Kelly Does The Thirty Day Challenge

Kelly Made some FREE MONEY from the TDC!

2007-12-12T16:55:00.000-06:00

Hi!

Yes, here and plugging away trying to get my online businesses up and atom! :)

Man, when you do it yourself--it is a LOT of work!!!!! No wonder some people just plop over a ton of money and say, "Here! Do it for me!" (Would if I could, but I can't, so I shan't!):)

Anyhow, I added some of my new sites to the side menu bar. I added a site search here, too.

If you could promote this free site of mine--- and, recommend it! If you have a garage sale ever, list it here (FREE!). It is a free online USA/CANADA Garage Sale Listing site!
www.TheGarageSaleClassifieds.com

I also have another site: VEHICLES UNDER 10,000.00 for sale. Have a cheap car to sell? Don't let it sit in a lot alone, also advertise it here for free and get more viewers! Dealers invited. www.cars10kandunder.com

BE SURE to check out my link there on CAR INSURANCE~it ROCKS!!! It is like the "Insurance Bible!" I LOVE this site!!! Sooo informative!!! Research it ALL HERE!!! Bookmark it and love it and recommend it please! :) Thanks.
www.e-carinsuranceinfo.com

My mineral makeup line (PURE no fillers!!) is freshly changed :) check it out:
www.healthymineralsmakeup.com

Trying to get my other sites up and will report it here when I do!! :)

On my mineral makeup site, I made my first sale about 2 days ago!!! :) Wee! THAT IS FUN!!!!

Okay...here's some cool news:

I have NOT checked my TDC email account for a while (nor the affiliate sites I signed up for). Why bother? The last time I checked was the last day of the TDC and I only did FREE sites and didn't even do EVERYTHING fantastic that the TDC taught (backlinks, Linking from blogs, etc.). I was just doing very minimal to keep my head afloat and learn and take notes and apply later (which is my plan still, to get my sites, once up and going, all "TDC'd" :) ).

Well, I checked my overloaded email account today to see my Adsense has money for me! I have never checked in and they needed some verification or tax info from me!! I didn't check my other affiliates (yet!)...no time, but I will.

BUT, WHAT A DELICIOUS SURPRISE! :)

IT'S ENCOURAGING! :) IT'S FUN!! I RECOMMEND YOU TRY THE TDC!! YOU'LL HAVE FUN! AND, YOU MIGHT MAKE MONEY ALONG THE WAY!

OH!

ALSO-- I have a website up where I list companies that I am an independent distributor for....females esp. would be interested in this stuff.....come stop by and check them out...if you want to be be a WAHM (work-at-home-mom), I have lots of GREAT opportunities with great companies. No Mlm!! Please join up under my sponsership and let me know you did! :) (Or, feel free to shop through me! :) )

Okay...must get back to work....if you kind of know about website building and are willing to answer some questions I might have (NOT do it for me! I wouldn't do that to you! lol)....please email me at: kellyschallenge at gmail dot com

Thanks!

Best to you!

If you celebrate Christmas like I do, Merry Christmas! :)

Kelly

Still here behind the curtain...

2007-10-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

Hi.

I am still here behind the curtain...doing many things. It's still crazy on my side and my husband is still a little traveler (out of town as we speak), so things get busy...but I still plug away ;) at my little online frivolities...I take frivolity very seriously...there is nothing silly about the pleasures that enhance our lives. :)

I am not saying the TDC or my Internet marketing/biz's are frivolous in any way, but I mean, to me, being I am not currently generating any income or lifestyle from it, I am just "learning" and enjoying what I am learning and trying things out and taking note, and the like.

The TDC is going on as I type (http://www.thirtydaychallenge.com) and I did not do it again right after completing the first one. I was too drained. If I had a sort of sane life with some free time, I would have done it in a heartbeat! It is fun and even more so: educational!

Again, just because so far I have not made any money, do not let that discourage you as I had NOT put in the effort and techniques (not totally) as they describe/teach in the TDC. I have done SOME...and THAT little bit works! So, can you imagine doing ALL of them? You'll have some success!

I just checked my old TDC sites (listed on the right sidebar if you wish to stop by them) as I have NOT updated ANY content nor checked on them. They are actually doing pretty darn good from how I set them up back then (and I didn't do all the techniques due to lack of time). I was so pleased to see that and when I get the opportunity, I will go back and try to apply more "TDC Web 2.0" techniques!

Meanwhile, I was researching starting a small home biz selling things I love (why sell something you are not passionate about if you don't have to?). I would love to start an WAHM (work at home mom) small online business that I could also take "offline" and sell the products at trade shows, fairs, boutiques and the like on weekends...perhaps even set up a little "store booth" at a local antique mall and pay their monthly fee.

So, researching the products is consuming. I want to sell something that is fantastic in quality and service. Service is just as important to me. I want it all. (haha) :P

Then, I still have to apply for my "legalities"...tax permits, reseller stuff, etc. (And, will I go solo to start OR start up an LLC right away? What names will I use for my DBA or will I use DBA's? (Doing Business As))....so, there's a lot going on behind the scenes besides being mom to four active kids who always need a ride to and from school and sporting events...a toddler...a yappy dog (lol, sorry Babyboo!)...and trying to sell our home (keep it immaculate "model home" looking with four kids is pressure! lol)...etc. I am determined to do this because it would be fun, satisfying and enjoyable to me. I thought it would be a fun thing to do as a family as well.

Right now, I am an independent distributor for some products I am passionate about (I won't sign up as a distributor if I am not "wowed" by the product, use it myself and love it, and adore the customer service)...and eventually will also add them into my offline and online independent business (offering them with my other products I'll be purchasing at wholesale). I'll list my sites here that I distribute at and enjoy...please stop by and take a peek. Also, if you are interested in making money at home with a small business as an independent distributor for any of these, let me know (you can contact me via the sites)...I'd be more than happy to work with you and sponser you in!

First one: Healthy Minerals Makeup. www.healthymineralsmakeup.com

Mineral Makeup for Natural Beauty That's Affordable!

Why sacrifice quality for price? HAVE BOTH!

This Mineral Makeup is for the tween, teen, woman who wants soft, radiant looking skin.

If you haven't tried (our!) Mineral Makeup yet, you SHOULD!
See what you've been missing ~ priceless natural beauty.
Our Mineral Makeup brings out your natural beauty while minimizing any flaws or wrinkles.

All our mineral makeup is multi-purpose and very versatile.
Our Mineral Makeup is micro-formulated using the highest quality minerals and botanicals; being naturally preservative and irritant-free it is also weightless and incredibly long-wearing.

Our Mineral Makeup will not clog pores, it has a naturally high SPF, helps to calm and soothe irritated skin with its zinc content, and is water resistant.
Providing excellent coverage, Our Mineral Makeup frees you to do more than worry about touchups.

Our Mineral Makeup enables you to feel free, experience natural beauty and is good for you.

Our Mineral Makeup contains only a few ingredients. Each ingredient has its own special quality and purpose in the makeup.

~Titanium Dioxide also has waterproof and SPF properties while providing a Matte look.
~Mica has some transparent properties and allows the makeup to go on smoothly.
~Iron Oxides give the makeup its pigment.
~Zinc Oxide is known for its healing properties in problem skin such as rosacea and acne, it has the ability to stay on even while sweating and swimming, as well as offers protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. These are the ingredients making up our Mineral Makeup, pure and simple.

Our makeup does NOT include Bismuth, corn starch or any other fillers.

Our Mineral Makeup will not clog pores, it has a naturally high SPF, helps to calm and soothe irritated skin with its zinc content, and is water resistant.

Our Mineral Makeup enables you to feel free, experience natural beauty and is good for you.

~ Try it NOW!

Things I love about this mineral makeup (NOT all are the same!):
* No fillers or talc
* No cornstarch or Bismuth
* No chemicals
* No parabens
* No petroleum, oils or dyes
* No preservatives
* No required auto shipments
* No animal testing
* No animal by products other than humane removal of hair for brushes
* GREAT natural minerals
* Fast PRIORITY shipping
* Superior customer service
* Affordable prices
* Large variety of products
* Eco friendly company

I was always a liquid foundation person until a couple of months ago when a girlfriend, who looked so natural and beautiful and healthy-faced, told me she used mineral makeup (and how all are not the same-some use fillers,etc.). I decided to try it but didn't think it'd be for me...I figured you HAD to have great looking flawless skin to pull it off...boy, was I wrong! It is FANTASTIC and I fell immediately passionately in love with the stuff! (haha) No makeup lines, no leaky makeup when you sweat when active, it is so light and you feel the difference big time...you feel "real" and not like you have anything on! It is so strange! Yet, it covers so well (who knew?!). Anyhow, I am sold. And, I am such a big skeptic...so you might want to look into mineral makeup (look at my line) and TRY it...because I think you'll be so grateful you did, too! You will never look better nor feel better! Your skin will thank you!

Plus, have you read the article about China now giving LEAD POISONING in our lipsticks and more? Scary! Mineral Makeup is NATURAL (ours are!) made ONLY from a few ingredients from the earth!!

Also---if you wish to start an online business selling our Mineral Makeup...go to my page and check out the wonderful opportunity in this HOT HOT booming field! Sign up under me and let's have fun! (Anyhow, why not buy from yourself?)

This is a great time to get started in a new career in a booming field.

Some of the benefits of joining with us:

* most orders get shipped out the day after ordering (sometimes same day) except on weekends or holidays
* all orders are shipped via USPS PRIORITY mail and include delivery confirmation
* 7 sizes available per product
* wider product selection than other companies
* consultants have input as to what shades of products are added to the product line
* notifications throughout order process, including tracking information
* all jars are sifter jars
* Gift certificates available in 3 increments or design your own gift certificate amount
* offer quality kabuki brushes in various styles along with other brush sets, eye liner brushes, dual brushes and more
* no fillers, or bismuth used in our makeup-just minerals
* fast customer service
* easy checkout process
* yahoo group for support
* files, catalogs, info. easily available to consultants
* home parties NOT required - but DO have a home party plan if you want to
* no limitations on where you can sell
* we drop ship for you for free (no need to have inventory on hand, unless you want to)
* all orders are packaged and shipped from OUR warehouse not a 3rd party
* and many more reasons...

You can start for $25.00!!! Take a look at everything you get when you become a Consultant with us, do you think you could get all that for less than $25 and be totally in business for yourself? Nah!

Feel free to contact me with any questions (right from my site). (My ID if needed is 334)

IF YOU LIKE MY SITE, PLEASE SHOW IT SOME LOVE, TOO! DIGG IT AND STUMBLE,ETC. :) THANK YOU! (BOOKMARK IT, TOO, IF YOU WISH TO CHECK BACK LATER!)

