Steve King Asks: Is your web business really global?
Monday, December 19th, 2011 at
2:58 pm
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Hi Steve,
Firstly, thank you for writing the guest post for my readers and showing them what you’re doing.
When you said your post was timely you were absolutely right as in my previous post I was saying about taking the road not taken and trying something new. Which of course is exactly what you’ve done.
Congratulations on achieving the completion of your Apps. I knew you were working on one, but nine in such a short time is extremely good Steve and like you said would you have been able to achieve the same via Clickbank Products? In a word, NO!
Did you outsource much of the work or did you have to learn how to create them yourself from scratch?
This is really interesting as in my previous post i was saying about the mobile devices now being used by so many people and that we had to take this into account with our creations.
I’m heading towards Kindle myself but there’s a huge market for these new devices and it’s good to see you tapping into it.
Thanks Steve and again Congratulations mate
Barry
Barry recently posted..Innovate Take The Road Not Taken And Try Something New
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Barry
Thanks for having me and for the kind words too.
Sadly I haven’t become a programmer in the last 6-8 weeks so yes in terms of the programming workload I do outsource.
I used ODesk.com in this case, which is a great place to find programmers.
And I am very lucky that my programmer considers himself to be one of my team…And I was always keen to make him feel that way. We do work very much as a team, each offering suggestions and improvements to the others ideas.
Nowadays, it actually takes longer for the app to be approved by Apple than it does for us to build one. We have a well oiled machine now and can build a video coaching app from scratch in about 7 days.
That’s largely because at planning stage I was always keen to build a framework or template that could be re-used, which has the benefit of reducing both time & cost.
It was a steep learning curve, but it’s been really enjoyable doing it…and it’s also very exciting checking the download stats each day.
I wish you luck with Kindle Barry…we are also just waiting for our first book to be published there and Amazon is a another market hungry for new content.
Thanks again Barry
Cheers
Steve
PS – It’s a pleasure to be on such a great blog!
Steve recently posted..Carry Distance Chart
Twitter: adriennesmith40
So happy to hear you are doing really well with your apps Steve. I have a friend that created his first one this year and he said it took eight months for the guy to create it because of course, it was outsourced and the total cost was around %1,800. Luckily for him, the app turned out to be a huge hit and within the first two weeks made a huge $15,000 profit. From a $0.99 app. That’s fabulous but I’m sure not all of them are that popular.
Could you tell us how difficult it is to outsource this work and what kind of money is involved to create one? I’m sure that money is made on all of them over time. You just have to get enough people interested in them.
I’m really curious since I had first heard my friend’s story. I have no idea what’s involved and don’t expect you to write a how to guide for me but would be interested in hearing the process.
Great guest post Barry, really enjoyed reading this and Steve’s right. IM can be draining on your time so venturing into an area people are crazy about right now is a very smart move.
Have a great week you two.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..Crucial Steps Before Upgrading WordPress
Hi Adrienne,
Your friend had a pretty amazing 2 weeks making $1,500 profit on $0.99 apps. It just goes to show what demand there is for the right creations.
Like you, I would like to know what’s involved in creating one and how difficult it is to outsource the work.
I thought the post was really well timed after my last post telling people about taking the road not taken and with the apps being such a hot item at the moment there’s never been a better time.
I’m heading your way shortly Adrienne and will catch you up then my friend
Respect and Regards,
Barry
Barry recently posted..Will I Take The 7 link challenge? Yes Of Course I Will
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Adrienne
Thanks for the well wishes.
Your friend did very well with their App. I don’t think it’s that common to have thousands of purchases in such a short space of time…but there are people making tons of cash on the app store everyday.
I heard the no #1 grossing app does around $80k per day! Which is a staggering amount of money.
From what we have experienced the way forward is with In-App purchases. We made a point of making some free apps with upgrade offers built into them. We are currently converting at 9% which is less than we are aiming for, but significantly more than our Clickbank sales.
