I know what you’re thinking: Is this going to be another one of those boring New Year’s resolution posts?
Yeah, probably. It’s the first post of a new blog, and the first year of a new decade. What did you expect?
Let’s get on with it then, eh?
I’ll write more about myself on the About page, but suffice it to say I’m a geeky software engineer with a passion for entrepreneurship who fell in love with Internet Marketing. I’ve gone through several ups and downs, learned a lot, and am still going strong. And based on what I’ve learned and experienced, I’ve got a new focus for 2010.
One thing I haven’t done is build a list. So that is my top priority. Getting affiliate commissions is great, but it isn’t really much of a business if you aren’t building your own customer list along the way. And the products I’ve been selling as an affiliate haven’t really leant themselves to building my own list. That’s going to change.
I also haven’t created my own products. And while there are certainly advantages to selling other people’s stuff (like not having to provide any support), I think the time is right for me to start creating my own. So I’ll be doing that.
I also want to cultivate more friendships within the Internet Marketing community. While I’m quite happy to spend all day at the computer, the life of an online marketer can become a lonely one. I miss the community and collaboration I experienced in the open source software development world. I hope to recreate some of that with the people I get to know in the marketing realm.
How does this relate to jumpstartguy.com?
To begin, I plan to build a list of people who want to hear what I have to say about Internet Marketing. (I’m pretty good at helping people get started or get unstuck, hence the “jumpstart” in the name.) I want to develop a sense of community with my readers. Hopefully some of them will become good friends.
To do this I’ll need to provide value. I’m going to start by reviewing some products that I’ve used in the past, and new products that I’m evaluating. And I’m talking about real, thorough, honest reviews – not the usual thinly disguised reviews done by most affiliates.
Along the way I’m going to create products of my own. And I’m going to work on my copywriting skills as well. And I’m going to create blog posts that focus on what you want, and not just on what I want. With the exception of this post, of course…
Seriously, though, I think this is going to be an exciting year. If you want to share in that excitement you should bookmark this blog and sign up for my mailing list. I’ll do my best to earn your trust and make it worth your while. Do it now! I wouldn’t want you to miss out.
What do you plan to focus on this year?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice first post. Lots of indications you want to be a nice guy, not a money-hungry anything goes type. I signed up to your mailing list. Not very often I come across a new venture that gives me a sense that the person behind the blog will be somebody to lead by example. I’ve taken a screenshot of your home page in case you customize your Thesis theme in the future. When you do (if you do) I will review your site at Thesis Theme HQ and help with some traffic. I expect I’ll learn a lot by observig your journey as well.
Thank you, Somone. I do try to be a nice guy. Sometimes I even succeed at it…
Glad to have you on the list. I’ll do my best to lead by example. I’ve been inspired by folks like Glenn Livingston, Perry Marshall, Brian Clark, and others who really manage their reputations and have been able to keep from crossing that line, if you know what I mean. I plan to do the same. I’m sure the learning by observing will be mutual.
It’s nice to hear that you’ve started your year right. Hopefully, I could continue my year without losing track on all my goals. I really need to work hard to achieve something now.
Once again, we will be facing another year few days from now. I really don’t know how well my year will start but still hoping that everything will went well in 2011. Wishing you more success too!
I know this comment was left just to get a backlink for SEO purposes, but since it was so polite and appropriate I figured I’d approve it. Since you asked, 2010 was a fantastic year for me, in spite of the fact that I didn’t do anything that was on my resolution list. On the other hand, I think 2011 will be the year I actually create my own products, build a list (or “herd” as Dan Kennedy likes to call it, since I’m spending a lot of time on Planet Dan these days), and develop more relationships. I’ll have to revisit my original post and see how will it will work for next year. I wish lots of success to you as well, Web Development Sydney, whoever you (or your SEO outsourcers) are! :-)
Okay, I just reread this post and, man, was I full of shit. I didn’t do anything on the list. On the other hand, I turned my affiliate efforts into a six-figure business that’s completely passive that I could walk away from at any time and it will keep on humming. I’m no longer a workaholic and am having way more fun. So it’s been a good year in spite of this false start.
I am planning my own products (some software applications are in development right now headed up by the amazing software engineer, Matthew Scott) and I’m already signed up for Ken McCarthy’s System Seminar 2011 (possibly the last one ever) in New York. I’m also considering attending SOBCon 2011 in Chicago, and maybe Affiliate Summit West in Las Vegas. I also bought the EvergreenInterviews.com domain name for yet another product line. 2011 is going to rock!