----------------------------------

2) My other site where I am an independent distributor is: www.iluvthesecandles.com

On this site, I strictly sell DCC and I also order for myself offline wholesale and sell those to businesses,etc. The company ROCKS with customer service just as phenomenal as their candles!

We have been in business since 1998, and we pride ourselves on providing customers with the best-quality products and personal service. You can order from us using our online catalog.
We take an enormous pride in creating our products, and hope that you'll find something in our catalog that you like. We also can create custom orders; call or email and let us know what you want.
We are proud to offer our Diamond Chunk Candle line and our Traditional Candle line. We carry over 75 fragrances with every candle hand poured to perfection in the USA. We use only a Soy/Paraffin blend for all Jar Candles. 100% Customer Satisfaction on all of our products here, we are sure you will not be disappointed with our line of products.
We look forward to doing business with you.

Anyhow, take a peek at the great product line (and prices)...they have these gorgeous gorgeous Fragrance Lamps (wow, check them out! I have NOT tried it yet, but certainly will soon...how gorgeous are they?!)...they have "scoopables" which are HOT and a very cool product at the same time (lol)...aromatherapy...COFFEE CANDLES...you name it!

I can also do fundraisers....check out the lower part of my site if you are interested in starting a small home business selling these fantastic candles. It is so reasonable and what a way to start a great home business selling fantastic products! You don't need much money! You can sell your products online or buy wholesale and sell at trade shows, businesses and boutiques, craft fairs,etc...you decide. They even will drop-ship for you if you wish to sell like on E-Bay or on another site (I'll be doing this eventually...adding them to my candle line!).

Click on the Consultant link on my page for more info, but basically, We offer a great plans with fantastic opportunities for individuals to earn commissions via PayPal or money order for a very attractive LOW monthly cost of ONLY $5.00 monthly...to 29.99 monthly...YOUR choice (3 plans offer 3 different things).

Sign up under me on my site www.iluvthesecandles.com and let's get the word out about this wonderful company! (Tell Ken that Kelly in Texas says "Hi!"). My ID if needed is # F377.

Feel free to stop by and GIVE MY SITE SOME LOVE (web 2.0 style) if you like it. Thanks!

__________________________

And, so far, that's a little of what I have been doing...trying to get my small business research and legalities done...and then I also started to be a distributor for those two products as well. I'll let you know when I am up and going!! :)

I also applied what I learned in TDC to those two sites of mine above and have not had the chance to do everything they mentioned --- but you can be sure I will!! :)

I'll keep you posted on how that goes, too!

How are you doing??

Have you done the Thirty Day Challenge TDC 30DC??? If so, let me know how it went and what you are doing with what you learned now. I'd be interested to know!

Best wishes!!

Cheers!!

Kelly :)

2007-09-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

"Carpe Diem – Seize the day boys, make your life extraordinary.” – Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society.

Today is Sept 5th. We awoke to torrential rains in the Dallas area and tornado warnings!

Tomorrow is Sept. 6th...my 21st wedding anniversary! 21 years. I can't believe it when I see that number in print (nor when I say it). TWENTY ONE YEARS.

It really takes a dedication to the bottom line and to commit to your commitment to make it in today's society this long.

I'm proud of my/our achievement. :)

I'm proud when I put my name and my character on anything I do and do it to the very best of my ability and not take any cop-outs.

I'm proud whenever I "run the good race" (and we know the one who crosses the finish line is weary as it takes total effort! lol) and run it well and complete the race.

Every day is an opportunity to reach goals: career, parenthood, marriage goals,etc.

The key is to set goals or else you're just a wandering soul and you'll reach that goal you set (nothing!).

I also think you need to implement the principles of Character, Integrity, Honesty, Trust, Work Ethic, and Hope into every goal and everything you do.

We need to motivate ourselves daily on each of our goals: “Motivation is like bathing – it’s not permanent, that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Listen to this podcast of Zig Ziglar "The Gosh Attitude!" A Positive attitude is a must.

Planning on catching up on the weekend with my TDC!!! :)

Love it!

Cheers!

Kelly

Last Day of the Thirty Day Challenge!

2007-09-01T21:37:00.001-05:00

Wow!

I did it!

I completed the Thirty Day Challenge! and it was an amazing journey!

I am so proud that I took on the challenge and stuck with it (coma and all! LOL) and finished! I knew some members that dropped out.

And, I learned so much and I'll always be grateful. I am grateful I started with a good foundation: white hat techniques. (I'm a white hat sort of girl)

Mike Mindel put all the Thirty Day Challenge notes that he took (he's like a court reporter! A man of many skills indeed.) all on ONE page. So easy to click through!

I'll be clicking though ALL his notes again and re-watching the Thirty Day Challenge Videos/etc. Because people do NOT retain what they first see/read. It takes several reading/viewings studies show. Just the way we're built! ;)

I miss the TDC already and all the TDC gang. Isn't that funny?!

Anyhow, you may have been with me on this from start to finish...and I think it is so cool. Start to finish.

I hope to soon put everything I learn into real progress...it IS indeed working now on my sites that I did but really do not want to be involved in. I took one from the 5th page of Google (after it disappeared) and now it is 11th (just on the 2nd page, position 1). I think I may be able to get it on the first page with constant fresh content and backlinks...but not sure I WANT to put effort into the site...but, it is fun to see the TECHNIQUES WORK....IF you follow it exactly.

Like I said, I want to continue on this journey and will post my journey here...Kelly does Internet Marketing! :)

Here is a very cool video speaking about lots of .edu and .gov backlinks in a totally white hat way. Interested? Then, you may want to watch.

I am now headed off for a little getaway to Houston. Well-deserved break. But, now I am thinking like an internet marketer newbie and these thoughts come into my mind: "oh no..while you are gone, you may lose ranking!" LOL Too funny!

Best wishes on your Internet Marketing.

Cheers!!

Kelly

Video:

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 30; Great Content is King Addition

2007-08-30T12:41:00.000-05:00

Hi.

I just wanted to quickly add this to my original post for today (Day 30) below.

This reminded me of ED DALE...he says: "Great Content is KING!" (And, how true is that?!)

Well, here is something I thought you would enjoy re: GREAT CONTENT!

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Cheers!

Kelly

Background: This is Part 1 of the one hour long lecture given by Lorelle VanFossen at the WordCamp 2007 conference in San Francisco, CA two weeks ago on the topic of Kicking Ass Content Connections. Lorelle gave this lecture from 1pm-2pm on July 21, 2007 at the Swedish American Hall. She went immediately after lunch, and it was a good thing because normally you get that "after lunch" energy lull - but not with Lorelle presenting!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Here's to your GREAT CONTENT!

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 30

2007-08-30T10:05:00.000-05:00

No way. Not at day 30 already in the Thirty Day Challenge! *eeks!*

I cannot believe it. TIME INDEED FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN!!

If you have been following along (or a new reader) you will know that I am a total "newbie" ,as they say, to internet marketing. Oh sure, I've many a blog and even hosted my own Word Press blog last year for a few years and programmed a teeny tiny bit (enough to get a site up and use FTP,etc....always FREE tools, might I add!)....but I have had a baby-makes-four-kids and a traveling-on-a-huge-project hubby as of late, and it's been insane and I just chucked it all. Chuck city.

I have the desire to learn internet marketing, but I know I have not had the time.

Well, my brother Dan brought up (recommended) the 30 Day Challenge to me last month. Sure, I was exhausted, but something about it lit the fire inside my belly again (oh, that sounds bad...LOL...make that sexy tummy LOL).

I watched the video on the face page of Thirtydaychallenge.com and enjoyed it!

I couldn't wait for day one...and made this blog to blog my progress (for myself and others who may consider this in the future).

I did my best to do our daily homework and watch the daily videos, listen to the podcasts, and the like.

It burned me out, but, it should NOT burn you out. Everyone's situation is different and this blew into my life at an already hectic time. So, my always bemoaning how tired I am....I am sincere, but it is NOT due to the TDC being too difficult, or too much..too time-consuming. It is not.

If you are considering it, it has been a fantastic joy ride!!

I have loved every second of it and when I did sleep, I'd dream of it!! LOL I am serious! I dreamed just last night that I was looking at the dog-for-sale classified s in my local newspaper and saw a tiny box marked "this could be your niche! check our websites: xxxxxx" LOL That is too funny!!!

Anyhow, I have learned so much in these 30 days...so much....I couldn't put a value on it. If I did, I would have to say it was super expensive in value, because just by looking at online "video training classes" costs in Internet Marketing that others offer...they cost!!!!

I feel like I went from newbie to skilled apprentice. LOL

I have so much more to learn, obviously, but the TDC is about getting your feet wet...and not just "wet" to whet your appetite and sell you something. No!!

It is about whetting your appetite to internet marketing in a very real and good way, no strings attached. Nada. It's about learning what "white hat" internet marketing is and what is to be avoided, "black hat" marketing. It's about breaking you in on the terms used and all the foundations of good internet marketing.

Even the Bible says to build on a good foundation or you'll fall/crumble.

The TDC sets you up with a real good foundation base to take it from "there" (where they leave you off). You do actually leave with enough info to actually and seriously get into Internet Marketing and not be scared but feel you know something.

Of course, anyone wanting to be successful always wants to up their game, so from day 31, perhaps you'd want to join some other success-oriented Internet Marketing group to train you even further.

But, that's beside the point.

The point is: We are here. Day 30. I did it!

I didn't make my first sale yet, but I didn't get to use all the techniques described YET (Oh, you bet I will!!). I can' wait. THAT will be such a kick!

I did get my first articles EVER posted on severeal "e-zines"! THAT was a kick. I never thought about writing them before as a tie-in to get traffic to my site(s). Here, ezinearticles.com also posted me on their front page for my first article. How neat is that?!

I can't wait to do that more! That was fun!

The whole entire process has been fun. I highly recommend it...then, you, too, will one day be typing your "here's what I did today on day 1" and your "I had my first sale on day 20" and "Day 30...it flew by!" posts of your own!!

Again, Mike Mindel (see his link on my sidebar) has the actual teaching summaries done way better than I'll ever do, so I won't post that stuff.

But, since Monday, we have learned a lot about linking and backlink strategies...the good and the bad (avoid doing). The tips really were remarkable and show how you can, for free, get started in Internet Marketing...in fact, Ed mentioned that the biggest winner so far this year brought in over 7grand!!! Yes, a new TDC record!! Nobody is to be expected to make that much (heck, we are shooting for 10bucks as a high! LOL)...but, it shows that it CAN be done for free using these techniques.

You know, regardless if you purchase programs that are costly and excellent, I think it is still very profitable to learn the basics...manually...like you learn in the TDC. I think you'll have a more well-rounded education.

Well, from here where will I go?

I am going to continue....and I'm going to try to post all my efforts here.

