Very true, which makes it all the more important for us to spend it very wisely.

Hi Adarsh - thanks for your comments on the video. First I didn't say that these methods don't work or that there isn't a market for it. What I'm suggesting is that it takes a lot of work to: 1. Do all the research on the market - keywords, demographics, etc. 2. Build the community so you have attention before launching the product 3. Create the product 4. And finally sell it Because of that my suggestion is to not start off selling these types of products. I have yet to see someone brand new to business create a membership site and do well. It typically takes many months if it ever takes off. However if you are a service provider and already have a community around your business, know what they want, and the opportunity arises, I say go for it.

Yes, that's true. It's certainly hard for anyone to get started these days with product creation as the #1 obstacle is community creation (which takes a lot of work). In my opinion, it would be better for service providers to have a product which your target audience can use in case they cannot afford your consulting fees. This will also act as a second source of income for us. I'm planning to test this out in the coming months. Thanks for responding quickly and also great video. Cheers- Adarsh Thampy

Great advice Adarsh. Please continue coming back and adding your opinion, and let us know how your product release goes.

Sure thing. P.S: My name is Adarsh and not Ardash. :) (A lot of people make the same mistake!!!)

Fail on me Adarsh I've updated my comments. My apologies for completely messing up the spelling of your name. It won't happen again.

That's completely ok... I guess my name is a little difficult to pick up quickly. P.S: I just submitted a guest post by joining this site. Hope you like it.

It's my fault as your name is right here in front of me. I read it to fast. So that won't happen again. Looking forward to reading and publishing your post Adarsh. Rock on!

Barb, You are absolutely on the right track and you will see the growth that you desire soon. The good news is. you weren't afraid to seek out help. Good job.

One thing that has taken me a long to learn is that I really can't do it all myself; sometimes it is imperative to hire someone else rather than spending time (word choice was intentional there) learning all about a new marketing technique, sales market, website development, etc. I have more than enough to keep me busy trying to stay in touch with my customers and making my artwork. An entrepreneur needs to be able to say "NO" to some things. And that is OK!

I'm so happy to hear you say that. You've been using this advice and your business is booming because of it. Way to go, Josie.

It's almost a chicken and an egg problem when you're running a lean business. You need the services but don't necessarily have the cash to put it out. Sometimes you can get yourself pretty far and then use a consultant for the "last mile." However if things aren't set up well from the start it may all have to be redone. Personally I'm on the side of having it done right. It is an investment in the business.

I am able to save my clients lots of money, usually more than my services, by helping them avoid costly mistakes. I also introduce them to people they need to know and help them with a pricing strategy that is higher then their current one. My clients frequently report a 300% increase in their business. There are very few business owners that can do that for themselves as quickly as I can do it for them. I say pay the best professional you can find and you'll be further ahead.

I can attest to the advice Lauri and Robert have given me - and I can be a real pain-in-the-ass when it comes to details and everything else. I like knowing how things work, so even if I am not the one creating the website, I want to know why "X" and not "Y", and many other aspects I try to "do it all" and it has been a long road to the realization that I am a lot more porductive if I actaully let go of some the details and let someone help me. Thanks for the help!!!

I am so with you, Josephine! We could be sisters, in that, I only want to know so much about the structure and then leave those itty bitty details to someone else.

Educating clients is always a good strategy Chuck so I'm with you there 100%.

I had a pleasant surprise when I checked my emails this morning. A blogging buddy has asked me to teach them some specifics for their business and wants to pay me :-) And I don't sell services but they had recognised some skills that I had learnt and now they want me to teach them. Maybe I need to diversify even more and have a site for newbies lol Patricia Perth Australia

Congrats Patricia. I spoke with a business owner this morning who told me that the light bulb for him didn't go off the first time someone asked for something he didn't normally provide, but the second time it did.

And therein lies the challenge Tyler. We'll keep trying to figure it out.