Running a business online?

[stoneymusic]

Hi gearslutz,

Firstly I am a new member here and so wanted to introduce myself and say hi! Looking forward to contributing and reading the posts and getting to know some of you.

Secondly I have a question to ask (apologies if I have posted in the wrong place). I am considering setting up an online company working as a mix engineer offering this service for artists/bands out there in cyber space.

I know that the world of mastering can generate work this way but do you guys have any thoughts or know of anyone that offers this service and is able to run a business this way??

Also any advice and thoughts with regards to this question would be hugely appreciated!

Hope you don't mind me asking this question.

Best Regards

Stoneymusic

[yareck]

Communication beetween engineer and customer might be serious problem during mixing... the price tag is another thing.. You will probably spend much more time on mixing than on mastering. I'm not sure you will find so many customers who will pay much money for online mixing.

[johnwayne]

This can work. With skype you can have video conferencing which would allow you and the client to see each other by using webcams.

With skype you could send parts of the song to the client really fast for approval.

This technology may not be perfect right now, but it will not be long.

This is what you would need to develop on the internet.

1. You are an extremely gifted mixer.
2. You work well with people.
3. You offer great value.
4. You are ranked in the top 5 for google.
5. You have afantastic website where people will purchase
6. You work fast and produce excellent results

It is very hard to get a mix right unless the cnt is there. You will always have that one little thing that needs to be fixed. If they're in the room, you just go through and fix everything right there. You will have to find a way to make this ease translate to the web.

Good Luck!

[Andy Krehm]

Selling mix services online is not a new idea. Try a search online and you will see.

Most of the time it is not a problem to execute. You can do mixes by hi-res mp3 files for balance ideas and when getting down to the details and final sound, send full bandwidth mixes via FTP like we all do for mastering. There is no need for visuals. Phone and email can take care of most communication.

One of my mastering clients advertises this service but he has a lot of credits and is very established. The mix engineer that works my room at night also does online mixing but we don't actually advertise it (probably should!).

I would think that getting started is no different than any other on like business and other posters have addressed this. My only thought is that you will have to do a lot of free demos to establish your credentials.

[James Meeker]

Originally Posted by johnwayne

It is very hard to get a mix right unless the cnt is there. You will always have that one little thing that needs to be fixed. If they're in the room, you just go through and fix everything right there. You will have to find a way to make this ease translate to the web.

I always find that the mix is better when the client ISN'T there for mixing. I think the process works best if you hammer out a 'most of the way' mix and let them listen to it and hit you back with adjustments.

Every time I've done a mix for a client that was "all up in" the mix process it was second rate compared to what I'd do on my own. Usually, if I think the work has suffered from too much client influence, I'll do their mix and MY mix and let them choose which one is better. Mine usually wins.

Engineer arrogance? Yeah. Steve Albini would not approve.

[johnwayne]

Originally Posted by James Meeker

I always find that the mix is better when the client ISN'T there for mixing. I think the process works best if you hammer out a 'most of the way' mix and let them listen to it and hit you back with adjustments.

Every time I've done a mix for a client that was "all up in" the mix process it was second rate compared to what I'd do on my own. Usually, if I think the work has suffered from too much client influence, I'll do their mix and MY mix and let them choose which one is better. Mine usually wins.

Engineer arrogance? Yeah. Steve Albini would not approve.

That's what I meant. Do the mix on your own, and then have the client come and point out any little things they have a problem with.

[stoneymusic]

Guys, thanks so much for your comments I really appreciate the advice that you have offered and the development of the thread has been interesting to read.

I am no stranger to the pro world and find that dealing with clients can be both beneficial and a bind, but I guess that is just the nature of this industry TV and Film mostly for me!

JohnWayne I'm interested to know how the skype works for you with regards to teaching guitar? Not that this may be necessary for my needs? Also how do advertise yourself online and do you find that you have a larger client base than just working freelance in your local area?

Once again thanks for the comments I will do some more research and any more comments or peoples experiences in this area would be gratefully received.

Regards

[johnwayne]

Originally Posted by stoneymusic

Guys, thanks so much for your comments I really appreciate the advice that you have offered and the development of the thread has been interesting to read.

