Lokesh Sharma- Internet Marketer, India

Lokesh Sharma is the founder and CEO of Keyword Fighter, a SEO tool designed to optimize keyword research. He belongs to one of those rare species who have the ability to "DO" whatever they believe in.

For those who don’t know you, can you tell us something about yourself?

Well, I'm a 19 year old engineering student and a "wannabe Internet Marketer". I started online when I was 16 and got my first adsense check the very same year of Rs. 16,000/-

That check convinced me that I could make it online. From then on, I've learned a lot of things online – from SEO to video marketing and social media… you name it. I met some really nice people along the way and did some joint ventures that pulled off really well. My latest product is a unique keyword research software called” Keyword Fighter”.

 

How would you like to project yourself? As a blogger/marketer or anything else you have on mind?

I'd like to be called an Internet Marketer. I create digital products and market them to the right audience. In the process, I may have to create "product specific blogs" or videos that tell my leads about my products. But I think "internet marketing" includes it all.

 

There are soo many things to do online like blogging, running an SEO service etc. But what made you choose to become a marketer?

To be honest, I've first hand experience with every one of the stuff you named. I've been a blogger, had a couple of SEO clients, an article writer, article spinner, press release submitter, web designer, an automation consultant etc. But all these things take constant hard work and patience. Not that what I do now doesn't require putting in work but I don't have to work on client's terms or worry about the next big Google update that could swipe my blog off the SERPs.

Everything online leads back to selling stuff, either digital or ecommerce. Ads on blogs are from merchants that want more eyeballs seeing their products. Content writing clients want more and more content to choke the internet with articles leading back to their product websites. So I decided to do what the pro's do. Creating and selling digital products online.

 

Internet Marketing is a tough job. What keeps you going and stay motivated?

There's nothing specifically that keeps me motivated. When you do something you love, there's hardly anything that can distract you. Plus, the pressure to keep your customers happy really keeps you going and stay motivated. For example, I don't let any support query from my customers unanswered for more than a few hours. The fact that what I'm doing will help me be financially free also keeps me motivated.

What is your current website/blog which you would like to show to proudidea’s audience and to the world?

http://keywordfighter.com – It's my latest project and the biggest till now. I'll be launching a blog about Keyword Fighter soon basically to funnel traffic from search engines.

 

Any stats and earning figures to impress our readers please?

Keyword Fighter currently gets around 500 to 600 unique visitors every month. The traffic generally converts at around 10-15% which basically means 10 out of every hundred people that land on my website actually buy the software. This means a nice $1k-1.5k income stream. I've had a couple of $2k months actually. Regardless to say, the figures indicate revenue and actual profits are somewhat less after PayPal fees etc.

I also have affiliates that promote my products and I'm very thankful to them for their support. And since I manage a customer's email list via AWeber, I can promote other's stuff as an affiliate for an addition to the bottom line.

 

What is your next big idea, your own Proud Idea?

Actually I've a couple of big ideas. I'm looking into launching an online t-shirt store with the help of a friend who has contacts with offline garment stores.

Besides that, I see a lot of talented people in my college, and around my house. Some of them can write really well, some of them are the best programmers, and some are great at designing. And I tell you what, most of them will end up getting a job somewhere in the next few years. I'd like to provide them a platform where they could easily showcase their skills and connect with potential clients overseas and in India. It'll not be another freelancing website I tell you.

 

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now in the online world?

I see myself in a nicely setup home office, working real hard on the next big hit on the world wide web, but comfortable with whatever I'm doing at the same time.

 

What is your advice to people who want to start a career online?

Anyone interested in starting a career online should first work on their English skills unless you have a crazy viral idea of course. Conventional internet marketing requires a lot of content to be made and published across the web. When you're just starting – outsourcing is not really an option.

Also, try not to be distracted by the next big money making method. Start out by reading and implementing what you've learnt already. A lot of people online struggle when it comes to taking action. They know everything but can't seem to put into work. Start out by reading and posting in IM forums where you can find some very nice and helpful people.

 

Burger or Chapathi? And Why?

Chapathi. Because I'll make my mom read this.

 

What can you say about yourself in one line?

“A man who wants to live on his own terms.”

 

3 things we don’t know about you?

1. I'm generally a quite introvert person.

2. I've recently developed a passion for playing video games. I love sports games and first person shooting games. NBA 2k12 is on the top of my list.

3. I'm a vegetarian when eating eggs doesn't count.

 

Your facebook profile/page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001509653349

Twitter:@tweetlokesh