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

“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: Read more

This series starts with an introduction to the 1000 True Fans concept and solopreneur Alexandria Brown. The first part demonstrates the hundreds of thousands of dollars that 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.

You may want to read these earlier posts for context on today’s topic. And nope, this is not a sponsored case study.

Delegate virtually everything

If you’ve been doubting that Ali could possibly do all this by herself, you’re right. There aren’t enough hours in a single day for one person to keep this multi-million dollar machine running and still have a life. And while her business does require outside help, it doesn’t require leased office space and a squad of employees. Believe it or not, Ali manages her $2 million/year business from her home in California with select online services and a small crew of virtual assistants. Read more

This series starts with an introduction to the 1000 True Fans concept and solopreneur Alexandria Brown. The first part demonstrates that mastermind-style groups can yield over $600,000 each year with as few as 311 member subscribers, and lists other profitable, manageable online income streams. You may want to read these earlier posts for context on today’s topic. And nope, this is not a sponsored case study.

VIP Access

cc JOE MAD, courtesy of Flickr

Since the previous post, I’ve found much more income than the $387,088 needed to reach the million dollar goal. I revisited the 1000 True Fans post and Ali’s seminar audio to see what should count as True Fan earnings. Kevin Kelly’s full definition of a True Fan is— Read more

One true fan, by Heraklit, courtesy of Flickr

One true fan — cc Heraklit, courtesy of Flickr

The idea of supporting yourself comfortably on the proceeds from 1000 True Fans may sound loopy, but the math is straightforward. Get $100 a year from 1000 people and you’ll earn $100,000 each year.

The theory has its inevitable skeptics and hesitants, but Seth Godin believes it’s a concept worth restructuring a business around. Both positions call for a deep think, and it’s also important to ponder collecting a fanbase and improving customer experience.

Because although the math is simple, the execution of a 1000 True Fan Plan can be complex. Surviving and thriving on 1000 True Fans means: Read more

1000 True Fans banner

A quick note: Be sure to check out the comments for each post…lots of good questions, ideas, info, and links

  • Introduction
    • Introducing Ali
    • Me, the Hater
    • My positive and productive penance
  • Part 1: Be a Toll Booth on the Information Highway
    • Selling information
    • Selling access to information
    • Leveraging vendor access to subscribers
    • Om nom nom
  • Part 2: Big-Ticket VIP Access for a Few
    • The keys to VIP treatment
    • Intermission
    • Events for VIPs-to-be (and VIP wannabes)
    • Bzz bzz bzzzzz…
    • So…how does she do it?
  • Part 3: Get a Life With Automation and Delegation
    • Set the autopilot
    • Hand it over
    • How I’m going to automate
  • Wrap-up: Between the Lines
    • Freeing up our time ain’t free
    • A lot goes out before anything comes in
    • A lot goes in before anything comes out
    • Self-motivate or perish
    • This is get rich stuff, but not get rich quick stuff
    • Stamina wins the race, not speed
    • Limitless demand
    • Limitless supply
    • Limited risk
    • Reactions to the potential
    • Dig deep into something deeper
    • Popularity not required

More case studies are coming, along with great tools, tips, and advice for the smallest businesses. Subscribe to my full feed or sign up for email service to stay in the loop…

Image credit: striatic

It’s unavoidable. You’ll be attending a conference or seminar and be introduced to a “Director of East Coast Operations”, a “Vice President of Development, United States”, or a “CEO of Everything, Everywhere”.

So what do you, Master of Your Own Microbusiness, introduce yourself as?

Who the heck are ya?

You own your business, but doesn’t “Owner” sound inactive? “Owner” sounds like the business belongs to you but you don’t actually do anything—which is way far from the truth.

If you’re a solopreneur (like me) you’re doing it mostly by yourself. Does that mean you get all 27 job titles from Secretary to CEO, or do you have to settle on just one? Read more

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