Summary of Why Hard Work Isn’t Enough — How I Change My Online Business

  • medium.com
  • Article
  • Summarized Content

    My First Post After a One-Month Break

    The author took a break from writing to rethink their online business and set priorities. They realized that their ambitious goals and quarterly reviews weren’t enough to keep up with the demands of work and family life. They needed to build a lifestyle business that supported their comfortable living and financial goals.

    After moving to Canada, the author found solace in activities like gardening, healthy cooking, reading, and spending time with family. It was a turning point that inspired a shift in their approach to online business.

    Transforming My Online Business for a Better Lifestyle

    During their break, the author made some crucial changes to their online business. They realized the need to move away from projects and experiments that didn’t align with their goals. The author chose to focus on activities that brought them joy and energy.

    Surprisingly, the month after the break became their most successful in terms of income and leisure. This success was an unintended consequence of the changes they made.

    • They had more days off without sacrificing their clients’ projects.
    • They calmed their busy mind and listened to their inner self.
    • They realized that growth requires change and the mental strength to implement it.

    Changes That Led to a New Phase of Entrepreneurship

    The author, who transitioned into entrepreneurship in July 2022, felt that being a one-person SEO team for their employers wasn’t fulfilling. They decided to switch the rules of the game and build their own business.

    Since 2020, they’ve been working on a variety of projects:

    • Their Medium blog, which has grown to almost 20k followers.
    • Their website, which they’ve been growing using SEO.
    • Their SEO ebook on "How to Write Content that Hits the Google Front Page" on Gumroad.
    • Their SEO checklist for new websites on Gumroad.
    • Their Gumroad guide on “How to Make Money Selling Ebooks on Gumroad.”
    • Their email list with over 3k subscribers.
    • SEO consulting.
    • A 12-month content writing plan for website owners on Gumroad.
    • SEO work for clients.
    • Their LinkedIn profile.

    Learning From Success and Failure

    The author experimented with various platforms, content formats, services, and monetization opportunities during their entrepreneurship journey. They have experienced both successes and failures, which have taught them valuable lessons about risk and the importance of having a solid foundation for online business.

    • One Medium post generated $3,000 in affiliate commissions.
    • A Beehiiv review has earned them over $4,000 in affiliate commissions.
    • They have sold over 325 copies of their SEO ebook on Gumroad, generating over $10,000 in income.

    The author emphasizes that relying solely on external platforms can be risky due to unpredictable algorithm changes. Their Medium blog and website have both experienced income fluctuations as a result of algorithm shifts and competitor tactics.

    These experiences have highlighted the inevitable risk involved in online business and the need to be prepared for unexpected challenges.

    Shifting Focus to LinkedIn and SEO Services

    To minimize risk and establish a steady income stream, the author made some tough business decisions. They have shifted their focus to providing SEO services and building their personal brand on LinkedIn.

    • They no longer treat their Medium blog, email list, digital products, and website as part of their everyday business.
    • Instead, they focus their energy on helping clients with SEO and growing their presence on LinkedIn.

    The author assists B2B agencies and SaaS companies with niche keyword research and SEO writing. They also landed a new collaboration with Copilot, a service business platform, to help them grow their organic search presence.

    LinkedIn has proven to be an effective tool for attracting clients. Consistent posting on LinkedIn, despite being time-efficient, has helped the author spread awareness and attract potential clients.

    While the author recognizes the risk of relying entirely on third-party platforms, they are committed to using LinkedIn as a growth tool for their online business.

    Embracing "Less is More" for a Fulfilling Lifestyle

    Despite their passion for their projects, the author’s ultimate goal has always been to enjoy a high quality of life while working less.

    They believe that achieving this goal requires inner peace and external harmony.

    The author challenges the notion of “working hard, making money, and resting later.” They want to enjoy their life and live according to their rules today.

    By making difficult decisions and focusing on a lifestyle business that prioritizes their well-being, the author is actively shaping a future where they can enjoy both success and fulfillment.

    Their journey emphasizes that entrepreneurship is a continuous process of learning, adapting, and making choices that align with one’s values and aspirations.

    Building a Website Growth Mastery Newsletter

    The author encourages readers to join their weekly newsletter, "Website Growth Mastery," which provides insights and strategies for website growth and monetization.

    • The newsletter offers valuable tips for growing websites using SEO.
    • It also explores effective techniques for monetizing online content.

    By subscribing to the newsletter, readers can gain access to the author’s experience and insights, which can help them grow their own online businesses and achieve their goals.

    Ask anything...

    Sign Up Free to ask questions about anything you want to learn.