Several years ago I met Chris Gibson while marketing online. At the time we were both marketing the same product and we worked together quite a bit. We eventually ended up going our separate ways and I hadn’t heard from him in years. Then one day as I was looking online for vendors to promote I came across a website with his picture on it. He had actually created several products and was selling them online. It seems we have both come a long way over the past several years. Chris told me about several new products he was selling online, as well as how he is growing his business this year up to 50 employees! Chris agreed to let me interview him for my website.

Miles: Hey Chris! Thanks for doing this interview. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Chris: My name is Chris Gibson, I live in Franklin, Pennsylvania. I was born in 1964. I began marketing online in 2001. My primary business is now ebook publishing and marketing, along with paperback book publishing as well, including various web services.

Miles: So tell us how you got started Internet marketing?

Chris: I started Internet marketing by accident. I was a Vice President for a company and was asked to investigate the potential of online sales of their goods and services. I developed a strategy for them that worked well and then was sought out by other companies to do the same thing. That prompted me to write a book on email advertising that was very popular.

Miles: Tell us a little more about that book.

Chris: The book was my first product. There was such a demand on me to help all kinds of Internet marketers – both individuals and companies – that I felt a book was necessary. I always liked to write and teach or train people on things over the years so it was a natural extension for me.

Miles: I know you have authored several books since then, can you share some with us?

Chris: Yes – the best one on marketing is The Insiders Secrets to Profits Online and of course there are the holistic skin care and health books we sell – all can be found and purchased by visiting our corporate online bookstore, all are best sellers.

Miles: Very good. I know you sell your books online primarily, how do you find your customers?

Chris: We use search engines of course and have developed our own unique maximization strategies that work wonderfully well, beyond that we use list, print, and in person sales of our books…Our books are very popular and have a great word of mouth following.

Miles: Well it seems that you have quite the business going, what has been your best month in gross revenues?

Chris: Proprietary but we exceed $50,000 regularly.

Miles: Do you have any employees or outsource any of your work?

Chris: We have 4 employees, and will have 50+ by mid 2006 for our new printing and distribution center. We outsource the printing and call center.

Miles: Sounds like a bit of work, how many hours did you put into your business when you were starting it?

Chris: I’m a worker – I won’t lie – about 90 hours.

Miles: And now?

Chris: 45 or so, it varies; I am the president of the corporation so…

Miles: When you decide to create a new product, how does that process develop? How do you decide what may be a good product to create?

Chris: I would say a lot of different components go into the successful launch of any product – whether it is a book or consumable product. You do research to see if there is a need and the demand to satisfy, then you attack that need with your solution. Believe me, when we put a product out – it is no accident it does well. Then we give the best customer service to our clients as possible.

Miles: Tell us a little more about your customer service. How do you separate yourself from the competition?

Chris: We do a lot of things our competition does not. We have our self help authors answer questions, provide direct access via phone, email, and fax, and offer live help online where it applies. We do not force sell and rarely up sell our customers, we treat them like gold. If we have a good solid product to cross market to our customers we will.

Miles: What’s been one of your biggest online marketing mistakes?

Chris: Easy – Depending on one merchant process for all our sales. It’s like having one person in charge of ALL your sales revenue. We have our own merchant account now in addition to other ways we receive our sales…it has tripled our revenue.

Miles: That’s a good lesson because you do put yourself at great risk when you rely on only one single company to handle all your revenue. So what keeps motivating you to go on, besides the money obviously?

Chris: Two things, the ability to be self directed in my life, and to provide a source of income (a living) to our very dedicated employees and hundreds of affiliates.

Miles: What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting an online business?

Chris: Be driven and focused on succeeding, stay in touch with your original reason you began your business in the first place to stay motivated, and understand that YOU are probably your biggest obstacle to success… get out of your own way.

Miles: Great Advice! Any books favorite books you would like to share with our readers?

Chris: Think and Grow Rich, for general understanding of how life and business work together, all the Rich Dad / Poor Dad books – for clear understanding of how to become and stay rich – it works!, and 3rd, The Martha Rules by Martha Stewart – an excellent easy to read and understand guide to building an empire from only and idea.

Miles: Very good. So what’s next for you? Do you have any big rewards planned for yourself as a result of all your hard work?

Chris: I will be going to Switzerland this summer. I can’t wait. I have some famous musician friends in Ireland I will hang out on their tour in April.

Miles: Sounds great Chris! Well enjoy yourself and thank you for sharing a bit about yourself and your business with our readers!

Chris: No problem, thank you!

I hope you enjoyed reading this interview with Chris Gibson. More interviews are always on the way. Read through them all at the Interviews Page.