Retta

OK, I'll think on this and test it and see what happens. And I will be looking forward to the examples

http://www.hawaii-vacation-guide.org

Jimmy Reilly

I wish I found this thread earlier, I had actually posted my goals, or should I say challenge in a video over the weekend:

My Challenge | Phoenix Labs

Needless to say I accomplished that challenge already. Having myself out there publicly like that really gave me the motivation to make it happen these past few days.

Looking forward here are my goals for December:

1. Release a new software product every week this month

2. Do over $20,000 in sales with my WSO's

3. Complete the interface redesign on all my products that I've been putting off

4. Bench Press 225 5 times

5. Update this thread with my progress as well as my struggles to stay motivated and focused.

Off to a good start so far, now back to work! Dreaming never made me a dollar, but following my dreams made me more than money.

- Reilly

Will Perkins

Little update on my current progress:
- IM Product is being developed, slowly but surely.
- Launched one of the ten niche websites and have content developed for 1 month so far
- Worked on SEO for about two hours so far on the one site.
- List building is temporarily paused
- Goal for $2,000.00 is still in my eyes

Due to finals, I'm not able to get as much done as I'd like, but after next week I have literally a month off so I'll be able to get a significant amount of work done. (Why can't my university just say I got A's on everything and let me move on >.>)


And Reilly, you seem to be quite successful, any tips you might want to lend to newer players in the game?

Jimmy Reilly

Will my recommendation for you is to forget about SEO, and forget about the niche websites - for now.

Focus 100% of your time and energy on that product you are making, put your heart and soul into it! You want this product to provide so much value, to be so well put together that other marketers beg you for the chance to be your affiliate.

Once you have a product that you are confident in, I would suggest approaching some of the more successful warriors on the forum and offer them a 50/50 JV deal to help promote your product. You may have to send 100 emails and private messages, but if your products got the goods you will have someone say yes. Heck if the product is that good I might even take a look.

Then launch your product at a low price. You can make that goal of $2000 the first day even with a $5 product if you partner with the right Warrior (my first IM product did close to $2000 the first week without a JV or even a list). the main thing is, you will build a list of CUSTOMERS who love your product and will buy from you again. Then you can set goals like $20,000 in sales for the month

This is a real strategy that can be put into action THIS MONTH. All it takes is you taking the time to build a HIGH QUALITY product, and having the courage to approach other Warriors for a JV.

Do that and you will have a real business, with real partners, a real product, and a real list of CUSTOMERS.

Let everyone else spend their time building review sites and writing articles and trying to do SEO promoting YOUR PRODUCT.

But that's just my 2 cents

- Reilly

Retta

After doing a little testing on my site, I am adding a goal to this months challenge. I will learn how to use the plug in that lets you show widgets on only one page. This plug in has stumped me in the past, but I now see a compelling reason to master it

http://www.hawaii-vacation-guide.org

rally2win

* Making WF an integral part of planning and implementation.
* Building value and integrity into my products.
* Utilizing inter-networks (social, forums, blogs, media, etc.) where feasible and effective.
* Avoiding scam, adult, and/or gambling operations.
* Trying to have some fun along the way.

Jimmy Reilly

I want to add the most important goal this month, how could I forget:

6. Help any Warrior who had the courage to publicly post their goals in this thread in any way I can.

Big thanks to rizzy for starting this thread, you have my vote for best challenge thread. You got me to challenge myself.

- Reilly

Will Perkins

That's some great advice, which is more or less what I am currently doing right now. My finals end next Wednesday, and from the 15th to the 25th I plan on working my butt off to get a solid product done.

I've already got the domain name and everything up and going, just gotta get the product to show for it.


*********************
Minor Update: My main niche site (currently the only one launched) has already received over 10 clicks directly to my offers, considering I did my SEO work about 30 hours ago, that's fairly impressive. Not to mention it's already received over 25 unique visitors today.

For a day one start, I'm feeling like this site will prove worthy.

r0cc0

Add me to the list of needing some focus... after discovering Market Samurai last month, I spent HOURS finding what look like profitable, low competition keywords, buying some domain names, then finding MORE keywords, buying more domain names, etc.

And I have different plans for different groupings of keywords - some lend themselves well to article marketing with affiliate/Adsense ads, maybe even a couple Amazon ads if I can make them smoothly integrated. Some would be better for a review site with an affiliate ad or two, some should work well for a membership site (continuity or micro-continuity)...

