Online Business Changed in 2024… Here’s How to Stay Profitable
AI is here to stay and many course creators are struggling to navigate the new digital landscape. Perhaps you have an informational product and are wondering how you will compete with AI to get your customers to pay you for what they can get for free.
We are all feeling the pressure to make changes to our business models or simply give up. However, plenty of digital entrepreneurs are still thriving in this age of AI, earning millions while effectively navigating this technological landscape.
Below arefive actionable strategies you can implement to not only coexist with AI but to leverage its capabilities to enhance your offerings and strengthen your market position. By focusing on the unique value you provide, you can create a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience and drives results.
Tactic 1: Improve your marketing skill to communicate the value of your product
Since the rise of YouTube "how-to" and educational videos, they have become one of the most popular options for seeking knowledge. AI has taken this a step further, enabling users to find answers without hours of searching. However, these videos and AI-generated answers are merely a glimpse of what customers need to be truly successful.
Your product isn’t just a collection of information; it’s a comprehensive system designed to help customers achieve tangible results through your unique methodologies. Now, you just need to tailor your marketing to showcase those benefits, which go beyond merely highlighting how your guidance leads to their desired results.
Tactic 2: Add human elements to increase your connection with clients
While we know AI isn’t human and does not possess human-like traits, it is undeniably intelligent. This means you must think outside of the box of educational courses and the “how-tos”, which used to be the go-to, and emphasize human-centric components. Your clients should feel that there’s a genuine person behind the content, ready to support them on their journey.
AI is really good at giving instructions, so you’ll face an uphill battle competing on that front, but it doesn’t truly connect with people in a human way. Your clients need to know that there is a human behind your product so they know they will have support and connection to get results.
Consider incorporating elements such as:
Community: Create a space where your customers can interact, share experiences, and support each other.
Accountability: Establish systems that help keep clients on track, motivating them to reach their goals.
Coaching Options: Offer one-on-one or group coaching sessions to provide personalized guidance.
But, I want my product to be passive
You might be concerned that adding these human elements contradicts the goal of passive income. However, it’s entirely possible to maintain a sustainable income stream while fostering connection. Automations can help manage community engagement and customer support, allowing you to delegate certain tasks to a dedicated team. This approach not only enriches your clients’ experience but also creates job opportunities to help you scale your business.
Tactic 3: Done For You services
Regardless of the niche—be it nutrition, bookkeeping, or another educational focus—many potential clients are looking for more than just knowledge; they want solutions that simplify their lives. Let’s be honest: your ideal prospects don’t want to do all the work themselves. With so much free content available online, they prefer services that alleviate that burden.
By including DFY services in your offer you’ll be creating a sustainable way to give your customers exactly what they need and want. By evolving your digital products into more service-oriented models, you create a sustainable way to meet customer demands more effectively.
A great way to incorporate DFY services into your business is to hire a team to handle specific tasks on behalf of your clients, such as:
Copywriting Services: Craft compelling content tailored to their needs.
Sales Funnel Creation: Develop automated systems that convert leads into customers.
Customized Plans: Provide personalized plans that take the guesswork out of the equation, such as workouts or meal plans.
Tactic 4: Include tools and ready-made resources
If hiring a team isn’t feasible at the moment, you can still offer DFY products as a solo-preneur. Many clients may not require extensive coaching but would greatly benefit from simplified resources that do some of the work for them. This allows you to maintain a passive income model while still delivering immense value.
Delivering ready-made resources can strike the perfect balance between a digital product and a service, allowing you to run your business passively while keeping pace with the AI landscape.
Consider creating key resources that provide clients with plug-and-play tools to achieve significant wins. Examples include ready-made meal plans paired with grocery lists or swipe copy for the perfect welcome email sequence.
These ideas can really punch up your existing courses and educational offerings and distinguish you from AI content and other competitors.
Tactic 5: Shift to selling tools and DFY resources instead of education products
Let’s face it, we must pivot with the changing times, as people no longer want information that AI can provide with a click of a button. Instead, our mindset needs to shift from what used to work to understanding our customers' needs and developing offers that directly address those demands.
You may not even need to teach information when your audience prefers it done for them. The days of purely educational products are fading, and more effective ways to deliver results are emerging.
Tools and resources are becoming easier to do with drag-and-drop options, but can still take a skilled person to create. If you’re up for the challenge, you could create your own app, or build software that would help your target audience. By no means is this necessary, but these are often the types of resources and tools your customers are looking for.
Help Customers Get Real Results So They Don’t Need AI
AI just can’t be a human. People need friends, community, accountability or they need a tool to help them succeed. It’s time we pivot and make it a no-brainer for them to use your products and services.
How Will You Improve Your Business to Compete with AI?
How are you going to improve your business to compete with AI? Will you increase your marketing skills to better communicate your educational products? Or will you include a DFY service or tool? The choices you make today could define your business’s future in an AI-driven world.
$100K funnel breakdown
Are you curious how my business generates so much passive income and how you can do the same?
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