Calling All Veteran, Successful IMers: Please Answer One Vital Question

37 replies
In the spirit of generosity and helpfulness I have noticed on this forum just lately (Caleb offering to sponsor a newbie to success, long informative golden posts that give REAL (free) moneymaking steps, like those by SirTom, Jeremy and others), I would like to give an opportunity here for some succinct, boiled-down advice for newbies.

This isn't just for the usual reasons. One of my main 'beefs' about the difficulties facing the new IMer, is that as time progresses, there is now so much more OLD (out-of-date, superceded, irelevant, google slapped) marketing advice floating about out there, enticing the newcomers to spend money on things that no longer apply, no longer work, and are no longer allowed.

The oldtimers recognise these and can discern the difference. The newcomers have no idea and waste their money before they have any hope of accruing enough experience to be able to tell what's cutting-edge and what's old time-wasting-not-effective-anymore stuff. Most products and e-books are undated, and most online sale-letters have today's date automatically inserted. There are heaps of things being charged for on old sales pages that are now available free, etc.

Now I don't want to hear "Let them learn the hard way - we did." Sure, but back then everything was newish and legit, and things didn't change so quickly as now, and there wasn't the multitude of tools and methods that have now accumulated. Have a heart!

So here's the question:

IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN AND HAD NO ONLINE ASSETS EXCEPT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, , WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD DO, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL ELSE, TO START MAKING MONEY ONLINE?

I just want your *one* best method. You don't have to explain it in full or anything, but please let it be the most successful thing you have actually done, and are doing.

Newbies are often criticised for not taking action, but I think if they knew which things to avoid, and which things are worthy of their time and money, this would be less of a problem

Let's hear your ONE THING guys! And thank you!
#answer #calling #imers #question #successful #veteran #vital
  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    My suggestion is for you to focus on the basics and not on what is the hot new product that will zap you into riches. Once you learn the basics, put them to use. Then repeat four million times. You should divide your time up between research and actual work: 90% work and 10% research.
    Signature

    Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377108].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      My suggestion is for you to focus on the basics and not on what is the hot new product that will zap you into riches. Once you learn the basics, put them to use. Then repeat four million times. You should divide your time up between research and actual work: 90% work and 10% research.
      Gret suggestion, Brian. To clarify a little, though: what are you including when you say "the basics"? Keyword research? Site building? SEO? Could you give, say, 5 indispensable skills that you have in mind when you say "the basics".
      10% research? To me that would probably mean consulting this forum, but you might be meaning something else. If newbies thought that 'research' means looking for a better IM method, they would probably start going around in circles, do you think?

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377168].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
    Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

    I just want your *one* best method. You don't have to explain it in full or anything, but please let it be the most successful thing you have actually done, and are doing.
    I would have approached article marketing entirely different. Instead of wasting my time and energy submitting to EzineArticles and other top article directories, where your articles end up getting buried among the thousands of other article submissions, I would have developed a relationship with one or two authority sites and submitted my articles to them exclusively.

    But, better late than never, as they say. Anyway, that’s exactly the article marketing method I've been using for the last year or so. And it's working beautifully. I’ve established a relationship with a couple of authority sites, and I submit my articles to them exclusively. If you want to have some control over where your articles are published, I advise you to do the same.

    David Jackson
    Signature

    Powerful, Free Marketing Tips to Help Grow Your Business!
    http://www.free-marketing-tips-blog.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377136].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by David Jackson View Post

      I would have approached article marketing entirely different. Instead of wasting my time and energy submitting to EzineArticles and other top article directories, where your articles end up getting buried among the thousands of of article submissions, I would have developed a relationship with one or two authority sites and submitted my articles to them exclusively.

      But, better late than never, as they say. Anyway, that's exactly the article marketing method I've been using for the last year or so. And it's working beautifully. I've established a relationship with a couple of authority sites, and I submit my articles to them exclusively. If you want to have some control over where your articles are published, I advise you to do the same.

      David Jackson
      Good tip David - not one that you hear very often. Usually it's the old "blast away with the biggest Article Submitter you can find" technique. What do you think makes the actual difference with your approach? PR? After all, EZA has a PR of 6?
      I'm genuinely curious.........