Maybe (if you are or become a regular reader) you'll see me post my FIRST earnings here. :) I sure hope so! That's the plan...not to just do this without any earnings.

I also am looking online at FREE videos that will also help me...but I want to be sure they're from the "good guys in white hats"....as there are many many internet marketing black hat videos out there...I will avoid all those.

Do you know Matt Cutt? Well, I just gave you his blog link there. Check him out. He's a Google senior engineer and gives great WHITE HAT SEO blog tips,etc. You may want to bookmark his blog for tips straight from Google so you are "Google approved" "white hat" on your blogs,etc.

Here is an interesting video, part 1, of Matt Cutt giving White Hat SEO tips for bloggers at Wordcamp2007: (enjoy!)

Here's part 2:

I'll be talking to you later!!

What an exciting day in the 30 Day Challenge! :) Wooo-whoooo!!!

Kelly

She's in for the count!

2007-08-26T02:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I worked ONE niche (lol) but it is ALL I had time for.

It is now 2am and I must get to bed.

We'll see how MONDAY goes...soooo excited for Monday!

You see, The Thirty Day Challenge is officially the largest Internet Marketing event of all time!!!! WOW!!!!!!!

Fun to be a part of THAT!!

And, Ed and Dan added this goodie/teaser:

Make sure you head over to the Thirty Day Challenge Blog - 9am Monday (US Eastern)

On Monday we will break some new ground (something we have been doing quiet a bit) with the thirty day challenge - make sure you drop by the blog.

We really hope your enjoying the challenge.

Dan and Ed

PS Lets make this Interesting - Starting right now - anyone who starts from scratch and makes their first dollar by next Monday 9am eastern US time - Goes into a draw to be flown to Australia for the Next Immediate Edge bootcamp. All Thirty Day Challenge Rules Apply and you will need to provide all the details (so don’t even think of pulling anything!)

PPS We know this is possible = eight of the winners so far made their sale inside two days - are you up for a CRAZY weekend!

NEWS FLASH - Everyone who takes the challenge within the challenge and makes a sale will get a month on the Immediate Edge Free! How’s them apples!

Guys, I'm lovin' it!!!!!!!!

XO,

Kelly

PS: updated my links and updated my Cottages and More link (it was wrong! lol). My Old Dallas Barn is updated but no time today to update :( the site as a redirect.

Day 23...she's still plugging on!

2007-08-24T00:52:00.000-05:00

Hi!

Yes, my eyes are slits and I tend to go cross-eyed as I read/watch my videos for the day at so late an hour (it is 12:53am as I write)....yet, it is Day 23, and I'M STILL IN.

I am not down for the count!! Don't count me out!!

Yes, yes *nods, nods* I am behind in doing my actual work...but my desire is there and I and NO, I do NOT have any "fear of failure" that is keeping me back :P....it is purely lack of time during a crazy 30 days.

Given, most my 30 days are crazy (how could they not be with 4 little active kids and a traveling husband?)...but this month was more so.

I don't want to just toss a cruddy niche phrase up there and clog up the internet with junk. You've seen junk and I've seen junk. It's junk and who needs it? Not us.
That's not my style. I have to feel good with what I put up there (no, I'm not a perfectionist where "nothing is good enough until I spent 3months on it").

So, I am behind.

Ug!

It kills me to even say those words. I feel like the "Fonze" who could never utter the world "sorry." :P

Today was a very cool day, too! You know what they taught us on the Thirty Day Challenge (you can still join ,btw) --Ed
had some great video content on Conversion! ....Dan made some joke about Ed getting his back waxed (or was it? lol) on his video...but, the cool thing is that Dan gave us this new cool tool that can track our affiliate links so we can have GOOD RECORDS...and Dan stressed this:

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EARNING POCKET CHANGE ON INTERNET MARKETING AND INCOME ON INTERNET MARKETING IS ****GOOD TRACKING****.

There you go!! Cat out of the bag!!

GOOD QUALITY RESEARCH IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO AS AN INTERNET MARKETER....and it is amazing how many do not want to do this....it is "too much" or "too boring" or whatever....but it seems last on their list when it is KEY!!!

Just like real life, we want it SLIPPERY! ;) We want people to click/slip right on over to our affiliate page...smoothly.

Tracking fulfills 2 purposes:

1) it shows you how well you are doing (or not)
2) It's an early warning signal!

Trivia fact: Did you know that Dan goes over his data for each product each week? It is a weekly habit...make the good habit now and it'll be natural for you, too.

So, basically, saying you are "on the mark" and have your phrases going well, you were to have a counter (like Statcounter.com) and then use the NEW TDC TOOL where you put in your URL and affiliate link and it does the "slippery count" for you...how many coming in your site click your affiliate link?

Ed explained all how it went (I won't do that...see Mike Mindel's blog..which just is the best, most awesome when it comes to TDC blogs...my ever-be-humble-opinion.)

Well, today I had to make a run out of the house so fast as someone wanted to see the house....they were in and out in 17min. I was certain they must have not liked it. (You have to love "old world style") I got a call from my Realtor saying they LOVED LOVED LOVED it and will probably put an offer in in a day or two (they want to measure their office furniture to be sure it fits,etc.). Cool. That's the 2nd interested party. Hope this goes through so we can move on to a bigger home...we outgrew this one with the last baby who is now a cute two years of age. Of course, mom needs her own tree house to escape in and pull up the ladder *nah-nah* *you can't get me!* LOL

Anyhow, cross your fingers it sells. The sooner I get settled, the sooner I can get into my internet marketing.

You know, I am completely new to this, but I have to say, in all honesty, I love, simply love, the 30 Day Challenge and Ed and Dan and the gang. It's been so fun and such a big learning curve experience. I don't feel "scammed" or anything weird. It is really something...I hope you try it if you have not!

Can you imagine earning 5bucks online (on a free site to boot!) every two days...that is basically about 915.00 a year...almost a grand more than you have now...but that is 5 bucks...what if it where 20 bucks?? And, what if you had a few sites?? See? Don't think "ah, it's five stinkin' bucks"...it is so much more....but...I have to get to bed!! :P

Best wishes to you!!!

Cheers!!

Kelly

Day 20....Going Strong! Well, strong may be a strong word!

2007-08-21T00:20:00.000-05:00

Hi!

Well, the weekend is already over and I didn't get to catch up per se on TDC stuff.

I saw Day 20 day things up (video) and didn't get to listen/watch/learn. Grrrr.

We had someone come see our home today :) *Cross your fingers* But, that was 2 hours I had to be out of the home instead of listening to this.

As you know if you have been reading my blog, I am a newbie to this Internet Marketing and really trying to be sincere in my efforts and of course, ethical. I wouldn't even bother to do anything unethical in life...but you can be unethical and not really know it due to ignorance in Internet Marketing...I don't think I have done it, but I sure hope not...I do know Ed is talking about this on Day 20.

If you are a "newbie"...just be sincere and do your best to not let your enthusiasm get the best of you! I have noticed some in the TDC are so over-zealous and they just push for everyone to "bookmark them",etc. I mean to the point of so overly pushy where it is a turn off to a fellow TDC'er (nevermind a stranger! lol). And, try to use common sense.

Ed did just say NOT to join facebook groups that have hundreds in it....as it is so bad and it will backfire on you. Unfortunately, I'll have to go un-join one (the TDC forum must not count as it is all of us in 2007 TDC)....but I am in some that ARE big...I had no clue it could backfire...I personally don't have the time (obviously, if you read this, you'd know), BUT, I thought I'd join so I can at some future time, go over and read the discussion board and see if anything "pops out" that is interesting. People DO post great stuff, too! Wonderful links, etc. But, see? I am a newbie and had no clue that a big group could backfire as if everyone starts heavily tagging...and they decide to wipe the group out...they could also wipe out the individuals in the group...NOT good!!

So, long story short....try to always work smart but not take an easy route...and, you WILL (if new) do some ignorant thingies...as long as you're sincere, just take the hit when you discover that, discontinue and move on...the RIGHT way. :)

I just finished DAY 20 video/#1 and that is basically what Ed was saying in short. He says it much deeper and better, of course. :P

I just quit my 2 facebook sites that were large and tagging was a part of it. I didn't want to be doing Web 2.0 in the wrong way. :) *halo beams*

I have been so tired, no, exhausted. It really has been beyond crazy here on my end...trying to fit this in has been so difficult and I look like 15 years older! LOL Eeeks!!!

Well, I was on "the forums" (if you are a regisetred TDC member) and re-reading something a moderator wrote (Caro) and it HIT me...I must have been slightly awake in the brain for a moment!! LOL

Anyhow, I have not done this properly per se, but if you do the TDC and follow along with Ed...it is easy and makes sense...remember: I am beyond tired. Brain dead.

I had one phrase thus far of my 7 that I put up on Tumblr, and I put good content into it but tumblr took it down w/ the masses :( Uggg. Then, I just transfered it over to my domain....which is WRONG!!! Ed says it is wrong...do not do it. NOT YET. NOT NOW. Now we are only researching and for FREE!!!!

Well, here is the site I had on Tumblr, but it is here now:
http://www.cottageplansandmore.com

That was WRONG to do, but I didn't understand that at the time. Who knows? Perhaps my money will be made back in the 12 months I paid for (not much). I hope so, then I can chalk it up as newbie learning cost.

So, newbies...be sure you are awake when YOU do the TDC and you'll do well!!

I really believe that!!

I cannot tell you how much fun this has been and how much we have learned....and I am not even fully brain-alive! :P I might be dangerous if I were...LOOK OUT WORLD! lol

You know what I mean.

You can do this. And, you'll love doing this. And, you'll love being taught by Ed Dale and Dan and Rob...Thirty Day Challenge. You'll love the forum moderators. Also, it is really a great total group in the TDC. I didn't meet one "ick" person yet and that is so cool! (not that ick doesn't exist, it does everywhere!)

Just finished Day 20's videos. :) (Oh! and, that is where I got my feeling confirmed: don't buy a domain during the TDC. NOT DURING. Don't jump the gun. THERE IS NO NEED TO. NONE. NADA.) ;)

I am watching the videos and taking notes (sometimes a day behind)...but not fully able to get into research due to no time...a little here and there is about it (while holding 4 conversations at once with my brood). I will get into this properly I hope next month...and I'll let you know how it goes on my own at a good pace.

My Kingdom for Time! :P :P Ah, every mother's secret yearning: for TIME. LOL. (You know you're a mom when you consider going to the dentist "your time alone" LOL)

Best wishes to you!!

Cheers!!

Kelly

Well, that was COOL!

2007-08-18T22:45:00.000-05:00

Hi!

Well, Ed Dale knows what he's teaching and talking about.

