The Challenge

Hey, guys and girls!
(If you're having trouble understanding my name--it is antisocial)

So, yes, I am fairly new here, and aside from lurking here I've been doing a lot of research/interviews regarding internet marketing. My goal is to graduate from college/university debt free. Now, I hope none of this is against the rules, I'm not trying to solicit money or perform fraud; this is a real story and I'm using real numbers.

In the summer of 2008 I decided to go to a four-year private university costing roughly 48k a year.
After scholarship I only have to pay around 15k a year, "Sure! Why not!"
The 15k is materialized in the form of a loan.
My father loses his job and now I'm scared.
Decide to keep going to the same school since it would be harder/more expensive to transfer to another university due to my university specific first year of classes.
I am about to enter into my Junior year at University this Fall, pursuing both Finance and Risk Management degrees.
I'm looking at graduating about 60k in debt, which is scary as balls to me. I think I can comfortably pinpoint my graduating salary around 55k-60k. That's nice to live on, except when you factor in rent, commutes, food, finally being on your own, taxes, and monthly loan repayments reaching 1k.

Catch my drift? My parents feel kind of awful, the plan was that they would help me out post-graduation, but with my dad losing his highly specified job, they are kind of unable to do that-which is completely understandable.

I told them not to worry about it and that I would find a way to make my dream of debt-free graduation come true.

So to summarize, my goal is 60k, or less if I can make enough money to not take out loans for Spring 2011 and my graduating year.

You guys and girls on this forum seem the most knowledgeable and real people, so I was wondering if any of you would like to be a part of small internet history, of my life, and my goal and help me along my journey?

Here is what I have:
I'm wondering what should I do? I can get a hold of/buy/understand most things. I'm not looking for an easy way out, I'm searching for some people to guide me on what's worked for them, to be honest and tell me if this will even be possible.

Any suggestions? Feel free to post here or PM me.
Any tops, flops, and updates will be posted here.
I will also keep track of the most lucrative methods and instructions and compile an eBook, I've seen a lot of those on here. Free to you guys, of course.

Sorry for the novel; I'm looking for direction,
peace&love&prosperity
~Antisocial

The first thing most might tell you would be to take some time and read the forums and figure stuff out.

Otherwise, what you are asking isn't entirely clear. There are a lot of sob stories out there worst than graduating debt-free. So it doesn't exactly prompt me to jump to help when I know people who are just trying to pay for their kids being born, and who are desperately trying to get off welfare, or are tens of thousands in debt and are trying to dig their way out.

Please state very clearly exactly what you want. What you expect. What kind of arrangement, if any you desire, and to what benefit would it be to anybody to have to take time out from their precious lives to help you.

Not to sound harsh or anything, but you need to be clear in order to get any clear answers.

I get the impression you have already been working at stuff since you have a Neverblue account already. You need to go through an interview process for that, and show them something, so obviously you been trying something. So why don't you just continue with that?

so basically, you want to make roughly 60k in one year?

i wouldn't say it's impossible, but god damn hard and if you manage to do it, there's the question why you actually took your university classes (apart from personal interest) if you can make the same amount per year through other means

anyway (and this may sound harsh), the things you listed are worth err...nothing. the question is obviously what you're able to do with them.
just as a side note - you mentioned dreamweaver/image software, so why not try freelancing if you're into design? might not get you the big bucks, but it's better than nothing.

and i doubt that there's any sense in people telling you what's worked for them. cause if it has, it did so because they set themselves apart from the big dumb masses by twisting and refining it. you may get a few bucks by working generic methods, but to get in the 5 figure range, you need to put your own creativity to work instead of relying on success stories.

if you're really serious about this, read through this whole forum, gather ideas - but do not copy them, instead try to understand the way of thinking that led to them. google your dumb questions and post your intelligent ones. put your own twist on everything, then act on it, stumble, fall, stand up, learn, repeat, scale up, outsource, automate. don't do those things of which everybody tells you that they're the next best thing, but instead venture in those sectors that really interest you.

