How To Build A Passionate Online Retirement Income
September 29, 2009
Do you need more income for retirement? Are you worried that you can’t afford to retire? If so, you’re not alone. Thousands of people are looking for way to supplement their retirement income, because they just won’t have enough money to meet their needs.
So where do you start? Well taking what you do in your current job, into your retirement is one idea. But, if you don’t love your current job, it may be smarter to supplement your retirement income with something you’re passionate about.
And to discover what that “something” might be, try making a list containing:
1) Everything you have experience in that you could do to earn an income. Include everything. You’ve probably done a whole bunch of things earlier in life that you’ve forgotten about. Even jobs like dog walking and baby sitting have a place on your list.
2) Things you enjoy that you want to learn more about. This list will probably include hobbies and interests that you have.
3) Things you have no experience in that you’re keen to learn about. Many people look forward to retirement so they can do the things they’ve always wanted to do. And these are the things you’ll probably want to include in this part of the list.
Next, go through your list and cross out anything that you wouldn’t want to do to earn extra income for your retirement. Next cross out anything that you would enjoy doing, but not enough to turn it into a part-time job or business.
Now, examine your list carefully and circle four remaining items that appeal to you most. And start thinking about ways you could turn them into a part-time job or business.
If you’re struggling to do this, browse the Internet to see how others are earning money from their passions. Look for Internet sites and blogs where the owner is passionate about their topic. Also, look for sites that contain a personal element as opposed to the anonymous, “who the hell owns this anyway” type website.
Also, look for websites that draw you deeply into their niche content, rather than those that are merely a sales pitch for their product.
Here’s a gem of a website I found recently that ticks all these boxes: Frugal RV Travel.
Webmasters Marianne and Randy target a niche market of folk who want to take long trips in an RV on a tight budget. And here’s a few reasons their niche website is so successful.
1) Credibility: On their first page, the words “As Seen In The New York Times” jumps out at you, with links to Marianne’s interview with the New York Times. So right away, you know that if the New York Times has taken the time to interview a webmaster, she must know her stuff.
2) Proof That It Can Be Done: Page after page chronicles their many RVing ventures. And for anyone who doubts that they can do it too, Marianne breaks down the costs of each trip, including a 12 month journey which cost them a total of $7175 dollars. Amazingly, that total included gas, food and health insurance – cheaper than living at home.
3) Great Products: If you want to make decent money to supplement your retirement income, you need to sell something. And Marianne and Randy are definitely selling products that people in their niche are looking for. In fact, after folk have browsed their awesome content – they will be desperate to buy from them.
The main products they sell are a series of e-books – the Frugal Shunpiker’s Boondocking Guides. The books show readers how to camp for free, save money on groceries, attractions etc, maps and detailed itineraries of each location.
Writing this type of guide may sound like hard work but it isn’t. In fact, resources like the 7 Day E-book show you how to write this type of guide in only one week.
I’ve written guides like this myself and there are two things you should know:
If you’re passionate about your topic, the guide almost writes itself.
The guide doesn’t need to be long. Your customers want to know how to do something quickly – they don’t want to spend a whole year reading about it.
In fact, Marianne’s Texas guide is only 74 pages long. And when you consider it also includes maps, that isn’t too much writing. I have even sold information products as short as 23 pages. They sold well and my customers loved them.
4) Lots of pictures and personal stories: You’ll notice the site has lots of pictures and personal stories. This helps customers identify with Marianne and Randy – customers who want to do what they do; customers who are desperate to buy what they are selling.
How Can You Do All This Too?
I won’t pretend building an online income for retirement is quick or easy. In fact, if you haven’t retired yet – I would recommend that you start working on it now.
A lot of work has gone into Marianne and Randy’s website. But what I did notice is that they used Site Build It to build their website and that didn’t surprise me. Many of the high quality websites I stumble upon online are built by Site Build It users.
And if you don’t know where to start, Site Build It may be for you. It’s an online business system, which helps folk who don’t have a clue what they want to do, to build a website from scratch. It includes everything from brainstorming, to SEO, to building and marketing the actual site. You can discover how other business owners are using Site Build It here.
Related Reading On This Site
Protect Your Financial Security In Uncertain Times
How Not To Promote Your Business On The Internet
How To Make Good Money In Terrible Times
The Recipe – 26 Practical Resources For Starting An Online Business
Related Reading On Other Sites
-
Successful And Outstanding Blogger