My site was ranked in under 48hrs on first page, 7, specific search and 9 on broad search, 1st page of G.

Right now, that site, previously mentioned yesterday was taken down by the host site because I guess they felt a big spike in traffic and perhaps worried they were getting spammed out or something...so, I guess I understand their panic?? *shrugs*

The one thing that is cool is that it worked!

This mother (and you can read my blog on my TDC2007 experience from day one!) who had NO internet marketing experience did it! I was (am really! lol) GREEN. I now hope to turn that green into green!! *mwah-ha-hahahaha* :P

It is exciting. Can you imagine going after 40,000 pages and in 48hrs ranking on the first page of G. at 7 and 9 respectively?? No. I can't. But, it's true!

I am so far behind in my videos/training....hope to catch up this weekend (not much left) but I wasted plenty of time re-doing my site. Ugggggg.

We'll see where I am at catch-up-wise Monday...until then, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, right?!

I never thought I would be typing this article today (day 17ish) on Day 1. Never.

So, do me a favor...try the TDC experience next year (or NOW! Heck, why wait?!).

Okay...best go and work!!!

Talk at you soon!! Have a fantastic and safe weekend!

Cheers!

Kelly

PS: I took GREAT offense at this one social bookmarking site on the internet and was happy to see others did as well...won't plug their name...but they say the word "retard" in horrible way...just horrible. I was beyond shocked to see it and that it is a "big site"...we need to change things like that in this world. Don't stand for that stuff!! Let's Web2.0 that guy out of business if he won't retract it. Ugggg....makes me so ill. >:(

She's back and She's Ranked 9 (Google-wise that is!)

2007-08-17T20:32:00.001-05:00

Well, hello!

It's been, yes, crazy world here, but I've been staying "afloat" (or trying my best to) with the TDC Thirty Day Challenge.

The Thirty Day Challenge has been such a fun and wonderful learning experience for me. Remember: I'm a newbie to Internet Marketing...and a busy mother of 4, who is also in the process of selling her home...oh, and whose husband has been on the biggest project of his career requiring him to travel. If I still found it fun and interesting and easy-to-follow along, I know you could do it as well (and enjoy it!).

So, I left off at Day 14.

I don't like to list here detail blow-by-blow plays because MIKE MINDEL does that so well on his Http://www.webventurer.com site...and if you have not peeked at his site, do! Peek! It's great. His link is on my right side column.

DAY 14 was BIG!!!

I was so excited about it but a little stressed because I wanted to "dig in" fully, but was mostly away from home, and we had a viewing of our home...not having a lap-top/desk-top sort of 'puter makes it more difficult....oh, then there's always that mothering thing I do! LOL So, anyhow, it waas stressful to watch the videos,etc., but not be able to dig the heck in!

Basically, on Day 14 We got serious! We went to Bloglines and looked in our "phrase" folder and checked for more "content/article" material. We were asked by Ed to come up with 3 pcs of content AGAIN for each of our phrases.

We then went to http://CLICKBANK.COM and joined it. Ed told us to find affiliate programs and join them....then, we'll send our site traffic and see if it sells.

Creating, promoting our own product is the GOAL....PRODUCT is "number 4" Ed Dale reminded us....but, why even think about it when you don't know if you'll even get the traffic? Makes sense.

So, we set up http://www.STUMBLR.com blog sites for our "phrase" and added our 3 content articles there and links to our affiliate sites.

Ed Dale reminded us that WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO BE DOING AFFILIATE MARKETING. (But, I am not against it..it is my first experience and I am enjoying learning it!) He reminded us again that this is just to "test the waters" so to speak. Once you know you HAVE the traffic, we'll move on. So, for now, get AFFILIATE's and test to see if you can experience "Conversion" (looker to customer!).

We also became AMAZON affiliates (and AMazon sucks for that...you'll NEVER get "rich" that way! They are the cheapest in the world for this, but, it is nice to offer something to test the traffic market...and that is all that matters!).

We were told to come up with 3 more contents for our phrases and sign up for affiliated marketing.

On a side note, I was scrambling and in error (well, long story) I used for my phrase one that did NOT test well per Thirty Day Challenge rules. It booked out at over 40,000 pages I think. :P But, I just thought: "heck, just follow along and LEARN. THEN, over the weekend, you can go back and work your REAL phrases that tested much better." And, that is what I did.

I built my Tumblr.com page and I never used Tumblr.com before but it was easy. Very simple.

But, that is how I felt. I felt like "Well, I did it!" I got as far as actually getting a phrase onto a "webpage" and looked into and signed up to some Affiliate marketing sites.....and I am internet marketing! Too cool...or, as I would say, "Cool beans!" :P (I'm corney)

So, Tumblr.com is our "hosting site" for our "phrase that pays" or "phrases that pay-ez?" :P

Ed Dale, Dan Raine, and Rob Summerville did give a NICE video on Day 15 "The WHY of Traffic"...and on Day 16, "The Race is On!"

Here we are on Day 17, and I grinned to see Ed Dale's title for this video today:
On My Command - UNLEASH HELL!!! :P Ed Dale was so happy and pumped...you could tell! He was just giving off this REAL smile of delight for us Thirty Day Challengers...we have really really done EXCELLENTLY....more than expected for sure. In fact, Ed says: "There will be a very special podcast with Rob, Dan, Nic and I talking about the events of the past few hours - dont miss it!" I won't!! :)

I am so excited for EVERYONE...newbies like me and oldie-but-goodies, as well. I get a kick out of everyone's joy and successes big and small. It's a wonderful group here in the Thirty Day Challenge 2007!!! It REALLY is.

If you did not get the chance to join....YOU STILL CAN!!! Just go to Http://www.thirtydaychallenge.com and sign up! It is weird, but true: it is completely free. And, it is wonderful! You'll love it.

Well, I have 2 more videos for tonight to watch (about unleashing hell now that I have a site up) :P Watch out world!! ;)

I also have to work on getting Tumblr pages for my other phrases and writing content, getting affiliated, etc. Lots of work...ug...but once it is all set up it should be a lot easier (less time).

I'll let you know how this weekend goes!! I'm excited and hope I get my other sites up.

My brother Dan (also a Thirty Day Challenger) and wife, Beebie, came by today on their way up north to the Windy City. It was nice to see them....they also brought back Babyboo, my King Charles Cavalier Spaniel (red/female, cutie!!) that they were watching for a few weeks as we got the house ready to sell. We got some rain here in Dallas, TX from the Hurricane Dean by Corpus Christi. (We were just down in Corpus Christi last month vacationing! and Padre Island).

Ok...I best git while the 'gittin's good....:) Tired but pumped!!!

Hope I have good news for you Monday!! I'll be SURE to share! If you have good news to share about your TDC site, leave a comment about it!!!! Too fun!! You should see the forums!! Great stories! Great REAL stories!!

Cheers!!

Kelly

DAY 14: We are almost there - the Rubber is about to hit the road.

2007-08-14T23:32:00.000-05:00

Hi.

I am crashing big time. Not good. Driving about today I was actually dizzy the entire time. It is now 11:31pm and my first opportunity today to be home and online...needless to say, I can't even keep my eyes open and feel a coma coming on :P...*waves white flag*....so I am unable to look at the 2 videos that Ed posted for us to watch today...starting to make money online.

Although I am very upset (deep down under my coma-like-sleep coming on) that I am now officially "behind"...I take great comfort in Ed's words to all those who JUST JOINED the TDC...."Don't Panic!! This is NOT a race!"

So, I take a deep breath and just know I'll do my best to catch up tomorrow/this week.

It's just hard when you are a stickler at getting things done :P but that is how you can burn out as well or cause undue stress.

Soooo, I just wanted to say, if you are like me and behind for whatever reason...maybe you even just started late, Do Not Panic, you are not alone!

It's not a race. It is a great learning experience! Do what you can!

Cheers!!!

Kelly :)

2007-08-13T22:44:00.000-05:00

Hi. :)

Yes, I know the last post was L-O-N-G and NOT recommended for blogging, but I was so tired, I just HAD to "plop" it all down in one spot and get to bed. :P

Today we had one .pdf thingie to read from Ed and also a video that really was the same thing, but Ed was speaking...made it more personal.

There was nothing new (per se) to "learn" but it was a big "recap" of what we have been doing so we are ready for TOMORROW.

*Backup!* Well, there was a little something "new"...remember when Ed had us download Google news and blogs into our Bloglines(.com)?? Well, today he pointed out that GREAT COPY is KING.

You need GREAT COPY. Period. 'Nuff said.

If you have something crappy like my long on-and-on-oh-please-someone-stop-it entry yesterday :P, you need to chop that up into something very "readable" and friendly (well, mine WAS friendly I'd say! :P) and short-n-sweet to the point.

We're all busy. People read lots of things and cannot spend a ton of time diving DEEP AND LONG into yours.

