What If You Did It All Wrong But Still Made Money?
photo credit: FireChickenTA99
Yesterday or the day before I got an email from PotPieGirl, I’m pretty sure most of you follow her so you probably got the email too. In it was a video Travis made about a mom who won his Fall affiliate contest. He talked about how she was doing SO many things wrong ~ and yet she’s doing 1 thing right. Doing that one thing right consistently, every day, rain or shine and she’s going to clear 100K this year.
It got me to thinking. Is there one thing I could do every single day that would move my business to 100k a year? Is there one thing YOU could do? Does this one thing apply to any business online or off? Yeah ~ this video really got me thinking. The one thing she was doing wsan’t hard, it wasn’t complex, it wasn’t any of the big things the gurus tell you you have to do to be successful. In fact, all she was doing was writing 1 article and submitting it to ezinearticles.com every week day.
If you haven’t seen the video here’s the link PotPieGirl sent me. It’s 30 minutes long so be forewarned, and I haven’t used the keyword list thing he talks about and I’m not currently a member at WA. Those are PPG’s links ~ just so we’re clear.
It seemed to me this mom was pointing her traffic from EZA to a blog that was already done on the topic ~ or maybe she was writing a new blog post every day ~ which is where I got stuck trying to figure out only doing 1 thing. I could really only narrow it down to 2 things, because everything I do requires 2 elements, content and promotion. I thought I’d run down through the possible internet marketing strategies and talk about what I thought those 2 things might be for each.
Keyword Sniping:
1. Write content on your site.
2. Create 5 backlinks to your site. (I don’t know if 5 is the magic number or not, but if you built 5 links I bet it would move you forward ~ you could adjust your strategy once you see how much difference it makes. It doesn’t matter if you are on the same site or a new site, just keep writing and linking every day and you would move forward.
Niche domination:
Build 1 lens and create 5 links. If you did that every week day do you think that would move you forward?
Micro niche sites:
Build 1 site (or add content to an existing site) and create 5 links
Niche blogging:
Write one blog post and create 5 links.
Pro Blogging:
Write one blog post, and create 5 links or make 5 connections.
Oh holy cow. Do you see what I see? It seems for just about every internet marketing strategy it all comes down to creating content and linking back to your content. It doesn’t seem to matter what you’re trying to accomplish, they seem to be the common denominator. In fact, that’s exactly what this woman was doing ~ she was creating content at EZA ~ but was also creating a link back to her site in the meantime. So she created 1 piece of content and 1 link every day ~ and it’s working.
I didn’t really realize this post was going to end up here ~ but it takes me to a good point. You can make this really complicated, you can get overwhelmed, you can get frustrated, you can try to build a list when you don’t even know how to create content, you can try to do all the things the gurus tell you you have to do to be successful
or you can get good at 1 or 2 simple things and do them consistently, and persistently.
The key to success in internet marketing is not knowing how to do all the fancy stuff ~ opt in pages, building lists Yes, those things can, at some point, help you make more money easier, but in the beginning they are NOT what is going to start making you money. I say this because you probably do not have the foundation yet, the building blocks to pull them all together and make them work.
Build your foundation ~ pick one strategy, build it build it build it, by doing the same 2 things every day ~ content creation and promotion and soon you will be making some money and you will have something to stand those bigger pieces on when you get ready (if you ever do) to put them in place.
Let me know what you think. Hopefully you’ve chosen a strategy to focus on the next 6 months or so, can you break your strategy down into content creation and promotion? If yes, let me know what you’re going to do ~ what are the two money making actions YOU’RE going to take. If you don’t think it does, let’s talk about that too, really.
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I watched that video as well. For me, it all boils down to focus. Chasing the ‘next shiny thing’ is like chasing a rainbow. Once you get to where the end should be, you discover the rainbow was simply an illusion and that it has moved elsewhere.
Lately I have been following your advice rather well. Pick one technique and work on it everyday.
Personally, I am going to finish 104 niche sites (2 per week) following Commission Ritual’s basic outline BEFORE I even look at anything else. Since niche sites tend to really small, this should help my wandering mind stay focused (and save me some money in the process).
Yup. And these days, as opposed to back in the day, when only a handful of people were promoting oniine, patience. Build your “hub” (blog, web/sales page, squidoo, etc.) and keep building quality links to your “hub” until you are where you want to be. A “safe” option is build out a handful of topics…giant, humungus spider webs.
Thanks Jackie,
I’m glad you posted about this. I watched the video and I thought she was writing articles for ezinearticles and linking directly to her product with a blog as back up.
I have been following David Bocock, who teaches a lot about writing style for ezinearticles and to start off with article marketing just to generate money first. Since it all comes down to having to write good content I’ve decide to start here first to develop my writing skills.