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377181].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
        Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

        Good tip David - not one that you hear very often. Usually it's the old "blast away with the biggest Article Submitter you can find" technique. What do you think makes the actual difference with your approach? PR? After all, EZA has a PR of 6?
        I'm genuinely curious.........
        Thanks, Sue. In my opinion, some people focus their attention on the wrong things. In all honesty, I could give a rats apple about a website's PR. The only thing I care about is the bottom line. And the bottom line is this: PR notwithstanding, I'm making a lot more money submitting my articles to SiteProNews than I ever did with EZA. I mean, it's not even close!

        I guess it all depends on what's important to you. PR is important to some people, and that's fine. It's just not important to me. Padding my bank account is what's important to me. And I can do that just as easily with a PR 3 site, as I can a PR 6 site.

        David Jackson
        Signature

        Powerful, Free Marketing Tips to Help Grow Your Business!
        http://www.free-marketing-tips-blog.com

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377236].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    I would create and sell my own products.

    It took me YEARS to figure this out, and it is the ONE thing I would do.

    But that's just me.

    All the best,
    Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377147].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      I would create and sell my own products.

      It took me YEARS to figure this out, and it is the ONE thing I would do.

      But that's just me.

      All the best,
      Michael
      Thanks, Michael. I think you have hit on something a lot of people recognise as a success, and something they aspire to, but don't quite get there. Obviously you yourself procrastinated with it for a while. How did you decide what product and where / how to promote? (Are we talking WSO?)

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377195].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

        (Are we talking WSO?)
        I strongly advise making the WSO forum less than 30% of your marketing effort. Launch in at least two other channels, and push at least one of them harder than the WSO. In fact, I recommend launching in the other two channels first, and making those channels pay your WSO fee.
        Signature
        "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377233].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author LiamP
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      I would create and sell my own products.

      It took me YEARS to figure this out, and it is the ONE thing I would do.

      But that's just me.

      All the best,
      Michael
      This, for 2 main reasons (amongst many).

      1. More profitable
      2. You are more likely to keep going when you hit frustrations in your marketing efforts if you are marketing your own product. Or to put it another way, marketing your own product is more enjoyable.
      Signature

      A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
      Robert A. Heinlein

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377305].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MeghanK
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377167].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by MeghanK View Post

      Most of the stuff that worked 10 years ago works now (If you are honest and don't try to beat the system)

      Create an email list (Since 1994)
      Offer good services/information/products and the search engines will pick you up (since 1994)
      Offer things for free and people will sign up to your list (1996)
      Submit articles to article directories (Internetday.com 1996)

      Nothing has changed and nothing is getting harder if you are honest and consistent.
      Hi Meghan,

      Sure, there are a lot of things that have NOT changed, as per some of the examples you list. But there really is a LOT that has changed. It used to be a case of "offer good content and the search engines will pick you up." I have to disagree with that one. Unless you do a lot of other good SEO things along with it, the search engines won't just pick you up. At least, they won't give you a first page ranking (which is the only page that matters for organic traffic) if you just have good content and nothing more.
      And I was taken in recently by a sales letter hyping up a secret ppc method (the specifics of which was, of course, undisclosed until you paid for the report), only to find that it used a direct affiliate linking strategy that Google Adwords had long since banned.
      Etc.

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377226].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LB
    Build a list.
    Signature
    Tired of Article Marketing, Backlink Spamming and Other Crusty Old Traffic Methods?

    Click Here.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377174].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by LB View Post

      Build a list.
      Thanks, LB. And yes, I did want just a succinct answer to the question, but that is just a touch TOO cryptic for a newbie to actually act on. Building a list is the result of some other activity which results in getting a list.

      What's your favourite way to successfully build a list?

      Thanks!

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377243].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Bard
    Michael beat me with his answer.

    Create a product and give affiliates as many sales tools as possible. Banner graphics, articles, email follow-ups...

    Let someone else do the marketing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377177].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by Matt M View Post

      Michael beat me with his answer.

      Create a product and give affiliates as many sales tools as possible. Banner graphics, articles, email follow-ups...

      Let someone else do the marketing.
      Good point, Matt - let the marketers come to you. But make it attractive and easy for them to do so...
      Presuming you can come up with a top product, that sounds like an ideal strategy.
      How many times have we seen a product launched, which is let down by incomplete affiliate tools, etc?

