SBI!, with 70+ modules in its system, provides everything you need to build a profitable e-business that has real equity. SBIers generally pick and choose the feature combo that makes the most sense for them. The others are there, if and when they need them.
That's why I wasn't surprised the other day when someone asked me in the SBI! Forums whether or not it's worth your while to spend some time and effort learning about an SBI! feature that you have yet to try. My answer to this great question is simple...I can't tell you for sure what you need, not without spending a lot of time on your site, understanding you and your visitors and your short-and-long-term goals, as well as what you are using in SBI! right now. So...
Instead of telling you what to do next, I'll tell you how to decide that.
Here's the most time-efficient tip I can give you, which I call the "3-Stage-Think-Through" strategy...Stage #1) Read enough about some SBI! feature, let's say Content 2.0 (or any unused feature that is gnawing at you) to thoroughly understand it. If that takes an hour and you don't create a page today, so be it. It's time well-invested.
Stage #2) If C2 passes your "sniff test," you should be willing to spend a few more hours reading the C2 Action Guide and figuring out how you'd get visitors to contribute submissions related to your niche and its sub-topics.
Stage #3) If C2 passes that test, you are now willing to invest more hours in the learning curve.
The ROI (on your time) should be very high if you think about any feature in this way (i.e., give an idea more time, if it deserves it, staged in over 3 stages).
Every site has its own trajectory, which depends on so many factors. Time/feature prioritization is an important skill to learn in SBI!. By analyzing the use of your time vs. the feature set, you can more efficiently allocate your time to the best activities to grow your business.
All the best,
P.S. Also spend some "thinking time" in SBI!'s Monetization HQ. Too many people do the same-old. There are terrific opportunities out there if you scan those articles, read the right-sounding ones, and apply them to your business.
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SBI even enables "try-through" strategies.
Several times I read about RSS/Blog it! and the countless recommendations to use it. However, being halted and not really familiar with the procedure, consequences and requirements I procrastinated. Yesterday I logged into Site Build it! and simply tried RSS/Blog it!, because I remembered, that previous to building something, I can preview, what will be seen later. So I gained enough confidence to do it. Furthermore, found a fantastic idea to place short comments on my theme time management, for which I had no satisfying idea yet where to place.
From my recent experience, the "3-Stage-Think-Through" Strategy is another great support idea especially for beginners. Just try and preview.
Many thanks, Ken
PS.: Invested about 1 hour exploring C2, and will keep on to become familiar with. I think it is worth many hours.
Posted by: Ronald | November 07, 2009 at 01:20 PM