I am currently enrolled in an independent research class where we can choose any topic we want to research. I want to do something business related, because my life goal is to eventually start my own business and be my own boss. I currently have a lot of experience in web-development (designing, coding, launching a site and maintaining it), some experience with e-commerce, little experience with online marketing, but I have a general passion for internet business. I'd like some research project ideas. Since I can do this in class, it would be nice if I made some money while I'm at it, as well. After all, a freelance job for yourself could be a research topic. I was thinking something along the lines of article marketing (maybe write an article a day for X amount of months, then see how much money I made and look into different keyword densities, etc). Does anyone have any other ideas for me? If I can use what I know to build upon new knowledge, I think this class will be a success. Help me out, guys
That's a great idea because regardless of your grade, you'll get valuable business experience that will help you in any field - everything's got an online aspect these days. Writing an article a day will be more time away from analysis, and a bit less standardized, since so many factors go into an article. You might also consider something like affiliate marketing - you can utilize existing product, say Cafepress t shirts, Lulu books, or simply Amazon, for example; then experiment with different marketing venues and traffic. Your commissions will be your report. Then you learn more research and not just producing, but getting out of that 1:1 mindset and into a leveraging mindset. Either is good, of course, but at least with affiliate sales you have a more standard variable of product than different articles. You could sell the same T shirt 100 times and it doesn't affect further sales one way or the other. Plus CP has an affiliate program that's easier to jump into than most. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
Wonderful Idea, I wish there should have been something similar when I was in school. The experience would be valuable. I have an internet marketing project planned, would pm you later about it.
parkersent, I could do like 6 articles a week, (4 in class, 2 over the weekend for homework) and Friday would be analysis day. I would end up with 60 articles after 10 weeks. In the meanwhile, I could also try to get a few affiliate websites up in some niches - again, WHICH niches could be debatable. richierich1m, please do! I'll be looking forward to your email. Any other ideas?
Since you are web developer, and can write articles as well.. why don't create a portal where article searchers come to buy those articles and article writers come to sell their articles.. it is kind of win win situation.. you just need to invest around 5$ for your one year, and since you can build e commerce site for your self.. and a bit optimization will work.. you can also do everything for free.. but for a successful business investment is must, otherwise people don't trust you.. That's just my idea
I told my mentor the article marketing idea, and she loved it. I might go with it. Thank you Fracker.
I have actually written a book on the most potent internet niches to own a site for. If anyone would like it, just PM me. My sig (left one) also has some information on different niche businesses.