What I would do different would be quit trying to listen to guru's. They are not going to tell you what you need to know. Instead just go ahead and jump into it after learning the basics because most of the time in business you learn from mistakes a lot better than you do from reading about mistakes.
If You HAD to Start Over - What would you do Different???
- Thread starter Linda Buquet
- Start date
I would concetrate on search engine optimization from the start. Probably set on more occurate and more organized site navigation...
There is always a room for improvement and whenever you think you know enough to make a living, there is always something new learn and improve.
I definitely agree with this. There is nothing better then getting your feet wet and learning by the mistakes.
There is always a room for improvement and whenever you think you know enough to make a living, there is always something new learn and improve.
I definitely agree with this. There is nothing better then getting your feet wet and learning by the mistakes.
Stop procrastinating and act
I read all the posts on this thread and found two interesting recurring themes...
I can relate to the newbies. That's me. I'm living that right now. I've been reading and researching for 3 months and my work has been more on educating myself on this industry, tips, potholes, etc... and planning than on actual concrete steps. Not that I haven't taken any steps. I bought my domain, set up my hosting, downloaded Wordpress, subscribed to AWeber, and set up an AdWords account. I've learned a ton and feel pretty well educated - in theory, at least - on not only the basics, but even some advanced areas. Where I struggle is: ?When do I know enough?? There's so much information out there. Some good and some bad. Some free and some offering riches for a mere $19.99. Once you get on half-a-dozen autoresponder lists, your email inbox is filled every day and the information is intoxicating...addicting. I imagine a few other newbies out there probably think this sounds like them.
All I can say is that I took 2 pages of notes from this thread alone and the best one is the note that has a star next to it and says, "Stop procrastinating and act! Do something."
So starting this week, I'm going to ignore the guru autoresponder offers, stop reading all the affiliate marketing RSS blog feeds, decide on a couple niches, find some attractive offers, sign up with the merchants or networks, and start the real work of building a content-rich site. Then I'll actually have a site and some offers to market. I'll move from being an information junkie to a bona fide affiliate marketer.
If anyone has any advice or next steps specific to where I am in my own journey, please do share. I think it's still on topic.
Thanks, Tony
I read all the posts on this thread and found two interesting recurring themes...
1) Those that have been in affiliate marketing for what sounds like a relatively long time can reflect back and say they would have analyzed things much less before taking some concrete action.
2) Those that are self-professed newbies say they need to do more research before acting.
I can relate to the newbies. That's me. I'm living that right now. I've been reading and researching for 3 months and my work has been more on educating myself on this industry, tips, potholes, etc... and planning than on actual concrete steps. Not that I haven't taken any steps. I bought my domain, set up my hosting, downloaded Wordpress, subscribed to AWeber, and set up an AdWords account. I've learned a ton and feel pretty well educated - in theory, at least - on not only the basics, but even some advanced areas. Where I struggle is: ?When do I know enough?? There's so much information out there. Some good and some bad. Some free and some offering riches for a mere $19.99. Once you get on half-a-dozen autoresponder lists, your email inbox is filled every day and the information is intoxicating...addicting. I imagine a few other newbies out there probably think this sounds like them.
All I can say is that I took 2 pages of notes from this thread alone and the best one is the note that has a star next to it and says, "Stop procrastinating and act! Do something."
So starting this week, I'm going to ignore the guru autoresponder offers, stop reading all the affiliate marketing RSS blog feeds, decide on a couple niches, find some attractive offers, sign up with the merchants or networks, and start the real work of building a content-rich site. Then I'll actually have a site and some offers to market. I'll move from being an information junkie to a bona fide affiliate marketer.
If anyone has any advice or next steps specific to where I am in my own journey, please do share. I think it's still on topic.
Thanks, Tony
Good luck on making your move Tony! Sounds like for you the timing is right.
My only suggestion would be don't pick a couple niches for starters. Pick just one and really work it until the lightbulb turns on and you start making some money. I think it's easier to start if you don't have your efforts and attention splintered in more than one niche. After you get some hands on and start making things work, you can decide if you want to spread out and do more than one niche. But many say their biggest challenge was getting too distracted and they would have been better off focusing all their energy on one site/niche.
My only suggestion would be don't pick a couple niches for starters. Pick just one and really work it until the lightbulb turns on and you start making some money. I think it's easier to start if you don't have your efforts and attention splintered in more than one niche. After you get some hands on and start making things work, you can decide if you want to spread out and do more than one niche. But many say their biggest challenge was getting too distracted and they would have been better off focusing all their energy on one site/niche.
