I think we all do this… we get online with a great idea. We write and write and write. Months of writing, talking about the niche, the products, the whole enchilada. We smoosh up ads all over the place and then we wait.
… and wait.
… and wait.
Ohhh a click on a CPC, an odd sale here and there.
Then nothing…
Then we write some more. And then we get another great idea and then we do the same crazy thing over again. Hoping that somewhere something will stick and we’ll start seeing results. Cash… cha-ching.
But I’ve found that I’ve repeated this over and over and over (I feel so dumb admitting it) and really I don’t have a lot to show for it. I’ve tried new ideas - but it’s still to the same ol’ formula. I’ve been reading other Affiliate Marketers… and lately I’ve been really thinking that maybe I need a bit of a shakeup to the formula. Maybe I need to read new blogs :) Maybe I just need to chill the f*ck out.
What I have done is gone back to why I love to be online - doing things that I love to do. That kind of balances out those crazy ideas I get every once in a while (much to the chagrin of those who know me!) and just go hell-bent crazy on them… and then return to where I once came from, back to what I love and then the cycle happens all over again. Some of those crazy ideas have had a little success, but I just haven’t really put in the “time” - I’ve also found the longer that it’s out there, the more traffic I’m starting to get… organically. Imagine if I’d actually spend time modifying them, working on the SEO, that sort of thing. Where would it take me.
Can I write another freakin’ list. LOL. I just need to take a moment to breathe. I’ve read a couple of articles today that really made me “read” the article - one was from the ever so delicious Super Aff. I read this article - which talks about Value first… and then the money. Which hooks into my new obsession I will teach you to be Rich and his article on Greed.
I think often we focus on the dollars and not so much on the content. Often the whole good intention of putting useful content gets sidelined by the chance to make some money. Perhaps taking that step back and looking at the long-term. What do you want to see online, on your site, what are you trying to promote. Are you looking at the long-term or are you just playing a short-term game.
I haven’t seen many short-term winners out there. No quick bucks. Unless you’re selling that sort of pipe-dream on your site… and there are a few doing that. I’ve seen more success from people who look at their sites as a long-term investment of their time. That is so hard to do though. We’re (… meaning me…!) looking for instant gratification and when it doesn’t come - you get dis-heartened and then give up and try something different. That whole “hope something will stick” mentality and hope that the money starts to come in.
But I’ve found that it doesn’t. It takes a long time before you start to see anything solid financially… and hell, I’m still looking for that! I need to switch gears for the New Year. A new game plan. Work on those sites that seem to be showing potential. Hang on to the dreams and work on them - all - just a bit each month. It will add up. Get to where I want to be. Determination is what I need…
… and a big cup of coffee!
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November 29th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Thanks for the mention again Empress :). It sounds like you’re seeing the same message I am.
I’m also heading in and treading new waters and am probably going to pull the plug on many/most of my current blog reading. There’s just so much ‘chatter’ on adsense, ppc, and hacks to get it ($10 at a time usually). No one talks about building value, building a solid empire, nurturing word of mouth, developing a hardcore fanbase, how they’re ensuring their blogs or money sites are still going to be growing and earning cash in 5 years.
I want to focus on visitor driven momentum, not SEO and ppc. I’m hungry for that kind of direction and mentoring, and I aint finding it ;).
I’m sick of seeing one adsense product after another being sold and no one saying: hey look–you really need to first focus on and develop some kick ass traffic. A lot of people are being milked and it bugs me.
Creatively–I’m starving to death in the current circles.
Kinda ranted didn’t I :lol:.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Empress, you got it
Just keep plugging away at your core. Build a solid foundation. Provide value, real value, not just a 5 minute post. Give meat. Also, if you stick with a topic, you can develop a network around that topic. Get those much desired quality inbound links.
People talk about the end results, but you have to do as they do to figure out their process. They won’t talk about it blatantly. Even when they do, no one wants to hear it.
Nikki from Taking my Time Back.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Emp, define “short term”. What does it mean to you? It might mean different to you than it does to me. Same for “long term”…
I have an overall goal, and whether I start short term or long term projects, these projects will all contribute to my goal.
For me “short term” means a day, a week, perhaps as long as a month. Anything more than that is “long term”…
Do you have a clearly defined goal ?
December 6th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Too funny Empress! This post really struck a chord with me. I’ve been doing this, and much worse, for a LONG time with basically nothing to show for it.
I’ve decided to take a new approach to online business and just use my old website to document the progress. We’ll see how it goes…
I don’t like using Blogger.com as my writing platform, but I haven’t figured out yet how to make Wordpress look like the rest of my site. At least I’m posting the blogger blog to my own server via FTP, that should help a little.
You’ll probably get a kick out of the recent blog post I linked to this comment.
December 6th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Too funny Empress! This post really struck a chord with me. I’ve been doing this, and much worse, for a LONG time with basically nothing to show for it.
I’ve decided to take a new approach to online business and just use my old website to document the progress. We’ll see how it goes…
I don’t like using Blogger.com as my writing platform, but I haven’t figured out yet how to make Wordpress look like the rest of my site. At least I’m posting the blogger blog to my own server via FTP, that should help a little.
You’ll probably get a kick out of the recent blog post I linked to this comment.
December 6th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Oops, I’m not sure how that last comment got posted twice. I didn’t click twice — I swear!
December 6th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
No worries Dave
December 7th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Empress,
What you mean that money has to be second?! What blasphemy! Isn’t the whole internet marketing game about how much money you can make by bilking people out of their money? High priced DVD courses, and “must have” ebooks is how everyone should be making the big bucks… right?
Now seriously, you’re absolutely right. Giving real value to your visitors, and as Terry said “fanbase” should always be the first priority. Love the “inside” look into your physche. Keep it up.
December 7th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
January 17th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
[...] Writing to be Rich - Empress is always a good read - honest to a fault, if you’re looking for a sugar-coated introduction to PPC and affiliate marketing, go look somewhere else. Empress has a way of getting into my head, and posting what I’m thinking, using a really cool “stream of consciousness” writing style. If you want to get an insight into the mind, frustrations, hopes and dreams of an online entreprenuer, read this post. [...]