If you need money fast and want a practical approach without the fluff of expensive courses or gurus, this guide is for you. Arlan, who went from homelessness to building a $1.2 million info and consulting business, shares his proven five-step framework to help you make your first sales and scale up.
Arlan emphasizes the importance of starting with your first sale. Once you make one sale, you can replicate the process multiple times. This article distills his approach from his book Arlan's Authority Playbook and his extensive experience teaching thousands of entrepreneurs.
Step 1: Create Your Offer
Knowing what to sell is crucial. Arlan recommends starting with a small, affordable product priced at $27. This price point is ideal because it is low enough for an impulse buy but still requires commitment.
Characteristics of the $27 Offer
- Solves one small, specific pain point.
- Provides a quick win and builds trust.
- Includes simple steps (process), parts, and proof.
Examples of $27 Offers
- Mini courses (e.g., 30-minute video courses broken into clips).
- AI prompt packs (e.g., bundles of prompts for ChatGPT or other AI tools).
- PDFs, trackers, or Canva templates.
How to Develop Your Offer
Think about something you recently learned or solved for yourself. Break it down into simple steps that others can follow easily. This approach sells convenience and speed.
Arlan also offers a "Prompt Shop in a Box" for $99, which includes hundreds of AI prompts and an unlimited prompt maker to help you create your own $27 offers.
Step 2: Scale with Higher-Priced Offers
Once you have your $27 offer, you can introduce higher-priced products or services ranging from $99 to $199.
Teach, Show, Do Framework
- Teach: Provide small, actionable content.
- Show: Offer one-on-one or group calls to guide customers.
- Do: Provide done-for-you services.
Examples
- Selling Zoom or phone calls ($99-$197) to help clients solve specific problems.
- Larger, more in-depth courses bundled with AI prompts and templates.
- Done-for-you services priced around $997 to $1,000, such as building websites or creating content.
Tips for Calls
- Listen 70% of the time to understand pain points.
- Offer customized playbooks or guides after calls.
- If nervous, offer brainstorming calls and deliver solutions later.
By doing a few calls per week, you can quickly reach $5,000 or more.
You need a place for customers to buy your products or book your services.
- Stan Store: A simple platform for selling digital products and services. Arlan has made over $600,000 using Stan Store.
- Payment Processors: Use PayPal or Stripe to handle payments and taxes efficiently.
Arlan also offers "Stan OS," a $99 training program to help you build your Stan Store.
Step 4: Sales Strategies
Direct Sales
- Use direct messages (DMs) on Instagram, LinkedIn, or text messages to connect with potential customers.
- Offer free or paid calls to walk customers through your products.
Video Sales Letters (VSL)
- Create a 5 to 60-minute video explaining your product and its benefits.
- Embed the VSL on your sales page to automate selling.
- Use VSLs for all price points, including calls and done-for-you services.
Step 5: Drive Traffic
Warm Leads
- Reach out to people you know who might benefit from your offer.
- Send personalized messages asking for feedback or referrals.
Collaborations and Affiliates
- Partner with others who have an audience.
- Offer a 40% affiliate commission to incentivize promotion.
- Reach out to multiple potential partners to increase chances of success.
Paid Advertising
- Boost posts on Instagram or Facebook with a small budget ($50-$100) to test sales.
- Monitor cost per acquisition and continue if profitable.
YouTube Content
- Create educational videos related to your product niche.
- Use AI tools to generate video ideas and scripts.
- Build a digital billboard that attracts long-term traffic.
Newsletter Ads
- Pay to place ads in newsletters that reach your target audience.
- Start with smaller newsletters to test effectiveness.
Testimonials
- Offer free products to a few customers in exchange for testimonials.
- Display testimonials prominently on your sales page to build trust.
Additional Resources
- Your First 5K Membership: A free community with over 25,000 entrepreneurs, offering curriculum and support.
- Your First 5K 5-Day Challenge: A structured program available for $1 to help you create and sell your first offer.
- Authority X Pro: A premium program with 24/7 AI coaching, monthly payment options, and an affiliate program.
Final Thoughts
Start where you are, even if you have no money. Use free resources and build your offers step by step. Test different sales methods and traffic sources to find what works best for you. With consistent effort and the right framework, making $5,000 in 30 days is achievable.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with someone who needs it and consider subscribing to Arlan's channel for more practical business advice.