Now question does one link to ezinearticles and if so, with the same methods you have been teaching for back linking?
Thanks for all your help. I’m really getting jazzed about what’s to unfold.
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Thanks Jackie, you seem to have the ability to sort through the chaos and show us what it really boils down to. Because I’m a little slow at learning and I had to get my info from the “gurus” I’m a little stretched, but it is getting clearer every day.
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Well – that’s definitely food for thought! I tend to get bored. I do monthly challenges sometimes, but when I think of doing something every day for more than a month it seems to put me off. But really, it wouldn’t take long to make 1 Squidoo lens or Ezine article a day! Definitely a good idea.
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I had realized sometime over the last week that everything I was doing basically came down to that – creating content and backlinking. The only thing I would add is that your content and backlinks won’t do you any good if you don’t have a product/keyword that people are searching for.
Good luck with the screaming toddler – would you like to trade for 2 sullen pre-teens for a day or two?
I certainly agree with the staying focused part. I enjoy Squidoo and plan to continue there but I have been all over with lenses and really need to focus on keywords and niche creation. I guess it’s truly master one thing and then move to the next step. Love the great work you are doing here Jackie.
Excellent post, and the video posted by Travis really brings things into perspective. I have been working a technique for just over a month, and have made two sales in the last two days.
The technique is very simple. I have created a blog, Twitter Tips, that I am posting 2 or more times per week. With each post I create an article that I submit to Ezine Articles, the article then links back to my post. I am also using twitter, Twitter, to promote my articles and my blog posts. I will tweet a link to my articles or blog posts a couple times the day they get published.
My next plan of action is to create a free report to start building my list, in hopes of getting one or more sales per day. Then move on to Youtube videos.
Thanks for all the advice you have given us on your blog, it is very helpful in teaching some easy techniques to start earning an income, and then building upon it.
Great post. Running after the next great thing all the gurus get excited about is like a dog chasing its tail. You wear yourself out and when you’re done, you’re right back where you started!
I actually do more than one thing a day, but I break my day into projects and do the same things every day for each section.
What I love is that you watched the video and told me what was in it! I’m still on painfully slow dial up and seldom watch a video even when I’m dying to know what was in it – so thanks.
When you break it down like that, it sounds SO-OO easy. I’m pretty good on writing the content every day but slip a little on getting back links. But once you see the common pattern emerging in each different type of internet marketing, then it makes sense to ensure that you do both. One without the other is short changing yourself.
Content and promotion, content and promotion. I will make this my new mantra and make sure I do the two things every day. Thank you for the very timely inspiration.
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It sure makes everything seem easy. I will keep doing what I am doing and see what happens.
Great Post Jackie!!
The bottom line is it all boils down to doing SOMETHING each and every day to reach your goal. You have a real knack at breaking these seemingly HUGE tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and I really appreciate that about you.
I have to make myself a short list of things I want to accomplish every day. Somehow if it is written down and not in my head, it works better for me. Then, when I accomplish that item, I can CROSS IT OFF. That always feels good!
My husband laughs about my “lists” of things to do today….. but soon, I hope I’ll be the one “laughing all the way to the bank.”
Jane (MoneyMom)
Hi Jackie:
As always, an excellent and timely post.
I’d been feeling overwhelmed and frustrated because I simply was not producing at the results I wanted. My trying to do too many things and not focusing, I was wasting a lot of time.
I came up with the following schedule for myself:
Day 1: Choose a product, select 3 keywords
Day 2 – 4: Create an article using 1 keyword – use article to create squidoo lens
Rewrite article, submit to ezine.
Day 5: Create 3 posts for my blog to be posted the following week. Link to
squidoo lens and/or ezine article, plus my affiliate link.
Day 6: Review past product campaigns. As a product starts to produce traffic and/or sales, I focus on that product for the next week with new keywords, ezine articles and squidoo lens. Otherwise, rinse and repeat with a new product.
The goal is to follow the above routine for three months and then re-evaluate.
I’d love to hear how others plan their workload to keep focused and motivated.
I watched the video too. The key is doing something everyday. I was hesitant about submitting to ezine since I was rejected often. Then I found I was making my articles to complicated. I made them less complicated and yesterday I had two approved, have one pending, and will be submitting one today!
Use the abbreviation KISS – keep it simple stupid
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Hi Jackie,
I do believe that is the foundation of building a good buisness online. Keep building those links, creating content and sending people back to your site.
Tammy Smith
I’m back from shopping *phew* got shoes off to try on fancy holiday shoes and she refused to put her shoes and socks back on ~ but other than things went well. It looks like you all were busy while I was gone!!
