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AllanGardyne
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:25 am
Post subject: Re: Thanks for the encouragement!
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| davemorris wrote: | | Do you think the test period is too short? If so what do you think is the right period to be aiming for a positive cashflow? |
Yes, I think 2.5 months is too short.
If I'd had that time frame in mind when I started out and had given up after that time, I'd still be a wage slave now, and I would have missed out on a lot of things, including a paid trip to speak at a conference in Hawaii. 
I'd say aim to be generating $300 a month after 6 months. To achieve it, you'll need to do careful topic research, keyword research, and you'll need to work hard to get links from good, relevant sites in your niche.
Planning to diversify by building second and third sites is excellent advice, too. You may not hit a home run with your first site, but you may with your second or third.
"It is very difficult to get a start in anything - I had over 500 rejections when I first began writing!"
- Enid Blyton, whose books are still selling at the rate of 8 million a year.
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Allan Gardyne
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davemorris
Joined:
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45
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Dublin, Ireland
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:31 pm
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Looks like we have started something here!
I have to say we are delighted with this discussion and as for Phil's proposal (explained in more detail in Allan's new thread) we think its brilliant. Needed to print it off and read it so we could digest the content. To all of you thanks for the input.
With regards to the timeframe for testing the concept I appreciate the feedback. One of the things I have noticed while trying to put our plan together is the lack of any real budget and timeline guidance so the input on this is very much appreciated. We will reconsider our plan based on this input.
It seems that James Martell's book is popular but from reading the forums I get the impression that his system is not working as well lately. Is this true?
Rose,
Thanks for the advice on the articles.
Greg,
Interesting story, looks like we have our work cut out. While we initally planned for 2.5 months our real plan is to be here for the long haul. The initial 2.5 months is really a feasability study  . If we are as successful as you have been over a 12 month period we would be very happy.
I understand why you do not want to provide your URL. It's a pity though because as tuisu says it would be very helpful.
Phil,
Your point about the three elements obviously leaves us with a decision to make. There is a ligitimate case to be made for building content rich websites with a long term goal in mind but there is also a case to be made for looking at other ways like finding a product and promoting via an opt-in mailing list. Anybody have any thoughts on this?
Allen,
We would be more than happy to participate in the launch of a new section. Looking foward to going back to school already 
Dave (x2)
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Karl Griffin
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:47 pm
Post subject: Well done Daves'
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| It looks like the stone is not gathering moss!! |
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Phil Tanny
Joined:
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Gainesville Florida USA
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:02 pm
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| davemorris wrote: | | Your point about the three elements obviously leaves us with a decision to make. There is a ligitimate case to be made for building content rich websites with a long term goal in mind but there is also a case to be made for looking at other ways like finding a product and promoting via an opt-in mailing list. Anybody have any thoughts on this? |
Dave, I think you put your finger on it. You have a decision to make.
I'm not arguing for one net business model over another, just suggesting you might focus all your energies on one strategy for starters.
The keyword rich articles strategy is probably the main one being used by readers of this forum, so this would be a good place to hang out if that's your choice.
Optin lists are great, and it would be wise to start collecting addresses from the day your site opens. But until you have your own list(s), you'd have to learn how to leverage other people's lists, and I'm not sure that's an ideal first time project.
What I'm hoping you might avoid is researching business plans for 90 days when in that same time you could perhaps have 90 keyword rich articles up. If you have time in your budget to research, and write one solid article per day, then OK, go for it, imho.
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AllanGardyne
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:21 am
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Dave, James Martell's methods still work well. However, if you branch out and experiment with techniques which are not described in James' book you may run into trouble, as he did.
The keyword-rich articles method, whether you're using Site Build It or building the site yourself using FrontPage or Dreamweaver or whatever, is a wonderful way to get started in online marketing because it's so forgiving. You can make lots of mistakes and still earn a living. I'm a prime example.
If you use any method which involves buying advertising, then you're moving up several notches in expertise. You must have a website that has a high conversion rate or you'll quickly find you're spending more than you earn.
The keyword-rich articles method gives a newcomer to Internet marketing the best chance of success. While you're creating and marketing it, you'll gain a solid foundation of useful knowledge.