In terms of outsourcing, I used ODesk.com to find my programmer. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted with my first App and I actually had to release the first programmer that I hired because they didn’t quite understand what I wanted….never be scared to release someone!
If you can put good thought in to what you want to achieve and be really specific, then it will give your contractor a much better chance to deliver what you want.
The first app we made was a simple utility, which collects golf scores and then gives the user lots of info in return.
here’s the video to the demo I gave my programmer:
http://youtu.be/bOqUGRLUxqo (it’s around 7 mins)
and here’s how it turned out:
http://youtu.be/sUebtqniGGQ (around 9mins)
As you can see we got pretty close and also made improvements along the way
We have subsequently updated the app to include sharing functions and an inbuilt ‘Tell A Friend’ script…to help with the viral effect.
In terms of cost, this particular App cost around $800 to set up, which included all the graphics, the developer account at Apple, programming fees and the support websites that I built to accompany it.
Of the nine Apps we have created this was the most expensive (by almost double) and the cheapest we’ve made so far cost just $270.
At current sales levels each App will pay for itself within 8-10 weeks…and we haven’t started ‘Push Notifications’ yet..but that’s a topic for another day.
I have enjoyed doing it so much I am actually looking at starting an app development company
Thanks for reading and happy marketing
cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Carry Distance Chart
Thanks for leaving such a detailed comment Steve, I’ll be sure to check those videos out
That is an amazing amount of money to make from selling cheap products. WOW what an eye opener
Barry recently posted..Another Fear Conquered Thanks To Sally Neill and My Latest Online Win
Twitter: desdrec
Hey Steve,
A really inspirational post and I’m glad you’ve finally started to make it work with apps.
Whenever I hear the word apps, it always sounds complicated. perhaps you could produce a product to show us how it’s done etc. You’ve got a certain buyer from day 1
You truely have a global business and have found a niche that’s paying a nice tidy income. Well done mate. I’ll await your product
Des recently posted..Are SEO Services Dead For Small Businesses?
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Des
I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I had the same thought process when I first started out, thinking it might be too complicated. But to be honest, I really don’t have to know how the programming works just so long as it does.
Part of my contract arrangement with my programmer is that I pay the final instalment only when the app is live for sale in the app store…and as long as it gets there I’m not too worried about how.
Glad to have your order…I’ll let you know if I decide to make a product
Thanks
Steve
Steve recently posted..Carry Distance Chart
Twitter: desdrec
Sounds good to me mate. Let me know? I’m betting that if you did a WSO and showed your growth figures it’ll be an over night success. It’s kind of the latest and greatest niche at the moment and there’s plenty of interest.
I did a post a couple of days ago about a 6th grader developing apps for his friends. Lots of changes in 2012.
Behind the scenes, I think Google’s running scared. There’s more smartphone users doing specific searches for things via their apps rather then Google.
interesting eh?
Des recently posted..Are SEO Services Dead For Small Businesses?
Hi Des, you make a very good point about the WSO. It would fly off of the shelves, as they say.
I’ll have to come over and check out the post about the 6th grader, kids eh? They can teach us so much can’t they?
I think you may be right about Google. In a guest post from Fran Aslam she pointed out that 56.9 million people search the internet from their mobile divices every single day…..
Take care mate,
Barry
Barry recently posted..Triple Blog Traffic
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Barry
I just looked at the stats for today and we have added another four countries to our growing list:
Indonesia, Hong Kong, Portugal & Iceland.
We’re going to buy a map and put coloured pins in it to show where our Apps are being used.
cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Carry Distance Chart
That’s absolutely fantastic news Steve and shows everyone just how popular these are.
I know that your main Niche and passion is golf but have you created any Apps for your other niches?
$80,000 a day from the best selling App is staggering amount. I’m going to have to talk to my kids about this and pick their brains.
