Multiple projects against one project

Hello Blackhatters!

Goal: Money
Problem: Time (and not enough money)

A business project is defined by two variables:
a) How long does it take to make a specific amount of money?
b) What is the maximum potential of money?

x) An affilate website for example is very effective in a, but bad at b.
y) A startup like creating a social network is bad at a, but great at b.

I) Start with x and then y.
II) Do only y.

It seems far easier to create something that has only the goal to make 10 USD / day than to decide to make a project, which potential is to make 1000 USD / day constantly.
But how many small project iterations are needed to get to the "final" project? Remember that starting and getting into the routine is the most difficult task. You must do this only once with a big project, but at the same time the big project has far greater risk to turn out as a flop. It is against "fail fast".
In theory you could start a big project small - you even must do this - but then you must have multiple business models over time.

From my own experience having multiple projects is frustrating and some kind of zero sum game. The complexity kills you.
Going the "think big" route is the cool way, but it is also the way of a dreamer.
Remember: There is almost no middle way. Reality will average you out anyway.

What do you think?

I think you read too much, and think too little perhaps? First these are somewhat good questions actually despite these ridiculous assumptions/assertions you've made. You have defined some interesting questions, but none of them really seem like they should have much to do with your REAL situation. The reason I say that is that a business project absolutely isn't defined by the variables you laid out, and is in fact a very personal concept that is often unique to different people. While there are models/plans/layouts and schemes - that is definitely not a definition. They are certainly relevant variables though!

You use interesting language that implies some element of business training, but is actually pretty outmoded, and somewhat invalid online in a ton of ways. Why use this type of superfluous writing style to actually ask the question ... "Is it better to invest your time, and money in multiple projects, or in one big project?" Now that's a question I'm sure a lot of us here wouldn't mind talking about, but we don't want to discuss your variable based definition of a business project. Are you serious dude? We're talking about serious business here. We don't throw around concepts we don't really understand, and use advanced strategies and tactics to maximize our online revenues because we want someone from Wharton coming in here and espousing what they read about in a book. We do real business here.

What about economies of scale? What about outsourcing project implementation? What about simply buying and selling virtual real estate? Are these projects defined by either a) or b)? Of course not - they're defined by key metrics, and project elements including return on investment, arbitrage, time-management, discipline, and ultimately WORK.

What's wrong with your question is it fails to consider those of us who do small projects, freelancing projects, big projects, also have jobs, etc... You want to know if it's better to do one project or multiple projects. It depends on your goals. It depends on if you work a 10 hour week, a 40 hour week, or a 120 hour week like some of us. It depends on if you can scale an effective low revenue earner by implementing better automation or implementing better processes.

Your experience with running multiple projects is likely a zero-sum game because you have a terrible attitude about it, and don't really have the motivation to work on that many projects - thus they all suffer, and you don't achieve your goals. Look, I've run the low-end gambit online. I've done zero revenue in months, and I've done close to $5k in plenty of months, and I've done it whatever way it took that month. I've done small projects. I've done scaling projects. I've done 4 figure outsourcing projects. I've had $50k/year corporate leadership jobs. I've worked my ass off and some months are terrible, and some are fantastic for my goals ... but it's whatever works for you as an individual. If you can't do the multiple projects avenue then you need to identify a scaling project, or actually create a high value recurring revenue product/service/site, or consider going to work.

Please don't take too much offense at my commentary. It's just that when you come in this way screaming of everything you know and spewing forth business concepts as though they are gospel it wreaks of someone trying to position themselves as an expert when in fact they are likely a fledgling newbie. Welcome to BHW.

I believe one of the best things you can do is take one project and focus on it entirely. This way you aren't distracted by other methods and whatnot you may be messing around with. You can build upon the original and learn it inside & out