around that time began to fret and get frustrated at the sheer enormity of tasks to tackle.
Things to learn.
Tools to master.
Data to track.
Cash to invest.
"Do it," they were told. "Or you'll lose!"
😳
Well, if you're going head-to-head against an Amazon or Google, then yeah... that's right.
But the flip side of this was that a novice with a dream started to believe it was no longer possible to follow a passion... create a purpose-driven business... and through sheer persistence, make it a success.
After I tried to change that mindset - and failed - I abandoned the 'teach and train' side of my digital business.
And returned to doing for myself what I'd taught others to!
During the COVID-19 lockdown, my one-person passion-preneur project focused on niche markets cracked the $500,000 per year barrier in sales revenue... from just one website.
This was in 2020-2021.
So would you laugh at earnings data like this?
Jul 19, 2020 - Aug 17 2020 : Affiliate income $1,054.55
Jan 2021 - Mar 2021 : Sales revenue $196,309.06
Especially if I told you that during this period, the average time spent working on my digital business was just 2 hours daily... often less!
It's a myth that digital online business is impossible for the little guy!
Of course, if you want to create a giant digital business that rakes in massive profits, you definitely have to hustle, build teams, hire workers, invest in tools, and spend (a lot of) money on ads and services.
But...
It doesn't take much to start a digital business that's fired by passion - and has modest goals.
You can make do with much less - if you work smart.
That's what I hope to share and teach here.
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So... Is This Right For YOU?
If it gives you a thrill of excitement and joy to
act like a graduate from an Ivy League business school,
spout high-sounding technical terms like an MBA, and
ponder complex growth strategies or
innovate creative hacks to rake in millions...
Well then, this probably isn't what you're looking for.
But if you
don't know much about 'how to start a business',
have no interest in getting stuck in elaborate theories,
aren't dreaming of being the next Bill Gates or Elon Musk, and
want to create a steady profit stream from your passion and/or knowledge
... then this structure and outline will be useful.
You'll learn how to start a digital business online in 2024 and beyond.
🥳
Bonus Cheatsheet: Click Here to Download "How I Started a Digital Business Online" (PDF Version)
HOW TO START A DIGITAL BUSINESS : TABLE OF CONTENTS
This report is part of a collection that covers all aspects of how to start a digital business online. To see others in the series, explore the links below:
So, if you're still here with me, then we can get right to it.
And begin our journey of exploration and adventure with a topic that you may think totally unnecessary in the beginning...
Your Philosophy & Purpose
Now, if you'd rather sink your teeth into the nitty-gritty of how to start a digital business, feel free to skip this section and move on.
But there's a reason I've put this right at the beginning.
And that's because...
A Digital Online Business Isn't Right For Everybody!
Entrepreneurs are a rare, strange breed.
They share some traits in common with each other - and are completely unique in other ways.
One thing I've found most successful entrepreneurs share is that they have...
… A Personal Philosophy
About our world. And things in it.
Of people. And their lives.
And this philosophy guides them to do things.
Solve problems.
Create solutions.
Innovate creatively.
Experiment with new ideas.
Teach, train or mentor others.
All with a view to...
MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
Sure, their actions and the digital business they build may do things that make money.
Sell stuff.
Deliver services.
Connect people.
Meet demands.
Organize and facilitate interactions.
Provide tools and training.
But underlying it all is that philosophical foundation... of wanting to make a difference.
No entrepreneur is ever completely happy with the way things are.
And always seek to change them... for the better.
That's because entrepreneurs care.
Deeply.
About something.
They make it their PURPOSE.
And set out to achieve it.
Act in a way that carries them, their clients and colleagues, their dependents and partners... closer to that goal.
That is WHY they want to start a digital business now!
Since YOU want to do this, too... it's smart (and practical) to begin by addressing the elephant in the room.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO START A DIGITAL BUSINESS NOW?
On the face of it, this seems like a silly question.
'Why not?' you ask.
Well, because to start a digital business isn't a walk in the park!
It takes an incredible amount of time and energy.
It needs a significant degree of commitment and focus.
It will demand a lot of your strength and talent, skills and discipline.
Also, you'll invest a bit of money - and a lot of your soul - to start your online digital product business.
And unless you have a compelling reason to try...
It's Easy To Give Up!
That's why it's a good idea to spend some time - even days, or weeks - thinking hard about your reason why.
Because once you're fired up with a passionate purpose, you'll rocket through the next steps of building a digital business.
And more important, you won't be held back by setbacks and hurdles along the way... but vault past them, fired by your dream.
But...
How To Know Your Purpose?
Let's discuss this in some depth and detail, because it's really important.
