Q. What made you decide to start a website in the field?

A. I am a writer, so it made perfect sense. Besides, everyone kept nagging me to do it!

Q. What kind of research went into this niche area before building your website?

A. I didn¡¯t do a lot as I¡¯d been in the industry for years.  I knew what was around, and could see where other sites were lacking.

Q. How did you design and build your website?

A. Initially my son did my sites for me (with Dreamweaver), but when he scored a job, he didn¡¯t have time.  He gave me two days notice that he couldn¡¯t do it anymore.  I had purchased Front Page some years back, but everyone told me it was ¡®difficult to learn¡¯ and since I¡¯m technically challenged, was too afraid to try. 

After my son¡¯s revelation, I just sat down and did it.  I learned the basics in three days. It¡¯s not as hard as I thought it would be.

Q. What software do you use to run your business?

A. My hosting package provides most of what I need including autoresponders, forums, chatrooms etc.  I use Clickbank & PayLoadz for the ebook automation.

Q. How does your website generate income?

A. I have two ebooks for writers that sell incredibly well. I also run regular fiction writing workshops, and have contractors to run other workshops for me. I earn other income from resale rights products, as well as from affiliate sales.

Q. How do you collect payments for your products or services?

A. I use Clickbank & PayPal.

Q. What promotion methods do you use?

A. I rarely pay for advertising, instead using articles which are freely available from my site via autoresponder. I also use egroups, and occasionally forums.  In addition to those, I am approached regularly for interviews (I generally do two per month) and chats. And of course, I have an ezine specifically for writers.

I also give occasional talks at the library, schools etc., and present workshops at writer¡¯s conferences and writer¡¯s groups.  I always have brochures which highlight my site.  All of my publicity is closely targeted. Being a working writer helps with a lot of my publicity as well.

Q. Which method has proven to give you the best sales results?

A. I couldn¡¯t say it was just one method, but I do feel the articles and ezine are probably the most effective. Most of my sales are repeat customers, many of whom are subscribers.

Q. Which method of traffic generation has proven to be the best for you?

A. Difficult to say ¨C it tends to come from various methods, but put on the spot, I¡¯d say the articles and my ezine.  My traffic swells immensely right after an ezine goes out.

Q. What is your biggest challenge each month?

A. Finding the time to make changes to the site. But it¡¯s so important that I now have an entire day put aside each week.

Q. What's the biggest mistake you've made since starting your business?

A. Not having enough free content available.  Since I started adding new articles and free autoresponder workshops regularly my traffic has grown immensely. So have my sales.

Q. How has your lifestyle changed since you started your online business?

A. Although I¡¯m not making anywhere near the amount of money I know is possible, it¡¯s nice having the extra income.  I plan on writing more ebooks ¨C at least another one this year, then hopefully a minimum of two per year.  This will also help with income.

Q. How has your SureFireWealth.com membership helped you with your online business?

A. It¡¯s helped immensely.  I¡¯m no longer trawling the internet for appropriate books and products to sell or use as bonuses. 

Q. What would you say to someone looking to start a website in the same niche as you?

A. I would say go for it; just be aware there¡¯s a lot of competition out there. And mostly, like me, they are working writers, so you would need to know your stuff.

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Thanks Cheryl!