“I’d love to offer my marketing service to Ecuador businesses, but what would they pay me?” A friend told me recently over a coffee in Ecuador.
He was right.
Did Ecuadorian businesses need his service, just like businesses in the US do?
Yes.
But were they willing to pay him what the service is worth?
No.
After a year and a half in Ecuador, I feel like I got a bird’s eye view of this s-h-i-t.
Like in most ‘third world’ countries, in order to make money in Ecuador you have to sell a product.
Your own product.
So stop thinking like an American, or someone from a service-based economy, and stop trying to sell services.
I mean…
Don’t start a travel agency… build your own specialty tour and sell it through the travel agencies.
Don’t become a real estate agent… flip your own properties.
Don’t become an ESL English teacher (it doesn’t pay like it does in Asia)… start your own English school.
Don’t offer a service to exporters… export something.
Don’t be a financial advisor… sell shares of your own niche investment fund.
Don’t offer your service as an electrician, plumber or builder… start your own specialty lighting business.
Don’t offer your service as a professional video editor… make your own videos.
Don’t look for someone else to hire you (employees start out making $318USD a month)… start your own business.
I can’t stress this enough, you need your own ‘thang’.
My first few months in Ecuador I spun my wheels trying to sell a marketing service to Ecuador businesses, I learned the hard way, now you don’t have to.
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