Neophyte would appreciate some information, please

[flannie]

I have tiptoed in and out of Warrior Forum for some time now. The knowledge here is astounding, so I'm coming to you for help because my technical knowledge is very limited.

In the past I've written content articles through brokers, making up to $20 per article on one high end project. I averaged $10 - $15 on most of my work. Unfortunately I got stiffed by the last broker I used, and after a year I'm still owed a couple hundred dollars. I lost heart and backed off content writing, but I'd enjoyed the work. I'm ready, even eager, to do it again, and have put some feelers out. I know there are far more honest people out there than otherwise.

In addition to writing content again I want to make a personal dream come true by starting a blog for a hobby I have enjoyed all my life. I already have a list for over 60 article ideas. But I want it to be so much more.

My plan for building my site, and my credibility in this field, is as follows: establish the blog, and if/when there is a lot of activity in the 'comments' section, add a small forum to the site. If that proves to be successful offer an ebook that covers tips and tricks and suggestions regarding this hobby - I will include a lot of things that I don't offer at the blog or forum in this ebook, so it should be of interest to those who are reading and posting. Paypal will be the method of payment. This hobby is so diverse that, if one ebook sells successfully then I will go for other ones as well. I see potential here, if I can just get the show on the road!

Now the issues:

1) Should I just go with Blogger or try for a domain of my own?
2) How do I add a forum to my site?
3) How do I make a pdf?
4) How do I create a PayPal facilitator?
5) Does this sound like a viable plan?

I know this is a request for a LOT of information, but even a few urls that point me in the right direction would be very helpful.

Thanks so much.

[CDarklock]

1) Go for your own domain. It's not that expensive, you don't have to worry about Blogger's terms of service, and when you need a beefier machine it's easy to move.

2) On Blogger, you don't. On your own domain, you go out and get a good forum package - I'm partial to vBulletin, but Simple Machines Forum is very good - and install it as per the instructions.

3) Scroll down the main forum list until you see the "Make Money Online" forum. Immediately under it is a link to the WarriorPDF print driver, which looks like a printer to your Windows applications, but generates a PDF file when you print to it. If you use Microsoft Word, you can download an export filter from Microsoft, and OpenOffice has PDF support built in.

4) If you have a PayPal account, you can accept payments on it. Check PayPal's FAQ for the details.

5) The question is how you will establish the blog and drive traffic to it. That's the big hurdle for this plan. Start building an email list immediately; Aweber and GetResponse are both well-recommended here, I personally use ImnicaMail, and MailChimp may suit your needs if you're not going to sell any affiliate products.

In the short run, you may want to do some content writing for other Warriors. I make my living doing that, and I've never had a problem finding clients or collecting.

[flannie]

CD, you're a big help! Thank you. I had no idea I could make a pdf right here! As for domains, I've had GoDaddy mentioned to me. I think I like the idea of having my own domain. At any rate I think I know of someone who can help me 'decorate' my pages. I also want a sidebar directory for archived blog entries, since I will be making a lot of them. Shouldn't be too hard to add that.

Immediate income is needed, so I'm hoping to find some content work asap. My content writing has included such things as health and well-being, raising children, teen issues, relationships, internet safety, education issues, homeschooling, cooking, vacation destinations, and things like that. Do I simply advertise right here in this main forum? Or is there someplace else for this?

Appreciate the time you took to answer my questions, CD.

[TMG Enterprises]

You can't advertise here in the main section but you can add a link or blurb in your signature. There is a Warrior for Hire section that you can post your services. There is a $20 fee but your ad stays up until you choose to close it.

Tina