MisterGemini said:

when I know people who are just trying to pay for their kids being born, and who are desperately trying to get off welfare, or are tens of thousands in debt and are trying to dig their way out.
so obviously you been trying something. So why don't you just continue with that?

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Apart from having kids born, you basically just described my parents.
I have been with NB for about 3 weeks now, and I've only made $26 profit, but that's after looking into a lot and getting a very broad, yet limited, understanding of about everything. This isn't supposed to be a sob story, the story is to show that I feel like I need it, and that I will work towards it. I just don't want money and will give up if things don't go as planned.
Thank you for the honesty, though.

bushwacka said:

so basically, you want to make roughly 60k in one year?

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I don't want to make 60k in one year. Sorry if that's what it sounded like. I have two whole years to make 60k, but if I make more than 30k this year, then I can just use some of it to pay for my fourth year instead of having to take out a loan, thus lowering my debt. Sorry if that doesn't make sense.

I am not looking for a "here, do this, you will make x amount of money." I'm just trying to open up a discussion of things that I should look into, since there are SO many options, and if you're smart enough/creative enough/determined enough, they can all work. I've read so many PDFs in the past week, watched so many tutorials, checked out so many people's successes that my mind is over-packed, I don't know where to start.

I'm looking for basic questions that I feel more experts would have the answers to; for example:
1) Is this amount of money considered a long term goal, or a goal that could be quickly accomplished with various methods?
2) Depending on the answer to 1, should WH or BH be used?
3) Do you think I have a high earning potential with a NB account, should I try to belong to as many networks as possible or try to keep it to a few or specialize? Or should I drop affiliate networks for now, squeeze page, monetize, and then add some affiliate links?

I'm just looking for some guidance from someone or some people that would offer a hand. Someone that could be my mentor. In return I hope they feel good about themselves and that they could contribute something that they know so well into someone's life, where it would make a huge difference. And in return to this forum, regardless of who helps me, if/when I accomplish my goal I will let you all know how.

Hope this clears some stuff up. Thank you for your replies already!

EDIT** I've read quite a bit on these forums already, I feel like my brain is over saturated, that's why I'm having problems. I think I'm trying to start too big.

Well what are your skill sets? Of all the things you read, what appealed to you most? What did you look at that made you say 'yeah I can do that' ?

Well, to be honest, a lot of the BH stuff made more sense to me, but I feel like since to me the 60k is a long-term goal over two years, that WH would be the way to go. I have talked to a lot of people that hit a pop using BH and pulled some big cash, but in a few days it was gone and they went back to the drawing board. You know? To me a mixture of free marketing with directories and backlinking plus some paid views once I get a site a little established would go along ways. WH just seems like such a long build and time commitment that I'm scared to mess it up.
I'm just struggling on niche selection hardcore. I'm good at a lot, creativity is a strong point, but this is why I'm having so much trouble dealing with not being able to decide on a niche. Should I stick to niches that I have CPA offers for? Or ditch them for now, get something successful, and duplicate it in a form that uses CPA? I don't have too much cash to throw around, but I do have someone willing to host my sites for free.
I've read through most of the PDFs, and autopilot cash formula looked like a winner and made the most sense to me except for the mailing list. I'm not a fan of lists. Am I being too picky? IF you can't tell by my posts I have a lot running through my head

In terms of CPA
Make a working relationship with your affiliate manager at whichever network you may be apart of - they want you to make money and will be willing to help you out to create a loyal affiliate! They'll tell you the best offers, which ones publishers are having luck with - what newer affiliates should start with...

Give them a call - seek networks that advertise coaching - even large networks will help you out in hopes of creating a new super affiliate...
AM's who talk with their affiliates have a LOT to offer - one day you might find yourself flying out to visit your CPA network with airline tickets and hotel paid for - not uncommon for large affiliates who keep in touch - just reach out

Also, hope my story via PM helped you believe in your cause a little more...

I think at my school of 7,000, there were 4 people that I knew of, supporting their college career through IM - good times...

This is a lot different from what everyone else will say. I am a grey hat guy in a black hat world.

