Chris Ducker – Why I’m Successful
Table of Contents
- How Chris Ducker Became an Internet Entrepreneur
- Quick Fire Questions
- How I Got Started
- What Motivates Me To Continue To Be Successful
- How I Work
- How I Have Expanded My Business So Rapidly
- What Makes Me The Most Money
- The Day I Realized “I MADE IT”
- I Would Have Been Successful Sooner If…
- What You Should Be Focusing On
- Why I’m Successful and Why You May Be Not
How Chris Ducker Became an Internet Entrepreneur
Chris Ducker has been around for a while now and he has made quite the mark on the world of internet marketing, Now based in the Philippines, Chris really has managed to become successful and is now living the internet lifestyle. Always one to please, Chris jumped at the chance of being interviewed for everyone at IncomeDiary to read. Chris is now the author of Virtual Business Lifestyle and he is doing extremely well with it at present.
Chris is one of those people that you can get on with very easily and he had no qualms in answering any of my questions, he’s as honest in person as he is in business and I think this is a quality many of the top successful online entrepreneurs have in common amongst other things; but enough of my ramblings, here is how Chris Ducker became successful.
Quick Fire Questions
Best Business Purchase?
My iPad.
Favourite Business Resource?
PopupDomination, it’s boosted my opt-ins, by around 200% on average through all of my sites.
Biggest Inspiration?
My children. Everything I do every day is for them.
Favourite Business Website?
I absolutely love Sethsblog.com.
How I Got Started
The Live2Sell Group started in 2004, with 7 employees and I now have almost 250 people working for me full-time. Since we started I have launched two separate subsidiaries that are under the same corporate banner, Virtual Staff Finder, which helps entrepreneurs find high quality, proven home-based virtual assistants from the Philippines, and Live2Care, which handles the entire inbound customer service and support needs of our clients worldwide. We’ll be launching another company soon, too!
I’ve gone from working 14 hours a day, literally, in the beginning to now averaging around 8 hours a day. But, the great part is that I only spend about 6 hours a week in the office now, since becoming a full-time Virtual CEO at the end of 2010. The rest of the time I work from my home office, or other various locations such as beach resorts and airport lounges, or sometimes, just good old Starbucks!
What Motivates Me To Continue To Be Successful
I’ve been involved in the sales and marketing industry for 20 years, and in the outsourcing industry for half of that time. I’ve worked with literally hundreds of small business owners and entrepreneurs, and wanted to focus on this group to be able to not only just put together a great service, but to also be able to help businesses grow and expand, utilizing our suite of services.
The real motivation behind getting it going was a combination of perfect timing, genuine market thirst for the services I wanted to roll out, and the fact that I had been working as a consultant for a company in Florida for a guy that literally was the biggest micro-manager I have ever come across. It was time to make a difference!
How I Work
As I am based in the Philippines, and my client base is spread out worldwide, my work day is actually split up a little. But, my usual day is something like – Wake at around 12noon, breakfast whilst checking email. Play with my youngest kid until around 2pm, when he has his afternoon nap! Then work for around 3 hours with my team in the office, and then break again until around 10pm, where I will work with my operational management and speak with clients until around 3am. Most days I work with my marketing team for about 40% of the day and then my management team, clients and additional projects for the remainder. Generally speaking it’s a 9-10 hour day, most days. And it works brilliantly for me.
How I Have Expanded My Business So Rapidly
It was the focus that I applied to the business itself, especially in the first couple of years. I would work tirelessly on building it. Marketing it. Selling it. Sleeping it. You name it, I was always ‘on’, all the time. That, plus the fact that we were able to team up with a couple of really awesome clients, that were big enough to make a huge difference to our profit margins, as well as the overall plans for the growth in general.
What Makes Me The Most Money
The most profit aspect of our business is the ability to cross-sell clients from one service to another. The is no better (and easier) ‘additional’ business to get your hands on, than that of working with your existing clients. We’re lucky to have a great line-up of services to offer our clients, all of which perfectly compliment each other – its all be created and set-up that way, and it works very, very well.
The Day I Realized “I MADE IT”
This moment was awesome! It was when I was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine. It was only a one, full-page spread, with just one image and an awesome write-up, but it had always been one of my goals to be featured in that magazine. Now, I have a new goal – get on the cover of it! I celebrated by getting blown up, framed and mounting it on my office wall – and with a few beers!
I Would Have Been Successful Sooner If…
Actually, I don’t think there is anything that could have got me there any sooner. First up – it was only about a year after I had started the company, so that’s pretty fast, I reckon. Secondly, the career I have had getting to that point was full of learning blocks anyway. Mistakes I had made, the lessons learned, etc. Even if I could have gotten there faster by doing this, or by doing that, I don’t think I would have wanted to. Everything I have achieved in my life, both business and personal, feels as if it has happened and just the right time.
The only thing I might have added (which probably wouldn’t have gotten me featured in Entrepreneur faster), but I feel I was a little late catching on to, was starting my blog. Since I have been blogging I have met so many incredible entrepreneurs and business people that I feel that the success I have achieved thus far probably would have been ‘bigger’ (more in monetary terms, than anything else). That being said – I’m doing okay for myself, so you wont hear me complaining too much!
What You Should Be Focusing On
It’s got to be a combination of creating awesome content, which genuinely helps solve problems for people, not waiting (even a day!) to start building their marketing opt-in lists, and finally utilizing outsourced staff to help you leverage your time more effectively every day to achieve more and become not only more productive, but also more successful.
