Making a Million With 1000 True Fans Wrap-Up: Between the Lines
Crystal posted this on April 30, 2008
This series starts with an introduction to the 1000 True Fans concept and solopreneur Alexandria Brown. The first part demonstrates that hundreds of thousands of dollars can come from a handful of manageable online income streams. The second part highlights three keys to attractive big-ticket VIP memberships and events and finds us exceeding our $1,000,000 goal with only 441 True Fans. The last part outlines the hands-off workstyle that enables Ali to get lots done and still have a life.
You may want to read these earlier posts for context on today’s topic. And nope, this is not a sponsored case study.
“Reading between the lines”; cc Emuishere Peliculas, courtesy of Flickr
Whew! Well, this topic has run out of steam and so have I 
But there are still elements to the case study that need mentioning, even if they don’t fit tidily into categories…or maybe especially because they don’t. Some go along with the great comments on these posts, where folks clearly picked up—and picked at—what wasn’t expressly written.
So to wrap up the series, here are some of my untidy, uncategorized, yet-unsaid thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and assumptions about Alexandria Brown’s business structure/model:
Freeing up our time ain’t free
Automation and delegation cost money, and a steady stream of it. Payment processors and shopping cart engines call for transactional fees and commissions, and sometimes monthly fees and storage fees. Virtual assistants’ time costs $30+ per hour, and is often packaged in blocks of time, or by task. Freedom comes at a price, and I’ll be happy to pay it when the time comes.
A lot goes out before anything comes in
VIP events call for VIP accommodations, food, and entertainment, with proportional out-of-pocket cash for deposits and whatnot before any ticket sale revenue.
A lot goes in before anything comes out
Creating a first product is hungry work. Like most creative work, tons of time goes into researching and developing the product, bringing it to market, and attracting buyers before the author/creator sees a penny of earnings.
Self-motivate or perish
Between the first spark of the idea and the first sale are hundreds of effortful (wo)manhours, and outside motivators like a dwindling savings account and encouraging friends and family will only stretch so far. A regularly-stoked inner fire is essential…ask me how I know. No, wait. Don’t ask.
This is get rich stuff, but not get rich quick stuff
It took Ali 7 years to build what she has. ‘Nuf said.
Stamina wins the race, not speed
See above ^
Limitless demand
The digital product portion of Ali’s machine is structured to work on maintenance-free autopilot, and generates income 24/7/365. The only limitation is the size of the market, which (for her) grows with online income hopefuls every day—she has 28,000 ezine subscribers now, had 22,000 just four months ago.
Limitless supply
Create something once, sell it a million times. Behold the beauty of digital products (music, ebooks, whatevah) that don’t require a stock room and have no per-item production costs.
Limited risk
The only per-item fees for digital products are transactional (payment processing, shopping cart commission, etc.), so there’s no outgo until there’s income. Well, there are the annual domain and hosting fees. But that’s less than $60 a year with GoDaddy, so pack a lunch once a month and build sumpin’!
Reactions to the potential
At first, I went tharn at the idea I could or would know something worth $2,000,000—totally deer-in-the-headlights. Then I wondered if I already knew something worth a fortune, which led to sifting through my Idea Bag for something with larger-than-average potential. And left me wondering: what if I didn’t yet know my Golden Ticket topic…how would I recognize it when it surfaced?
Dig deep into something deeper
The topic has to have some meat on its bones. It needs be vast or bottomless or both so it can spread across a niche or two, or go wayyyy deep if it’s restricted to just one niche. It needs to interrelate with other things, be worthy of a subtopic or two. And it has to age well, or at least gracefully. It doesn’t have to last forever, it just needs a lasting effect. It doesn’t have to be unique, just uniquely executed. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just capable of being perfected.
Popularity not required
It’s encouraging (and a relief) to have proof and to know in my gut that I could earn enough, maybe even more than enough, without needing to attract and hold the attention of millions. I’ve never been popular in my life. I wouldn’t know how to win a popularity contest, or what to do if—by some freakish happenstance—I won it. But earnings from 1000 people? I know exactly how to get that started.