If i had to start over. instead of building multiple websites I'd want to do affiliate marketing. I think the payoff s better this way although a nice looking website never hurts. i can be a part of the whole if done right. and I'd like to also do CPA & figure how to make blogs that work with automatic content and updating.
I would have certainly concentrated more on picking a niche early on in my affiliate career and going after it as opposed to trying a little of everything.
Maybe I would have learned much more before starting action... Today I'm thinking, learning/studying from these, who know much more than me, that's the most important. And then applying these information.
PR10Tony's comment was spot on for me. I have spent my whole life "preparing" and "educating" myself to start something when all I have really done is procrastinate. As a fellow newbie, I am committed to succeed this time around. I am getting up between 4-5am to get a jump start on my day by adding content and generating more traffic!
Less haste more speed.
I tend to want things moving now.
All this waiting around and building my business slowly really annoyed me.
It took about 2 years for me to realise that these things take time.
I did go back and start again, disassociated myself with everything I did and the past and start afresh using all the knowledge I have aquired.
I now build and promote my own websites and look to get them to google page 1, this is the only way that is cost effective and earns a substatial income.
Any newbies take care, slow down, riches don't come overnight and can take months. Just don't lose faith like I did.
I tend to want things moving now.
All this waiting around and building my business slowly really annoyed me.
It took about 2 years for me to realise that these things take time.
I did go back and start again, disassociated myself with everything I did and the past and start afresh using all the knowledge I have aquired.
I now build and promote my own websites and look to get them to google page 1, this is the only way that is cost effective and earns a substatial income.
Any newbies take care, slow down, riches don't come overnight and can take months. Just don't lose faith like I did.
The one thing I have learned is to get a plan of action or draw up a business plan a.s.p. I have wasted hundreds of unproductive hours searching the internet. It only leads to confusement and information overload. I have finally found the action plan that really works well for me and I am building my business like a spiderweb step-by-step.
You have to know at what you are aiming at, otherwise it will be like a shot in the sky.
You have to know at what you are aiming at, otherwise it will be like a shot in the sky.
Hi Carlmighty, I completely agree with you . Although I am only new to this but have wasted like one half month researching stuff but now I have decide to stick my plan ... but i still find new stuff on net and tempted to try other things together.
But it's better to stick with what works with you rather than trying too many things because you wil be left nowhere
But it's better to stick with what works with you rather than trying too many things because you wil be left nowhere
A
Alex85
Guest
I would start to build my list, and onlyt it. Not the websites will make you rich, but the targeted traffic. When you have a list, you have your own traffic machine, and do not need to depend on any Google. That`s my experience - whatever I do now in a new niche, I just start with one simple page to drive traffic to - squeeze page. And the money comes pretty soon 
I agree 100% with Alex. Your priority should be to build your list in whatever niche you are in. But this involves several steps.
1) You need to set up a blog within your niche. WordPress is awesome!
2) Find your voice - in other words write, write, & write about your subject. Give your potential audience as much value as possible.
3) Place a simple form on your blog for people to sign up for your updates.
4) Do not get over anxious once you start building your list. Wait to begin to promote to that list until you feel you have built up enough trust with your subscribers.
Hope this helps you and anyone else getting started or just re-starting the right way.
Regards,
1) You need to set up a blog within your niche. WordPress is awesome!
2) Find your voice - in other words write, write, & write about your subject. Give your potential audience as much value as possible.
3) Place a simple form on your blog for people to sign up for your updates.
4) Do not get over anxious once you start building your list. Wait to begin to promote to that list until you feel you have built up enough trust with your subscribers.
Hope this helps you and anyone else getting started or just re-starting the right way.
Regards,
Great Thread!!
This industry has changed so much since I first became involved. In fact, I was marketing offline for 6 years before I made the giant leap to the net and since then, as you all know, the evolution of the net has been something most of us could never have imagined until we are actually using this incredible technology as it is today.
So, what would I do different??
Well, for starters. I would not have spent the thousands of dollars I have spent over the years for phone costs. Yesterday, me and the guys were talking about getting a new cell phone and that conversation changed over the not bothering with a "simple cell phone" but rather I should spend the money for an iPhone.
Check this out!!
With an iPhone, sure I can and will have a cell phone service along with it, but you and I both know the cost of these services here in North America (Crazy come to mind? ) Anyway... with iPhone, you download Skype to your phone and you have all your associates set up with Skype and potentially an iPhone also - guess WHAT??