It really is about picking what you’re going to do (overall) but then breaking it down into what you can do today to move things forward. Internet marketing, especially when you’re beginning can easily become very overwhelming, but if you break it down to a few things a day it can get pretty simple pretty quick.
I know I am a recovering all or nothing thinker, and that stopped me quite a bit I would think if I can’t get ALL the links, or ALL the articles done NOW, then what’s the point. What I’ve found is if I do SOMETHING (not all and not nothing, just something) and do something every day ~ it all starts to move forward. Yes, links are important ~ it is not important that you get every single link you possibly can TODAY. Get 5. Then build 5 tomorrow, build 5 the next day etc. Give it a month ~ see if that moves you forward ~ you may find you need 10, but I guarantee it doesn’t have to be ALL
You guys rock!
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Hi Jackie,
Thank you for the post. It’s exactly the information I was looking for. I felt frustrated lately because since I do IM on a part-time basis, making progress has been very slow.
I use the Unique Article Wizard to get backlinks and it means having to write 4 articles a day (one for Ezine and 3 for UAW). Most of the time, after a long day at work, I don’t have the stamina or inspiration to write 4 articles. I guess I will have to find a way to do it ( unless you have another suggestion?) and be persistent.
I linked most of my Ezine articles back to one lens. I think I will need you to review it and give me feedback.
Maya
Maya,
You’re doing all this linking to only 1 lens? Are you keywords so competitive you need to do that? That seems like a lot of work directed at only 1 lens.
Here’s a tip on using UAW ~ I like to start with a plr article (if you can find something decent on your niche) I then rewrite the article paragraph by paragraph for the the other two (and fix up the plr if it needs it) ~ that way I don’t really have to “think” that much writing the first article,and the other two go much quicker.
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Great post Jackie! I listened/watched the video too. But, I thought he said that this stay at home Mom writes all day long – I don’t think he specified how many articles she is writing per day – did he say it was one per day? If I didn’t hear that correctly – please let me know. But, in any case, it is the daily consistent activity that leads to success – whatever activity you can put in on a daily basis is what you should commit yourself to. It was cool to hear that she has had that much success just from ezine articles and her blog – makes things alot simpler that way.
Hi Jackie!
I’m a lil’ confused on your last post. You said you find a good PLR article and then you rewrite the 2nd and 3rd article for UAW. You don’t rewrite the original PLR article?
And while we are the subject of UAW, I’m still waiting for the post on how to use UAW with a blog. (That’s if you are still going to do it.)
Thanks!
Cindy
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@Laura ~ he said she has many niches, but she writes one article for his niche each day. So yes, she is probably writing all day, but only one article a day won her the affiliate contest.
@cindy ~ not necessarily ~ if it’s a well written article in the right format I might not, they usually aren’t in the right format so I will rewrite them enough to make the work. They also are not necessarily written in my “voice” or good english so I fix that up, but not a huge overhaul on the article if it doesn’t need it.
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I have already seen the benefits of staying focused and doing just a few things consistently each day… I’ve been doing about 5 lenses per week and then do as much linking as I feel necessary. I usually just do as many as the top results on page 1 have, which for these keywords is usually no more than 15 or so… This blog has really kept me focused and inspired. Thanks again!
Dennis
Follow me @dennismw on Twitter!
Jackie,
When you are talking about PLR articles, where do you find these? Do you have a service you like to use or?? What about using Ezine articles that others have written and then rewrite them in our own words, tweaking them to use our keywords?
Jane (MoneyMom)
Do NOT use other people’s articles at EZA and rewrite them. You can use a bunch of different articles on EZA to get ideas for YOUR article and then write it completely in your own words, but don’t rewrite someone else’s articles.
I usually go to The PLR Store. http://www.theplrstore.com (not an affiliate link). They have very low prices, and the quality of the articles has been really good for the ones I have bought ~ and it’s been quite a bit on different topics. If you want food related PLR Yummy PLR is great. (that’s an affiliate link ~ but I have used it for a couple of my food blogs and it’s high quality stuff)
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Thank you Jackie for the tip (using PLR articles)! That’s exactly what I need since I don’t really have a problem rewriting or editing.
I use that 1 lens as my main sales platform (to link to my affiliate product) even if my articles are on other keywords (but the same theme). Is that a mistake? I just don’t have time to build a lens for each keyword (I prefer to spend the little time I have on writing and publishing articles). If you think this method is wrong I will go ahead and build more lenses.
Maya
If it’s working then keep doing it.
Long term it might be easier to have more lenses on different keywords because once they get a good ranking in the search engine for those keywords it will be passive income (traffic from the search engines with no additional work) ~ articles ~ unless you’re linking to them as well tend to lose their rank and you have to keep writing them to keep driving more traffic ~ so it never really becomes passive. But like I said ~ if it’s working for you then keep right at it. 