There's plenty of time for you to experiment later, after you've built a site which regularly brings in a few hundred dollars a month.
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Allan Gardyne
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Greg P
Joined:
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 6:12 am
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Thanks Allen for your input, and I agree wholeheartedly. I currently have several online ventures, and have had others in the past.
I will say, without a doubt, the safest and least intensive has been a content website with affiliate links and google adsense.
I have other websites that pull in good money, but I am tied to answering questions, making sure we stock inventory, shipping items out, handling refunds, working with fedex, post office, etc.
On top of all this, I have to monitor almost daily the cost we are spending in advertising, to make sure it is not too much, or too little.
But...a good content site, properly optimised, with good incoming links...that's it. Money comes in...and no chance of loosing cash if you do it all yourself. |
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davemorris
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 6:59 pm
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hi
Dave Jnr. here, i thought I'd make my first post on this forum!
Just want to thank everyone for all their help and support, its really been useful! I really wasn't expecting such a response, i was really shocked! (in a good way of course)
Anyway, the blog has been updated, by me this time! i made my very first post last night!
thanks again
Dave Jnr.
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Phil Tanny
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 9:23 pm
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Welcome Dave Jr!
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davemorris
Joined:
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Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 8:13 am
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Hi all,
Well it's been a busy two weeks. Dave Jnr has had his head in the books and now has a basic understanding of what we are trying to do.
We have decided to take the advice given on this forum and revise our business plan. We have extended our trial period out to six months and increased our target to $300 as suggested by Allan.
We have also decided to spend most of our time on building a keword rich site with plenty of good content. Anyway you can get a full update on our progress by reading our blog (link below). We would be inerested in hearing your feedback. 
Thanks again to everybody for the encouragement.
Dave (x2)
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EdmundLoh
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davemorris
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:54 am
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Hi
Dave Jnr. here, just letting you all know that our latest blog update has been added.
So far, we are making pretty good progress.
If anybody has any comments, we'd be happy to hear them!
Thanks
Dave Jnr.
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Phil Tanny
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 8:31 pm
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Hi Dave Jr,
Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm with us. Your last post was well written, and nicely typed too.
You asked for a host suggestion.
I've been happy with http://micfo.com. I've bounced from host to host for 10 years and this is the first one where I simply can not find anything to whine about.
My account is $40/mo to host 20 seperate domains. They have cheaper, and more expensive, plans.
Their support has always been there for me. And they don't have a bunch of fussy regulations about it either. I contact them however I want, and they always respond quite promptly with the right answers. That said, I don't need as much support as many might, so I probably haven't tested their support rigorously.
The accounts have more features than I could ever describe here. Many hosts have that. My favorite feature is free Urchin stats for all my domains. Urchin is a really nice stats program, and usually costs an extra fee per domain.
All the many other features might be more a distraction than assistance to you at this point, but there is some nifty stuff there for down the road. Like you could set up a forum just like this with a few clicks. Stuff like that.
Best advice I can offer in general is do NOT shop for a host based on price. A cheap host that is problematic will cost you way more in time than a solid host will cost you in money. And they are all so cheap these days.
Best of luck!
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AllanGardyne
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:07 am
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If you can get a web host which provides Urchin tracking, that's a wonderful bonus. If you buy ordinary, cheap hosting and decide later you want to add Urchin tracking, it will cost you hundreds of dollars.
One of my web hosts provides Urchin tracking as a $5 a month extra and I love it because of all the detailed info it provides in an easily accessible form.
It's very useful to know where your traffic is coming from, what keywords are used to find you, the route visitors take through your site, the time they spend, etc. You tweak stuff and watch what happens to your stats.
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Allan Gardyne
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rondo
Joined:
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108
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 2:34 am
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Dave and Dave, why not put some adsense on your blog to get the ball rolling!
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davemorris
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:41 pm
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Phil / Allan,
Thanks for the tip on the hosting. Didn't have a clue what Urchins I'd need to be tracking but got some pointers on Google - you learn something new every day!
Rondo,
We took up your suggestion and just put Adsense up on the blog. Another first and more progress thanks to the helpful people on this forum!
Dave
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Visit our internet business progress Blog at www.i-bol.com
Our first real site - www.buy-electric-guitars-online.com |
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