I got some articles written for me on my first article site idea, but then (thanks, Market Samurai) found some Christmas-related keywords & went down that path for a bit, then hit a family emergency and got busy at my regular job...now looking to catch up a bit on that and still find a little time for that first site to actually post the articles and start going for backlinks.

I still need to learn something about Google Analytics, but I think I can do this... at least I've given up Facebook for the most part (Mafia Wars!), but now I'm finding that Market Samurai is not only distracting, but also can help me to lose focus and go after the next great-sounding market, so I'll have to give that up for now. :-(

I'm thinking of going for a DMOZ directory submission once my main content is up on the one site, but I'd heard they don't like to see many (or ANY) ads, just content. Do I give up on DMOZ, or give up on ads until it's approved? Any thoughts on that?

REALLY appreciate the 'veterans' coming by to help out, and another big thanks for the "Lend a Hand" thread!

R0cc0

LynnLewis

Nice to see so many of us making progress.

I've slowed a little since starting a new job but still plugging away. I looking forward to my days off so I can lock myself in the house and focus on writing articles.

misslynnlewis.com

Retta

working on one of my goals, I just contacted a member of this forum to order a new header for my site. If he does good work, I can see me using his services for more sites. The price is very reasonable at only $20

http://www.hawaii-vacation-guide.org

LynnLewis

Retta, I'd love a recommendation for a good graphics person, let me know how your header turns out.

misslynnlewis.com

DJ Hughes

I wanted to give a bit of an update on my goals progress.

Of the 17 articles I want to submit to Ezine Articles this month, I have submitted 6 so far. And of the 11 businesses I want to approach about websites and SEO, I have approached 3.

Unfortunately I have run into a problem with a Wordpress website that I can't resolve. I need a Wordpress PRO to help me, but posting the question in the programming/website section of this forum hasn't helped. No one has responded. Maybe someone here can help?

Can anyone tell me why my 'insert into post' button has suddenly disappeared when trying to insert an image after uploading it? And, how could I try to get it back? I removed all plugins to see if that would help, but it didn't. I really need a solution to this problem. Thanks.

Will Perkins

Have you tried reinstalling wordpress?

Jimmy Reilly

I've had this problem, turns out I just couldn't find the button. After clicking 'add an image' you need to click the tab on the top that says 'media library' for images you have already uploaded. From here you will see a list of the images that have been uploaded through wordpress, click the button 'show' that is next to the image you want.

Now the menu should expand and insert into post is at the bottom of the expanded menu. I just went through it on one of my sites, self hosted wordpress, version 3.

If that doesn't work or the button is simply not there, I'd have to log into your wordpress to diagnose the problem. You can get me on skype if you need any other help: reilly472

- Reilly

Retta

Anther update on my goals. I am happy to say that with some of the changes to my site, my bounce rate this morning was down to 46%, woohoo! I have a guy working on a new header, so that will be my next task completed, hopefully before Monday.

http://www.hawaii-vacation-guide.org

angel21

I just join, I will wait for Jan Challenge and join in on it

Matt Ward

I'm getting a bit discouraged... my main website is still in the depths of Google and as such, is getting nearly zero traffic. The graph is painful to look at, it looks like the final part of a rollercoaster where it goes gradually up and then drops like a rock when you get to the other side. :p

I can't tell if it's a "Google dance" or if I've been penalized somehow but I tried asking here and got about 10 different answers ranging from "you got penalized" to "don't worry about it." :confused: It's been about 10 days now. I have another mini site that's made a few small sales but it's still very annoying because I don't know what the problem is with the main one.

I've been trying to come up with another niche to build a similar "big" site on to take my mind off of the first one, but everything I look at seems like a "bad" idea to me. The worst thing is that if I actually took and used the time wasted I would have had another big site built by now. Sigh.

LynnLewis

Hang in there MattWard!

I've had a very productive evening since I got home from work. If tomorrow I can finish what I have planned, it should be a very exciting weekend.

The problem with staying up this late is I get hungry again.

misslynnlewis.com

Jimmy Reilly

Seems I'm not the only one who burns the midnight oil.

- Reilly

LynnLewis

Yeah, but I'm going to shut it down now. I want to get up early and work the whole day on the internet. Goodnight.

misslynnlewis.com

DJ Hughes

Do you mean reinstall Wordpress on the server? I have tried to upgrade to the latest Wordpress 3.0.3 version, but it fails every time. I had hoped the upgrade might take care of this issue:confused: I probably have to manually upgrade, but I get a little lost because I'm not quite that technical.