What I would do:
1. Start promoting yourself. Make a blog, twitter, linkedin, ect.
2. Get a job working for a real brick and mortar business managing social media and/or doing SEO.

There are tons of people on craigslist looking for these services. You can work for them part time, or charge them monthly and offer them a service. A lot of people fail at internet marketing, it's a lot easier to market yourself to people who need your services. It can also be just as profitable.

There are a lot of information products available in the downloads section. I'd suggest absorbing some of the information Mistergemeni, M.A.D, and Ipopbb post about onsite SEO. Download Frank Kern's "List Control" available in this section. Look at Tim Ferriss's blog for page organization ideas, he split tests everything he does. Grab "google maps cash" from this section.

MOST IMPORTANT: While you are learning, do. Don't get caught up trying to make the most optimal site ever, you can fix it later. That's why Al Gore invented split testing.

mofaux said:

Don't get caught up trying to make the most optimal site ever, you can fix it later. That's why Al Gore invented split testing.

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And the internet!!!

Yeah - always test out what you've learned...

Info is useless if its stuck in your head...let it out into the world...test it out!

Ant150c1aL said:

Well, to be honest, a lot of the BH stuff made more sense to me, but I feel like since to me the 60k is a long-term goal over two years, that WH would be the way to go. I have talked to a lot of people that hit a pop using BH and pulled some big cash, but in a few days it was gone and they went back to the drawing board. You know? To me a mixture of free marketing with directories and backlinking plus some paid views once I get a site a little established would go along ways. WH just seems like such a long build and time commitment that I'm scared to mess it up.
I'm just struggling on niche selection hardcore. I'm good at a lot, creativity is a strong point, but this is why I'm having so much trouble dealing with not being able to decide on a niche. Should I stick to niches that I have CPA offers for? Or ditch them for now, get something successful, and duplicate it in a form that uses CPA? I don't have too much cash to throw around, but I do have someone willing to host my sites for free.
I've read through most of the PDFs, and autopilot cash formula looked like a winner and made the most sense to me except for the mailing list. I'm not a fan of lists. Am I being too picky? IF you can't tell by my posts I have a lot running through my head

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Do you know anything about SEO?

MisterGemini said:

Do you know anything about SEO?

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Yup. I haven't had any trial and error with it though. Google is always reworking their algorithms...so I have to keep in mind what was big around the time certain PDFs were posted. I feel confident in SEO abilities; I just don't have any sites up as of now that I could actually implement what I've learned on here. As such, any/all variations of BH seo have been untried by me since I don't have any site to cloak, etc.

darkmarth said:

And the internet!!!

Yeah - always test out what you've learned...

Info is useless if its stuck in your head...let it out into the world...test it out!

Click to expand...

That's the motivation I need!

@mofaux I always appreciate a Tim Ferris reference

Ant150c1aL said:

Yup. I haven't had any trial and error with it though. Google is always reworking their algorithms...so I have to keep in mind what was big around the time certain PDFs were posted. I feel confident in SEO abilities; I just don't have any sites up as of now that I could actually implement what I've learned on here. As such, any/all variations of BH seo have been untried by me since I don't have any site to cloak, etc.



That's the motivation I need!

@mofaux I always appreciate a Tim Ferris reference

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Ok, this is what you should do.

I advise this in all seriousness given your situation and your mild urgency. I am going to assume that since you are attending a university, you are in at least a semi-sizable city. Anything above 100k is fine.

I don't recommend you fiddle around with all these online things, as they will take far more time and money than you can afford and have a much steeper learning curve.

I want you to go to two threads here at BHW and read them both very carefully from start to finish.

After that let me know if that looks like something you can do. Then we'll take it from there:

Older:

http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackh...ne-hybrid-method.html?highlight=$1000+a+month

Newer:

http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackh...mization-clients.html?highlight=$1000+a+month


Good luck

Good luck in making that amount of money in a year. I'm not saying it cant be done but it'll be hard, and you have alot of learning to do.