      Thanks!

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377253].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

    IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN AND HAD NO ONLINE ASSETS EXCEPT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, , WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD DO, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL ELSE, TO START MAKING MONEY ONLINE?
    This is an excellent question, and it's a good idea to ask it of yourself frequently.

    My answer: make my own products.

    If I'd come out of the gate making products, instead of spending so much time on the freelance writing gigs, I'd have a much better passive-income empire today.

    People will accuse me of saying that because my next product is a guide to making your own products - but it's the exact opposite.

    That's my next product because that's what I would do.

    Newbies are an evergreen market. If all you ever do is keep asking that question, answering it, and launching something to get that answer into the hands of people who are just starting out - you'll build a serious business and a serious following.
    Signature
    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377183].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      This is an excellent question, and it's a good idea to ask it of yourself frequently.

      My answer: make my own products.

      If I'd come out of the gate making products, instead of spending so much time on the freelance writing gigs, I'd have a much better passive-income empire today.

      People will accuse me of saying that because my next product is a guide to making your own products - but it's the exact opposite.

      That's my next product because that's what I would do.

      Newbies are an evergreen market. If all you ever do is keep asking that question, answering it, and launching something to get that answer into the hands of people who are just starting out - you'll build a serious business and a serious following.
      WOW! I totally agree. And what a great philosophy - valuable to existing IMers and Newbies alike. I think you are really onto something with that that concept, CDarklock.
      Take note, everybody!

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377260].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 1960Texan
    Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

    IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN AND HAD NO ONLINE ASSETS EXCEPT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, , WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD DO, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL ELSE, TO START MAKING MONEY ONLINE?
    Give value in everything you do. Here's one example:

    If you are article marketing, take the extra time to check your spelling...read the article out loud to make sure that what you've written flows and makes sense to the reader...make sure that your article answers at least one question before asking the reader to click on your link for the rest of the answers.

    Will
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377184].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author srumsley
      Originally Posted by 1960Texan View Post

      Give value in everything you do. Here's one example:

      If you are article marketing, take the extra time to check your spelling...read the article out loud to make sure that what you've written flows and makes sense to the reader...make sure that your article answers at least one question before asking the reader to click on your link for the rest of the answers.

      Will
      Great ethic, Will. I won't say "it goes without saying", cos often it doesn't. Good technique to 'getting the click' too.

      Thanks!

      Sue
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377271].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author srumsley
        Originally Posted by Steven Carl Kelly View Post

        I learned there are two ways to go: you can be one of hundreds of people promoting someone else's product, or you can have hundreds of people promoting yours. So my answer is...

        Create my own product. After making decent money through other avenues, it wasn't until I created my own product did I actually start to turn my online efforts into a real business.

        This has turned out to be the most popular 'One Thing'. Obviously though it has to marketed correctly - I'm sure your own product still has the capacity to flop.....

        Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

        I strongly advise making the WSO forum less than 30% of your marketing effort. Launch in at least two other channels, and push at least one of them harder than the WSO. In fact, I recommend launching in the other two channels first, and making those channels pay your WSO fee.
        Good tip, but I presume you must have a good reason for this advice, besides paying the WSO fee. Is it in order to get testimonials?

        Sue
        Signature

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377311].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
          Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

          Good tip, but I presume you must have a good reason for this advice, besides paying the WSO fee. Is it in order to get testimonials?
          It's putting your eggs in more than one basket.

          I don't think testimonials are that important, really. They're too easily faked, and even when they're not, people tend to give their friends good testimonials. I've been sort of walking away from testimonials, and I'm trying really hard to keep my back to the WSO forum more often - because WSO credibility doesn't translate to the rest of the world.

          If you can sell your product in the WSO forum, that doesn't mean squat. Take your product to Clickbank, nobody cares. Take it to Tradebit, nobody cares. Take it to some other forum, and nobody cares. Your credibility here doesn't amount to a hill of beans once you step out into the big bad internet, and if you don't learn how to sell your product without that credibility, it ends up a crutch and you end up crippled.
          Signature
          "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377346].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author abednego
            Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

            This is an excellent question, and it's a good idea to ask it of yourself frequently.

