Helping Newbies Get Started…

[BIG Mike]

If you’re in business and working it and actually making money at it, you probably know that having a Plan (Business) is important over the long-term. It becomes even more vital as you diversify into other areas.

What’s that got to do with Newbies?

Instead of preparing a business plan (assuming of course you’re brand spanking new to IM), you should focus on preparing an Educational Plan. It should be a “Living Document” that you put together somewhat like a typical curriculum to plan what you need to learn and how you’ll do it.

For example, as you read this forum, maybe you’re focusing on learning email marketing. So make up a bullet list of terms and methods you’re unfamiliar with and research them. It might look like this:

· Autoresponders
· CAN-SPAM
· Email Series
· Single/Double Optin
· Squeeze Pages
· Etc., Etc.

Leave room under each for sub-bullets to follow up on related to the original bullet and keep notes. If you bought an ebook, report, video, etc., list it here and indicate if you’ve finished it/understood it.

Add points about those items that you need further help with. Write down questions to ask in this forum and also write down the answers you received.

This way you’re not continually buying up info products for elements you’ve already mastered or chasing your tail researching the same old info over and over.

Education in IM, as in any profession, is never-ending. There is always something new and unusual to learn, so planning your educational process and progress is just as important as planning your business!

[Chipt]

Originally Posted by BIG Mike

If you’re in business and working it and actually making money at it, you probably know that having a Plan (Business) is important over the long-term. It becomes even more vital as you diversify into other areas.

What’s that got to do with Newbies?

Instead of preparing a business plan (assuming of course you’re brand spanking new to IM), you should focus on preparing an Educational Plan. It should be a “Living Document” that you put together somewhat like a typical curriculum to plan what you need to learn and how you’ll do it.

For example, as you read this forum, maybe you’re focusing on learning email marketing. So make up a bullet list of terms and methods you’re unfamiliar with and research them. It might look like this:

· Autoresponders
· CAN-SPAM
· Email Series
· Single/Double Optin
· Squeeze Pages
· Etc., Etc.

Leave room under each for sub-bullets to follow up on related to the original bullet and keep notes. If you bought an ebook, report, video, etc., list it here and indicate if you’ve finished it/understood it.

Add points about those items that you need further help with. Write down questions to ask in this forum and also write down the answers you received.

This way you’re not continually buying up info products for elements you’ve already mastered or chasing your tail researching the same old info over and over.

Education in IM, as in any profession, is never-ending. There is always something new and unusual to learn, so planning your educational process and progress is just as important as planning your business!

Great points...

For your consideration here are 2 more...

First, use the search function both here and on the old forum. There is a wealth of accurate and relevant info at your fingertips...

[And copy n paste the URLS into some doc you can refer back to so you don't have to do the work again.]

Second, consider 'integration and systemization' as you learn and implement. Many [most?] of us bought all kinds of one-trick-pony stuff and never considered the drama of getting it all to work together seamlessly.

[Usually it wouldn't do that back in the day...]

Chip Tarver

[Keith Boisvert]

Great points Mike. When I finally made myself up a plan, I actually made my list based on the items that I needed to know about that were going to help me with my business immediately.

For example, I wanted to know about PPC, but based on my plan, it wasn't part of my marketing goals right away, so I dropped it to the bottom of my list. Whereas social bookmarking was important, so I decided to learn about that first.

Not sure if that makes any sense, but I prioritized my list based off of what I needed to get my business moving forward first.

~Keith

[sparrow]

Great points Mike

Along with making this living document, you must keep focus.

Its too easy to waste time surfing instead of working.

So each day set some time to do this surfing otherwise break your time in small doable parts for your to do list and get those items done first thing.

As it has been mentioned many times in different threads the Mantra is

"Is what I am doing making me MONEY!"

Ed

[BIG Mike]

Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert

Great points Mike. When I finally made myself up a plan, I actually made my list based on the items that I needed to know about that were going to help me with my business immediately.

For example, I wanted to know about PPC, but based on my plan, it wasn't part of my marketing goals right away, so I dropped it to the bottom of my list. Whereas social bookmarking was important, so I decided to learn about that first.