I am no stranger to the pro world and find that dealing with clients can be both beneficial and a bind, but I guess that is just the nature of this industry TV and Film mostly for me!

JohnWayne I'm interested to know how the skype works for you with regards to teaching guitar? Not that this may be necessary for my needs? Also how do advertise yourself online and do you find that you have a larger client base than just working freelance in your local area?

Once again thanks for the comments I will do some more research and any more comments or peoples experiences in this area would be gratefully received.

Regards

Just by being visible online has made my local guitar teaching skyrocket. I don't teach a lot of people on Skype but it is money when I get the lessons. It will be the wave of the future I believe.

Here's how I market A Small Business Marketing Success Story: John Tuggle, Guitar Teacher

[stoneymusic]

Thanks for the link what a success story! and perhaps I may be able to model some of this for my intended work?

I'm interested to know do you get a lot of people paying for and downloading your tutorials? Has that become a good steady source of income for you through your hard work and promotion??

I take it that if the answer is yes that the potential earning could be greater than the teaching as you could have limitless downloads 24/7??

I assume?

[johnwayne]

Originally Posted by stoneymusic

Thanks for the link what a success story! and perhaps I may be able to model some of this for my intended work?

I'm interested to know do you get a lot of people paying for and downloading your tutorials? Has that become a good steady source of income for you through your hard work and promotion??

I take it that if the answer is yes that the potential earning could be greater than the teaching as you could have limitless downloads 24/7??

I assume?

In 3 months I've sold about 200 products, so I've done pretty well. My next plan is creating many more products, and analyzing data using google analytics, and studying conversion marketing.

Right now I usually make about half of what I make teaching private lessons. Soon I think I will surpass it, but it takes a lot of research planning and development.

A guy doing piano lessons and seminars pulls in about 50,000 a month which is insane! Internet is big business and if you are not in you are not going to survive.

[stoneymusic]

Hey JohnWayne thanks for all your help today.

Really interested to learn more from your experience and possibly apply to what I am intending to do. Would you mind if I picked your brains again sometime soon?

[Lagerfeldt]

An important thing about online business is to pay a lot of attention to logical and user friendly webdesign.

Also you must be very credible. This means no spelling mistakes, no crappy graphics and animations, etc.

Read at least two books: one about user friendly webdesign, and one about copywriting (not a spelling mistake BTW).

Write short sentences, use lots of subheaders, be direct - but don't oversell.

Naturally, you should provide an excellent service which means being good at your craft and being good at social skills (communication in your case).

[johnwayne]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

An important thing about online business is to pay a lot of attention to logical and user friendly webdesign.

Also you must be very credible. This means no spelling mistakes, no crappy graphics and animations, etc.

Read at least two books: one about user friendly webdesign, and one about copywriting (not a spelling mistake BTW).

Write short sentences, use lots of subheaders, be direct - but don't oversell.

Naturally, you should provide an excellent service which means being good at your craft and being good at social skills (communication in your case).

Excellent advice here.

[stoneymusic]

Cheers Guys. This is excellent advice.....much appreciated.

Lagerfeldt could you recommend any books that you think might suit your suggestions. I am am familiar with copyright for music as I have to sort that regularly with my own music, usually handing some of my rights over to the client. Copyright for intellectual rights and web stuff not so hot on.

Maybe you can elaborate on what kind of copyright you are referring to?

Cheers

[johnwayne]

Originally Posted by stoneymusic

Cheers Guys. This is excellent advice.....much appreciated.

Lagerfeldt could you recommend any books that you think might suit your suggestions. I am am familiar with copyright for music as I have to sort that regularly with my own music, usually handing some of my rights over to the client. Copyright for intellectual rights and web stuff not so hot on.

Maybe you can elaborate on what kind of copyright you are referring to?

Cheers

This kind of copywriting has to do with a writing style that is easy to read, understand, and can sell products or an idea. Copywriting takes a lot of practice. Search Joe Vitale. One of the kings of copywriting.

It will open up a whole new world for you.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by stoneymusic

Cheers Guys. This is excellent advice.....much appreciated.

