She Strengthens

Nine Years of Trial and Error: Lessons Learned from Various Business Models

As we celebrate our ninth anniversary, it’s time to reflect on the journey that has brought us to where we are today. Over the years, we’ve experimented with numerous business models, some of which worked well, while others didn’t quite fit our vision. In this article, we’ll share our experiences with nine different business models, highlighting their pros and cons, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Advertising/Banner Ads: A Good Starting Point, but Not Sustainable

Our first foray into monetization was through advertising and banner ads. While it was exciting to earn money from our blog, we soon realized that this model wasn’t sustainable. We had no control over whether clients would continue their contracts, and we were reliant on external factors to build our business.

Sponsored Posts/Blog and Social Media: Authenticity is Key

Creating sponsored content can be a lucrative way to earn money, but it requires authenticity and creativity. We learned that it’s essential to partner with brands that align with our values and audience interests. However, this model also relies on external factors, and it can be challenging to maintain authenticity.

Speaking Engagements: Authority and Confidence are Essential

Speaking at events and conferences can be a great way to establish authority and build our brand. However, it requires confidence, a strong sales presentation, and a willingness to travel. We learned that it’s crucial to have a clear message and to be prepared to pitch our services to potential clients.

Publishing an Ebook: Interaction is Crucial

While publishing an ebook can be a quick way to earn money, we found that it lacked the interaction and engagement that we value. We learned that adding video content and creating a course around the ebook can provide more value to our audience.

Online Courses: Teaching and High-Quality Content are Essential

Creating online courses has been a successful business model for us. We’ve learned that high-quality content, teaching, and technical support are crucial to delivering a great learning experience. However, it requires significant effort and resources to create and market a course.

Other Business Models: Affiliate Marketing, Membership Sites, and More

In part two of this article, we’ll explore four additional business models, including affiliate marketing, membership sites, and more. We’ll share our experiences, pros, and cons, and the lessons we’ve learned from each model.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Business Model Takes Time and Experimentation

After nine years of trial and error, we’ve learned that finding the right business model takes time, experimentation, and patience. It’s essential to stay true to our values, be authentic, and focus on delivering high-quality content and services to our audience. By sharing our experiences, we hope to inspire and guide others in their own entrepreneurial journey.

Lessons Learned: Be Patient, Stay Authentic, and Focus on Quality

• Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect.
• Go at your own pace, and stop comparing yourself to others.
• Stay true to your values and be authentic in your business endeavors.
• Focus on delivering high-quality content and services to your audience.
• Experiment with different business models until you find what works best for you.