Not sure if that makes any sense, but I prioritized my list based off of what I needed to get my business moving forward first.

~Keith

Keith - perfect man! That's exactly the idea - and that way you're not losing focus on what's important. Well done dude!

[BIG Mike]

Originally Posted by sparrow

Great points Mike

Along with making this living document, you must keep focus.

Its too easy to waste time surfing instead of working.

So each day set some time to do this surfing otherwise break your time in small doable parts for your to do list and get those items done first thing.

As it has been mentioned many times in different threads the Mantra is

"Is what I am doing making me MONEY!"

Ed

Ed, for educational purposes, I'm going to revise your quote:

"Can I see how what I am learning will be making me MONEY?"

[TheVCF]

I agree with everything you all are saying ...

Please allow me to add, that you should try and Use what you are learning as soon as possible, if only to "solidify" what you have learned in your mind ...

"Use it! or Lose it!"

You know?

I hope that helps and Have a Great Day!

- Michael

[AndrewCavanagh]

I would assume that the process of learning actually includes putting your newfound knowledge into action...preferably immediately.

You don't get a degree in internet marketing...the only real measures of your progress are the skill you acquire and the money you make.

Great post Mike.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

[Stuart2588]

great points.

I feel that alot of people starting out in internet marketing expect to join the forum and after 2 weeks be earning a fortune.

I actually used to think like that myself when I started a few years ago.

It is like everything in life...Put the work in and follow advice and it will work.

Taking action is the key.

Stu

[Danyelle]

Thanks for this thread, I hope it keeps coming!
I'm brand new, I joined this forum months ago but actually started reading up on it last week and only posted yesterday. It's intimidating for me a bit, so I don't ask questions that may seem too basic for some of the 'vets' here. I like the idea of making my own 'for dummies' document. I can see how it would be easy to surf and research and never really get started, so I just started to write and write as I research so I at least have some good content on my blog as I learn how to earn money from it.
Anyway, thanks again for this thread, I can't wait to hear more tips/ideas.

D

[Nathanial Anju]

I agree to you, And wish every newbie should read and have a full scale planning before falling into diversions...

[Paul Buckley]

I could have shaved about two years off my learning curve if I'd followed this advice in the beginning

[TedMarlett]

Big Mike,

Nice post. I have found that if I don't, at the very least, write something down I won't do it. I have been reading the forum for almost two years and I could have been so much further had I put into action what the experienced marketers on this forum have reiterated over and over.

The information about the search button is absolutely a time saver if people would just use it. I have found so much useful info using this its astounding.

Adding to the post, focus on just a few hours a day working if that's all you can do. Your website and knowledge will grow rapidly.

[aalasha]

i ve read what big mike has said. it sounds quite impressive. i am beginner and needs this type of stuff.

[rperales]

Personally...

..I'm into personal development which it's very essential for our
success..

I have read about bullits for awhile and I can see the impotance
of such bullits but may I explain what they work very well?..

Okay, I'll tell you anyway..

Bullits are sign post to the mind..yep..meaning directions to where
we want to go..

* Education on..directions. SEO, PPC, etc..

When ever we look for directions to a street we find the sign post
and then the address.

When we go to the Mall we look for direction to find that particular
store..

We gotta be as specific as possible..

We always seem to focus on the wrong place and completely ignore
the most important place that can grant us our request..OUR IMAGES..

Just like we gotta be as specific as possible with bullets, we gotta be
more specific with our images..

Here's why..

Our brain and body only responds to images not to reality so, we gotta
formulate those images as realistic as possible..

While educating ourselves on whatever..we should create a screen play
with our image acting out the play as real as possible doing what we
are learning..Be sure and wear the most comfortable cloth or better yet,
our favorite outfit..

We are actually doing that we just not aware of it and therefore it is not
real enough to pass the challenge that reality give us and hence, we fail.

Mind you..we don't really fail with what we are trying to do, we really fail in
shaping those images as real as possible..

So enough of blaming to who ever..heck it's those images that we shape
up that is the problem..We have enough info here to tackle whatever
comes our way..