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Thanks a million for the quick answer Jackie!
I don’t know if that method is working yet because I haven’t written enough articles. But I just learned something. Are you saying that in terms of ranking in the search engine, lenses are more stable than articles (once you get a good ranking)? I was using UAW articles to link back to my Ezine articles so I can boost their ranking.
If you’re building links to your articles you should be able to keep them ranking (most people do NOT build links pointing to articles, so you’re ahead of the curve there) ~ as long as you’re doing keyword research and are choosing keywords with search volume and low competition then that will be fine.
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I watched most of the video (but not all, and the part I did watch I sort of skipped through) but it was enough to give me the main point – pick a strategy and focus on it. It fits with your six month challenge which I’ve already started by the way.
I just stuck a post it on my little business plan (which consists of the plan for three of my blogs, all Christmas themed) that says “1 blog post, 5 backlinks” – that is my “if I do one thing” activity. I vow to do that before I do anything else. I can’t even count how many times I’ve wasted the whole day with a coding problem and hadn’t gotten any real work done…
You’re helping me get motivated again. I was writing on a site that’s had–well, more than its share of glitches and dubious policies lately–and I felt like giving up.
So this is a great plan, not just for beginners, but a great way to set marketing goals for anyone who feels overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to begin. Thanks!
Thanks for the article, this will prove like useful information for my class! Thanks
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for the tip about PLR. I’ve never heard of that site before! So, when you purchase articles there, do you use them word for word or do you re-write them?
Thanks again!
It depends what you’re going to use them for. If you’re using them for UAW ~ like I explained above I reformat and make it my voice. If you’re using it elsewhere you really need to rewrite.
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Hey Jackie,
Thanks for your reply to my “one article per day question”. You are very generous with your advice. Thank you and don’t let anyone criticize you for not doing or giving enough. I am quite happy to buy from your links when it’s appropriate to my goals. You deserve to be paid something for your efforts – that’s for sure. I purchased the Micro Niche Finder through your link a couple of weeks ago and I’m very, very happy with it. Thanks for recommending it.
Laura :O)
Hi Jackie,
I was rereading your post and I think I finally got it. 2 things to be repeated every day: 1) content creation and 2) promotion. I was only doing the promotion on old content. So now I understand why you may want to have a lot of lenses (content creation) with articles linking back to them (promotion). So ideally I would build one lens a day with 5 articles pointing back to it (that would be for one keyword). Is that the way to go about it? That would be if I want to choose the niche domination strategy!
Maya
your 5 links don’t necessarily have to be articles, they could be any of the link building things I’ve talked about it. And it may take more than 5 per keyword (in fact it probably will) to get the ranking you want. You’ll have to tweak the plan to the point where it works for what you are doing. But if you’ve got content created (the lens) you can continue to drive traffic with the articles ~ that’s what the mom in the video did. I don’t know if she was targeting search traffic with her articles or not ~ or if she was just getting traffic from the articles themselves? I don’t know. But it can work both ways ~ just a matter of deciding and sticking to it.
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Thank you Jackie for the explanation!
Build your foundation ~ pick one strategy, build it build it build it, by doing the same 2 things every day … GREAT POINT
sounds so easy, but it’s so tough to stay focused on one thing
Yep, it’s pretty simple, not always easy.
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Nice post! Found you via Pat and will add you to my favorites.
Meanwhile, I’ve put on my ruby slippers…
Content and promotion. Content and promotion. Content and promotion.
M
Jackie,
So, to clarify in my mind – with the Christmas Cash Lenses we are doing, we should be making a blog post that points to our lenses and then the lenses point to the products….. then we make 5 backlinks to our lens and move on to the next lens? Then, after a while we can revisit each lens to add more backlinks to help it move up.
Correct??
Somehow, it helps me to quantify EXACTLY where I should be concentrating my limited time.
Jane (MoneyMom)
It will take more than 5 links I bet. I would suggest following the entire linking process once then move on to the next lens. Follow the mindmap.
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Hi Jackie,
I’m thinking about offering a free e-book to build my list. I understand the process but I’m missing one step. I know I have to set up my autoresponder but where do I put the free e-book that people can download? I have Aweber as an autoresponder and I don’t see where to put the e-book for subscribers to download.
You have to upload it to your server.
You can then create a “download” page where people can click the link to get your ebook or you can just put the ebook link right in the email so they can just click it and download.
Hope that helps.
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I’m not understanding the first step. Do you mean I have to upload it on my hosting server?
yes, you have to upload it to your hosting server so other people can get to it. You can do that via cpanel or ftp. I usually set up a folder like “downloads” or something like that then put the ebook inside that folder.
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Thank you Jackie!!!
NP glad I could help.
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