            My answer: make my own products.

            If I'd come out of the gate making products, instead of spending so much time on the freelance writing gigs, I'd have a much better passive-income empire today.

            People will accuse me of saying that because my next product is a guide to making your own products - but it's the exact opposite.

            That's my next product because that's what I would do.

            Newbies are an evergreen market. If all you ever do is keep asking that question, answering it, and launching something to get that answer into the hands of people who are just starting out - you'll build a serious business and a serious following.
            Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

            I strongly advise making the WSO forum less than 30% of your marketing effort. Launch in at least two other channels, and push at least one of them harder than the WSO. In fact, I recommend launching in the other two channels first, and making those channels pay your WSO fee.
            What was your first product you created yourself?
            Was it successful?

            And where did your motivation come from?

            What resources do you suggest?
            Signature

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377389].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author fut
            Good advice. What other channels do you use to promote your products?

            Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

            It's putting your eggs in more than one basket.

            I don't think testimonials are that important, really. They're too easily faked, and even when they're not, people tend to give their friends good testimonials. I've been sort of walking away from testimonials, and I'm trying really hard to keep my back to the WSO forum more often - because WSO credibility doesn't translate to the rest of the world.

            If you can sell your product in the WSO forum, that doesn't mean squat. Take your product to Clickbank, nobody cares. Take it to Tradebit, nobody cares. Take it to some other forum, and nobody cares. Your credibility here doesn't amount to a hill of beans once you step out into the big bad internet, and if you don't learn how to sell your product without that credibility, it ends up a crutch and you end up crippled.
            Signature
            Acne Diet - High content blog looking to build relationships with other similar bloggers.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377413].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
              Originally Posted by fut View Post

              Good advice. What other channels do you use to promote your products?
              I use standalone web sites, which one day I will promote with PPC once I get over being terrified of it.

              I promote to my own lists, although not as often as people push me to do it.

              I promote on other forums, but some of them really don't generate much (DP = fail).

              I have accounts in several other marketplaces... Tradebit, E-Junkie, Rapbank... where I'm not currently promoting but will be at some point.

              I'm speaking from experience when I say the WSO forum becomes a crutch. It's easy to just drop a WSO and watch money come in, but it's not a viable long-term business strategy.

              If there's one thing I wish I'd listened to from day one here, it's that there is a big wide world out there, with more money than the WSO forum has ever generated for anybody. WSOs are a great PART of your marketing strategy, but don't let them be the whole thing.
              Signature
              "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377453].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author williamrs
                Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

                I use standalone web sites, which one day I will promote with PPC once I get over being terrified of it.

                I promote to my own lists, although not as often as people push me to do it.

                I promote on other forums, but some of them really don't generate much (DP = fail).

                I have accounts in several other marketplaces... Tradebit, E-Junkie, Rapbank... where I'm not currently promoting but will be at some point.

                I'm speaking from experience when I say the WSO forum becomes a crutch. It's easy to just drop a WSO and watch money come in, but it's not a viable long-term business strategy.

                If there's one thing I wish I'd listened to from day one here, it's that there is a big wide world out there, with more money than the WSO forum has ever generated for anybody. WSOs are a great PART of your marketing strategy, but don't let them be the whole thing.
                I agree with you. WSOs can make some money, and beginners may think that it's a lot of money, but it's just a couple of bucks compared with the money that's out there.

                My best-seller (WSO) has sold 600+ copies at $7 ($6.43 because of Paypal's fee) in 4 months. Do the math. Is that a lot of money? Maybe for someone who has never made a single buck online, but one PPC campaign that makes me $150 a day will make me that money EVERY month for several months.

                Also, I doubt that newbies throwing useless reports on the WSO section can make 600+ sales, so their earnings should be even lower than mine.

                Conclusion: WSOs are good to make some extra cash, but it's not possible to build a real business around them.


                William
                Signature
                Steal My Profit Strategy



                >> Download Now <<
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377500].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author srumsley
                Mmm............. Thanks CDarklock. Your thoughts on this matter are actually very enlightening (and probably not too popular on this forum..... :-) )

                Most probably would have said the opposite: "Make it here in the WF - where you will be scrutinized by the best of the best - and you will make it anywhere."

