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Information Overload

by Kyle Tanner
23 replies
Forgive me if I've posted this topic in the wrong section of this forum, but I didn't see a sub-forum for introductions and miscellaneous questions.

As my username implies, my name is Kyle. I've been interested in internet marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and Social Media for a long time. I've been even more interested in making a decent living with. The problem for me however is that there is just so much information out there to absorb that I don't know where to start.

I have a great deal of experience with HTML,CSS, PHP and Photoshop so I have the tools to build web sites. But I don't know how to monetize it. There are so many programs out there that it can be a bit overwhelming.

Basically, what I'm asking is: Where did everyone start? I would love to just jump in and start making money online, but again, with the wealth of information out there, it's hard to make my mind up about a project and begin.
#information #overload
  • Profile picture of the author Auggie Tsai
    Don't over-think it. Select a project and jump right in. You can read and study all you want but until you get your hands dirty, it'll all be theory. Working on a project takes your theory and turns it into application. Doesn't matter what project you select as long as you select one and get started.
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  • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
    Originally Posted by Kyle Tanner View Post

    Forgive me if I've posted this topic in the wrong section of this forum, but I didn't see a sub-forum for introductions and miscellaneous questions.

    As my username implies, my name is Kyle. I've been interested in internet marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and Social Media for a long time. I've been even more interested in making a decent living with. The problem for me however is that there is just so much information out there to absorb that I don't know where to start.

    I have a great deal of experience with HTML,CSS, PHP and Photoshop so I have the tools to build web sites. But I don't know how to monetize it. There are so many programs out there that it can be a bit overwhelming.

    Basically, what I'm asking is: Where did everyone start? I would love to just jump in and start making money online, but again, with the wealth of information out there, it's hard to make my mind up about a project and begin.
    You can offer a service for webdesign/programming in the warriors for hire section. That's one place to start, you can possibly create website(s), get traffic to them and flip them as well....
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    • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tanner
      Originally Posted by Auggie Tsai View Post

      Don't over-think it. Select a project and jump right in. You can read and study all you want but until you get your hands dirty, it'll all be theory. Working on a project takes your theory and turns it into application. Doesn't matter what project you select as long as you select one and get started.
      I believe that's my biggest problem. When it comes to making money, I have a tendency to over complicate the simplest of task. But you're right, all I have is theory more or less, which is worthless until I make it into something tangible.

      Originally Posted by TeamBringIt View Post

      You can offer a service for webdesign/programming in the warriors for hire section. That's one place to start, you can possibly create website(s), get traffic to them and flip them as well....
      That sounds like a great idea. However, even though I know how to build web sites and web applications, I honestly don't have the first idea of how to really drive traffic to them.
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      • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
        Originally Posted by Kyle Tanner View Post

        I believe that's my biggest problem. When it comes to making money, I have a tendency to over complicate the simplest of task. But you're right, all I have is theory more or less, which is worthless until I make it into something tangible.



        That sounds like a great idea. However, even though I know how to build web sites and web applications, I honestly don't have the first idea of how to really drive traffic to them.
        There are thousand ways to drive traffic to a website. Just keep reading this forum and you will get a good idea. You can possibly write articles, create videos, do forum marketing, use social media...The list goes on and on...
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        • Profile picture of the author hershkoy
          Originally Posted by TeamBringIt View Post

          There are thousand ways to drive traffic to a website. Just keep reading this forum and you will get a good idea. You can possibly write articles, create videos, do forum marketing, use social media...The list goes on and on...
          From my experience, you need to figure out what is more important to you: money or time.
          eventually, you will find out that time is more important

          Oh, and yes: Find a good partner\mentor to show you how he does it.
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          • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
            Originally Posted by hershkoy View Post

            From my experience, you need to figure out what is more important to you: money or time.
            eventually, you will find out that time is more important

            Oh, and yes: Find a good partnermentor to show you how he does it.
            If you value your time and got money, outsource it simple as that
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      • Profile picture of the author imchillin
        Originally Posted by Kyle Tanner View Post

        I believe that's my biggest problem. When it comes to making money, I have a tendency to over complicate the simplest of task. But you're right, all I have is theory more or less, which is worthless until I make it into something tangible.



        That sounds like a great idea. However, even though I know how to build web sites and web applications, I honestly don't have the first idea of how to really drive traffic to them.

