Help Needed for Getting Started

14 replies
Hello all,

I am an aspiring Internet and Social Media marketer. I'm currently enrolled in USF's Internet Marketing Master's Certificate program and I'm learning a lot there as well as from these forums.

But I am swimming in information and have no idea where to begin.

I have a full time job that still allows be about 3-4 hours per day in extra time that I can use to make money online, but I need a good solid starter plan. Something that could help me start generating just a few hundred per month.

I keep running into things like Coffee Shop Millionaire but that seems like an infomercial to me and I instinctively don't trust it. Plus, I'm not looking to make millions (yet), just get a feel for how it all works.

I have Squidoo lens for my yearly fantasy baseball projections (a hobby), a blogspot blog on sports and social media and run a news blog about my hometown in New Jersey.

But I want to become an entrepreneur in this area and need a basic, dependable plan I can use to get started. Any advice?

Thanks,
Carl
#getting started #needed #started #strategy
  • Profile picture of the author wfhblueprints
    Originally Posted by cdispoto View Post

    Hello all,

    I am an aspiring Internet and Social Media marketer. I'm currently enrolled in USF's Internet Marketing Master's Certificate program and I'm learning a lot there as well as from these forums.

    But I am swimming in information and have no idea where to begin.

    I have a full time job that still allows be about 3-4 hours per day in extra time that I can use to make money online, but I need a good solid starter plan. Something that could help me start generating just a few hundred per month.

    I keep running into things like Coffee Shop Millionaire but that seems like an infomercial to me and I instinctively don't trust it. Plus, I'm not looking to make millions (yet), just get a feel for how it all works.

    I have Squidoo lens for my yearly fantasy baseball projections (a hobby), a blogspot blog on sports and social media and run a news blog about my hometown in New Jersey.

    But I want to become an entrepreneur in this area and need a basic, dependable plan I can use to get started. Any advice?

    Thanks,
    Carl
    Hey Carl

    I wrote a post a while back on getting started that might be of interest to you:


    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...g-started.html

    Hope it helps

    Kind regards

    Chris

    P.S. Don't hesitate to PM if you need a help in hand
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  • Profile picture of the author Rick W
    Originally Posted by cdispoto View Post


    I have Squidoo lens for my yearly fantasy baseball projections (a hobby), a blogspot blog on sports and social media and run a news blog about my hometown in New Jersey.

    But I want to become an entrepreneur in this area and need a basic, dependable plan I can use to get started. Any advice?

    Thanks,
    Carl
    What area do you want to become an entrepreneur in? Blogging? Social Media Marketing? Article Marketing?
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  • Profile picture of the author Mo Sheikh
    Hi Carl,

    I know exactly how you feel in terms of the information overload. It can be pretty frustrating, but the most important thing in my opinion is to develop a plan and start taking action. As far as specific advice, it really depends on what you want to do. There are many, many ways to make money with internet marketing, and you'll find a lot of information on these forums.

    The first step will be to decide what niche to focus on. The post Chris linked to has some great information on how to find a niche. You already have a few blogs, so you may just want to stay in those niches if you find they can be profitable.

    Another suggestion is to start building a list. Whether you decide to go into affiliate marketing, product creation, or whatever, a list will help you uncover potential ideas by interacting with your blog readers and discovering their frustrations, pain points, or areas where you can provide value. Put up an opt-in form on your blogs if you haven't already. You could also offer some type of free report to entice readers to join your mailing list. For example, for your social media blog you could offer a short eBook on social media strategies or tips.

    Meanwhile, learn about the different areas of internet marketing and see what interests you. Then develop a plan and start implementing it. It doesn't have to be perfect... just something to get you going. The best way to learn anything is by taking action!
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  • Profile picture of the author ProfitPentagon
    It's nice idea to have your own blog where you share your views, share your experience & learn new things at the same time.

    It will also help you to build your list as well.
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    Profit Pentagon: 5 Battle Tested, Proven & No B.S. Ways To Make Real Money Online
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  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    If you are into sports then why don't you start blogging or even take up copy writing. I'm sure you'll make enough. Just remember when a skill is involved you always get paid.
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  • Profile picture of the author tharith
    You can start with free methods first before you move on the other methods.
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  • Profile picture of the author jeffduhon
    Read the article from Wfblueprints and any other info you can get your hands on. Meet people, network, and move forward by picking a niche or area you would like to be great at. It takes time, best of luck!
    Signature

    Bringing others with me on the way to the top!

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  • Profile picture of the author shireen
    -find a niche
    -create our own product
    -create a free report to give away
    -start building opt in list with free report
    -build a ministe
    -list it on clickbank / paydotcom to recruit affiliates
    -submit articles
    -get involve in forum

    Hope it helps :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Breakinglink
    I am going through a very similar situation. I have done two things you may want to consider.

    1. Stick to just 1 or 2 plans that you like and ignore everything else.

    2. Set yourself some super small goals that you can pass really fast. 5 bucks a day for 30 days. 10 bucks a day for a week. You get the picture.
    Signature

    "Someday" is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.


    Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of. -Ben Franklin

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  • Profile picture of the author sizzlemediauk
    Carl,

    As said above by other webmasters I think you can start from having a blog of your own where you can discuss your niche or niches which interests you. An own identity on the web right now where content is real king for the search giant I don't think any other option will be better for you. It won't just let you earn but learn too.
    What I suggest is that
    1. Start with a blog and start posting on something that interests you along with the niche you are comfortable with
    2. As you know that content is in each and every niche and well considered
    3. With the post you make, try to share each on social media and other large networks so that you could reach wider audience as then only the visibility will increase
    4. Make sure you posts attract web users and specially those from your niche market because then only you will be considered to be contacted for similar blog/article writing works which will be for them
    5. As you went through the above process you must have found it as not just an earning but learning opportunity as well. Here most of skills in you will be developed by yourself slowly with each mistakes and drawbacks and not it 'there is nothing best than self-learning'

    Doing all this just requires time, management, skill, ambition and hard work as you need to present yourself as the most deserving for the work. IF you think you have this go ahead without a second thought.

    All the best!
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    • Profile picture of the author cdispoto
      Thanks for the overwhelming response!

      Using the initial advice on finding a niche posted by wfhblueprints, I think I've found best areas where my passions meet high public interest.

      I have no problem starting a blog for these passions, but what platforms offer the best potential for maximizing profitability. My current blogs are not really for money-making purposes, although one of them falls right in line with one of my niches, so I'm using Blogger and Squidoo.

      What platforms are better for helping them become money-making ventures?

      I have an extensive background in writing so Copywriting and Article Marketing is another area I may be able to get into but I have not learned anything about those areas yet. Can anyone give me a quick summary of how that works?
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      • Profile picture of the author wfhblueprints
        Originally Posted by cdispoto View Post

        Thanks for the overwhelming response!

        Using the initial advice on finding a niche posted by wfhblueprints, I think I've found best areas where my passions meet high public interest.

        I have no problem starting a blog for these passions, but what platforms offer the best potential for maximizing profitability. My current blogs are not really for money-making purposes, although one of them falls right in line with one of my niches, so I'm using Blogger and Squidoo.

        What platforms are better for helping them become money-making ventures?

        I have an extensive background in writing so Copywriting and Article Marketing is another area I may be able to get into but I have not learned anything about those areas yet. Can anyone give me a quick summary of how that works?
        Glad my initial post helped!

        Personally I always recommend getting your own domain and hosting and setting up your own wordpress blog.

        This means that you are in control of your site and not dependent on Blogger or Squidoo etc...

        If you are not familiar on setting up a wordpress blog, head over to fiverr.com and pay someone $5 to do one for you.

        That way you can get started straight away and remove those initial problems that normally stop people making a start.

        I would also get cracking on preparing a short report/ebook on the main problem that affects people in your niche and offering a solution....

        This is something that you can offer for free in order to build your list (Which is essential)

        If you haven't got an autoresponder I personally recommend aweber...

        Hope this helps.


        Kind regards

        Chris
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        • Profile picture of the author cdispoto
          I do have experience with WordPress as I manage a news blog that is hosted on WordPress.

          If I remember correctly, you can't monetize a free blog created on WordPress.com so I'd have to go via WordPress.org and pay for hosting, which I am fine with.

          So I have five niches in mind, all of which I think can be successful. Three of them are sports related and will probably only be profitable during the particular time of year that sport is played, which means a couple of them will be in offseason so I won't constantly have to manage them.

          So for each blog I'll create some free thing to give away in exchange for an email opt-in. Then I'll post well written pieces regularly while sending out the occasional newsletter to drive traffic back to the site.

          Is the best way to monetize the blog via affiliate networks? Or are ad services like AdWords and PPC strategies more useful?
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          • Profile picture of the author wfhblueprints
            Originally Posted by cdispoto View Post

            I do have experience with WordPress as I manage a news blog that is hosted on WordPress.

            If I remember correctly, you can't monetize a free blog created on WordPress.com so I'd have to go via WordPress.org and pay for hosting, which I am fine with.

            So I have five niches in mind, all of which I think can be successful. Three of them are sports related and will probably only be profitable during the particular time of year that sport is played, which means a couple of them will be in offseason so I won't constantly have to manage them.

            So for each blog I'll create some free thing to give away in exchange for an email opt-in. Then I'll post well written pieces regularly while sending out the occasional newsletter to drive traffic back to the site.

            Is the best way to monetize the blog via affiliate networks? Or are ad services like AdWords and PPC strategies more useful?

            Personally what I would recommend is that rather than spread yourself thin and target 5 different niches....

            Chose the one which you are most comfortable and you think will be more profitable...

            Have a browse through clickbank, amazon etc to see what products you could offer people in your niche and then signup for the relevant affiliate program.

            Hope this helps.

            Regards

            Chris
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