                But if your experience says otherwise, that is an important lesson for us to think about. Besides the fact that a WSO doesn't necessarily equal an ongoing business....... and other sources could be used that mean longer term viability. Is this what you are getting at?

                Sue
                Signature

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377504].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
                  Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

                  Mmm............. Thanks CDarklock. Your thoughts on this matter are actually very enlightening (and probably not too popular on this forum..... :-) )
                  Actually, the single greatest thing about the Warrior forum is that we have a reasonably large number of straight talkers here. They may not always agree, but they're telling you what their experience has taught them, and they don't sugar-coat it or try to "spin" it in a direction that will make them more money.

                  And let's not forget that most of this isn't stuff I personally discovered, but the advice I've been given right here on this forum by other Warriors. My experience may have borne it out, but I should have listened to the people who told me so.
                  Signature
                  "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377570].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author fut
                Thanks for that. I'll have to agree with you on forums. Forums are a double edged sword:

                You get the most value of your time by using the search function on forums. More so then any other medium, with the exception for some stellar content sites.

                You get very little value of your time if you make a lot of posts. I've seen people in forums who post actively on forums, establish themselves as an authority, and get more referrals because of it. However...I would say if they spent all that time on other pursuits, their time would be put to better use.

                Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

                I use standalone web sites, which one day I will promote with PPC once I get over being terrified of it.

                I promote to my own lists, although not as often as people push me to do it.

                I promote on other forums, but some of them really don't generate much (DP = fail).

                I have accounts in several other marketplaces... Tradebit, E-Junkie, Rapbank... where I'm not currently promoting but will be at some point.

                I'm speaking from experience when I say the WSO forum becomes a crutch. It's easy to just drop a WSO and watch money come in, but it's not a viable long-term business strategy.

                If there's one thing I wish I'd listened to from day one here, it's that there is a big wide world out there, with more money than the WSO forum has ever generated for anybody. WSOs are a great PART of your marketing strategy, but don't let them be the whole thing.
                Signature
                Acne Diet - High content blog looking to build relationships with other similar bloggers.
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377513].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author srumsley
                  Definitely. It took me a while to discover the 'search' function (don't laugh!). You could never keep up with reading all the posts on a forum as big as this, even if they were all valuable (and most are).
                  It's a question of TRIAGE.
                  Which is why I started this post - Newbies need a bit of a steer as to 'where to start', 'where not to waste time', etc.
                  Getting off to a bit of a start, no matter how small, and seeing some success in a fairly short time is very motivating.
                  Going round in circles trying every new thing, living on hope, spending, spending and not earning for a year or more drives one insane.

                  Yes, this forum is enough education for anyone, but use the search function. :-)

                  Thanks!

                  Sue
                  Signature

                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377582].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author InHwan Park
    learn to drive traffic... lots of traffic. most of the methods you may think are outdated are not. but all the methods will need traffic
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377205].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steven Carl Kelly
    I learned there are two ways to go: you can be one of hundreds of people promoting someone else's product, or you can have hundreds of people promoting yours. So my answer is...

    Create my own product. After making decent money through other avenues, it wasn't until I created my own product did I actually start to turn my online efforts into a real business.
    Signature
    Read this SURPRISING REPORT Before You Buy ANY WSO! Click Here
    FREE REPORT: Split Test Your Landing Pages the Easy Way
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377239].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PaulaC
    If I were starting out all over again I would go with just one website instead of many. For that one website I would choose 5 products only and write 5 really good product reviews (using Amazon products).

    Once I had those 5 review pages up I would then spend 80% of my time getting traffic/backlinks to those 5 pages until they are getting sales.

    For the other 20% of my time, I would write regular information type articles (how-to's, tips and hints etc) to slowly build up the site - not many, maybe 2 to 5 articles a week depending on how much time I had. I would link each of these articles to my 5 product reviews.
    Signature

    My Blog --> Affiliate Blog Online

    Our New Membership Site - Affiliate Tools HQ

    Amazonian Profit Plan - Our Complete Blueprint for Making Money Online by Promoting Amazon Products - The Amazonian Profit Plan

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2377554].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
      Originally Posted by PaulaC View Post

      If I were starting out all over again I would go with just one website instead of many. For that one website I would choose 5 products only and write 5 really good product reviews (using Amazon products).

