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IS
ANYONE HUNGRY?
By Ben Pedersen (c)2000
It's a cold, rainy morning here in Northern California.
As I sit in the airport reading the San Francisco
Chronicle, the local paper, I realize that I'm hungry.
I notice the vending machine sitting there and I get
up to buy something to eat. I flip two quarters in
and bend over to retrieve my squashed looking sweet
roll.
I think a moment about that vending machine. You see,
a friend of mine owns a vending business. He likes it
well enough. He has some machines located locally
and he says that it's easy enough to run. In fact, he
gets excited every time he tells me how easy it is to do.
"It's so easy Ben" he tells me. "All I do is fill my
van up with goodies and refill these machines once a
week." Of course, while he's at it he also collects
the week's takings. His vending business does good
too. In a good week, my buddy will make close to eight
hundred dollars for the 30 hours or so he puts in. He
works when he wants and has nobody but himself to answer
to. I have to admit, it sounds kinda like that
"American" dream thing doesn't it?
Then last week, I dropped a bombshell. I informed my
friend that I too own a vending business. I wasn't
finished. I also informed him that some of my
subscribers to this thing called an ezine had their
own vending businesses too. And those that didn't,
sure were trying to start one. Perplexed and fearing
the onset of fierce competition he says "explain."
I tell him that we have "e"vending machines all over
the place. And, just like his, they light up. Like
his vending machines, people can put their money in and
get what they paid for in an instant. As he does, we too
collect the takings about twice a week.
My vending machines are "e"vinding machines rather, being
totally digital. They're placed on the internet humming
away with treats inside, waiting for someone to come
along und put their money in. These "e" vending machines
are websites.
You see, when you are determining where and how to market
your website, there are some similarities between it and a
simple vending machine.
Let me explain........
Remember how I mentioned that my pal makes about 800 bucks
a week?
Well, he doesn't do that by just placing machines every
where. My friend knows how to target market just like
we internet marketers do.
He knows that people wait in the airport. He understands
that while they wait, they may grow hungry and thirsty. In
fact, this guy actually LOVES airport delays because he makes
money. Is this an accident? I don't think so.
My friend also owns machines in the locker rooms in several
area high schools. He's certain that after the big games,
the athletes will want a cool one. Know what? He's right
on TARGET.
In short, he is making A LOT of money because he knows WHERE
to place his message (and product) to get the attention
of the right prospects - people who are thirsty.
The same applies online too. Think of your website as
a vending machine for a moment. What does it have in it?
Do you sell business opportunities? If so, do you
think that your site would be successful in front of a
bunch of children? Most likely not. On the other hand,
if your selling toys online, you bet it would!
Now, if you take that same website that you use to sell
business opportunities and place it in front of a bunch
of business enthusiasts and opportunity seekers, you can
place a good bet that there's traffic coming and hopefully
some sales to boot.
Here's some examples.......
If you're selling golf gear, find some golf enthusiast ezines
(yes, they exist) and place some ads.
If your selling business opportunities, bid on some great
keywords like "make money", etc. at GoTo.com and buy
ads in bizopp ezines.
( GoTo.com - http://www.goto.com/ )
Get your message, whatever it is, out there. Just get it
in front of the RIGHT people. Look at your product and
decide who it's good for. For example, we online
entrepreneurs like business stuff that'll help our
businesses.
On the other hand, basketball players like basketball
related items. Cooks would love a place to swap recipes
online. If you have that, don't tell me, tell them!
Do you see my point?
It's extremely important to target your message and
place it in front of people who are likely to be
interested in your offer. You have to ask yourself
"WHO would want and NEED what I'm offering?"
That's what my soda selling counterpart is doing.
He's placing his product in front of those who want
it. And, his profits show how effective this is.
If you don't have an online "vending" machine yet,
here are some of the similarities between an "e"
vending machine and an ordinary one.
1. Automation......
My friend sleeps at night. He also makes money. You
see, someone can happen by his machine at 3:00 a.m.
and buy a snack. Bingo - he's made a sale while he
sleeps. Infact, he meets me for lunch - sales are
still made. He goes to a ball game - he still makes
money.
Thanks to automation, he doesn't have to be in any one
place to make money. An online "e" vending machine or
a website rather should do the same thing. In fact, I
believe this to be a MAJOR benefit to an online
business.
My site works 24 hours a day. It collects subscribers,
hands people their requested products and makes sales
while I ride a bike, sleep, swim or whatever. It just
keeps on working. It'll even work on Christmas while I
enjoy time with my family. My website behaves just like
a vending machine, working and generating business all
the time.
2. Instant delivery.........
If you buy a Pepsi, you flip your change in a slot and you
get a can of soda immediately right?
Well, If someone buys a product, they flip their CC number
in my form and they download the product instantly.
Works just like a vending machine don't ya' think?
3. Set Up.........
Here's a difference. You can't sit at a PC and write a
Pepsi machine can you? Nope! You've got to pay big bucks
for one of those.
Well, here I sit, writing my vending machine and It works
perfectly. It's an automated website and will behave like
a vending machine selling ebooks, etc.
The difference? Cost.
I'll pay about 35 bucks for mine.
So there you have it. If you haven't got an online vending
machine, a website, the time to start is now.
Think of your site as a vending machine when you build it
and market it and you'll have a blast! I know I am. |