You can talk for FREE through your iPhone VIA Skype as long as you have cell service because the iPhone uses the cell tower for your Internet access
The next thing I learned over the years is that the advice given by your "upline leader" to only focus on "one company" AKA - THEIR COMPANY, is completely self-defeating. Multiple income streams is a critical aspect with home based business. So, IMHO the best thing to do is to find some strong companies that compliment eachother, then get the word out. This way you will have a higher ROI for your time and energy.
Look at it this way - if you only offer a "nutrition program" and you receive 1000 hits to your site, you can only capture the attention of people who are interested in nutrition. Assuming 1% is your expected return, you would get 10 people.
Now, what happens when you also offer an: entertainment (casino etc.), travel, communications, environmental, technology, lead gen, marketing assist, etc, company?
Well, assuming the same 1% ROI applies to each additional marketing sector, you would now go from 1% to 1% X 8 or 8%, which would likely be closer to 10% or more because of the higher traffic sectors you find with casinos or tech companies and you would then potentially end up with 100 or more quality leads from your 1000 hits.
The key of course is that a marketing system is completely necessary and automation is necessary to be able to properly work with all these different leads. Therefore, be sure you are aligning with a strong and trustworthy support team who you can count on to do effective presentations and training with your contacts.
With this style of marketing, your only job is to work with the people and build a relationship with them, thereby bringing them into your sphere of influence.
Best Regards,
Dave Bergsma
[removed contact info]
This industry has changed so much since I first became involved. In fact, I was marketing offline for 6 years before I made the giant leap to the net and since then, as you all know, the evolution of the net has been something most of us could never have imagined until we are actually using this incredible technology as it is today.
So, what would I do different??
Well, for starters. I would not have spent the thousands of dollars I have spent over the years for phone costs. Yesterday, me and the guys were talking about getting a new cell phone and that conversation changed over the not bothering with a "simple cell phone" but rather I should spend the money for an iPhone.
Check this out!!
With an iPhone, sure I can and will have a cell phone service along with it, but you and I both know the cost of these services here in North America (Crazy come to mind?
) Anyway... with iPhone, you download Skype to your phone and you have all your associates set up with Skype and potentially an iPhone also - guess WHAT??You can talk for FREE through your iPhone VIA Skype as long as you have cell service because the iPhone uses the cell tower for your Internet access
The next thing I learned over the years is that the advice given by your "upline leader" to only focus on "one company" AKA - THEIR COMPANY, is completely self-defeating. Multiple income streams is a critical aspect with home based business. So, IMHO the best thing to do is to find some strong companies that compliment eachother, then get the word out. This way you will have a higher ROI for your time and energy.
Look at it this way - if you only offer a "nutrition program" and you receive 1000 hits to your site, you can only capture the attention of people who are interested in nutrition. Assuming 1% is your expected return, you would get 10 people.
Now, what happens when you also offer an: entertainment (casino etc.), travel, communications, environmental, technology, lead gen, marketing assist, etc, company?
Well, assuming the same 1% ROI applies to each additional marketing sector, you would now go from 1% to 1% X 8 or 8%, which would likely be closer to 10% or more because of the higher traffic sectors you find with casinos or tech companies and you would then potentially end up with 100 or more quality leads from your 1000 hits.
The key of course is that a marketing system is completely necessary and automation is necessary to be able to properly work with all these different leads. Therefore, be sure you are aligning with a strong and trustworthy support team who you can count on to do effective presentations and training with your contacts.
With this style of marketing, your only job is to work with the people and build a relationship with them, thereby bringing them into your sphere of influence.
Best Regards,
Dave Bergsma
[removed contact info]
If i was opportuned to go back to when i started strugling to make money online, i would have removed the ambitions and thoughts of making money overnight from my brain and started doing seo for my blog with the time that i wasted with surveys and make money fast sites. I think my blog would have been ranking better in search engines by now.
I would probably do everything the same except I wouldn't waste so much of my money on stuff that's not related to business. That really hurt me early on when I started affiliate marketing because I was spending most of what I was making instead of pouring it into new campaigns and expanding my traffic sources.
CoolAromas
New Member
I would have started sooner!
I would have started sooner! I waited until I knew just about all I could know, THEN got started article marketing.
I missed several weeks of having my articles out there working for me.
My advice is to start NOW, regardless of your lack of knowledge.
Good luck to all,
Patrick
I would have started sooner! I waited until I knew just about all I could know, THEN got started article marketing.
I missed several weeks of having my articles out there working for me.
My advice is to start NOW, regardless of your lack of knowledge.
Good luck to all,
Patrick
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