Need Some Inspiration

I think you're at a disadvantage not using any software tools.

I'm also in a similar situation, and reluctant to use tools... mainly because I'm a programmer myself and I think (I COULD MAKE THAT!). But then I'll spend weeks trying to re-create the tool, and not even have a version that's good enough to compete with the original. I've realized now that I've been mistaken, and should buy software I need.

The problem with only relying on SEO for traffic is that you leave your entire business in the hands of strangers (google). If they change the algorithm, you can die overnight.

SEO is good but it should be one of many ways you drive traffic.

May I ask how much money you have available for use in your marketing endeavors? What you should do will depend on that number.

GimmeMoney said:

The problem with only relying on SEO for traffic is that you leave your entire business in the hands of strangers (google). If they change the algorithm, you can die overnight.

SEO is good but it should be one of many ways you drive traffic.

May I ask how much money you have available for use in your marketing endeavors? What you should do will depend on that number.

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I dont have any spare money, i pay for my hosting , domains, internet and thats it. I do backlinking manually but its very slow. Its a catch 22, if i could make some spare cash then i would consider investing in software thats recommended on here.

SEO is excellent but it should be one of many techniques you bring customers.

Everyone must have a eye which he keep on his SEO workers.

Honestly?...

First, you need to get your head and finances in order. That might mean biting the bullet and getting some part-time job you don't particularly want to do. You need to get back into the 'working' frame of mind, and nothing does that better than working for someone else. It'll remind you that you'd rather be working for yourself, and make you double your efforts. It'll also provide some cash for toolz and a marketing budget.

You say you've been doing this for 18 months and you've been out of work since last year... That tells me that you've been full-time in IM for at least a year? And you've only built 6 sites? Unless you're missing something drastic from your explanation it sounds like you've been cruising. And 12 months of intensive SEO learning/practice/testing should have made you quite knowledgable by now.

I own 3 businesses and throughout this hard financial climate (3 years now) I've worked 12-16 hour days 5-6 days per week. Have you put in that kind of effort? Honestly?

IM is NOT the easy 'job-in-pyjamas' lifestyle that it's sold to be. It's HARD (certainly at the start anyway.) There's a LOT of success to be had - but you have to put in the back-breaking work to find the areas that you can excel at. They won't find you - I promise that.

I mean no disrespect, and I don't know your circumstances; but make sure you're not making excuses to yourself.

As a general recommendation I would stop researching what works and what doesn't work, and start using your intuition and inventiveness to come up with unique ideas and loop-holes not yet found. It's these kind of exploits that you will ultimately own for yourself until it is discovered and saturated that will rake in the cash.

The only thing that I can say, that hasn't already been said, is that if IM is your dream job, then you have to persevere under these hard times. It's not just you -- many people got slapped by the big G's panda/algorithm changes. But if you don't have what it takes to keep going, then rest assured that someone else will, and they'll enjoy the earnings that you could have had. Use that as your motivation.

jascoken said:

Honestly?...

First, you need to get your head and finances in order. That might mean biting the bullet and getting some part-time job you don't particularly want to do. You need to get back into the 'working' frame of mind, and nothing does that better than working for someone else. It'll remind you that you'd rather be working for yourself, and make you double your efforts. It'll also provide some cash for toolz and a marketing budget.

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I'm with jascoken on this one. When you're starting out (I know you're 18 months into it, but it doesn't sound like you're wildly successful yet), you should really hold down a job whilst doing it.

You say you do IM and live in the UK? I work in IM in the UK for an agency, so if you need hookups for a job, please by all means give me a PM.

Thanks to all who took the time to reply.
jascoken i have taken on board what you said, i have tried to find a part time job to get some money in, but where i live in the countryside there isnt many jobs going at the moment and at least 40-70 people going for one position even in the lowest paid work but i am still trying to get something.
I have 6 sites at the moment had a few more but these did not work for various reasons, so are you saying the more sites the better rather than trying to get say 2 sites paying more?
I am not under any illusion that IM is easy, i have put in many hours, but i think i need to focus more on certain things.
secretasianman, thanks for the offer, i will PM you later.

dragon123 said:

Thanks to all who took the time to reply.
jascoken i have taken on board what you said, i have tried to find a part time job to get some money in, but where i live in the countryside there isnt many jobs going at the moment and at least 40-70 people going for one position even in the lowest paid work but i am still trying to get something.

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Sorry to hear that buddy - I know it's hard at the moment.

dragon123 said:

I have 6 sites at the moment had a few more but these did not work for various reasons, so are you saying the more sites the better rather than trying to get say 2 sites paying more?

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Not necessarily... And I can't answer that question quickly and easily I'm afraid. You just have to read, absorb, disseminate, practice and learn through experience. There are SO many areas that you can work at, that it's impossible for me to say. Just apply yourself as best you can, and make sure you always keep it 'real'.

Spend at least 2 hours per day reading through posts and sites that are clearly written by people that actually know what they're talking about...

Then thrown it all away and test it for yourself.