Definitely #2. I have so many ideas, I don't know what to do first.
A. Started my first site about marketing because I already had a year-old online newsletter for my graphic design firm. Envoy's and Gardynne's tips work, because I made over $250 by the end of the second month while still getting the hang of things. Some first time mistakes though. Example, site is optimized great for the url and name, but terrible for search keywords. Duh.
B. Found a better niche and want to start a new website. But, I don't want to spread too thin, because the first site did pretty well and it's really just a baby yet. I want to expand that site and add in all the great stuff I learn in this forum.
C. Add in my regular (non-affiliate) business and life and I'm going nuts.
#2 for me also... lots of ideas. It's sometimes difficult to narrow them down. I'm getting much better at sniffing out themes, researching, dropping, and then focusing when I've found them.
Gary
www.internet-speed-guide.com _________________ Gary
- ONE is to small of a number to be a success!
Learn HOW TO create targeted, focused Content for your website!--> http://webcontenttips.com - Join Our Weekly Newsletter
Interestingly, though, when I checked the survey results now, 100% of the votes were for #1 - can't come up with a theme...
Could it be that people who post to forums tend to have lots of ideas (and like to express them!) but aren't necessarily representative of the lurking majority!
I love a bit of conjecture (especially when based on a dangerously small sample size) - so I'll say yes!
Keep on posting - and voting!
All the best,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Joined: 09 Aug 2003 Posts: 72 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 11:59 am Post subject:
Hey, I think you are supoposed to click first on your choice, then enter comments. A number of you have said in your comments that you are a #2, yet # 2 shows 0 (zero) for number of clicks.
Personally speaking, having been an employee for the last 9 years is causing this huge mind block. As an employee I have always been told the problem - solving it is my mandate.
But now, I have to find the problem and a solution. A completely different mindset - one that I am trying to cultivate.
And a big thank you to all of you contributing here - I am learning a lot.
I find your mindset very common with the "employee" world. I've never had a problem coming up with ideas over the last 25 years. There many not have been enough money to try them out... but the ideas were there. While so many others have spent time using the computer to "play games", I always have looked at it as a tool, it is my wrench, tractor or whatever. I've haven't had a paycheck in a long time. Working for yourself makes you think much differently and have a whole new view on business and what it takes to make things happen.
Don't quit.... Remember that failure is a verb... Not a noun. It isn't a person, place or thing. So you CAN'T be a failure. The reason we don't succeed in a project or something similar is because of something you don't know... The mistake is there to teach you, there's something there you need to learn. It's only BAD if you don't learn something.
The learning can be positive or negative. Just learn and test.
My 2 cents,
Gary
www.internet-speed-guide.com _________________ Gary
- ONE is to small of a number to be a success!
Learn HOW TO create targeted, focused Content for your website!--> http://webcontenttips.com - Join Our Weekly Newsletter
have a ton of ideas - just having a hard time maintaining those already going, plus other obligations...
Glad you found the time to vote and post, Tim!
Richard wrote:
A number of you have said in your comments that you are a #2, yet # 2 shows 0 (zero) for number of clicks.
Thanks, Richard - I think you might have shaken them into action! There are some #2 votes showing up now.
Khushee wrote:
I voted for #1.
Personally speaking, having been an employee for the last 9 years is causing this huge mind block.
Gary wrote:
I find your mindset very common with the "employee" world.
You are certainly not alone, Khushee. Unfortunately, that's what most bosses seem to want employees to be. But you can certainly "relearn" creativity and imagination, though...
Do you know any children that you can play with? My 3-year-old nephew is a never ending source of inspiration to me. When he's not around, I bounce a small ball on ther floor near my desk. (I haven't followed Allan's path to "laptop liberation" yet, so I'm still chained to the desktop.) Marlon Sanders even had everyone blowing bubbles at a conference, years ago - so the story goes!
The more ideas you have, the more will come. It snowballs. Don't criticise your ideas (he said hypocritically) - just write them down, read them and add to them regularly. Keep on taking a little bit of action. (I think the very act of posting to forums, rather than just lurking can help newbies a lot here.)
When it comes to choosing a niche - ask yourself "what do I do when I'm not being paid?" and "what would I attempt to do, if I knew I couldn't fail?"
Then use SBI's Manager to brainstorm, but concentrate more on demand than profitability. Ironically, I find that the more you think like an employee, the easier SBI! is to accept.