It doesn't show in the Media Gallery 'show' expand for me either. I've looked everywhere.

I have had this problem for almost a month. Not even WordPress support would help me because my site is not on their servers. When you Google the problem, you see others have had the issue too for the last couple years, but there is no REAL solution.

Matt Ward

Actually, thanks to this thread: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...r-failure.html I decided to register another domain and I think I got an awesome niche, too.

I think tomorrow I'll have to go through and reoptimize my first site (that got sandboxed or whatever). I think I did a poor SEO job on some of the early pages, which doesn't help. I really really want my site to come back, though.

As for DJ Hughes' wordpress problem, I tried to look up the answer and couldn't find anything, either. If the WP upgrade function isn't working, though, then there is something going badly wrong. What error does it give? I wonder if it's something to do with incorrect permissions. At any rate, you could work around the problem by manually adding the images to your posts, which isn't very hard to do. Wish I could be of more help... :confused:

DJ Hughes

@mattward Good way to approach the problem with your site - a re-optimization solution.

I appreciate you trying to find an answer to my problem for me. If I was a little more technical in my understanding of Wordpress, maybe I could re-approach my problem with a new perspective, like you are for your sites issue. Thanks.

(Thanks for sharing the 'fear of failure' thread too).

Efryll

1. Get an Off-Page SEO Client!
2. Study Keyword Research
3. Learn Webhosting - Wordpress - FTP thingy
4. Enjoy while learning and earning!! =)

LynnLewis

OKAY, I've jumped in with both feet!

I submitted a WSO. If it's approved, I will be ecstatic if it makes even $1 more than I paid for the post. lol

Please cross your fingers!

misslynnlewis.com

Retta

Fingers crossed for you.

And the header I got from devilishboy was great, so I can recommend his services. The header for $20 was very worth it and he was fast and easy to work with. I don't have it up on my site yet, Monday at least, but you can check it out in a couple of days from now at uniquewineglasses.com

http://www.hawaii-vacation-guide.org

LynnLewis

I've made my first $1 as an Internet Marketer!

That ain't much, but it was possible because I finally DID something. Even though it wasn't perfect, my site isn't ready, I'm not sure what to do next... I conquered the paralysis of analysis and finally did something. A quote I read somewhere recently helped me a lot:
If you can do a half-assed job of something - you are a one eyed man in the kingdom of the blind.

misslynnlewis.com

LynnLewis

Thanks Retta, a header is at the top of my list of next purchases.

misslynnlewis.com

DJ Hughes

Hi Lynn,

I can't send PM's yet, but I wanted to mention I took a look at your WSO (Congrats!). I don't actually need Self improvement plr, but I could use some on another topic that is tough to find (read: impossible). So I have a proposal for you ...

Although I am not a 'high end' graphic designer, I do some graphic design and since you need a header for your PLR site, how about you let me try a design or two for you in exchange for some plr?

Since we're both just starting out I thought it might be good to try to help each other. If this appeals to you at all, PM me your email address with ideas you have for your header (if any) and I will send you something.

Matt Ward

Wow, it looks like you're doing well with that WSO so far. Congrats!

I'd never even considered putting together a WSO. Maybe if I can figure out how to get over my laziness/inability to focus/confusion I could put together something about that.

And you're totally right. I really think that if you can even half-ass put something together (because you don't know exactly what to do) you can start bringing in the pennies and dollars. After that, you gotta figure out how to expand on it. That's about where I am right now.

If you're getting good feedback on your PLR articles, that tells me you're doing something right. I am clueless in the area of PLR writing/writing for others, but it looks like you have your foot in the doorway.

Anyway, that's awesome!

By the way, I noticed that in your thread a few people mentioned having trouble finding the "buy" button. I put this together in a few minutes... if you find it helpful, feel free to use it! If not, it's all good- use it as an example to make your own icon.

If you're interested, the code is here: http://pastebin.com/uPiux2HL

And it will look like this:



If you don't like that particular image it's not hard to change. :b

LynnLewis

You guys are so awesome!

DJHughes, I sent you a message.

Matt, the button is great. Let me try to put it on the page and I'll have to get back with you if I have a problem.

misslynnlewis.com

LynnLewis

Matt, I tried to install the image and I don't know why it didn't show, but I did find out how to make my BUY HERE bigger and centered.

Thanks for helping, I'm going to hang on to the button.

misslynnlewis.com

LynnLewis

Ok, time for me to get off the internet. I messed around and broke something on one or more of my domains that I don't want to try to figure out tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

misslynnlewis.com

Will Perkins

Be sure you copy and paste EXACTLY what is there, it should work just fine.