Make it friendly, readable, enjoyable, relevant,etc. Ya-di-ya-di-ya-da. :P

>>>>He gave us an actual MISSION today!!!!<<<< Oh, yes! *tingles*

The Mission is this:

~~~Write 3 short articles for EACH phrase (use GoogleDocs/Notebook/Word,etc.)
~~~Remember to (Oh! THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! TAKE NOTE!!)
*Put YOUR PHRASE in the HEADING.
*Put YOUR PHRASE in the FIRST SENTENCE (somewhere!).

~~~Keep it LIGHT!!! Keep it friendly! Keep it welcoming.

**Note the HOT KEYS on Bloglines (it may save you valuable time to use 'em!) :)

Besides that, my good buddy :P (news to him! LOL) MR MIKE MINDELL made up a GREAT too for us in the TDC!!! It totally rocks!!!

See THIS POST in the FORUMS and ENJOY IT!! I am so beyond thrilled!! I still have to work on my niches. I think they really are not up to par and I was just accepting them due to lack of time on my part and I am burnt toast....so, if I can't look into that tonight some, I will try to get up even earlier than my normal 6am wake-up time and shoot some ideas around in the still silence as the rest of the gang sleeps.

If you use it, be sure to let Mike know your feedback! He worked 18hrs. on it.

Best wishes on your niches!!! I hope you have at least one goodie for tomorrow!!!

Cheers!!!

Kelly

(PS: We saw tons of meteors last night --huge meteor shower going on in our part of the world! It was really peaceful and wonderful to be out late at night as a family, all on our backs looking up and watching for these as the crickets chirped!)

Sheeee's Baaaackkk............well, sort of! :P

2007-08-12T23:27:00.000-05:00

Hi, to those reading my blogging about my experience with the 30 Day Challenge put on (FREE) by Ed Dale and Dan Raine & gang :). If you have not gotten on board yet, go over there, it is not too late...sign up! It is completely free and you learn a ton, whether you are a newbie to internet marketing (I'm a newbie to that) or experienced.

Go here: http://www.thirtydaychallenge.com "and tell them "thebeautifullife" sent ya!" ;) (I am thebeautifullife on the forums there)

Anywho, where to start? Oh, yea! My life went insane (but I did have access to chocolate and Starbucks coffee, so it was just-this-side of insane :P )....running about like a chicken with it's head cut off. (Eeeuuuu. Gross image...sorry! But, you know what I mean.)

I thought I had to stop the 30 Day Challenge, but my burned-out sleep-depraved on-the-hugest-project-ever-at-a-number-one-USA-company as head, offered to let me catch up this weekend and watch 3 days worth of videos, listen to podcasts, carcasts and do some reading and take notes...Oh! And, research!! :P He took over the four children and household and food-making-serving-cleaning duty. :) That is love! :P

So, I myself being burned out (what a couple), sat down at my Dell PC (yes, I know, NOT A MAC. Beggers can't be choosers, folks. LOL) and tried to see my screen through leaky watery eyes (Texas allergies and tiredness combo) and then, some of my mascara got in my eye, so then I was like blinded by all the burning and leaky eyes....yet, I went on like a trooper and actually completed it all. PHEW!! I was so pleased to have caught up!!

I was only left with this: I was unable to have time to blog what I noted and get involved in the groups or forums (sorry)...and I was unable to really work my niches properly due to lack of time and brain cells still functioning. :P

I'm going to get up early and just use 2 that I hurriedly came up with but in "real life" I would rather really think this out more with a real rested Kelly brain. I am sure I do have good thoughts...they just melted somewhere...but, I know I'll be able to tap into them again once I get well-rested and they solidify again. :P

One thing I do know: I always in life seem to be at least better than half that I am learning with. So, I bet you are as well. So, when you get discouraged, like me, remember that. You are AT LEAST average....and that is selling yourself short. I am sure you are brilliant! I would say I am an average to a dot better than average newbie to internet marketing. (Dot = a little dot :P )

Okay, here's my notes since I last got online :) And, if you blog the 30DC/TDC be sure to link exchange with me. I'll post yours right over there on the right sidebar.

AND DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK OUT MIKE MINDELL'S WONDERFUL 30DC BLOG...HIS IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL BEYOND MEASURE!!! That's an order! :P (see his link over there on my right sidebar!)

I can't believe I never mentioned this, but ED blogs it!!! LOL Duh! Be sure to check it out...I'll post his link there on the sidebar, but for now, it is www.tubbynerd.com Cute catchy name, huh?!

DAY 8

I listened to Podcast1. (Preface to Rob Summerville's)

He said this (Rob's deal) will be "a license to print money" technique that we will learn.

Ignore when he addresses the crowd as part of another group (they are)...just pretend he was addressing 30DC'ers.

We will hear jargon--don't freak. Just FOCUS and WATCH THE SCREEN.

Tools are only educated guesstimates...ONLY GOOGLE knows the true numbers/searches out there and they're not telling.

Okay...THEN...Rob "the Lab" Summerville went about GOOGLE TRENDS.

Very often Wordtracker (.com) results are wrong. I forgot why, but there are other things to check out as well to get a real true (as can be) number.

Our BASELINE phrase will be: (don't get grossed out) MALE YEAST INFECTION (MYI). It is ranked 1 and they know it due to it is Dan's phrase! It's been steady at Rank1 on Google for that phrase, so we are using it for our baseline.

We will check our phrases for our niche phrase against it in google/trend....MYI will not be in quotes, ours MUST BE...and MYI must be first, then (comma) "OUR PHRASE"

Under 100 searches a day does NOT show up on Google's Trend Map. You will need to look at the BARS below the graph. The blue line will be MYI's line and yours will be in red. The MYI line is about 500 (searches a day) and yours may be 1/8 of that (how many little lines can you fit under the blue? 8? that is one way of measuring! LOL)

Then, I watched PART 2, Rob's Video, Day 8...Keyword Research.

See Mindell's blogging about this in depth stuff (why repeat?) but basically Rob went on to say we will compare our phrase with a phrase with a known amount of traffic. That happens to be: Male Yeast Infection.

Google search your phrase this way (against it) so that you can see the REAL amount of Pages that hold your specific phrase in it's exact order that are out there (NOTE THAT YOU WANT UNDER 30,000 PAGES FOR YOUR PHRASE for the TDC experience):

Google Search: Male yeast infection, "your phrase here" (enter)

Then Rob summarized to research your phrases here:

1) freekeywords.wordtracker.com
2) www.google.com
3) trends.google.com

Then, it was onto DAY 9.

I got off-track somehow and found that Ed has this site: www.Dominiche.com and they had great videos and info (from www.Tubbynerd.com) and I found it most interesting but it was totally OFF track from my TDC...so I got back on track (but!! Psssst....he did say on the video that any site on the internet can be replicated in 4 months with 4 grand!)...anyhow, it was about website flipping, etc. Very interesting and of course, with Ed teaching, he was just sucking me in like a cult leader :P and being my brain power was on minimal to break-down-mode, I was very susceptible. :P Anyhow, that is NOT any part at all of the TDC...just my experience meandering where I didn't belong. :P

Oh! Ed posted a "Getting stuck for ideas" article, part 1.

Read it.

1) Carry a notebook ALWAYS (he does)....great to jot ideas you'll otherwise forget.

2) Some of Ed's FAV ways to actively look for potential markets:

A) Magazines!!! Why you ask? Ed said Mags are w/o a doubt the greatest source of ideas and inspiration for the Info product marketer. If there's a mag on a topic, then there's a pretty good market out there. Mags get started only if ads can be sold, and people only buy ads if there is an audience.

The "real meat" is in the advertising and the lateral thinking. TAKE NOTE!! Advertisers spend a lot of mula testing their markets and there is no reason you can't piggyback off their research.

Remember: you are just trying to build a huge list of ideas which can be researched further later..so if you see sumthin', write it down!

Then, Ed mentioned specific types of mags: BOATING, PARENTING, GAMBLING, HOLIDAY TRAVEL AND FOREIGN PROPERTIES.

Next, I watched or listened to: Info Product Creation part 2; Research Websites.

Ed said another one of his fav methods for finding out what people want is to go to sites that provide solutions. There are many, but he likes to hit, amoung them,
yahoo answers (answers.yahoo.com);43Things (www.43things.com) (I happen to be a member of 43 things and enjoy it); eHow.com (www.eHow.com); Wikihow.com (www.wikihow.com); howtodothings.com (www.howtodothings.com)

Oh, and I found out from someone that a "lens" on Squidoo is a page! :P But, I digress......

Next, I listened to DAY 9 PODCAST...well, it was a CARCAST :P by Ed.

It was a basic review of our phrase research techniques....but he stressed to always err on the side of BAD numbers. It's best to do that and be pleasantly surprised than to just flop into the toilet (my words, not his! :P). So, always default on the side of BAD numbers. It's just good marketing research.

Techbites.com guy, Garrett, made a new amazing tool for us TDC'ers and Ed shared that here...we got to download it...it is very cool (THANKS AGAIN GARRETT)...it brings up google search and trends ON ONE PAGE, split screen!!! Awesome!!!

Then, Ed also shared our Money Shot: the magic number on internet marketing. It is 200. 1 in 200 will look at your offer and buy it (whether it is your product or your affiliate product) Ed made a fortune on this. If your phrase gets 60-70 hits a day, in 4 days, you'll have made a sale and won the challenge! :)

For now, concentrate on 1 or 2 phrases only.

"Your money page" --get 200 visitors is your 30DC.

Pick 2 phrases---either 2 markets, take into consideration the competition and affiliates.

Persevere. Watch and rewatch the videos.

"Have fun!" Ed chimed in.

Then, I watched Day 9 G TRENDS REDUX video.

Here he explained how to interpet the blue and red line (of Google trend) and how, say, you have 62 visitors a day to your site....you would take 200 and divide it by that to get 3.222 which means in 3 days, you'll have your first sale! :)

Recap video.

Then, I watched Day 9 Word Tracker/G. Trends Tool by Garrett Valdivia video...shows us how to use and install it. Great little tool!!! Helpful!

Ed also said: NOTE: THE 30DC IS NOT A RACE. IT IS ABOUT YOU. IT IS ABOUT YOU MAKING YOUR FIRST 10.00 ONLINE W/O SPENDING MONEY...IN WHATEVER TIME IT TAKES YOU. IF IT TAKES YOU 40 DAYS, YOU DID IT!! IF IT TAKES YOU 52 DAYS, YOU DID IT IN 52 DAYS! SO DON'T RUSH, JUST DO IT AND PERSEVERE...YOU HAVE ONE GOAL AND THAT IS TO MAKE THE 10BUCKS...THAT IS YOUR GOAL..DON'T RUSH TO GET IT DONE ASAP AND GET BURNED OUT...ESP. IF YOU ARE A LATE JOINER! ENJOY THIS LEARNING PROCESS!!!!!

THEN, I got to DAY 10 finally and almost cried from joy of making it that far LOL

Remember: focusing on smaller niches is a great way to get started. NO baseball player ever started out by trying out for the pro's...without ANY training. NO.

Web 2.0 gives the ability for one person to get their message out!

--Pick Phrases today

--bloglines; we will learn how to REALLY use it to our advantage!

--You need the ability to say NO!! You need to have a set of filters and rules you abide to and stick to your guns!! TRUST YOUR SYSTEM. It will work!!

