What Online Business Used to Be vs What It Is Now
The scammers are always early adopters
I have an advert running on Facebook.
Its goal is to attract 50+ nomads who would love to start a side hustle/online business that gives them the freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
My business is two fold;
My own travel ecommerce brand.
Helping other 50+ nomads/solopreneurs start their own money-making online ventures.
Firstly, with years of ecommerce experience under my belt this is and has been our main source of income for the last 10 years.
Plus with 14 years of nomadic and online business experience, sharing my knowledge and experiences not only helps others, but brings me immense joy.
Occasionally, I receive snarky comments accusing me of running a scam, being disingenuine, or charging for my free ebook (which is genuinely free).
I got one today which prompted this post.Â
‘Another person just teaching others how to teach others. I’ve read your story and you’re just the same as everyone out there pedaling this shit. Wow’
Other than it being a highly inaccurate assessment, I get it.
When I first started online back in 2010, the internet marketing scene was rife with scammers. Make a million here, make a million there and all with just a few clicks of the button.
Very similar to the recent crypto trends (FTX anyone) and the current AI hype.
Scammers are always early adopters
They see a new and fast way to make some quick cash and then sneak out the back door before getting caught (unless you’re Sam Bankman-Fried).
Go back to 2010 and you’ll find hundreds of ‘big’ names who are nowhere to be seen these days. They came, they saw, they conquered, they moved on.
The ones that stick around for the long term (mainly) are the ones who truly believe in the power of what they’re doing.
A bit like one hit wonders vs The Rolling Stones (although Rick Astley is definitely the exception).
However, nowadays it’s not the old ‘internet marketing’ tricks people should be concerned with.Â
There was indeed a time when the main source of online income was teaching others how to to teach others.
But with todays technology the amount of ways you can generate an income online are endless;
Digital courses in anything from basket weaving to using a hula hoop
Ecommerce storesÂ
Influencer marketing
Freelance writing or editing
Virtual assistance
Social media management
Podcast production
Web design and development
Online tutoring or coaching
Stock photography or videography
App development
Voice-over work
Translation services
Online event planning
Affiliate marketing
Graphic Design
Print on Demand
AI Writing or Editing
Blogging
Ghost Writing
(I could list hundreds - instead why not download my ebook 200+ Side Hustles for 50+ Nomads!)
But the scam these days isn’t ‘I’m going to sell you a course, showing you how to sell courses’.
Time has marched on my friend.
The biggest challenge online now is whether I actually exist!
Am I real? Or an online avatar?
I guarantee you, if I were an AI avatar I would be younger, slimmer, wealthier and be dating Chris Hemsworth, but that’s another story.
With deep fake and AI voices videos and graphics taking over the internet, as a consumer our biggest concern is in verifying the authenticity of who we’re interacting with online.
Community is King
The future is in communities.
It’s why NFT’s took off like they did (and will likely have a revival in the coming years). It’s why groups, social newsletters, and platforms like Skool and Mighty Networks are taking market share.
And it’s why, if you’re a creator, your biggest sell in the coming years is not the experience you have to share, but the community you’re willing to build.
People want to belong to a group of other people who can vouch for each other's authenticity. After all shared experiences and real-time interactions are hard to fake.
So whilst I have no issue being the target of skeptics who think I’m out for a quick buck, it’s important to focus on the issue at hand.
The rules of the game have changed.
The biggest threat moving forward isn’t trusting what I say but trusting who I am.
Which for genuine business owners & creators is not a threat but actually a massive opportunity!
Now is your time to shine!
You can unashamedly be yourself, connect with amazing people like you, and get rewarded for it!
So no matter your online business model, don't let the skeptics discourage you.
Focus on creating real value, building authentic relationships, and growing an engaged community.Â
Because at the end of the day, anyone can create content, but not everyone can create connections.Â
Get instant access to my FREE ebook – 200+ Side Hustle Ideas for 50+ Digital Nomads here