Why I’m Successful and Why You May Be Not
Passion and commitment. I’ve seen a ton of people try to get going in our business space over the last 5 years or so, hardly any of them have succeeded. I believe the reason behind that was because they got involved entirely just for the money. Wrong move – in any business.
If you don’t have the passion and the commitment to make it happen you wont succeed. Every TRUE entrepreneur knows that you’re going to have to sweat a little and bleed a little to be able to truly own your niche. Regardless of what that niche is. It can be the pro blogging industry or the pro dog walking industry. If you want to be successful you have to work very hard, commit to being focused, long-term and above all, have that passion.
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About Michael Dunlop
I'm Michael, I created this site back in 2009 and since then it's received over a million visitors from all around the world. We offer tutorials and inspiration for online entrepreneurs wanting to achieve more.
16 comments so far… Leave a reply
Jon Hearty
Hi Chris. Great article. I recently started outsourcing some of the work for my website to workers in the Philippines and I have to say that it has been an amazing experience. I use oDesk and have been blown away with the responses I received to my job postings. There are a lot of good quality workers over there that are very capable. I'm gald to hear that they have been a big part of your business and your life. I am definitely new to this game, but I have found Michael's blog very helpful. It's good to read up on someone who has done a great job online. Keep up the good work and I'll be sure to stay updated with your progress!
Chris C. Ducker
Hi John Thanks for the comment, buddy. Filipino VAs do have the stronghold on the general VA industry right now, for sure. I think this is down to them truly being able to converse properly in English, and be understood well. Outsourcing is a great way to get your business to the next level, with a lot less effort than if you were to do it 'all' on your own. However, that doesnt mean that you dont have to work hard!!! Glad youre utilizing outsourcing, John - it will only lead to good things for you. Best, C
Radhakrishnan KG
Very valuable post, I also checked out Chris's site and I am impressed at the way he positions himself and his VA company.. Very inspiring. Thanks for the post! Rk
Manuel
Michael and Chris, thanks for the great interview. Though my blog's following is growing steadily, my work ethic still proves to be my greatest challenge. Thanks again.
ZPTsotetsi
Hi Manuel, I have just visited your blog and I must, Your slyle of writting is going to take you far in this game...stay true...
Chris C. Ducker
Hi Manuel Gotta work hard, my man. Stick with it - put in the time and great things will come your way. Now I am a Virtual CEO tons of people ask me how many hours I work each day, believe it or not, it hasnt changed - still 8-10 hours a day. But, I do get to do it wherever I like, which is cool. Keep it up, you'll get there! C
ZPTsotetsi
Hi Michael, Chris Ducker is a great Entrepreneur and I salute him a lot. The way he expanded his Business so rapidly really inspire me. This is really what makes us not to give-up when things get tough. When I was building my second online business "www.blinc8195.com" all i did was to sleep on it. Yes, the passion and the commitment to make it happen was all I have.
Chris C. Ducker
Hi ZPT Never underestimate that passion, too! It means more than you know - it will hit you even clearer when you really start to crush it. When that 'Aha..!' moment comes... Let me know..!!! Thanks for the kind words, bud. Regards, C
dan
Really agree with the passion and the commitment part... if its about the money you'll lose the drive eventually.... I've met Chris and this is absolutely true about him, he's totally legit and totally passionate about what he does. Great to feature him here!
Alex
Chris mate! It has ben a pleasure and an inspiration to watch you grow over the last year or so, and it is fantastic to see it culminated in this interview with one of the best known marketers online (surely this is your made it moment?!LOL) Great stuff Chris, you are a great guy to know, your list is nothing but valuable and your advise is usually priceless, or at the very least helpful and friendly. Thanks again, and Michael, as usual you have provided a good range of questions that allow us to get a look inside the life of success. Keep on keeping on Mr Ducker!
Jordan Bailey
Excellent article Michael. Its great to hear about how people being successful as it really helps to inspire others. I really enjoy Chris Ducker's style of writing, its very entertaining to read. For anyone wanting to know how to set up a blog like Chris' or like IncomeDiary for that matter don't forget to check out http://www.mybanknote.com. It has already changed thousands of peoples lives for the better. Thanks Michael, looking forward to more excellent articles in the future.
Note Taking Nerd #2
Pop Up Domination has worked wonders on my site TOO! I've never heard of this guy before but I liked hearing him talk about how education based marketing is the way to go. Demonstrating that you know what you're talking about via describing your ideal prospects problems better than they can and then, solving these hot-button issues via free content is very compelling evidence in the eyes of your market pointing them toward the realization that you're the person that can solve their problems..
shreedhar
Well building blog and earning by adsense or clickbank are all old pickle in a new bottle, that never works for everybody.The one thing that rules is article marketing.If one is skilled at article writing or marketing and ready to invest in article outsourcing, then there is some hope, or else investing in whatever scrap will not lead anywhere.One will stay in the same place even after 2 years by following junk ebooks or get banned by google for spamming their own blogs. So I do welcome michael's way of building a own product .
Google Sniper 2.0
An inspiring article about Chris Ducker! This really fire up my desire to be successful online and live the internet lifestyle. Google Sniper 2.0
Dominic
I am back at ID after a gap of 8 months...great read and like the new look of the website. I use a VA for the last 3 years and that has taken a load of me. I did promise to recommend her to my clients - so I think its worth posting her email out here - Carolyn at theargot@gmail.com
Greg
I am inspired by this post relating to Chris. Simply put, it takes commitment, and consistency to be successful. I'm glad I was able to find such an inspiring post.
The comments are closed.