--General rule: Focus on the US Market.

--ED mentioned he looks up to Warren Buffet, he's brilliant and easy to read.

--DAY 13 WILL BE FISH OR CUT BAIT DAY. Not a fisherman here, but I got the drift of what he was saying. On that day you will NEED a phrase--ask a group member for help or for one if you don't have one by that day.

----CHEER UP! The VAST MAJORITY OF 30DC'ERS FROM THE LAST CHALLENGES RESTARTED THEIR PHRASES ON DAY 14.

--then, Ed gave some "teasers" about how in 2 days we can get smarter than anyone in any market with techniques we'd be shown soon. :) Cool! Where was that in High School? :P

DAY 10 VIDEO TRAINING

---this was an optional disclaimer sort of video (you have to see it) but, basically, Ed was saying to note if the competition you are looking at are using Web 2.0 techniques...because THAT is what you are going to use/do to blow them out of the water...if THEY are already using it...pick another phrase perhaps as they have your edge that you are going for.

THEN, (yes, my eyeballs were now putty), I read GOLDEN NUGGETS .pdf

Ref: Gary Halbert http://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com

These were just kind of review techniques on how to become an expert on your subject in 48hrs. (See Mindell's blog notes) We set up bloglines so that it accepts feed from our niche/market's "news" feed or "blog feed"...so they show right up in your "phrase folder"...and you can read, stay on top of things, or get article ideas, right from your bloglines!!! (ie: if you go to Google.com...and type in your "phrase" and hit "news" or "blogs", if you see the feed on top, click it and it'll go to the bloglines area)

He talked about taking heaps of notes or use Google Notebook; join mail lists for your phrase, look for groups on your subject in facebook, google groups, myspace, yahoo,etc. etc.

READING IS NOT ENOUGH...YOU MUST MUST MUST TAKE NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT WAS MOST EVERYTHING AND I WAS CAUGHT UP....BRAIN DEAD, BUT SO HAPPY TO BE CAUGHT UP...WAS NOT ABLE TO BLOG IT NOR RESEARCH, BUT I HAD THE 'HOW TO' READ AND LISTENED TO...HOPEFULLY MONDAY I CAN RESEARCH DEEPER.

I ALSO GOT THIS FROM CARO IN THE FORUMS:

GOLF IS NOT A NICHE.
GOLF FOR SENIORS IS.

FISHING IS NOT A NICHE.
TROUT FISHING OR BASS FISHING IS.

DATING IS NOT A NICHE.
JEWISH DATING IS.

HAVE NO ATTACHMENT TO ANY OF YOUR IDEAS...DO NOT THINK YET ABOUT THE PRODUCT OR MAKING ANY MONEY FROM THIS NICHE....NOT YET!!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~

So, that's where I stand on Monday at 12:48am. I am dead tired and my eyes are leaky and squinty (webcams banned!!! :P). Three of my children and my hubby just got up from their beds to watch the best meteor shower in the entire year happening outside....I think I'll rub my eyes and join them...and try to see some beauty from the heavens.....and that reminds me: shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will wind up among the stars!! :) G'day; G'night!

Cheers!!!

Kelly

Day 7's Reflections...

2007-08-08T21:25:00.000-05:00

On Day 7, I basically walked away with this:

* We are *drumroll* now in the JUDGEMENT PHASE.

* Ed asks: "Look at your 7 -- are there 1 or 2 that are juming to the top? Good activity? Cool! FOCUS ON THOSE FIRST on day 7 and 8.

* Rob Summerville (Ed's "laboratory") presents the next important videos for day 7 & 8

* Rob has an Australian accent. (just tossing it in) lol

* (no, my house didn't sell yet! slow market woes :( Day 11.)

* "We found out EXACTLY how much traffic!" Ed screams excitedly. "What we discovered is a way exactly how much traffic using Wordtracker and Google Trend...in a way that nobody else envisioned! We've been able to work out exactly how much traffic!" (even though it is in quotes, it is my paraphrasing of his exact words.)

* You'll be able to identify the PHRASE THAT PAYS!!!!!!! $$$$$$$$ YOU $$$$$$$$$

* After research comes TRAFFIC. You'll know (by what we show you) whether you'll get any traffic or not. FOR CERTAIN!!!!! THAT IS AMAZING!! BRILLIANT!!

* It (the technique we will show you) is a LICENSE TO CREATE MONEY!!! IT IS RIDICULOUS!

* ED then had what I call "a TOOLS OF THE TRADE RANT". :P Basically, everyone in ANY business has "tools of the trade"....and, they don't skimp. The BEST hairdresser charging those HIGH prices will have scissors purchased for 700.00!! Not a 5.00 one! Those chefs have a "tool case" with all their knives,etc., and those (he researched) go for 2-3thousand dollars!). They don't have a 100.00 set. He then said, basically, AS AN INTERNET MARKETER, HAVE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE. HAVE THE BEST YOU CAN. GET A NEW COMPUTER (HE RECOMMENDS A MAC, AND SAYS THE TOP TOP -ALL OF THEM-- INTERNET MARKETERS HAVE THEM. Of course, your choice, but GET A NEW COMPUTER THAT WORKS WELL!!! INVEST IN YOURSELF AND YOUR FUTURE. AND, GET A FAST INTERNET CONNECTION...NO MOUSEY DIAL-UPS!!! THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THAT. THIS IS TO BE TREATED LIKE ANY OTHER "TOOLS OF THE TRADE"...PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT TO "CUT" HERE...BUT IT IS WRONG!!! THE BEST CHEF, THE BEST HAIRDRESSER,ETC., ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE CHEAPEST JUNK THEY CAN FIND. NEITHER SHOULD YOU. INTERNET MARKETING IS LEGIT. TREAT IT THAT WAY. A REAL CAREER. (that was end of rant 1! :P)

* Ed said THE PEOPLE ***YOU*** WANT TO APPROACH ARE THOSE WITH HIGH DISPOSABLE INCOME!! REMEMBER THAT. iPod owners have it and spend money online. Remember your target demographic! Those with high disposable income...and you find that in America, Canada, Australia....

* (Then, Ed went into Rant2 :P) Ed love reality TV. (I HATE it with a passion...but I found out, to my surprise, that why I hate them is exactly why Ed loves them!!!) He said what do those reality shows do first? RESEARCH!!! Market research. Then, competition= noticing and judging phases come next!! They get BIG TRAFFIC! You call and tell them who YOU want to win....that makes a "big build up" which equals TRAFFIC....it is a BRILLIANT EXAMPLE of what basically you (us!) will be doing online with OUR businesses. In these Reality TV show cases, you are making money BEFORE you have a product!!!! BRILLIANT!!!

* (with our new techniques...so will we!!)

* Then, someone Twittered me with this link for Niche a day:http://nicheaday.com/ I didn't look at it, so I just toss it up for what it is worth...ED DID NOT mention that link (nor any TDC).

* Then, *drumroll* Mr Rob "the man" "the Lab" Summerville got speaking! He sounded like a laboratory man!!! LOL (shhh!)

* Rob's first video: I took these notes~~~

----Go with the one you get a "gut feel for"...those 1 or 2 jumping to the top...which are they? focus on those two first! --Ed prefaced it.

----Competition Research:

* FIND AN UMBRELLA PHRASE IS OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL RIGHT NOW! NOTE THAT!

* "the phrase that pays!"

* An umbrella phrase is a keyword phrase (more than 1 word) or keyword (1 word) that has an acceptible amount of competition (LESS THAN 25-30,000 PAGES MATCHED) AND AN ACCEPTABLE AMOUNT of TRAFFIC.

* Start here: Go to freewords.Wordtracker.com Use a starting phrase. (He used Ed's "Speed Reading" He typed it in and it showed 419 searches across the whole Internet

* Fact: Google has 55-65 percent OF the WORLD'S TRAFFIC. Thus, we will focus on the search engine: Google.

* Type SPEED READING into Google Search. This is a "BROAD SEARCH" It is the Keyword and nothing else...NO QUOTES!!!! A BROAD SEARCH HAS NO QUOTES. REMEMBER.

* He had us also CHANGE THE PREFERENCES (see "preference" next to the google search bar on the right?) to 100 count at the bottom there....not 10.

* FOR DETAILS, I MEAN REAL DETAILED HARD-COPY OF WHAT WENT DOWN ON THE VIDEOS, SEE MIKE MINDELL'S BLOG (I HAVE HIS LINK UNDER THE 30DC LINKS ON THE RIGHT SIDEBAR).

* NOW, he pointed out the difference between a BROAD SEARCH (just the phrase) and a "PHRASE MATCH" SEARCH on google. The "phrase match" means PUT YOUR PHRASE INBETWEEN QUOTES "like this". That is a PHRASE MATCH. (note the two types!)

* Rob then wanted you to note the difference in listing count on google between a search SPEED READING and "SPEED READING". NOTE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBERS!!!

* ON BROAD SEARCH the numbers are HIGHER due to it just gives results based on any of those words being somewhere on the page, NOT necessarily TOGETHER!! The PHRASE MATCH search (in "xxx"), shows pages where your phase is EXACTLY THOSE WORDS IN THAT VERY ORDER. THAT IS YOUR COMPETITION moreso than that broad search.

*We are interested in Phrase match traffic!

*On a phrase match google search, your "number" that shows (at the top of the page) shows however many uniquely different pages with that exact phrase on it.
The rest are similar and omitted and go to a supplimental index (but you'll see those on the BROAD search, which is why the numbers are higher there).

*So, something that may seem like NO opportunity may show REAL opportunity with an exact phrase match search because you come up with pages OPTIMIZED SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE SPECIFIC PHRASES!!! :)

*So there was (on his example) a lot more opportunity to bring an optimized page of speed reading on the market and get high, good ranking than you would otherwise think but just looking at the BROAD match returns!

*Still, the numbers were TOO HIGH. (Remember and note: we want ideally 25,000-30,000 optimized pages with those exact phrases in the exact order...this one showed way more)

*GO BACK TO WORDTRACKER.COM.....and re-submit your phrase (here it is speed reading).

Note the 2nd ranked search on speed reading.

* It's "speed reading free" ...GO check THAT phrase o google to see the level of PHRASE MATCH COMPETITION for that one.

* On his example it was 88,000,000 with a broad search but ONLY 581 with a phase match search!!!!!!!!! Wow!!! What a drop!!! So, 581 pages have all those words in that exact order remember.

* Remember: you want to look for something under 25,000-30,000 in matches.

* 581 is well in recommendation for TDC. (note: the word "the" is never counted on google...that is just an aside)

* On Wordtracker.com, you want to search phrases he prefers that have 80-100 or better on Wordtracker search counts. We looked at one that was 63. He said it was low but workable. So, don't just blow off a 63. FYI.

* Supplimental pages don't count (broad searches); unique pages do (exact phrase match)

* So, you really are doing a "phrase match competition"

* FIND YOUR UMBRELLA PHRASE....use these techniques!!!

1) freekeywords.wordtracker.com
2) www.google.com (be sure to " " your phrase)

That was the "jist" of it.

I know I am a day off, but am on track for myself...just no time to get my notes in on time yesterday or today (probably same for the rest of this crazy (for me) week).

Do you feel comfortable so far with this??? Hope my notes helped someone. If so, give me a shout-out! :)

Cheers!!!

Kelly

Also....Please note this AWESOME LINK!

2007-08-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

I am adding Mike Mindell's link to the 30DC links section.

I LOVE this man's notes. He is a sponser to the 30DC (if you look at the sponosers on the blog or forum page) and co-founder of Wordtracker.com (coincidentally a site we use to research :P).

Please, be sure to note this site...he really takes great notes and adds his own ideas as well (as an experienced person).

MIKE MINDELL

Where's Waldo? Er, Kelly? Monday's notes (belated)

2007-08-07T13:54:00.001-05:00

Hi, fellow 30 Day Challenger's!!

