Hello fellow IMers,
I was originally going to write about my progress in a personal journal, but I figured it would be a good idea to post it here. Maybe it will help me hold myself more accountable. I plan to make daily updates in an attempt to force myself to consistently work on my site. It would be embarrassing to report no progress!
So, here's my story. I've had several projects in the past that have mostly failed. In the last few years, I've accrued a whopping $10.64 in my adsense account.
My only successful projects have been web development for a few work associates on the side. I already have a job that pays me well enough to live comfortably. I love my job and don't plan on leaving it for IM.
Even though a little extra money from the Internet would be great, for this next project, I'm not in it for the money - I'm in it to be successful. I feel like the Internet has beat me and it's important for me to prove that I am capable of reaching my goals. Let's talk about goals - the title says $25 a day and that is the goal. I know I said I wasn't in it for the money, but I'm using the money as a measure of success. Some may say that's too low, but I feel like it's a good starting goal for myself.
So, without further delay - here is the project:
Project:
I'm going to make an authority site in a niche that I am fairly knowledgeable in.
Method:
Completely whitehat SEO. I will be producing my own quality content and releasing it slowly over time.
To acquire backlinks, I will be analyzing the competition, producing a better product/information than theirs, and then asking their backlinkers to consider replacing them with my new and better content.
Since this is my first real project, I hope to accurately collect data on every step of the way in hopes of having enough information to improve my methods.
Finally, I am going to take my time so that I can truly produce great content, but I will be constant. I plan on devoting a minimum of 2 hours a day.
Learning from past mistakes:
Here's a non-comprehensive list of my past mistakes
I'm a week into my project right now. Tomorrow I will post what I have done so far.
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this!
I was originally going to write about my progress in a personal journal, but I figured it would be a good idea to post it here. Maybe it will help me hold myself more accountable. I plan to make daily updates in an attempt to force myself to consistently work on my site. It would be embarrassing to report no progress!
So, here's my story. I've had several projects in the past that have mostly failed. In the last few years, I've accrued a whopping $10.64 in my adsense account.
My only successful projects have been web development for a few work associates on the side. I already have a job that pays me well enough to live comfortably. I love my job and don't plan on leaving it for IM. Even though a little extra money from the Internet would be great, for this next project, I'm not in it for the money - I'm in it to be successful. I feel like the Internet has beat me and it's important for me to prove that I am capable of reaching my goals. Let's talk about goals - the title says $25 a day and that is the goal. I know I said I wasn't in it for the money, but I'm using the money as a measure of success. Some may say that's too low, but I feel like it's a good starting goal for myself.
So, without further delay - here is the project:
Project:
I'm going to make an authority site in a niche that I am fairly knowledgeable in.
Method:
Completely whitehat SEO. I will be producing my own quality content and releasing it slowly over time.
To acquire backlinks, I will be analyzing the competition, producing a better product/information than theirs, and then asking their backlinkers to consider replacing them with my new and better content.
Since this is my first real project, I hope to accurately collect data on every step of the way in hopes of having enough information to improve my methods.
Finally, I am going to take my time so that I can truly produce great content, but I will be constant. I plan on devoting a minimum of 2 hours a day.
Learning from past mistakes:
Here's a non-comprehensive list of my past mistakes
- I half-assed all of my previous projects. I was in the mindset of getting rich quickly. For some reason I figured that I could outsmart my way into some quick money on the internet. I've learned a lot along the way and I now know that this simply cannot be done.
- I have had a hard time maintaining motivation. Previously, I had gotten into the habit of spending a week completely dedicated to a project. I'd work for hours and hours hoping that it would pay off in the end. That kind of work was unsustainable for me and I burnt out quickly. This time I will be pacing myself, as well as managing my expectations.
- I focused too much on the SEO aspect and not enough on the content aspect. I know, the 'content is king' slogan is getting old and I agree. Content isn't king - he's like a co-ruler in the internet kingdom. Anyways, I want to spend an adequate amount of time on both content and getting links/optimizing my site, etc.
I'm a week into my project right now. Tomorrow I will post what I have done so far.
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this!
