Ever feel like the hard work you have put into your work isn't paying off and might never. That seems to be the realm that I am living in these days. Have to change my mindset, stay positive, and know that with hard work, focus, integrity and creativity, I will succeed. It is just that simple.

I want to build a list and to capture readers emails. My budget right now is very low but would eventually like to offer free Chinese products to people that sign up for my list.

Also, have heard that writing an Ebook is a great way to create a list. How long should the Ebook be? Am thinking about 25 pages, but maybe shorter. Also, have to pick a topic that readers will be interested in and persuade them on that topic. Need to think this through carefully so that I can build...

Am convinced now that developing a unique voice will help attract and retain readers. Clever posts, humor, having a conversation with readers will help to build a readership and grow it. Dry, factual writing will only push people away.

Well, I just spent two hours working on an article about Zhang Ziyi, the famous Chinese actress that starred in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Turns out I had already written a post about her and I didn't even remember. So always check your old blog posts, otherwise you will end up like me.

Read a great post about using Aweber to capture email addresses of visitors. Want to place this on my blog as soon as possible. Hoping to connect with travel sites specifically targeting China. The strategy that people will visit my site become interested in China and hopefully purchase a travel package. I could email all of my list travel deals and then earn a commission of it. Just need to get everything squared away then I am going to do it.