How to make $10K per month using IndustryStandard.com Software as a Service (SaaS)

Disclaimer. This is one of many strategies that you can use or add to your existing business plan.

Okay, here’s a breakdown of strategies and actionable steps to reach a $10,000/month income using IndustryStandard.com as a Software as a Service (SaaS) business. This is ambitious and requires dedication, hard work, and a clear plan.

I. Understanding IndustryStandard.com and the SaaS Model:

• IndustryStandard.com Overview: IndustryStandard.com is an all-in-one marketing platform designed for agencies and small businesses. It provides tools for CRM, marketing automation, website building, sales funnels, email marketing, SMS marketing, and more.
• SaaS Model: You’re not just using IndustryStandard.com, you’re re-selling it under your own brand. You pay a monthly fee to IndustryStandard.com, customize the platform, and then charge your clients a higher monthly fee, keeping the difference as profit. A key element is adding value beyond just the software itself.
• Recurring Revenue: SaaS is attractive because it generates predictable recurring revenue, making it easier to forecast and scale your business.

II. Goal Setting & Pricing Strategy:

• The $10K/Month Math:
  • Scenario 1: Lower Price, Higher Volume: If you charge 200/𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡,𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑50𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠(200/monthperclient,youneed50clients(200 x 50 = $10,000).
  • Scenario 2: Higher Price, Lower Volume: If you charge 500/𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡,𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑20𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠(500/monthperclient,youneed20clients(500 x 20 = $10,000).
  • Consider a tiered pricing model: Offer different plans with varying features and support levels to cater to different client needs and budgets. (e.g., Basic, Standard, Premium)
• Calculating Your Costs:
  • IndustryStandard.com Subscription: Factor in your monthly IndustryStandard.com subscription cost. Choose a plan that suits your needs (Agency Starter or Agency Pro).
  • Other Software: You might need other tools (e.g., project management software, design software, etc.).
  • Marketing Expenses: Advertising, content creation, website hosting, etc.
  • Sales Costs: CRM tools, sales automation tools, sales team salaries (if applicable).
  • Support Costs: Customer support tools, staff salaries (if applicable).
• Profit Margin: Determine your desired profit margin per client. This will influence your pricing strategy. Aim for a healthy margin to cover expenses and allow for growth.

III. Niche Selection (Critical):

• Why Niche Down? Focusing on a specific niche makes it easier to:
  • Understand your target audience’s pain points.
  • Tailor your marketing message effectively.
  • Develop specialized solutions and services.
  • Build a reputation as an expert.
  • Reduce competition.
• Examples of Niches:
  • Real Estate Agents: Lead generation, CRM, automated follow-up, property listings, online reputation management.
  • Restaurants: Online ordering, reservation management, customer loyalty programs, review management, SMS marketing.
  • Dentists/Chiropractors: Appointment scheduling, patient communication, reputation management, marketing automation.
  • E-commerce Businesses: Abandoned cart recovery, customer segmentation, marketing automation, sales funnels.
  • Home Services (Plumbers, Electricians, Landscapers): Lead generation, appointment booking, automated estimates, review management.
  • Coaches/Consultants: CRM, appointment booking, sales funnels, course hosting.
• Niche Research: Identify a niche with:
  • A clear need for marketing automation.
  • Sufficient market size.
  • Willingness to invest in software solutions.
  • Limited existing solutions that fully address their needs.
• Validate Your Niche: Talk to potential customers in your chosen niche to understand their challenges and validate your assumptions.

IV. Building Your SaaS Offering:

1. Customization & Branding:
   • White-Labeling: Brand IndustryStandard.com with your own logo, colors, and domain. This is crucial for creating a professional SaaS look and feel. Use IndustryStandard.com website as an example.
   • Custom Domain: Use a custom domain name for your IndustryStandard.com platform (e.g., yourmarketingplatform.com). See InternetBillboard.com for available premium domain names that you buy or rent.
   • Create Branded Training Materials: Develop your own onboarding guides, tutorials, and documentation using your branding.
2. Value-Added Services (Key Differentiator):
   • Onboarding & Training: Provide comprehensive onboarding to help clients get started quickly and effectively. Offer training sessions, webinars, and personalized support. This is HUGE! Most businesses struggle with the initial setup.
   • Done-For-You Templates & Funnels: Create pre-built templates and funnels tailored to your niche. This saves clients time and effort.
   • Consulting & Strategy: Offer consulting services to help clients develop their marketing strategies and optimize their use of IndustryStandard.com SaaS.
   • Custom Integrations: Develop custom integrations with other platforms that your niche uses.
   • Dedicated Support: Provide prompt and helpful customer support via email, chat, or phone.
   • Community/Forum: Create a community forum where clients can connect, share tips, and get support from each other.
   • Performance Reporting & Analysis: Provide regular reports on client performance and offer insights to help them improve their results.
   • Example for Real Estate:
     • A real estate niche service might offer pre-built landing pages for different types of properties, automated email sequences for new leads, and integration with local MLS systems.
3. Package Creation:
   • Develop tiered pricing packages that offer different levels of features and support.
   • Name your packages creatively and clearly communicate the value they provide.
   • Consider offering a free trial or a money-back guarantee to reduce risk for potential clients.

