(My Story) Can someone PLEASE help me upscale. I've hit a stop.

Hi all,

I've been doing this whole internet marketing thing now for around 2-3 years and its come to the point where I'm out of ideas. I don't know what I can do to upscale. I do know one thing, if someone is willing to give me a pointer or send me in the right direction, I'm willing to put effort in and work really hard. After I'm done explaining what I do, I'll post my current monthly earnings.

So let me explain a little about what I'm currently doing. - I guess you could say I'm following the "standard" route with internet marketing. About 3 years ago I started making YouTube videos with simple tutorials for things like Kodi, IPTV, video streaming. At first I was just making text on video tutorials without any voice. As I gained a following I've started to make the videos a little more personal and put effort into editing and actually use my voice. To create an identity feel. - I was showing people how they can setup various different add-ons for Kodi and watch live tv channels, watch live sports etc. I'm still doing this today. I usually release about 3-4 videos per month (I know this is low but there are only so many videos you can make for this niche). Slowly but surely I've grown my channel to just under 3000 subscribers and I average around 1000-1500 views per video. Some of my videos have gone "viral'ish" and are up around the 40000+ plus mark. One of my videos is even on 100000 views.

I also have a proper domain blog where I re-post every single video I upload, followed by a write up (for SEO). I also use my YouTube channel to drive traffic to my blog. - If a file is required for the tutorial then you have to go onto my blog to get that file etc. I spend time writing articles for various affiliate products, mainly just VPNs and IPTV services (I don't really know what other affiliate products would suite my niche). My blog also has Adsense on it.

Speaking of affiliates I'm currently focusing on promoting a VPN service, an IPTV service and I'm using the affiliate program on G2A (for video game sales). But I don't go out of my way to promote G2A, I just have a few banners on my blog.

Every now and again I get a company email me and ask me to write a sponsored article for them. I usually charge $50 per article. Recently I had a company email me and they offered to send me their product (absolutely free) and they paid me to film an unbox video and review it. I thought that was really cool.

I used to have a Facebook page where I built up almost 30k followers. I would post my YouTube videos there after uploading and gain views from those followers. Sadly Facebook didn't like my page and one day just suddenly removed it. I kind of took a massive hit when this happened. I lost half my monthly revenue. But I guess that's life and you're always going to hit obstacles.

So lets take a look at my monthly earnings...

• YouTube: Around $50 per month.
• Adsense Ads: Around $30 per month.
• G2A: Around $20 per month.
• Affiliates: Its hard to say. I usually make a few sales per month but there is a minimum of $100 before I can cash out. My articles usually make a few sales. So I just keep waiting until I reach $100 and request a payout. This usually takes 3-4 months per affiliate company.

One thing about my blog is that it ALWAYS has traffic on it. At any given time I can view my real time analytics and see that there are at least 4-5 people browsing.

Anyway like the title says, I have no idea where to go from here. I know I should probably reinvest the money I'm making, but the problem is I'm basically clueless and need some kind person to give me advice that a simpleton would understand (haha). I don't want to invest it into something I have no idea about and waste it. Like I said I'm willing to work hard, that was never the issue. I just don't know my next move.

If anyone can offer some advice or wishes to talk in private message, I would be forever grateful. Any information you can offer is good information.

You've already got some experience under your belt. Start on a new niche, and simply build from there.

liamlio said:

You've already got some experience under your belt. Start on a new niche, and simply build from there.

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In regards to starting a new niche, that would be difficult now that YouTube has put limits on being able to monetize new channels. I would have to spend months and months growing a channel before I can even think about earning money off any of the videos. Considering YouTube is my main traffic source, I don't see how this would be worth my time. I know from experience it took me about 3 years just to get 3000 subscribers. - I would rather concentrate and put all my energy into growing what I already have.

I do appreciate the feedback though!

TheOneisBack said:

In regards to starting a new niche, that would be difficult now that YouTube has put limits on being able to monetize new channels. I would have to spend months and months growing a channel before I can even think about earning money off any of the videos. Considering YouTube is my main traffic source, I don't see how this would be worth my time. I know from experience it took me about 3 years just to get 3000 subscribers. - I would rather concentrate and put all my energy into growing what I already have.

I do appreciate the feedback though!

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In my opinion, I think he is right. there are thousands of niches that you can target and are 100 times more profitable, just think about it. the guy who is looking for free ways to watch movies or free live TV will invest money in your products, they will do the same for them, looking for free alternatives or tricks. so just try to do some researches in niches, and choose the one you are comfortable with.
all the best

Daritchguy said:

In my opinion, I think he is right. there are thousands of niches that you can target and are 100 times more profitable, just think about it. the guy who is looking for free ways to watch movies or free live TV will invest money in your products, they will do the same for them, looking for free alternatives or tricks. so just try to do some researches in niches, and choose the one you are comfortable with.
all the best

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Hi thanks for the feedback!

I should have probably clarified this in my original post. The tutorials I make on YouTube are already for "free methods" to watch live TV, sports, movies etc.. Its only every now and again I will make a video regarding a paid product. - In my niche for "video streaming", often the free solutions aren't very good, this is why I offer the paid products every now and again. I want to offer an alternative option for more stability. This is where I will advertise my affiliate products. I find that the few YouTube videos [I make] where I talk about paid products never get as many views though.

How many hours do you work per day on average?

Henry Cooper said:

How many hours do you work per day on average?

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Currently unemployed. I have very supportive parents and I'm trying to focus on internet marketing full time. So I'll literally do whatever I need to do. I just need some pointers haha

I'm trained in website development so I'm always messing around with my blog/website. Trying to improve ad locations etc. Even though I'm currently stuck I'm always tinkering.

