Where to start?

Welcome Back David,
Nice to see you came back after a full one decade.
Wish you all the best...

Welcome back, David!

The interesting paradox between internet marketing is that there is simultaneously millions of pages of content 'out there' to learn from, but it is that same sheer volume of content that causes people to become easily frustrated....it can feel like you are being pulled in so many directions.

I'd highly recommend that you find a handful of blogs--maybe 3-5--and, just start reading. Start learning. In the "free" online economy, there is so much that is giving away for free just in daily blog posts people publish to their blogs. Best to you!

You say you are very technical. Imagine a scenario where you are utilizing your technical expertise, combined with the power of the internet, to the max in a way that you find fulfilling and in which truly provides great service to others, worth more than they pay for yet paying you enough to live comfortably.

After you have that scenario crystal clear in your mind, tell us what it looks like. Then we can provide a few tips on how to get there.

Also, you say you are great at the technical but just need to learn the marketing.

Something to consider: Maybe instead, you need to find someone who is great at marketing but just needs to learn the technical, then pair up with them.

In the name of 'learning', there is something else I do that I think EVERYONE should consider doing: set up a free email account, through a service like Yahoo, and sign up for every email list you can find.

Read the ones with titles that resonate with you, delete the ones that don't.

Segregate the emails worth saving into different folders, and, after each week (or, earlier, if you prefer), move the emails to those folders to be stored their indefinitely...as a perpetual reservoir of quick reference strategies, tactics, etc that are continually at your finger tips. In the world of sales copy, swipe files are the norm....doing this gives you the opportunity to essentially have the best marketers in the world BUILD your swipe file for you.

Don't get me wrong, those bloggers/IM'ers want you on their list, not to do something like this, but rather to develop a closer relationship with you and....whether they admit it or not: sell things to you.

Hone in on the ones who resonate with you the most deeply....occasionally, purchase from them, if you ever need to, to demonstrate loyalty. (I'm a big fan of not just always "taking", but, rather, giving back to the ones who deserve it and have earned it....)

Remember: In an attempt to gain maximum benefit from their lists, many top tier bloggers/IMers have email marketing sequences that go on for several automated emails sends, ranging from 1 email to hundreds of emails. One blogger I had read said that they essentially have an automated email sequence that is delivered for just about a year straight, with periodic deliveries scheduled almost weekly over that time. IM'ers put alot of front end work into crafting their email delivery sequences. The good ones, at least, have tried and tested EVERYTHING.

Their email sequences have been specifically structured to derive maximum value from their lists.

This stuff is a perpetual goldmine, and is one of the best methods I've used to ensure I am continually learning new things each day.

Try it.

As I look at the stats of those members who have replied, I am honored that you would take a few moments to write something of value in this thread. I will be reading each message with the intent to learn something from your experience that you shared in your post.

Hi, from the small successes I've experienced SEO traffic or PPC traffic is two of the best kind of traffic you can get(converts well). If you can't pay for PPC, SEO is the way to go.

My recommendation would be to learn SEO and copywriting. With these two skills you can get traffic and convert it. If you choose to go this route remember to study Google's guidelines before attempting it.

If you're going to pick a niche make sure that you are knowledgeable in that field or you are at least interested in learning that niche. Because it would be easier if you know your product very well. Good luck!

Hi David, I would suggest that if you have the technical skills and know how you might want to look into creating your own product. I started out in affiliate marketing but recently made the transition to product development and I now have a much stringer platform for success on line.

You can bet that if you have knowledge and skills that there are others out there that need them. At the very least you can create a free product and then put in on a blog to capture email addresses.

Whatever you decide to do. Try and make sure it is something you are passionate about. It'll make a huge difference in the long run.

All the best.

You have been around since the 90's? But never really pursued anything?

Look, just follow your passion and get started in something that 'excites' you. Then keep working on yourself and biz until you finally get what you're after. Don't be afraid, take some actions, make some mistakes but keep on keeping on.

Forget about the damn ducks in a line theme. That will keep you in Inertia for ever.

Go out on a limb my friend.

And don't just learn. Learn only for 20% of your time. Become a producer - 80% of your time.

I am too lazy to build my own products. I just create my own traffic and send it to my profitable 'cookie' cutter system.

There are far too many newbies creating products who have almost zero experience. What kind of products can you create that can actually help people if you haven't figured this whole IM thing out yet?:

That's just my two cents

Rory, at the beginning I dabbled with marketing online. In fact way back then I figured out how to hijack SMTP ports. Not that I'm proud of it. But I learned how to read mail headers and stuff. I in fact wrote up a small ebook to teach others how to do it and sold it online. I made a couple thousand dollars one week as I recall. I had people fax me a check and I'd use software on my computer to print an electronic draft.

But life got busy, I got married, got busy with web design and starting a small web hosting business. Later I went back to college, bought a house, had children, etc and learning about making money marketing online in some way took a back seat. In fact I didn't come back here to this forum for several years. I did occasionally look in but never posted. And I remember when they switched to this new format. I had signed up WAY back when it cost to join the Warrior Forum. I can't even remember how much I paid.

Anyway, here I am, knowing I want to find a niche of some kind. And be able to make an income regardless of where I live. I'm determined to find a way.

I still think people are better finding something they're passionate about or are an expert at.

I spend most of my time on projects I know a lot about, which makes it much easier to think of new stuff to write about.