Gary wrote:
I've never had a problem coming up with ideas over the last 25 years. There many not have been enough money to try them out... but the ideas were there.
I haven't been an "entrepreneur" for as many years as Gary, but I've certainly thought like one all my adult life. My problem was always doubt-fuelled procrastination, rather than lack of ideas.
I'm "a bit of a control freak - with a stubborn tendency to over analyse".
But I'm getting better as the years roll by.
All the best,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
I agree that asking yourself what you do when you aren't working, and what would you do if you knew you couldn't fail are excellent ways to start the creative juices flowing. I also procrastinate with self-doubt but am getting much better It is only within the last year that the self-doubt part is taking a backseat, thanks to friends and family who have been very supportive.
I think a lot of us have a tendency to wonder if we are "good enough" or "know enough" to carry off whatever we would like to do, whether it is changing jobs, starting an online business, or starting your own local business. The important thing I now remember ... and something my husband has been trying to "figuratively" pound into my thick skull for 29 years ... is "there is noone better than you as a person, some may think differently or more creatively, but each person is unique in their own right and have special talents to offer ... we are each no better, or worse, as a person, than anyone else in this world. Now, after 30 years of marriage, it is finally sinking in.
When you have patience, a sense of purpose, and a great sense of humor, you will find the frustrations easier to handle. Then the creative juices can take over to guide you, as well as help you think outside the box to find the solutions you need to get where you want to go.
Just my 2 cents
Debs _________________ Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!"
- Learn to think out of the box....
- Eliminate the word can't or it will become a reality
- Write everyday even if it is only 1 paragraph
- write your "failures" down on paper not on your computer... ask yourself what you could or would have changed... examne them
- Increase your marketing IQ
- Test, test, test
- subscribe to some of the online marketers, and study what they do and try to read between the lines what they are doing different than you
That's a quick list
Gary
www.internet-speed-guide.com _________________ Gary
- ONE is to small of a number to be a success!
Learn HOW TO create targeted, focused Content for your website!--> http://webcontenttips.com - Join Our Weekly Newsletter
Thank you very, very much for the words for encouragement. If any of you are ever in Chicago - do look me up - I'd consider it an honor to take you out to dinner.
Gary, thank you for the quicklist. I have subscribed to some marketers newsletters and am devouring all that I can get my hands on. I have to get into the habit of writing every single day.
Charlie, kids - thats a great idea. I will try and spend more time with my friend's kids. I will start writing every idea down as I think of them - no matter how silly or stupid I think it is. Analysis Paralysis - is the bane of my existence - and my current occupation adds fuel to that.
Debs, thank you for reminding me that I am unique. Its something I believed in growing up and lost somewhere along the way. I am regaining the spunk back again.
As for the niche - the things I know about intimately or like to do outside of work - seem to be very competitive. All the demand is high, but so is the supply - profitability of quite a few keywords are 7 and above.
So, I am trying to figure out if I should just create my first site in a niche that I know about and not worry about the fact that it is competitive, or if I should find one that has less competition and learn about it....
And failure is not an option - I will learn from my mistakes and keep at it.
I would start with your comfort level and knowledge then build on that. One thing I can say ... once you go through it you get addicted You will be like the rest of us ... itching to get that next site online
I think it is easier to start with something you know and enjoy ... seems so much more fun while you learn, get frustrated and make mistakes, as we all do. Then once you have been through the process once, the lightbulb goes on and you realize the many, many ways you can apply the same actions to subjects you didn't think you knew Then the sky is the limit!
Good Luck, Khushee, you will make it!
Debs _________________ Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!"
Well my vote definitely went to lack of ideas... i mean i have ideas but nothing comes out to be profitable and the supply is in the multiple millions so I'm stumped at the moment.... this is what is really my biggest roadblock. Seems that if i don't have a theme/idea i can't really start anything and it really is starting to frustrate me considerably. I have several ebooks and manuals that i have read & re-read but unfortunately no ideas seem to come
of course i have not yet invested in the "niche finding" type programs out there but i am trying not spend too much money before i have something to put up on a site... I also want to try SBI but again, costs are high and i am not working (gave up employee mentality a while ago) and this is my sole occupation right now. this is a good poll and i can see that i'm not alone on the ideas problem!
if someone comes up with a strategy that overcomes this considerable roadblock i'll be the first in line to get it _________________ Have a great day
Using Overture and Adwords, you can refine some of those high supply generic ideas into well-targeted and profitable themes with a simple spreadsheet and a little patience
Debs _________________ Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!"
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