My opinion: IM is like the Gold rush of past centuries. There were thousands of gold diggers, a few successful but the money was made in the stores that sold the shovels and pens, at the bars and at the gold exchange desk.
In other words: Try to sell your experience in form of virtual goods to despite gold diggers...

Marcel Freiberg said:

My opinion: IM is like the Gold rush of past centuries. There were thousands of gold diggers, a few successful but the money was made in the stores that sold the shovels and pens, at the bars and at the gold exchange desk.
In other words: Try to sell your experience in form of virtual goods to despite gold diggers...

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Thanks for your feedback.

I wrote a thread a while ago at the lounge concerning the tiers of IM based on this forum.
https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/earning-money-with-im-why.1029195/

Pretty sure the ratio between effort and earning is best at tier 1...

TheOneisBack said:

Currently unemployed. I have very supportive parents and I'm trying to focus on internet marketing full time. So I'll literally do whatever I need to do. I just need some pointers haha

I'm trained in website development so I'm always messing around with my blog/website. Trying to improve ad locations etc. Even though I'm currently stuck I'm always tinkering.

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Sorry if this was unclear, how man hours per day do you spend on creating content (since this seems to be your niche)?

You have the experience of creating YouTube videos and even succeeded with it. As you mentioned, your current niche does not allow uploading more than 3-5 videos a month, why not start a new channel in addition to this. In my opinion videos are in more demand than blog.

Henry Cooper said:

Sorry if this was unclear, how man hours per day do you spend on creating content (since this seems to be your niche)?

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Usually when I write an article I spend 3-4 hours doing it. However I don't write articles every single day because its hard to keep coming up with quality content. I spend the rest of my day tinkering around with the website/blog design. Trying to find ways to improve the layout. I often spend other hours trying to research internet marketing, reading forums, watching YouTube videos for tips on affiliate marketing etc..

krishnaverma said:

You have the experience of creating YouTube videos and even succeeded with it. As you mentioned, your current niche does not allow uploading more than 3-5 videos a month, why not start a new channel in addition to this. In my opinion videos are in more demand than blog.

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Because as I stated above, creating a new YouTube channel will not allow for monetization on my videos. Its taken me 3 years to reach 3000 subscribers. If I have to start from scratch again, just so I can reach YouTubes minimum requirements, I'll be wasting time, when I could be using that time to grow what I already have.

TheOneisBack said:

Usually when I write an article I spend 3-4 hours doing it. However I don't write articles every single day because its hard to keep coming up with quality content. I spend the rest of my day tinkering around with the website/blog design. Trying to find ways to improve the layout. I often spend other hours trying to research internet marketing, reading forums, watching YouTube videos for tips on affiliate marketing etc..

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Well I don't want to be that guy, but if you spend less time on the core of your business then someone flipping burgers at McDonalds, how do you expect to become successful? Internet Marketing is harder then any other job (if you are not employed at an Internet Marketing company). The advantage is the possibility of scaling, not working less. You can ask any successful person on BHW, they (including myself) push 12-18 hours per day to reach their goals. The only reason why I spend time on BHW (sometimes) is to give back to the community I came from. Besides that every second spend reading and not doing is wasted time. Over optimizing your website wont yield more then spending more time on content.

Henry Cooper said:

Well I don't want to be that guy, but if you spend less time on the core of your business then someone flipping burgers at McDonalds, how do you expect to become successful? Internet Marketing is harder then any other job (if you are not employed at an Internet Marketing company). The advantage is the possibility of scaling, not working less.

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No I get that. I used to put a LOT more time and effort into writing articles. I have written literally hundreds over the past but they receive barely any traffic (I monitor all my traffic via analytics). So I reduced time on writing and focused my time on trying to drive traffic instead to my already written articles. I feel like my blog is filled with quality content but no ones reading it because they cant find it.

Don't start a new channel, but instead add different tutorials for things you know about and put them in appropriate playlists.

Alfie777 said:

Don't start a new channel, but instead add different tutorials for things you know about and put them in appropriate playlists.

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I'm already doing that haha

Is there something I didn't understand or am I missing the obvious...
You are in the TV and video streaming and say there is no where to expand ? Just simply try neighbour niches (not an official term, my own). First things that come to mind are:

1. TV - start doing reviews on TV's (lots of tutorials how to online).
2. Where there is TV there is gaming so consoles are a good side gig.
3. NAS servers to store and backup shows.
4. Cool TV setups.
5. Projectors to make your own Home Cinema.
6. Sound systems for that extra sound factor.
7. Video players (software that is) review.
8. Hell you might, even try homemade popcorn machines.
9. Side channel for movie reviews, reactions.
10. Write news articles on your blog or news flash videos on your youtube channel for that daily content

Now I am not saying all of these are great options but you know just some food for thought. Just don't let a few potholes stop you dead in your tracks keep going. Also wish you the best of luck !!!

Marcel Freiberg said:

My opinion: IM is like the Gold rush of past centuries. There were thousands of gold diggers, a few successful but the money was made in the stores that sold the shovels and pens, at the bars and at the gold exchange desk.
In other words: Try to sell your experience in form of virtual goods to despite gold diggers...

Click to expand...

I do not agree. There are tons of people and companies making money from IM. I work for an IM company and most of our profits are from doing lead gen on our own websites. Hit me up if you want to chat, it might open your eyes to new endeavors. Hell you might even be able to make money off of us, we are always looking for contractors who will provide value.

Sorry @buying links,
I did not mean that nobody makes money with IM or that you can‘t get rich (Or whatever you want achieve with work) but I am pretty sure that evolving to tier 2/3/4 and selling more then a high competive red tea or blog about a common topic won‘t bring you to the next step.

The OP wrote about scaling up and I am pretty sure he doesn‘t thought of raising his work time to 24/7. Writing Article, dropshipping single products, creating videos,.... need time. ...