Congratulations on the growing list of countries steve, you’ll have to take pictures of the map when finished and do a dot to dot
Best of luck mate,
Barry
Barry recently posted..Innovate Take The Road Not Taken And Try Something New
Twitter: Dawn_Kay
Hi Barry and Steve
Wow sounds like your on to a winner with the apps Steve and I’m soooooooo glad for you matey as I know you was a bit fed up in the internet marketing niche…
Just goes to show that if you learn internet marketing you can go on and take your skills into other niches too.
I also agree with Des here Steve and think that you should create a product about what your doing because the app market is such a hot niche right now and if you don’t then someone else will…
Congratulations on your success Steve and I hope you and Angie have a fab christmas…
And Barry, well done on grabbing a fab guest post and merry christmas!
Take care
Dawn
Dawn Kay recently posted..Spotlight On My Fab iTunes Reviewers
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Dawn
I hope you’re well and having a blast with Sally, say hi for me. Angie says Hi & Merry Christmas (so do I)
I’m sure there are already some thousand dollar courses out there, never been my style to charge that kind of money, so maybe Des’ idea about a WSO is more up my street.
I may create a product…I am currently working on four more apps as we speak so not sure when I’ll get time…but I will have a good think about it.
Have a great Christmas and New Year
cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Carry Distance Chart
Hi Dawn,
The timing couldn’t have been better with Steve’s guest post although I can’t take the credit for that as it was Steve who came to me
Have a fantastic Christmas Dawn and a very Happy New Year
Take good care mate,
Barry
Barry recently posted..Kindle Publishing Made Easy by Val Waldeck: My review
Hi Steve,
Just read your post. Great article and a timely eye opener.
Congratulations on bringing an App to market in such a short space of time.
You are so right that this I.M business can be so challenging and stressful because everyone seems to be doing the same thing. I’ve being watching the Apps market for a while thinking that I might look to get into the market. I think that it is definitely the way to go.
It is interesting that you use ODesk, do you recommend them as the best for outsourcing?
Ed.
Ed Welch recently posted..Do you get a lot of annoying emails?
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Ed
Thanks for reading the post.
I use Odesk when I’m hiring a programmer, but also have used freelancer.com and elance.com
Not by design but I seem to use Odesk for programming, elance for writers and freelancer for graphics.
Which ever I use, I always make sure to be ‘really specific’ about what I want…that way it’s my fault if it turns out wrong…which it does occasionally!
Talking of graphics, I got all the graphics done by the same designer for ALL of our apps…and it cost me significantly less than just one mini-site I had built for Clickbank.
…another plus
Cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Carry Distance Chart
That’s really interesting Steve and thanks for letting us all know where to go to specific work done.
Getting all your graphics done for less than one mini site certainly means we need to check out freelancer.com
Barry recently posted..Journey To Success Part 7: Focus, Time and Money
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Barry
Can you believe I got all the App Icons made for just $15…and that included a $5 bonus for doing great work for me
Bit different from when we started
cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Merry Christmas From Weekend Golfers
Twitter: deeannrice
Barry and Steve,
Very interesting post.
I have thought allot about apps and what it takes to get one done.
Steve I think you are very right when you say “in my opinion the App market is exactly where the good old w.w.w. was 5 years ago…”
I feel like I am just learning the website thing though. It all moves so fast.
Apps seem so complicated at this point but it may be something I need to consider.
Thanks for all of the information. I watched your videos also. You gave a really good insight into making an app.
Dee Ann Rice
Hi Dee Ann,
I agree it is an interesting post and Steve has revealed so much that I know it’s going to help loads of people
It does all move so fast online doesn’t it. It’d be good to jump on the Apps market and be ahead of it before everyone else jumps on it
Take care Dee Ann, and have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy new year
Barry
Barry recently posted..Kindle Publishing Made Easy by Val Waldeck: My review
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Dee Ann
To be honest you don’t need to know anything about programming. It’s more about having a clear idea of what you want and then talking to a programmer and finding out what’s possible.
My whole focus is about making my app require as little input from the user as possible, while giving them the maximum out put.