      Once I had those 5 review pages up I would then spend 80% of my time getting traffic/backlinks to those 5 pages until they are getting sales.

      For the other 20% of my time, I would write regular information type articles (how-to's, tips and hints etc) to slowly build up the site - not many, maybe 2 to 5 articles a week depending on how much time I had. I would link each of these articles to my 5 product reviews.
      Thanks Paula.

      How would you drive traffic and build backlinks to this website?

      And what type of website would it be? A wordpress blog?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2379687].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author PaulaC
        Originally Posted by vicalexan View Post

        Thanks Paula.

        How would you drive traffic and build backlinks to this website?

        And what type of website would it be? A wordpress blog?
        I would go with a Wordpress blog and build backlinks through article marketing - BUT not article marketing to article directories. I would submit articles to regular websites or blogs that are in a similar niche to the website I am promoting.
        Signature

        My Blog --> Affiliate Blog Online

        Our New Membership Site - Affiliate Tools HQ

        Amazonian Profit Plan - Our Complete Blueprint for Making Money Online by Promoting Amazon Products - The Amazonian Profit Plan

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2439924].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by srumsley View Post


    IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN AND HAD NO ONLINE ASSETS EXCEPT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, , WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD DO, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL ELSE, TO START MAKING MONEY ONLINE?

    I just want your *one* best method. You don't have to explain it in full or anything, but please let it be the most successful thing you have actually done, and are doing.

    Let's hear your ONE THING guys! And thank you!
    I'd THINK.
    Sound hokey? It is the ONE thing which most noobs and WF newbs in particular, do NOT do.
    What should they THINK about?

    What they want. And HOW they are going to get it. MOST have no plan, no written course of action, only a "Want" to make money. So, they CHASE after that rainbow. A few hours of thinking about what and how will save, perhaps, months and even years of futile effort.

    Once the goal is clearly seen, the steps to get there become more obvious.

    gjabiz

    PS. In working with many Warriors, recently, this is the first thing I try to get them to do, and it is difficult for most.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2379118].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Crew Chief
      Originally Posted by srumsley View Post

      IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN AND HAD NO ONLINE ASSETS EXCEPT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, , WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD DO, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL ELSE, TO START MAKING MONEY ONLINE
      Build my own IM network of BL sites and team up with others who have done the same!

      When you have your own network of Article Directories, Web Directories, News Aggregators, Blogs, Web 2.0 sites, Press Release sites and other BL sites, you can literally generate thousands of BLs at your behest.

      Which means, you are not subject to have your BLs moderated, made no follow or altogether deleted - because you control them!

      Other advantages:

      (a) You can quickly convert a new site into an authority site at will - using the power of your network

      (b). Becausing you are passing authority, your new sites aren't subjected to the Google Dance or the Google slapped.

      (c). You KNOW your competitors will never ever get backlinks to those sites.

      To your success!

      Giles, the Crew Chief
      Signature
      Tools, Strategies and Tactics Used By Savvy Internet Marketers and SEO Pros:

      ProSiteFlippers.com We Build Monetization Ready High-Value Virtual Properties
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2379234].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

      I'd THINK.
      Damn. That's a good one. I wish I'd said that.

      I guess I wasn't thinking.

      Seriously, it's a good point. A lot of us get the idea in our heads that everyone wants the same thing out of IM, and that's really not the case. I like being high-profile and having people know who I am and what I do. Some people only want to quietly earn a living, or even just a small second income, while they quietly and anonymously relax at home with the family.

      So yeah, good advice. Think about what you want and whether you're moving in the right direction.
      Signature
      "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2379918].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN AND HAD NO ONLINE ASSETS EXCEPT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, , WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD DO, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL ELSE, TO START MAKING MONEY ONLINE?
    Create my own product line. Nothing has made me more money online than that as a starting point.

    The second thing I would have immediately focused on (simultaneously actually) was building a list with no less than a year's worth of messages via autoresponder, promoting no less than ten products as a product mix.

    RoD
    Signature
    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2379688].message }}

Trending Topics