Lagerfeldt could you recommend any books that you think might suit your suggestions. I am am familiar with copyright for music as I have to sort that regularly with my own music, usually handing some of my rights over to the client. Copyright for intellectual rights and web stuff not so hot on.

Maybe you can elaborate on what kind of copyright you are referring to?

Cheers

You must have missed my link and comment in my post. The word copywrite links to a Wikipedia article.

Try reading my post again.

Im' talking about copywrite - not copyright :-) Two completely different things.

Copywriting is writing copy (text) = how to write words that sell your business the right way. Try johnwayne's suggestion regarding a book.

As your business is online text will be a very, very important medium to convey your message and persuade customers you're the bomb.

[stoneymusic]

Ignorance is bliss.............maybe not in my case!

Yes I missed the link, sorry.

Brilliant advice, keeping text simple enough with the effect of selling your product seems incredibly logical. However I bet like most things in life achieving simplicity is not as easy as one might think!

If you don't mind I will check out your sites to see how you guys are persuading customers to buy your expertise.

thanks again!

[Lagerfeldt]

Here's a list I made about webdesign compiled by reading many books about the subject:

(I don't follow all of these rules myself though, but I'm changing all my websites in 2 months to completely new and even better design/text).

Web design tips

·The website should be structured according to the needs of the user, not reflecting the structure of the company.

·No website is an island. Maintain a useful and relevant link list.

·Contents should dominate. Navigation should be minimized but not be obscure.

·Navigation should be at the top left or top center of the page.

·Use space to separate instead of divider lines. Use grouping of elements to create coherence.

·Try removing design elements one at a time. If it works just as well without an element, remove it permanently.

·From all pages the top logo should be visble and link to the index page. Except from the actual index page where meta linking would make no sense.

·Don’t use any brand new technology, as it might not be compatible yet. Use HTML and separate CSS.

·Check that the layout works fairly well on iPhone or other mobile devices as this is a growing market.

·Check that the layout doesn’t break with font size changes.

·Multimedia or any other downloadable contents such as PDF or doc files should have file format specified and/or icon. Size should be specified if it’s 3Mb or larger.

·Pictures in general and graphics containing words should have ALT tags describing the picture or containing the words, in case the page doesn’t load properly. This does not apply to pure design elements.

·Use hypertext. Only the most important words carrying actual information should be hypertext, and never phrases such as click here.

·Use link titles. But only use link titles where the link text isn’t self explanatory or it might lead to information overflow.

·Link text should have logical colors for link/visited/active states.

·Use permanent, easy to read and logical links to maintain incoming traffic from referring websites.

·No frames.

·Text on websites should be 50% shorter than their printed equivelant. Begin with the conclusion. Use short segments, lists, and lots of subheaders. People scan, they don’t read.

·Don’t use meta navigation links, i.e. links that jump to places on the same page.

·Page title should contain: website name and a divider line followed by a brief description of page contents. In some cases search engine keywords should be added to the end of the title.

·Use left justified text.

·Online documentation should use lots of examples. It’s easier to follow and adapt examples than to deduct information from a general description. Documentation should be task oriente, and contain less background information.

·The index page should answer two questions immediately: what is the purpose of this website, and where am I.

·The index page should contain news items, but this should be secondary to regular contents.

·All pages should contain a search function placed in the upper right corner of the page. The search box must have at least 20 visible characters before scrolling.

·Links from banner ads and other sites should link directly to the page for the advertised product, not the index page.

·There should be a email contact function on every page.

·The news segment should contain a time of last update.

·Use a custom designed 404 page.

·Don’t use popups and don’t open links in new windows.

[stoneymusic]

Guys you have opened my mind to so many new ideas. Think I am going to have to rethink my original plan and do a lot more research!

Cheers the the website design tips Lagerfeldt just invaluable info for selling my product via a website.

Any suggestions where I should start to look with regards to research into establishing a business online?

Have already subscribed to a number of business podcasts and looked into copywriting (got the spelling right this time!) but it seems there is such a mine of info out there it's hard to know where to start.

I never thought I would get so much help and good advice as a new forum member so thanks again.

Stoney

[johnwayne]

Try Internet business Mastery. It's a great podcast with useful info.