        Hi Kyle! If I were you, I would throw up a website offering all the services that you don't mind doing, as it seems like you have good money making skills that some people either can't do, don't have time to do, or don't like to do. While creating that site(s) go through this forum and learn everything you possible can about getting traffic. Once you learn one tactic, apply it, so that you can be getting sales while learning more methods.... not sure if this helps or not.... good luck!!
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  • Profile picture of the author adamreilly1997
    All you really need to learn about is SEO and traffic as you already have lots of experience is web design, so I'm sure you could throw up a WordPress blog .

    To answer your question in further detail please the answer the following question.

    What are you aiming to do online? Sell your own products? Promote products as an affiliate?
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    • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tanner
      Originally Posted by adamreilly1997 View Post

      All you really need to learn about is SEO and traffic as you already have lots of experience is web design, so I'm sure you could throw up a WordPress blog .

      To answer your question in further detail please the answer the following question.

      What are you aiming to do online? Sell your own products? Promote products as an affiliate?
      A WordPress blog would be effortless. But to answer your question, if possible, I would like to sell my own products.
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      • Profile picture of the author adamreilly1997
        Originally Posted by Kyle Tanner View Post

        A WordPress blog would be effortless. But to answer your question, if possible, I would like to sell my own products.
        To sell your own products all you really need is a good sales page and traffic. Affiliate traffic is great and can help you make a lot more money with product launches!
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        • Profile picture of the author Jeff Schuman
          I have found that many people who stick with Internet marketing long enough to make money ultimately end up doing in it a way that is different than when they started. That has been true for me as well.

          Make your first $1 as soon as you can to prove to yourself you can do it. I remember making my first dollar and thinking I could make $10 a day. Once that was done it was on to $100 and then even $1000 days.

          The way always presents itself to those who actively seek it. Good luck.
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          Jeff Schuman - SEO Blog Writer For Hire! Buy affordable, SEO, quality, MMO niche blog articles. Fast turnaround.
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          • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tanner
            Originally Posted by TeamBringIt View Post

            There are thousand ways to drive traffic to a website. Just keep reading this forum and you will get a good idea. You can possibly write articles, create videos, do forum marketing, use social media...The list goes on and on...
            That's the problem! Because there is so much you can do, it's hard to narrow it down to one idea to start with.


            Originally Posted by hershkoy View Post

            From my experience, you need to figure out what is more important to you: money or time.
            eventually, you will find out that time is more important

            Oh, and yes: Find a good partnermentor to show you how he does it.
            Simply put: Money. Even though I work a 9-5 job, after that I have all the time in the world

            I would love to find a good partner/mentor. Is the JV forum the place you would find either/or?

            Originally Posted by adamreilly1997 View Post

            To sell your own products all you really need is a good sales page and traffic. Affiliate traffic is great and can help you make a lot more money with product launches!
            When you say Affiliate traffic, I assume you mean for me to create a product that's in demand, put it up on ClickBank or what-have-you, and let other people promote it?

            Originally Posted by Jeff Schuman View Post

            I have found that many people who stick with Internet marketing long enough to make money ultimately end up doing in it a way that is different than when they started. That has been true for me as well.

            Make your first $1 as soon as you can to prove to yourself you can do it. I remember making my first dollar and thinking I could make $10 a day. Once that was done it was on to $100 and then even $1000 days.

            The way always presents itself to those who actively seek it. Good luck.
            Very wise words my friend. I know it all starts with that first dollar. After that, you're hooked. I understand that a 1,000 mile journey starts with a couple steps, unfortunately for me I'm too busy fumbling around with the GPS to start walking
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            • Profile picture of the author John Lenaghan
              Originally Posted by Kyle Tanner View Post

              That's the problem! Because there is so much you can do, it's hard to narrow it down to one idea to start with.
              One of the hardest things to do in this business is focus on one or two things. There are thousands of ideas and potential strategies out there, and as patronizing as it sounds you have to just pick something and get started.

              If you really can't decide, write down all the ideas you have, put them in a hat and have someone pick one for you. Then work on it for a week or two and see if you enjoy it.

              As you get more experience, you'll have a better feel for what you want to do. You might find you hate doing something, and no matter how well it works, hating what you do is no fun.

              Originally Posted by Kyle Tanner View Post

              Simply put: Money. Even though I work a 9-5 job, after that I have all the time in the world
              That's good, because you have some time to learn. Even if you can pay someone to do something for you, it's a good idea to work through it yourself first. If nothing else, you'll be able to discuss it better with anyone you pay to do it.

              John
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  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    Kyler, the only one that can help you on this is yourself.

