Yes, I read the YouTube comments from all of you asking me to create a course. It’s coming. Here’s the plan.
LFG. 🔥
Six Figure Directories
The brand will be called sixfiguredirectories.com. I bought the domain and I am getting ready to launch the site.
The site will be a bit of a hybrid, because there will be a few products being offered. The products are …
The course, which I am outlining here.
A services where I build out directories for people.
Today’s issue as an outline for the course, so let’s dive right into that.
The Outline
Below is a breakdown of the modules and lessons within each module.
Section 1 - Introduction
I need to introduce myself, establish credibility, and show why this is a good business model.
Who am I and why should you listen to me?
List my companies
List my directories
List my experience
List the success I’ve had
Why should you build a directory?
The product and the marketing are the same thing
The product doesn’t require any development
Lead generation will never go out of style
Section 2 - Finding The Right Topic
The subject matter is important, because if there is not enough demand you won’t make any sales, but if there is too much demand it means there is too much competition.
Keyword research
Keyword planner tool
SEM Rush
How to use Google search to discover the market for a topic or industry
Value in keywords
How to determine the price of a featured listing
How to determine the price of a lead you could sell
Is there a healthy market
Is it monetizable?
Best to be early
Being early in the directory business is a clear advantage
The timing of the industry is more important than the market cap of the industry.
Section 3 - How to build a directory
There are many ways to build a directory. I will show you some options and then break down exactly how I build them.
All the different template products
Brilliant directories
Business directory plugin
Unicorn templates
The step by step guide to building a business directory
This is the way I do it
Wordpress (Magazine theme by StudioPress)
Install business directory plugin
(Create the entire process step by step by rebuilding YourBoulder to give everyone a live demonstration)
Section 4 - How to market the directory
Yes, you need to create attention, branding, and awareness for your directory. Think of it as building a media company that monetizes through the directory.
Your directory is a media company
Difficult to monetize static directories without lots of SEO
The directory is the product that the media sells
Personal stories
SEO
Categories are the main SEO driver
Basic understanding of title tags and introduction content in the category archives
Blogging
Articles will drive great traffic
Use the featured listing widget in the sidebar and in blog posts to generate more sales and exposure to the paying customers
Newsletters
You advertise your directory through your newsletter
Create an automation for sales
The email list provides other ways to monetize
Section 4 - How to monetize your directory
There are many different options. You can get creative, you can also follow basic blueprints.
Featured listings
Sell them individually
Create claim listing options
Create a way for people to buy their own listings (Standard and featured)
Lead generation
My favorite way to monetize, but doesn’t fit every industry
Easiest if you have a centralized call buyer
Affiliate links
My least favorite way to do it, but is effective as a good starting point
Use it as a way to create relationships with the businesses in your area
A cut of the sales
Probably the most lucrative option if you can do it right
Examples are Expedia, retreat.guru, and bouldercoloradousa.com
Section 5 - The Hybrid
This is the way I would most highly recommend because it creates a racketing effect of growth. Also, it’s simple and extremely lucrative.
The directory is a lead generation mechanism to sell your own services
If someone fills out a listing, they are qualifying themselves as a business that needs leads. You can turn this into a paying client
Your clients will also buy listings
For lead gen, you only sell leads to paying clients of your agency
The directory can get you equity
If you can generate leads, you have all the power
The directory becomes a media company which makes your agency worth more
Agencies usually sell for 1x 12 months revenue. Having an internal lead and marketing source will greatly increase that multiple
Section 6 - Conclusion
My directories have generated more money and value than anything else in my life, including my personal brand.
What’s fascinating about them is they are the least sexy. This is like some boring cash cow that no one sees because they’re too busy posting selfies on Instagram and trying to learn A.I.
If you want to start a business, but don’t feel like you have the confidence to create a product, directories are for you.
They’re boring, simple, and highly profitable.
Good luck.
That’s it. I hope you like the framework.
Love you guys. Talk to you tomorrow.
Tim
Want To Work With Me? Here Are 3 Ways I Can Help You
1. Learn how to create multiple streams of income: You’ll get V.I.P. access to my business, research, and analysis. My membership will teach you how to create multiple streams of income. (Price goes up on 12/1)
2. Join my coaching program: I’ll help you grow your business by helping you define your target customer, create compelling products and services, generate more sales, and create systems that do the hard work for you. For serious entrepreneurs only.
3. Want me to do your marketing for you? Fill out this form to see if you’re a good fit for my high level SEO / advertising service. Minimum cost is $5000 a month.