V. Marketing & Sales Strategy:

1. Website & Landing Pages:
   • Create a professional website that showcases your SaaS offering and its benefits.
   • Develop targeted landing pages for each niche you serve.
   • Optimize your website for search engines (SEO) to attract organic traffic.
2. Content Marketing:
   • Blog Posts: Write blog posts about topics relevant to your niche, demonstrating your expertise and providing valuable information.
   • Case Studies: Showcase successful results you’ve achieved for your clients.
   • Ebooks & Whitepapers: Create in-depth guides and reports that address specific challenges in your niche.
   • Videos: Create explainer videos, tutorials, and client testimonials.
3. Social Media Marketing:
   • Identify the social media platforms where your target audience is most active.
   • Share valuable content, engage with your followers, and run targeted advertising campaigns.
4. Paid Advertising:
   • Google Ads: Run targeted ads on Google to reach potential clients searching for solutions in your niche.
   • Facebook Ads: Target your ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
   • LinkedIn Ads: Target professionals in your niche based on their job titles and industry.
5. Email Marketing:
   • Build an email list of potential clients.
   • Send regular newsletters with valuable content, updates, and special offers.
6. Networking:
   • Attend industry events and conferences.
   • Join relevant online communities and forums.
   • Connect with potential clients on LinkedIn.
7. Partnerships:
   • Partner with complementary businesses that serve your target niche. (e.g., a web designer partnering with a marketing automation SaaS for restaurants).
   • Offer referral programs to incentivize existing clients to refer new customers.
8. Sales Process:
   • Lead Generation: Attract leads through your marketing efforts.
   • Lead Qualification: Determine if leads are a good fit for your SaaS offering.
   • Sales Presentation: Demonstrate the value of your SaaS offering and address any objections.
   • Closing: Secure the sale and onboard the new client.
   • Onboarding: Provide excellent onboarding to set the client up for success.

VI. Scaling Your Business:

1. Automation: Automate as many processes as possible to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Use IndustryStandard.com itself for sales and marketing automation!
2. Team Building: Hire team members to help with sales, support, and marketing as your business grows.
3. Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and improve your processes to maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction.
4. Expanding Your Offering: Add new features, services, and integrations to your SaaS offering to increase its value and attract more clients.
5. Multiple Niches (Carefully): Once you’ve established a strong foothold in one niche, consider expanding to other related niches.

VII. Key Considerations for Success:

• Customer Success is Paramount: Focus on helping your clients achieve their goals. Happy clients are more likely to stay with you long-term and refer new customers.
• Constant Improvement: Continuously monitor your performance, gather feedback from clients, and make improvements to your SaaS offering and your business processes.
• Stay Up-to-Date: Keep abreast of the latest marketing trends and technologies to ensure that your SaaS offering remains relevant and competitive.
• Be Patient: Building a successful SaaS business takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
• Legal & Compliance: Make sure your SaaS business is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. This includes privacy policies, terms of service, and data security measures.

VIII. Actionable First Steps:

1. Sign Up for IndustryStandard.com: Get a 30 Days trial account to explore the platform and its features.
2. Choose Your Niche: Research and select a niche based on the criteria outlined above.
3. Conduct Market Research: Talk to potential clients in your chosen niche to understand their needs and challenges.
4. Develop Your SaaS Offering: Create a basic version of your SaaS offering, including your pricing packages and value-added services.
5. Build Your Website & Landing Pages: Create a professional website and targeted landing pages for your niche.
6. Start Marketing: Begin promoting your SaaS offering through content marketing, social media, and paid advertising.
7. Focus on Getting Your First Few Clients: These initial clients will be crucial for providing feedback and helping you refine your offering.

Reaching $10,000/month requires consistent effort, a strong value proposition, and a laser focus on customer success. Good luck!