As far as college, I think that nowadays its a huge waste of time and money and is over-rated. Too many people I know, including myself haven't been able to find jobs in the area that they went to school for. You can do better not going to college, you just have to know what to get into.

advio12 said:

Good luck in making that amount of money in a year. I'm not saying it cant be done but it'll be hard, and you have alot of learning to do.

As far as college, I think that nowadays its a huge waste of time and money and is over-rated. Too many people I know, including myself haven't been able to find jobs in the area that they went to school for. You can do better not going to college, you just have to know what to get into.

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He said in the next post he had two years. I agree it would be difficult starting from zero to get to that in a year.

I think what I recommended to him which is hybrid offline is his best bet to get where he wants. It will be completely in his hands to succeed then, it won't be driven by trying to move masses of traffic or waiting for some network to maybe or maybe not pay him out for it.

If he really is serious about doing this, this method will work because his results are completely in his control.

Had a long night, I'll be sure to read them first thing tomorrow, review, think on it, and let you know. Thanks for the help oriented directly at me!

Ant150c1aL said:

Had a long night, I'll be sure to read them first thing tomorrow, review, think on it, and let you know. Thanks for the help oriented directly at me!

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Awesome, will be watching for it.

MisterGemini said:

I advise this in all seriousness given your situation and your mild urgency. I am going to assume that since you are attending a university, you are in at least a semi-sizable city. Anything above 100k is fine.

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If you live in a small town, I'd suggest looking into firefighting alongside whatever money making schemes you hatch up. I know plenty of small town firefighters who sit around, make chili, and lift all day. It's very possible to do a part time job while firefighting.

If you look into this and it seems like a good fit, I'd check out EMT classes at your local community college. It's a surefire way to become a paid firefighter. They will transfer into some schools for (useless extracurricular) credits that can (sometimes) work into a degree. I got 9 credits for becoming an EMT+wilderness EMT and it only took a month. I got to see a bunch of cool shit, too. =)

MisterGemini said:

Awesome, will be watching for it.

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Actually, this sounds rather perfect. I am home for summer as of now, my college town is 2-hours away. I am very good with people, so the sales part might be easier than I think. I guess for the two months I have left home I should start some market research and get some pages decently ranked in Google? That way if I can get some accountants, etc to sign with me I can start producing results from day one?

How do you think I should spend my two months? Other than working as a waiter

Seriously appreciate all the help!

Ant150c1aL said:

Actually, this sounds rather perfect. I am home for summer as of now, my college town is 2-hours away. I am very good with people, so the sales part might be easier than I think. I guess for the two months I have left home I should start some market research and get some pages decently ranked in Google? That way if I can get some accountants, etc to sign with me I can start producing results from day one?

How do you think I should spend my two months? Other than working as a waiter

Seriously appreciate all the help!

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The Newer version talked about hitting the high income clientele first. You want dentists lawyers jewelers etc. The best place to start is by doing the research in google on those companies... see who shows up, and see if there are opportunities for you to get in there. The lower end clients you just charge less per month for their placements.

I think you will be able to see at minimum of $5k a month from this. Take in everyones feedback and experience. Also I have PMed you a link to download something that is related to this. It includes some templates you can use to help get you started.

Get it all wrapped up in your mind, then start writing out your plan. It should be broken down into categories:

• Executive Summary of Business
• The Market
• Market Competition
• Market Approach
• Financial Projections

Take everything you learn and organize it into this. Then all you have to do is follow the plan and execute it. You don't need to go into great detail in the plan, it is just an outline so you have a very clear vision of what you are doing and where you are going.

Get ready to kick some ass! :boxing:

Ant150c1aL said:

How do you think I should spend my two months? Other than working as a waiter

Seriously appreciate all the help!

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Maybe look for some sub par clients and give them a great deal. Testimonials are great for business. There's a questionnaire floating around the "offline" section of making money you could have them fill out. It contains stuff like services you provided, what the business web presence was like before, after, all kinds of stuff. The first few clients I had recommended me to all of their friends, and still do.