Et tu?
Got some stray thoughts about the case study?
Lemme know down below…
Tagged with: 1000 True Fans · entrepreneur · solopreneur
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18 Responses to “Making a Million With 1000 True Fans Wrap-Up: Between the Lines”
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Crystal,
I haven’t stopped thinking about this since you started it. and this is going to sound arrogant here…so duck…but if she can do this…I know I can.
Having spent five years in the exact kind of coaching EVERY TWO WEEKS with my own personal coach, I not only drank the kool-aid but I know how to make the kool-aid, I have the recipe.
And it doesn’t have to start with 1000 people either. IT can start with 10, then 40 then 100 then a 1000 then on and on. All it has to do is START.
You can do this.
Recent blog post from Wendi Kelly: Twiddling Thumbs
Howdy Wendi,
That’s not arrogant! That’s facts! Ali seems to be a nice enough person, reasonably savvy, and skilled at her craft, but she’s not a rare breed of person or nuttin’. You’re all that, and from what I read on your blog, a bag of chips AND a tub of dip. With a Coke. And a cupcake.
While you mix your kool-aid, I’ll keep on with mine. We’ll plan for the crowd we’re working toward, but like you said: “start with 10, and then 40…” Dang, you made it seem even MORE manageable.
WE can do this. And even better, we’re doing it right now by thinking and dreaming and planning it. I started Napoleon Hill again, and he says it all starts there…it just doesn’t end there
Crystal,
I like this part best: “And left me wondering: what if I didn’t yet know my Golden Ticket topic…how would I recognize it when it surfaced?”
That’s the quest. I hope people are inspired by your analysis to begin their own quests, whether they eventually go about it in this way or not. If it helps people to find their true passion, they’ll find a lot of inspirations about how to connect with fans here at Bx3.
It was a good series. Thanks.
Regards,
Kelly
Recent blog post from Kelly: Inspiration Points: With Laser-like Focus, He Went the Wrong Way…
“Self Motivate Or Perish” - I think that point is absolutely critical. None of the other things will happen unless you can stoke that internal fire.
It’s sure been an interesting series. Can’t wait to see what your next subject will be.
Recent blog post from sterling | bizlift: Magento - Revolutionary eCommerce for Small Biz
Your Golden Ticket and concern over recognizing it brings up an interesting paradox.
Finding a good idea often involves dialog / interaction with others. Taking the idea forward often involves ignoring the nay sayers and sticking to it until you succeed. It takes a special strength to do both.
Thanks for this series. It has been a stimulating read.
Recent blog post from James Hipkin: So, What’s your Point? - More Death by PowerPoint
Crystal,
I just wanted to say “thank you” for a really valuable series. I’ve PDF’d all of them and will be using them to help me with some of my ideas.
(PS - you are a genius!)
The one point you made above that really sticks with me, as a motivator, is this:
“This is get rich stuff, but not get rich quick stuff
It took Ali 7 years to build what she has. ‘Nuf said.”
Why is this a motivator for me? I’ll tell you why. If you are enjoying yourself, 7 years goes by quickly - meaning you can get there, you can do it.
For the last few days, I’ve been really thinking to myself, “our oldest will be 7 this month - where did the time go?”
So in 7 years, or less, imagine what I will be able to do. What we will all be able to do.
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: viking fridays - the unwise man.
Hi Kelly! — I do so hope that, too. If someone is inspired to try even only one aspect of it—or like you said, does none of this, but keeps going with some encouragement based on the gist of the series—then I’m thrilled.
Thanks for your comment!
Hi Sterling — The self-motivation thing is really coming clear to me this week. You’re so very right about its criticality, and from reading your blog I know you live it, so it means that much more coming from you.
