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Title:
Striking it Rich.com
Review:
The Los Angeles Times columnist and feature writer Jaclyn Easton interviewed
these 23 highly successful but relatively unknown companies on the secrets
of their success. These small companies all started their web-based
businesses early, way before the rest of us have even heard of the Internet.
In that sense, they all have the first-mover advantage. Although widely
different, these niche sites fall into two categories: content or
transaction. A content-based website makes money off advertisers as the
information provided on the site attracts high volume of traffic, like
Free Pint. A transaction-based website makes money from the sale of
merchandise, like Amazon.com.
Each case study is written like a short story, with hard facts to show
profitability of the business, details of problems encountered, tips and
advice from the owners, and a personal side. Easton makes it easy to relate
to the owners by her crafty storytelling of the triumphs and tribulations of
setting up and growing a web-based business. As such, they are highly
comforting and encouraging for anyone starting their own web-based business.
You don't have to be big to be successful. You don't have to have lots of
money. You don't have to be in your twenties. (In fact, the average age is
40.) You don't have to be well-known. You don't have to have lots of snazzy
java-scripts and shockwave gimmicks on your site. The main message is: be
yourself. You just have to believe in and love what you're doing.
Although the companies are all US-based, the stories reveal that they almost
all want to expand internationally. One can copy Easton's example and
interview incredibly successful web-based businesses in Europe and Asia.
Like the 23 in the book, they are probably unheard of.
To fully make use of the book, one almost has to use a highlighter pen to
bring out the generic secrets of success that can be transported elsewhere.
There is no final chapter summarising such useful insights. Neither is it
available on the companion website. Instead, you have to read the entire
book yourself and take notes. Perhaps that is why you have to purchase
rather than borrow it (like I did!)
Amazon.com has several lengthy editorial reviews and 51 customer reviews (at
last count) which vary from overwhelming praise to a waste of money. To
determine that yourself, read the sample chapter on Discount Games.
More promotional information about the book can be obtained from the
website, which contains editorial reviews,
full extracts of two chapters from the book (Ask the Builder and I Go Golf),
one-paragraph teasers about each story, and updates on each of the companies
since publication of the book. Easton also makes fully available other
articles she has written: a simple 3-step guide to putting a small business
on the web, affiliate programs, cross-selling on the web, search engine
secrets, impulse purchasing, misuse of the term "hits", and revenue
alternative to ads on niche sites. After thoroughly digesting her site, I
felt very compelled to contribute. Sure enough, there is a section on
success tips divided into four categories: sales and marketing, site design
and hosting, great content, and customer service.
Free Pint Reviewer:
Anne Ku came across Striking It Rich.Com while perusing the London Business School library for books on the Internet. After writing her own review at http://www.analyticalq.com/books/striking.htm, she was contacted by Free Pint to write a longer review for the newsletter. This book has inspired Anne to build content to build traffic to build revenue. Her content-based website
"analyticalQ presents a platform for self-expression, world travel, and flexibility" at http://www.analyticalQ.com contains original music, art, and writing. Readers are invited to visit and give suggestions for improvement.
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