I missed posting yesterday and I just wanted to fill you in on "why" and if that ever happens again, it will be the same "why" ;) Well, I am not only the mother of four kids (one being two), but I am also selling my home and I work on a PC, not a moveable laptop,etc....so, when I have to scram to let a potential buyer gawk at my palace :P, that is down time...then, one of my children just started band camp (mandatory) and I have to now drive 4 times a day (to and from home) just for that alone...my husband is on the biggest project ever and "live day" is Wed.(tomorrow)....so, it is kind of "crazy" mode for us here....I have a lot of "gusto" :D, but, sometimes if I just can't get online to blog...and, I have to admit...I am just human...I am not superwoman after all........Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.....*sob* :D (haha)

Last night I caught up on my videos from Ed via Google and added him to my fav's, stumbled him (yes, thumbs UP!), rated it, twittered that "I'm watching THIS", and the like.

My notes from yesterday (and I use a REAL OLD FASHIONED NOTEBOOK):

1) Get a Google Video account (which, I already did. I should make a biz one, however )....and ADD Ed's videos, 30 Day Challenge, to your favorites, sub to his stuff.

2) When you watch his video, get into this habit: Stumble it a thumbs-up, rate it, del.icio.us it perhaps...whatever ways you can give it TRAFFIC via your ratings. This is important not only for Ed, but more so to get us trained in the habit to be able to do this to our own stuff (and our team's stuff when we use our team effort's in the future). BUILD GOOD HABITS. Let it soon become 2nd hand!

3) We are in the NOTICING phase. NOT judgement,etc. DON'T be out there judging...just read and research....and NOTICE things and JOT THEM DOWN (notebook real or notebook google, whatever works and floats your boat!). JUST NOTICE. FREE your brain to just notice w/o thinking it deeply and judging what you read.

4) If you do your market research properly, you're not going to have a problem with traffic or coming up with a product. YOU HAVE TO do your RESEARCH and PROPERLY....we'll get to judgement and filtering soon enough. Don't run ahead!!

5) NOTICE THINGS, esp. when you feel that "tingle". The brain picks up on little things. Do not judge. Don't think it out. Notice and jot!!

6) True professional successful internet marketers NEVER judge!!!! They have learned this valuable lesson. You learn more if you just NOTICE...no brain "filtering."

7) The 30 Day Challenge is NOT *Ed repeats* NOT an affiliate program!!! However, he will and is pointing our for us to notice when we google/whatever our markets in researching them....the affiliate programs listed (as well as the ADS, which are located on the right hand side of your screen.). Affiliate programs show it is a mature market. It shows that this has been a good market (or they would not be in it).

8) Ed had us take our seven market ideas, "niches", and Google them. Each one of the seven. NOTICE (that's all we are doing now, remember!!) notice the "affiliate programs" listed (if any!). There may NOT be any (there may not be anything wrong with that, either! Maybe you are on to a new hot little niche. Just NOTICE and note).
So, go through them one by one...noting: affiliate programs? (yes or no) and ADS? (yes or no). Don't panic. Even NO affiliate programs is okay. We'll get into that later...for now, just notice it on each of your seven.

9) Then, the last video of the day was all about Google Trends. (www.google.com/trends) Ed pointed out how to use it and how to read it...ie: this one point shows a HUGE HUGE peak in interest in Lacrosse....was it REALLY that much in demand so much so where you should have opened an online business or become some affiliate or something? In this case, NO...it was a "false positive" in that regard. The peak was due to (and the peak shows "when" month-wise/year-wise) the Lacross scandal going on at Duke University (remember?!). So, you need to really learn how to read the google trends when researching (we are not there yet, but this is "fyi" advance showing of what we'll be needing to do/know). You can even compare TWO of YOUR selected niche markets! Very cool!!

Oh....and Ed said the NEXT TWO DAYS will BLOW OUR SOCKS OFF (so, go barefoot!! :P).

He promised it would even blow the socks off the most experienced internet marketer!

Wow!

Now that holds promise.

THAT is SIZZLE!!!

Cheers!!

Kelly

Weekend 1!

2007-08-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

Phew!

There is so much for me to catch up on (7 more items to listen to/watch)...plus, I still have to get my markets more "nitchey"...maybe even change them entirely. I had them too broad.

Guess what? There is a wonderful link I wanted to share with you...kind of "Cliff Notes" on the Thirty Day Challenge, in case you are kind of 'all over the place lost' at this time. Ready?! Here it is: http://www.undiesresources.com/00preparation.php

This is really sweet!!! Hope it helps you!

I found plenty of helpful links that I book-marked under my Del.icio.us...check 'em out if you wish...I keep them public! (I am Kelly30)

I did listen to the PODCAST for day 3 and took some notes that I'll share here:

* You need to work on those 7 ideas---ANY!! Just flip a dart. There is no right or wrong...don't over-think it. We'll take them and twiddle them down as we go. No Criteria! Pick ANY 7. Perhaps you'll find after doing this TDC that your 7 are pretty cruddy...no worries, mate!...just go back to the well and get new ideas! Sooo many have done that on previous TDC's....this is nothing to worry over. For now, choose 7. Remember this: Ed said the VAST MAJORITY of successful participants to the TDC last year re-started their ideas after Day 14. So, don't worry!!

* Day 6 and 7---you'll learn TOTALLY NEW TECHNIQUES in terms of market research! STUNNING STUFF!!!! (Get those chills now just thinking about it!) It literally will STUN the MOST experienced marketers! It is super-simple (K.I.S.S. theory) and saves you waste of effort!! Web 2.0 is powerful in the right spots.

*Check out Mike Mindell's website (I did, it rocks! What a helpful participant who is already successful...being co-founder of Wordtracker.com! He has GREAT TIPS for finding niche markets...check it out!! (www.webventurer.com/blog/thirty-day-challenge)

* Our FIRST EXTERNAL TOOL is, indeed, WORDTRACKER.COM (If I post a wrong link, sorry! Just look it up! :) )

It is always up and always free at Wordtracker.com!! USE IT!! It is a FIRST STAGE of testing!

* Remember: NO NICHE IS TOO SMALL!!! (as we are NOT paying for traffic!)

* Web 2.0 is so powerful (and will be ever more so as time goes on) because people want to feel "connection" and "community"...it is not threatening to them that way....and that is why Web 2.0 is taking off!! Get on board, folks!! Learn it and master it...esp. having this wonderful free course with free teachers: The Ed Dale and Dan Raines team!!!

* Remember: You need to communicate with people like you'd communicate with friends. Keep it that way. No talking down!!

* Also--be sure to have your iTunes set for this week: have it set for HOURLY pickup of the postcasts for subscriptions....all these settings are in the pre-training session, listed under iTunes1 and 2. Get your settings right.

* Also, ehow.com is a good source of searching for niche's and I came across goodkeywords.com (not sure Ed will or has mentioned these...it's just my find). Again, I try to bookmark all my finds, feel free to check them against yours. Send me any good ones as well :)

* So, I tweaked my iTunes. I subscribed to Ed's TDC and his blog for now. More later!

* 70 percent of CARS in America have specific iPod connections!! Remember that. iTunes will be BIG!! Learn to use it...we will on the TDC.

* CANADA has won the TDC challenge two years running....Ed challenges America and other countries to kick it up and see if they can beat out Canada this year (NOT that he wants Canada beat! LOL It is just good friendly competition to get us sparked!!)

* I watched the Stumble Upon video by Ed...and started stumbling. (Hey, feel free to STUMBLE THIS SITE!!! (thumbs up that is!! hahahaahaha). Why not write a nice review while you are there?! It's all on the Stumble tool bar. Cool. It brings traffic to your site...a traffic-builder (I can see how TEAMS come in handy! We can STUMBLE each other to get traffic flowing!! Web 2.0!!)

* Facebook uses shown to us in the TDC will BLOW US AWAY!!!!!!!!!!! Ed promises that and I'm excited about it!!! Cool beans!!

* I listened to part 1 of Pimp My Forum. Sounds stupid, but I wouldn't miss it. Why not make the very most out of your forum experience?!!! And, you need to be registered for the FULL experience!! :)

* So far, that is what I have done this weekend...obviously tonight I'll be busy catching up on 7 more videos/podcasts and note taking or "fine tuning" or whatever Ed asks!! Hope I can do it all...I also have to have my 7!!!!! I don't yet...but I will. Just hard w/ four little ones underfoot (they come FIRST! :) ) and selling a home...but', I'll do it!! No ifs, ands, or buts....the glass is half full...God helps them who help themselves..."Just do it"....goal for it!...and all that!!!!

See you tomorrow for our 2nd week of the TDC!!!! I am certain we'll be in so deep by next weekend, that it'll surprise us!!!

Cheers!!! :)

Kelly

Day 3. "I've got chills...they're multiplying..." :P

2007-08-03T14:42:00.000-05:00

It's DAY THREE!!!! Weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Okay...I have not done a thing yet and have not had the opportunity to be online, but when I last checked, Ed et al did not have anything posted yet and won't until later.

Stay tuned.................. :)

It is now *checks imaginary watch* 7:24pm cst (19:24 for those who prefer military time, like myself)....and no Day 3 items posted yet on the TDC site.

I just got in the door, so for me that is not a problem. I just hope to be able to do it and also catch up on pre-training this weekend *cross fingers & eyes & legs*!! I want to be caught up so I can stay right on course....sailing ahead valiantly through the storm. Ok...a little dramatic....but, you know what I mean. ;P

I still have to feed the children, clean up after the children, play with the little one outside who is an outdoor freak (runs in our family), hound every one to settle down later, get them to bed, get them back to bed :P, and the like....hubby flies home tonight from Houston...so, I'll have to greet him and spend some time there...

Anyhow, that is where we are at.

The TDC site seems to be having slow server problems due to their SUCCESS!! THAT cracks me up! They are teaching us how to be successful (well, the techniques we can apply to get there) and it seems they were not prepared for their own success!! That taught me that anyone can limit themselves....."oh, we will only be about so big..." Be prepared. Be optimistic about your results. Never think you are big enough where you can have a BIG GROWTH spurt! So, that is a good reminder for us all. Don't limit your growth!!! If you do, you are the only one doing it!

For all the TDC "Newbies" like myself...I recall Ed saying a few times a very true and comforting thing: Don't think that is a hindrance! THAT is excatly whom they are focused on serving!! "The teachable"...and it brings to mind that sometimes, just sometimes, ignorance IS bliss!

"Ignorance gives one a large range of probabilities." --George Eliot.

Ignorance is a protective blessing!

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again."---Samuel Beckett