This week’s writing really “brought it home”, and also working on next week’s posts. I’m making some changes, and will be sharing what I can. I hope it stays interesting for you
@James — Oooo. So true, and I hadn’t thought about it like that.
That’s tough and tricky stuff, sorting through other folks’ advice and constructive criticism for the bits we can use? Listening to the naysayers, but not necessarily heeding them? Hmm. Once again, you’ve given me something important to chew on over the weekend!
My pleasure, I’m glad I delivered something useful…
Howdy Brett
My pleasure, truly. You guys found stuff to chew on and I’m no longer even a little bitter about Ali…just impatient and excited to get my own things moving.
And time will fly, won’t it? For all of us. I first connected with Dan 8 years ago this month, and we talk often about how quickly the time has passed for us. Ups and downs, trials and victories, all that stuff from the Lifetime channel—gone by in a blink.
So yah, I am glad you feel that too, and that you said so. Because I hadn’t thought about how the time could pass quickly for our projects too. Hearing that from you makes it all feel even more manageable. Maybe May 1 can be the big check-in day every year, for all of us to reflect on what we were able to do…money success not required, just successful progress. Whattaya think?
And thanks (again) for reminding me that my brain works! Funny bit about that: IQ tests I’ve taken place me on the cusp of actual Genius—which gets a snort/smile from me because of all the truly stupid sh!t I’ve done in the past, continue to do, and will surely do in the future. It’s easy to stay humble when you’re not that great
Tickled to be committed to PDF,
Crystal
Crystal,
I think that is a wonderful idea! Let’s make May 1 the big-check in day. Just to report back on what we’ve accomplished, reflect with each other, encourage each other. Genius, again!
And the thing about genius - not sure if I’d talked with you about this before. I’ve seen a study linking IQ to life potential, and potential within traditional companies.
Basically, if you are average to mildly clever (105-110), you will do very well in a big company. Clever enough to figure out the system and thrive, not clever enough to question the BS.
People in the higher range (120 and up) were more likely to have trouble in corporations. They can connect the dots, figure out the behind-the-scenes scheming and BS, and have trouble living with it sometimes. I know I do.
Those people are also the ones who will go on to do their own things - once they break out of the mold.
And that is what we are doing…
You are great. Keep on keepin’ on.
-Brett
Hi Brett—I’ve marked my calendar for next year!
And that study is the story of my working life from beginning to end. That is exactly what happened, each and every position, each and every company. But the worst was I didn’t try to find a company where I fit in, I kept trying change myself to fit in where I was. You can guess what a misery that was for everyone involved?
Interesting study…takes a burden off somehow, knowing that someone threw some research methods at it and came up with the same answer lol Thanks
Brett,
hmm. about that study….can I just say…
it figures. This is why I am of the self-employed variety.
But I will also say I have met some bon-i-fide- over the top geniuses- (and in my own extended family, no less,) that aren’t worth a hill of beans.
We have a saying,
“so heavenly minded, no earthly good”
Which means, after awhile you gotta geet your head outta your brain and start DOING something.
I’m lucky to be one of the dumber ones in my family, at least my IQ landed in the working range.
Recent blog post from Wendi Kelly: Slow Cooking Frogs
@Crystal and Wendi,
I actually had a feeling that both of you were cut from this cloth, from talking with you and getting to know you. I think that is why we have much in common, and get along well.
We will keep moving forward. And we will be unstoppable…
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
Hi
I am ross and would like to appreciate the point provided by OP. The point is never give up on what you have started till the last drop.
Its definitely encouraging and inspirational when someone post article as such.
I like when you said “Popularity not required” because most of people wont go through thinking of not being popular. Making own stand is how you become successful in every business.
Thanks
Ross
Recent blog post from Ross: 1
Howdy Ross, Welcome and thanks for your comment!
It’s exciting to hear you were encouraged and inspired by the post
Your comment encouraged and inspired me too! I have trouble with finishing projects, so I will remember your words: “The point is never give up on what you have started till the last drop.”
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