First of all...
What Is Purpose?
You might think of it as a goal or target. A place to aim at and reach.
'Purpose' is all of that - plus, a little more.
Your purpose is what motivates and energizes you. Drives you to do what you do. Acts as the fuel that fires your inner engines.
In a broader sense, your purpose is the axle around which the wheel of your life (or in this case, your business) spins.
Without it, everything seems less meaningful.
And that’s why every entrepreneur should introspect from time to time about the purpose of their business.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Why 'Purpose', Not Goals?
There are 4 ways in which your purpose is unique.
1. Your Purpose Goes Deep
Many entrepreneurs set out in business to make money. Maybe you, too, are in it for that reason.
So...
How much would you like to make?
A million dollars? Ten?
Or is your number more modest? Will you be happy with an extra few hundred (or thousand) bucks every month?
Whatever that figure, it's your GOAL.
Your purpose, however, is the reason WHY you picked that number.
Maybe the idea of being financially stable or free from debt appeals to you.
Or meeting all your expenses would take away much of your stress and worry.
Or you might have yet unfulfilled dreams for yourself, your kids, or loved ones.
Perhaps you'd like to own a house; go to college; take a holiday, and travel the world.
Whatever it is... that deeper 'WHY' is your true purpose.
2. Your Purpose Isn't Static
It will change, grow and evolve.
Unlike goals.
No matter how high you set your goals, at some point you'll reach them.
If your business is goal-driven, what happens then?
You may consider retirement.
Or sell your business.
Or have someone else run it.
But when your digital business is guided by a purpose, it will evolve.
Say you start out with a purpose - to provide for your family.
What began as a way to earn cash enough to just meet your family's basic needs may now grow to
provide them small luxuries... or
save up for future financial security... or
offer some more comforts and advantages
Your purpose remains essentially the same. But it will grow and evolve to do it bigger, better, and in exciting new ways!
3. Your Purpose Will Scale
It can expand and extend.
I began writing as a hobby. To dabble curiously in something beyond my work as a surgeon.
When I realized I'm good at it, I thought of creating a digital business around it. That's when I aligned it with the idea of raising money to help kids born with heart defects.
As a surgeon, I know that heart operations are too expensive for most under-privileged families to afford. So my purpose became to write and sell books - and use a share of profits and royalties to fund life-saving operations for kids.
My writing has since taken on interesting new dimensions. And grown in its reach and impact.
(For instance, I recently appealed to readers of my WhatsApp Group to pay for my writing if they liked it - by making a donation to one of 3 charities for children. Within 24 hours, my favorite non-profits received $400 more! )
4. Your Purpose Will Endure
A final way your purpose differs from a goal is that it often lasts longer.
Once you reach a goal, your incentive and drive to carry on vanishes - because you've achieved what you set out to.
But your purpose will continue to inspire and motivate you along.
One of my dear friends is also a loyal supporter of my work with heart kids. He once told me how, after hitting his monthly sales targets, he's tempted to slack off - but because a part of his business profits is donated to worthy causes, he becomes motivated all over again to carry on!
In his fascinating book 'The Art of the Start', Guy Kawasaki says:
“Make Meaning, Not Money.”
And while it might take money to make meaning, when the focus is on your purpose ("meaning") rather than the means ("money"), your digital business will be more likely to grow and succeed.
It's the reason why I advocate that an entrepreneur who wants to start a digital business online should tap into two powerful forces:
Your Passion
Your Purpose
It's what has given my own business the competitive edge. And sustained my own enthusiasm and excitement for carrying on with it despite all challenges.
When you consider that the average attrition rate for newly begun digital businesses is over 95%, you'll realize just how remarkable these twin forces can be!
Passion is powerful.
Purpose is enduring.
Together, they can move mountains. Or build a Google or Amazon. Or your more modest digital business online.
And make meaning while you do!
😍
So...
You've heard about some abstract insights.
Give it a hard think.
Determine what your own personal philosophy and purpose might be... and how they align with the idea of your proposed digital business online.
Take your time over this. There's no rush to figure it all out quickly.
Think about it whenever you're free - on a drive, while waiting for something or someone, before falling asleep (or when you wake up in the middle of the night!).
Maybe it'll come to you in a flash of inspiration.
Or maybe it'll dawn upon you gradually, like mist vanishes in the bright rays of sunshine.
And sometimes, of course, it will not!
You may only stumble upon it after you get going with your digital business.
Click Here to Download a PDF Version of all the articles in the "How To Build Your Digital Business - In 2024 & Beyond!" series
So… let's move on to the next steps anyway.
Ready?