But be careful...

..if nothing happens it's because..we just have to practice until our body
becomes familiar with our new images to leave the old familiar images..

If we were to imagine ourselves a lemon being cut up and we are squeezing
the juice over some fajitas or lime and the juice is running down our
hands and our arms will our body respond to that image?

Hey, how about sex thoughts, images, all thoughts are forms by the way..

and listen, check it out for yourself..please..

Here's something else to ponder..

If I would say that you can earn 340 million..do you belief it's such a big
task?..nope!..

didn't I just explain to you how is done?..

Mind you now, I'm a real sharp cookie..just ask my image..haha..
I've been at it for 50 years so give me a little credit will you?..

Here's how it can be done..you are going to laugh..

I always used what I call a business feeder or a business pattern or
a system..Hey, maybe another time..my hand just gave up on me..

I've been wanting to post something like this but I hestitated anyway
I want to thank Mike for providing the opportunity..

Thanks Mike!

rey

[MikeRogers]

Great Post!

I would also suggest that, if you are brand new and short of cash, begin by learning what you can about building sites and uploading with ftp so that you can at least put up a sales page.

This can be done by getting yourself some cheap hosting and using it as a "sandbox" where you can play around and learn the vital elements.

Mike

[dwieder]

great advices! indeed, it can help the newbies in IM to make it in the business. living document, as you had defined is a necessity to be able to materialize the plans and goals set. in this way, you have a pattern to use as a guide and you will lessen the tendency of failing in this business. to all the newbies, goodluck!

[Brad Spencer]

Originally Posted by BIG Mike

If you’re in business and working it and actually making money at it, you probably know that having a Plan (Business) is important over the long-term. It becomes even more vital as you diversify into other areas.

What’s that got to do with Newbies?

Instead of preparing a business plan (assuming of course you’re brand spanking new to IM), you should focus on preparing an Educational Plan. It should be a “Living Document” that you put together somewhat like a typical curriculum to plan what you need to learn and how you’ll do it.

For example, as you read this forum, maybe you’re focusing on learning email marketing. So make up a bullet list of terms and methods you’re unfamiliar with and research them. It might look like this:

· Autoresponders
· CAN-SPAM
· Email Series
· Single/Double Optin
· Squeeze Pages
· Etc., Etc.

Leave room under each for sub-bullets to follow up on related to the original bullet and keep notes. If you bought an ebook, report, video, etc., list it here and indicate if you’ve finished it/understood it.

Add points about those items that you need further help with. Write down questions to ask in this forum and also write down the answers you received.

This way you’re not continually buying up info products for elements you’ve already mastered or chasing your tail researching the same old info over and over.

Education in IM, as in any profession, is never-ending. There is always something new and unusual to learn, so planning your educational process and progress is just as important as planning your business!

Definitely a great point. I wish I heard this about 3 years ago ....I wouldn't have wasted so much time.

Cheers,

Brad Spencer


PS- On top of an educational plan, consider drawing process maps for your business. Study and tweak your business model! That has helped me just as much as knowing what I need to learn more about.

[Michael Oksa]

The beauty of your idea, IMHO is that it is simple and specific to each person implementing it.

All too often we see samples or plans that either would not work well for people new to IM, or they include items that don't make sense for everyone. In the case of the latter I am reminded how frequently new people are told to write articles - without regard for whether or not the new person is capable of doing so.

There is no reason why this most basic of plans can't be used by the most neophytic amongst us.

~Michael

[Rob Canyon]

Big Mike,

Greetings to Greece... What would we do without the Olympics... Thanks...

Those getting started shouldn't be focused on making money, but rather finding a market to serve. When you serve you shall receive.

The concept of making money sounds like sitting in the kitchen trying to figure out how to bake a cake. It makes much better sense to see what the market is already buying and then try making or selling a similar product.

I'm not an expert on Greek buying patterns but trying to sell antidotes to the jungle form of malaria fever is probably a waste of time.

Wouldn't you agree.

Thanks for the straight talk.

Cheers,

Rob