    Make a commitment with success and stick to it.

    It's like marriage, they stay when you make them work and leave when you frustrate it.

    As for making money, don't try to re-invent the wheel especially when you are learning a new trick. However, as time goes on, you will understand how things work more and know exactly where to begin.

    Wish you the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author infomaniacs
    Start with one thing, that you are really good at, and once you have nailed it, move on to the next thing. That is the biggest risk for me, getting distracted with all the other exciting things I could be doing, when I should be focussed on one thing at a time
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Kyle, here's an approach that helped me at one time...

      Go back to school. Not literally, but take the same type of approach many classes take, especially in the physical sciences.

      Theory + Laboratory exercises = Knowledge and understanding.

      Pick a topic you enjoy. It doesn't have to be the ultimate money maker. In fact, at this point, it may be better if it isn't. 'Making money' isn't the objective; gaining experience is what's important.

      Survey the market, either by actually running a survey or by reading blogs, forums and QandA sites like Yahoo Answers. You want to find one recurring question or handful of related questions. Make note of the language used to express the questions.

      Write a short (~20 page) report answering the questions. Add links to resources, both free and paid. Put a price on it, low enough to be an impulse buy.

      Create a simple sales site with a sales latter, order page and download page.

      Make a list of 6-12 ways of drawing visitors to your sales page that pique your interest (I dislike the term 'driving traffic' - it sounds too much like herding cattle).

      Start with the first one and experiment with it. Try different things until you have a good feel for how it works. Repeat with the rest of the list, keeping and refining the methods that work for you and discarding the others.

      Repeat the above with a second report in the same market so you can learn to market to established buyers.

      Remember, this is a laboratory exercise. Once you gain some practical experience, you can either continue expanding your product line in that market or transfer your newly won knowledge and experience to one you think has more monetary potential.

      Like a course at school, this process may take several months. But by putting up a limited non-money objective and separating yourself from the results, you can beat the paralysis and move forward.
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  • Profile picture of the author Maui Joe
    Cut out the noise.

    "Noise" as in what everyone else is telling you to do (or trying to sell you). If you want to make it in this biz, concentrate first on copywriting.

    Learn how to write copy and you can sell anything to any type of traffic you're getting.
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  • Profile picture of the author ladytos
    Hi Kyle,
    My suggestion is that just pick one thing and do it. Don't try to focus on too many things otherwise you will be spreading yourself too thin.
    Additionally, one of the most important skills that will help you make money is driving traffic to your websites so that's an area you need to focus on once you decide what you will be marketing.
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    How To Make $25 to $1000 Per Day Even If You Are A CLUELESS Newbie to Internet Marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author marcuslim
    i agree with the sentiment of just start doing something and accept that the first product you create and sell won't bring you instant success, but it's the experience you gain from the first one that makes it worthwhile. Aim to fail fast so you can succeed fast, so take action fast! The fact is that true learning comes from taking action.
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    Please read the forum rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author headmaster211
    Banned
    Where did we start?
    Quick answer for that is that we started pretty much like you, with information overload.
    Yes if you have those talents then all you have to do is get monetizing down and then driving traffic for that monetizing to work.
    Yes pick one thing at a time till you get it down. Have goals and stick to your goals.
    Pick one of your websites and then pick a way to monetize it, I would go with ppc whether it be Google Bing or whoever then work on traffic till you start making the first goal money you want.
    Don't start off saying my goal is 1,000 a month, start with .30 cents a day, this is realistic and can be built upon. If you made 1.00 a day with ad sense per website and you had 200 websites then that is an attainable goal. with quality would take you a while to get to the 200 but it is doable.

    My favorite traffic source is YouTube.
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    • Profile picture of the author cashp0wer
      This happens to almost everyone I think. It definitely happened to me when I first started. There is so much out there it is very hard to know where to start. I finally just decided on one thing (affiliate marketing) and did it. I haven't looked back.
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      My Internet Marketing Blog - Warts And All!
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  • Profile picture of the author Prosper2day
    There are many ways to make money on line. Start doing something and accept that your first attempt won't bring you instant success, but it's the experience you will gain from that first one that makes all the difference and will push you forward to try improving that effort or starting another project.

    All the Best Kyle!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kyle Tanner
    I really appreciate all the replies and well wishes. I'm truly in awe at how helpful this community is.

    I finally have a bit of direction and know what to focus on so everything isn't so overwhelming.

    Thanks!
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