It’s not always possible to achieve, but so far we’ve managed to keep things really simple and have 9 apps which are doing really well.
Good luck with building your websites, Barry is a great help there so you’re in good hands on his site
Have a great Christmas Holidays
Cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Merry Christmas From Weekend Golfers
Twitter: truthgalore
Global business is the way to go as the internet doesn’t have a border (well…almost!). I sell to whoever buys from me no matter from what country. By the way, congrats on the app
Sean Mal recently posted..How To Increase Your Online Sales By At Least 40%
Hi Sean, welcome to my blog.
You’re right about selling globally. Steve now has 30 countries on his buyers list, so it’s working for him
Barry
Barry recently posted..Innovate Take The Road Not Taken And Try Something New
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Sean
Totally agree about selling to who ever buys from you.
We have actually just cut the costs of all of our products and made each on less than £5 around $7 and we’ve seen an immediate bump in sales…better to sell 10 a day at £5 rather than one or two at £20.
Cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Merry Christmas From Weekend Golfers
Hi Steve,
Only recently found Barry’s site and am fairly new to IM.
Really interesting post and congrats on your app success in such a short space of time. Just shows what you can do. Definately going to look into this further. Thanks for sharing and all the best for 2012.
(great guest Barry)
Rob.
Hi Rob, thanks for coming over from Twitter mate
Maybe you could create apps around your photography? Steve has left us all a wealth of information here so be sure to look into it Rob.
If I don’t catch you before hand mate, Have a fantastic Christmas and A Happy New Year
Barry
Barry recently posted..Learn With Sally: All Good Things Must Come To An End
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Rob
nice to chat to you…and welcome to Barry’s site, if you’re new to IM then you are in good hands, Barry is a star and is always happy to help out.
Good luck if you decide to make an app…it’s not as hard as it seems. I would say complex not complicated…give me a shout if you need any pointers
cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Merry Christmas From Weekend Golfers
Twitter: sylviane101
Thanks for the share Steve!
As an affiliate marketer myself, I can appreciate knowing about a new market before it becomes too crowded and old. But, most of all something people truly want to buy so, you don’t create sites that are just collecting dust.
Sylviane Nuccio recently posted..Five Golden Rules To Leave Blog Comments That Will Benefit You And Your Site
Hi Sylviane,
You make a very good point about not creating sites that just gather dust. Know about hot markets is always a winner….. As long as people take action and jump on it
Which of course I know you will
If I don’t catch you before hand Sylviane, Have a fantastic Christmas and A Happy New Year.
Take care, Barry
Barry recently posted..Triple Blog Traffic
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Sylviane
I love your name…very exotic
You’re dead right about selling something that people really want.
We have recently opened our membership site to a big golf forum and took on nearly 100 members in under 36 hours.
Going to the right place to find your customer is always a winner.
Have a great Christmas
cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Merry Christmas From Weekend Golfers
Twitter: kathydobson
Hi Barry…
I am not sure how I missed this post as Steve King is one of my very favorite marketers ever!
And, he always cuts himself short…the guys brilliant…we both know that from class and I worked on a project with Steve for a while…so I know first hand what he can do!
This idea of apps is fabulous! I am going to pursue digital publishing this year and I will be getting a hold of Steve today to see how I can apply this to his idea.
Steve is like an idea machine…I actually think he has trouble keeping up with his mind sometimes it works so brilliantly and fast!
December was a blur to me but I now have a little time to catch up on the awesome posts I missed…such as this one by Steve.
Once again…your blog is fun…entertaining and educating to read…
Thanks Barry!
Kathy
Kathy Dobson recently posted..Ian, Evette and Me
Hi Kathy, Happy New Year
I know what you mean about Steve, he’s a very helpful bloke. I didn’t know that you had worked together on a project, you kept that quiet
He has some excellent ideas and the Apps really seem to be taking off for him. Last count he had sold to 30 different countries, which is very impressive isn’t it..