Zabrina

You know how I said I wanted to launch four products and get four sites up?

A bit less than halfway through the month, I've got two products launched, one site completed, and another due to be completed within the next three days. Right on target so far!

I'm definitely coming back to post my goals in the January thread next month. :p

DJ Hughes

Good goin' Zabrina. Nice templates.

Just a quick update from me:

My business cards for my design/seo/marketing company went to the printers today and I will have back before Christmas. AND I got an appointment with a new client for Friday.

This week has started out well. (Unfortunately still no headway on my wordpress problem.)

Zabrina

Thanks!

Hmm... I only took a quick look at your thread, but is there a limit to the number of images in the slider? Can you try removing one image to see if the button returns?

ewilner

To learn the right way to find free traffic

Matt Ward

I have a second "big" site up and running, and I like it a lot. Feeling good again.

And the first site is still jumping around like crazy. I sure hope it comes back up to page 1 again before the Christmas season ends.

ELK

Hi - I just joined the forum yesterday. Boy, lots going on here. I decided since I was a newbie to this place, the December challenge might be a good place to start.

My goals for December:

1) Get ahead on my current gigs so I have time for goal #2
2) Make a real plan for starting my new PLR business (finish up some training, get some topics laid out, make a STARTING point and start there!)
3) START WRITING - five PLR articles by New Year's Eve day's end

I know life will be fairly busy and full of distractions the remainder of this month, so I'm trying to take that into consideration. All three kids (11 and under) are home all Christmas break for over two weeks, and my husband will be home for a good week in there, plus a little travel to work in.

I'll have time to make more ambitious goals for the next month. Just getting a real start is often my biggest issue, so I'll consider that a very good accomplishment.

Thanks, and I hope to post progress here soon.

LynnLewis

We're making progress guys!

I'm very excited about working with DJHughes and I've made another connection that will be a big help with getting traffic. Now all I need is a site, lol.

misslynnlewis.com

LynnLewis

DJ Hughes, did you get my message?

email address is lynnlewisenterprises@gmail.com

misslynnlewis.com

Matt Ward

I love it. Glad to hear you're doing well.

DJ Hughes

Lynn, I just sent you a PM. It looks like you may not have received the email I sent you a couple days ago. Let me know, I can resend.

DJ

randoggle

1)Generate more traffic
2)generate sales
3)get ranked higher on google

espresso

hey Jimmy
Your stats look really good
May I ask how you drive traffic to your offers (particularly your first one) Is it PPC forums blogs, articles

LynnLewis

I've been giving my brain a rest from a problem I created for myself a few days ago. I tried to switch a domain name to a new hosting provider and now I can't access my blog. I'll get back to that in a couple of days, I guess.

A couple of pretty awesome things have happened for me since I sold those articles. I'm so glad I finally just did something. It wasn't perfect, I don't even have a site but my online business went into overdrive.

misslynnlewis.com

tacoverhoef

I will finish writing my "Guru Killer, (Becoming the Right) Action Taker" report this month and release in 2011

Jimmy Reilly

FINAL UPDATE:

I committed to putting my goals out there and reporting on my progress here so I thought I would follow through before I go silent (just starting to think it's better to be private about these sorts of things).

My goals as stated previously, and current progress:

Looking forward here are my goals for December:

1. Release a new software product every week this month -

I have released 3 products, I will probably not be releasing any more because what I have out there now is enough to accomplish goal number 2, and I need all my time to focus on goal number 3.

2. Do over $20,000 in sales with my WSO's -

Currently a little over $12k in sales by the middle of the month, thought this might inspire some of you who are struggling:


3. Complete the interface redesign on all my products that I've been putting off -

The thing I need to focus on now. I got my hands on installaware that should take care of my 'custom msi' issue and have been dedicating a good 8 hours a day to learning xaml, and re-writing everying using WPF. I plan to release a free example in a few weeks with a picture to ASCII art converter (it's actually a really cool toy).

4. Bench Press 225 5 times-

I can do two sets of 3 does that count

5. Update this thread with my progress as well as my struggles to stay motivated and focused. -

Although this is my final update, I'm confident all my goals will be achieved.

6. Help any Warrior who had the courage to publicly post their goals in this thread in any way I can. -

I'm not always around to check this thread but I invite anyone who has posted their goals/ progress here to hit me up on skype: reilly472