If you can take your ideas down the apps road it’s sure to be a success Kathy, they’re generating a bit of a gold rush at the moment and I’m sure that Steve will point you in the right direction.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that has been a bit blurred lately, I’ve also missed quite a bit recently. It’s not always good to have time off is it, as it just means there’s more to do when we get back.
Thanks for the compliments Kathy, you’re a star
All the best for 2012
Take care,
Barry
Barry recently posted..What Would You Like To Achieve This Year?
Twitter: steveking269
Hi Kathy
Thanks for the kind words…made me blush a little
We need to catch up as it’s been far too long…and for no reason too other than we’ve been busy…what a lame excuse for us both.
I decided to rejoin the blogging community, so will be stopping by yours soon.
Glad you liked the app post, Barry was kind enough to host me which I’m grateful for.
How’s the digital publishing working out for you? Hope it’s going well
Speak soon
Steve x
Twitter: learn_to_blog
Hi Barry, great guest post! Hi Steve, thank you for sharing this information about apps. I know a few of our fellow MC students who have gone down that route. I admire your ability to learn these new technical processes, Steve, I struggle with them and although I don’t give up, but it is arduous!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Mandy, sorry I didn’t realise that your comment hadn’t been replied to
It was a fantastic guest post by Steve wasn’t it… Like you I admire Steve and the way he gets his head around the new technology.
I would mind creating a few apps myself Mandy, but about what is my big issue before even getting started
Thanks Mandy,
Take care,
Barry
Barry recently posted..An Internet Marketing Video Challenge and Everyone Is Invited
Twitter: jeremyruggles
Hi Barry and Steve,
Thanks for sharing. I have not made it to the product developing portion of my online business. I am busy enough as it is with the basics of getting my business up and running. Using iphone and ipad as a platform for your apps is really a great idea.
When I get to the point where I am thinking about creating my own product, I will come back to you for advice to help me get started.
Thanks again for sharing!
~Jeremy
Jeremy Ruggles recently posted..New JV Giveaway Event – Chance to Build Your List
Hi Jeremy,
I can understand your saying that you’re busy enough getting your business up and running and would recommend that you focus on that to start with mate.
Are you a Masterclass Student Jeremy?
It is a good idea to tap into the new technology and the devices that use it as we can really progress once we do, just as Steve is doing.
For now though mate, focus on getting yourself up and running and then take a look at creating your products. You’re always welcome to come back for advice on any concerns or ideas you may have Jeremy.
I’m here to help people progress online
Thanks Jeremy,
Take care mate,
Barry
Barry recently posted..Kindle Publishing Made Easy by Val Waldeck: My review
Twitter: jeremyruggles
Hey Barry,
I am not a Masterclass student. Instead I am the student of a Masterclass student. =)
I am a student of Kerry Russell who built her business with John Thornhills help. So, I am getting a lot of Masterclass knowledge I guess you could say… =)
How about you? Is that where you started? As a Masterclass student?
Thanks a lot for you advice Barry,
~Jeremy
Jeremy Ruggles recently posted..Action Step- Do This NOW
Hi Jeremy,
A student of a student, cool
Kerry will have you on the right path mate.
I could see from the blog theme you are using that you were in some way related to the Masterclass.
Yes I was also a Masterclass student
Catch you up soon mate,
Take care,
Barry
Barry recently posted..An Internet Marketing Video Challenge and Everyone Is Invited
Hi Steve and Barry,
Wow, this was a very inspirational post. I am considering going into the apps world myself. After reading this post and all the comments it sounds less complicated as I thought. On my way to Odesk. LoL
Thank you so much for sharing,
Daniel
Daniel D. Lombardi recently posted..Motivational Speeches: The Hidden Power Of Smiling by Ron Gutman
Hi Daniel,
I was as impressed as you are Daniel. Steve really does know his stuff mate. I’ve known him for just over 3 years now and he has always been 5 steps ahead of everyone else.
Best of luck at ODesk Daniel.
Take care,
Barry
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