Would you revise the play, market the website or the column, apply for the loan or grant, attend the seminar, rent the kiln, if you KNEW that failure always preceeds success?? Failure is a critical part of the creative process. "Authentic success arrives only after we have mastered failing better"...at least says S.B. Breathnach

Other things we don't need to know: Just HOW MUCH we have taken on when we accept to do something. Sometimes, if we knew, we'd chicken out!!

That's why us newbies are mostly so full of enthusiasm! We are in the bliss of ignorance...and that allows us to be open to more possibilites...as we don't know better....we don't limit ourselves..."hey, this is cool! I'm in! I'm going for it!" we say without even knowing the full cost of our "fiat."

Anyhow, that is just a thought I had about us Newbies...don't feel "less" because you are a newbie!

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, BEGIN IT!;
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

See you soon!!!!

PS: Yes, I think I came up with my SEVEN (7) markets late last night!

Day 2!!!!!!! 28 more to go!!!

2007-08-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

Day Two!

It's here! It has arrived!

I find myself really in the TDC and wondering what is in store and I'm excited about it. So far, in my experience, there seems to be a friendly atmosphere amongst all the 30D'ers!! Love that.

Well, today basically, we had to listen to 1 podcast and 4 vid's. They were short and sweet to the point (well, the podcast was long, but not horrendous).

Short and sweet is good. KISS theory is wonderful. (Keep it Simple, Silly!)

Here's what I got out of everything today (and, btw, I enjoyed the videos and podcast).

Ed says: (according to me :D )

1) See what OTHER people are buying on Ebay Pulse, ebay popular items (hey, they are getting traffic if they are selling!), Amazon's best sellers & Popular tags, etc.

His ABSOLUTE fav. site for this research is EBAY PULSE. Look through the popular searches...go to Ebay Categories and look through them....tons of ideas!! Real people are buying these things! Check out the stores, too! People created the market....they are pulling money out of their pockets on this stuff.

Get creative in your thinking....

2) Technorati!!

This is his 2nd fav. place to go for ideas! It is a search engine that focuses on blogs.

Go there...hit the "popular" button (at top).

See "Blogs"--->great idea starters in their articles! Go to popular blogs (like Boing Boing, which he recommends) as they have TRAFFIC...they know what people want or need. Look through their articles and get your ideas juicily flowing!!!

3) Next Ed mentions: GROUPS!

Ed specifically pointed out: Google Groups

So many good places to get ideas there. Choose one that rewards you doubly: where you get leverage for your choice.

BROWSE group CATEGORIES. See "ACTIVITY" level (high/med/small). Ed likes to look into the High area there for digging up gems!! Great ideas.

You can check out members, too...but he prefers ACTIVITY...small groups CAN be passionate!!!

You can also check out Yahoo Groups, AOL, etc. DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF!!!!

4) TRENDS. Ed points out the site: GOOGLE TRENDS. Note that you can even change the DATE there (in the categories)...go back in the past if you wish.

Look for gems!!! Be CREATIVE!! Let the juices flow!! Don't put a ceiling on yourself and your creativity and ideas! Be yourself. Put yourself out there and find your small niches.

That's another thing.

Ed points out......GO FOR SMALL NICHES. AVOID the BIG MARKETS!!! Big markets is NOT where you want to be. They are so overdone by so many who are so deeply into them daily, breathing, eating, and drinking them. You'll get lost with really nothing new to say. (IE: Mortgages. Losing Weight. Dog training. Vitamins. AVOID IT!!!)

This is one time in your life where small size matters!!!! :D

"Niche Marketing".....why not go and del.icio.us that?! Stumble it! Research!

Yesterday's 4 steps have a VERY SPECIFIC ORDER!! Marketing Research is NUMBER ONE and where 95 percent of people who make mistakes fail. They make it here. Ed cannot stress that enough.

Today is all about GETTING IDEAS...small niche ideas...SEVEN. 7. NOT MORE, NOT LESS. Seven. (Remember George Kustanza? LOL)

Remember this:

Small market success gives you momentum for bigger and bigger success the next time!

No major league baseball player started THERE! He started in the local little leagues. Right?!

AVOID the BIG MARKETS no matter how tempting!!! Harness that eagerness into creativity in the small niche markets!!!

Ed also points this out in a MAJOR way:

DO THE DAILY CHALLENGE STUFF FIRST (WHATEVER HE POSTS FOR US TO DO ON THE WEBSITE) AND THEN...IF YOU TOTALLY FINISH THAT...THEN DO THE FORUMS...AS A TREAT FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

Ed said many get bogged down in the forums and then don't have time for their actual homework. Don't. Prioritize.

Ed also recommends getting OUT....leave the 'puter and go out for a walk or to the mall to look around...and get new niche ideas/perspectives from that....get ideas from your TV shows....watching and observing things.

RECAP:

in Ebay--what is popular to buy
in Technorati--blogs, what is the popular talk/gossip/what are people interested in?
in Groups--what are people passionate about (so much so to start a group!), hobbies...what are their interests?

That about caps up the day!

It was a gorgeous day out and I had time to be out a little and get some sunshine! It was HOT, however. That's Dallas for you! :D Lovely sunny days lift my spirit!

Tonight I'll be researching my ideas...7 of 'em!!

Best to you! This is exciting and fun! I'm enjoying it. If you are not in the Thirty Day Challenge (thirtydaychallenge.com), be sure to get in next year!!!

See You tomorrow!!!

Kelly

Who is Blogging theThirty Day Challenge????

2007-08-02T16:11:00.001-05:00

Attention all bloggers of their TDC/30DC experience.....leave YOUR link in the comments below section...post it!!

Others can peek through them and see who they may want to bookmark,etc.

:)

Have fun and best wishes to everyone!

Now it's really getting fun............... :D

Kelly

End Of Day One! 29 more to go!!!

2007-08-02T00:37:00.000-05:00

Finished my HOMEWORK for today on THIRTYDAYCHALLENGE.COM

Video watched....Check!

iPodcast listened to....Check!

**Might I note: that iPodcast was soooo enjoyable!!! (notice all the "oooo's" in so!)
You have....make that HAVE..... to listen to the "30 Day Challenge" song!!! It was so cute and enjoyable and catchy....heck, I'd send them a dollar! :D LOL They found a niche! :D

So far, I find the videos and podcasts a very enjoyable experience....NOT DRY at all...if you want boring and dry...do NOT join the Thirty Day Challenge! But, if you want lots of information given in a very blunt, simple, and very fun manner...DO!!!

At least, that is my experience so far....we'll see if in a few days I'm cursing their names and putting their faces on dartboards.....nah!!! :D Won't happen. I am certain of it.

Ok---

In brief:

This is the order and priority status of Internet Marketing (per them) in 4 simple parts:

1) Marketing Research!
----I took notes!!! But, basically: This is THE MOST IMPORTANT BY FAR! 95 percent of those who make mistakes make it HERE!! (They also pointed out that they are absolutely brilliant at this...and will share their techniques. When you've got it, flaunt it, baby!) Oh! And, best of all, it is FREE!! Find a good market and it will tell YOU what product/service it needs. No need to find good products...concentrate on finding a good market(s)!!!!

Part 1 of our challenge will be all about Marketing Research...which is great as I have NO CLUE...NADA...about that!!! Teach me!!!

2) TRAFFIC:

----Ah, Traffic! We hate it when sitting in it on a highway for hours...but, this is different...this type is good news!! TRAFFIC IS EVERYTHING!! (Put that note on your dashboard!!) :D Get clients or be broke...you need TRAFFIC...you can have product that ROCKS....but if you have no traffic coming to purchase it, who gives a care?? Nobody. That's right. :D They will teach us to get traffic for NOTHING!! Zip. Nada. FREE (oh, I love that word!!).

3) CONVERSION PROCESS (a.k.a. "the sales process")
----Turning them from "interest" to "buyer". This is the trickiest part for most people as it requires "sales" letters....and many don't like to write,etc. Well...they have new techniques they'll teach us to get past all that...and it will work FAR FAR better than ANY Sales letter!!! :)

4) PRODUCT.

----Create a product (video or audio is so easy-peasy!! easier than you think and can be made in real time)...or mimic a product....NOT MLM...you'll sell REAL stuff to REAL people for REAL money (yeeeeesss!!!). It's got to be good....so you won't have to "sell"....remember: think of something you bought in your life that you WANTED so badly NOBODY had to "sell you on it"....you need to have product like that and be there where the need is located.... :) If you HAVE to sell, you have made a mistake somewhere!

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Lastly, Action Points for the day:

1) Watch video (done) Listen to audiocast (done)
2) Jot down (don't be shy!!) any ideas you have, niches in the market you see. Trust yourself...just jot jot jot.
3) CATCH UP!! They have lots of pre-training stuff (great stuff!!!) they gave to us....but, it IS a lot if you came in late (like MOI :D).....so, Catch up on ALL of it by the weekend!!

End of Day One.

Love it.

Here's to ALL the TDC's out there! YOU can do it! I can do it! We can do it! All for one and one for all!! :)

Time for bed! "Early to bed and early to rise makes a person happy, wealthy, and wise..." oooops....must get that early to bed in somehow....well, maybe I can still be wealthy and wise...just a crabass....hahahahaha j/k

Kelly

Link Exchange, Anyone?!

2007-08-02T00:35:00.000-05:00

Feel Free to send me YOUR blog links if it is a 30 Day Challenge specific blog (others are fine if they are about internet marketing and for my information). I'll TRY to post them....try being the operative word. :D Timing willing, that is. :)

2007-08-01T22:29:00.001-05:00

Technorati Profile

Day 1.

2007-08-01T20:47:00.000-05:00

Hi.

I'm "Kelly Challenge" and I am taking Ed Dale's The Thirty Day Challenge.

It is my first time participating. It was suggested to me by my brother, Dan. He is doing it as well.

I am excited to see what I'm going to learn!! (It's all about internet marketing.)

I have not had the chance to watch every pre-training video,etc. So, I'll try to keep up with the daily and this weekend go back over that stuff in more detail.

So far:

I joined a team on the Thirty Day Challenge site: The Nerd Desk. My nick name on that site is "thebeautifullife" because I think I live it with my husband and 4 beautiful, sweet, intelligent children. :) Life is about the small stuff and I like to drink it in!!!

I joined Facebook ("Kelly Challenge" ID).

I joined Twitter (how fun so far! I am not using it properly in regards to TDC yet, but fun all the same!). ("Kelly30" ID)

I joined Del.icio.us (Kelly30) and Digg (Kelly30).

I joined Stumble Upon! (Kelly30)

I joined Skype (Kelly30 was taken, so that is NOT me! I listed there under: "Kellychallenge" to match my Facebook name and also my email addy for this particular TDC...)

Made a new TDC email account: KellysChallenge gmail com

Joined Bloglines under that same email addy. (I was a member before under my real identity, but had NO clue how to use it!!! Finally learning!!). There I added "Tubbynerd.com" and "Thirtydaychallenge.com/blog" to my first feeds! :)

I made Bloglines my FIRST Foxfire Feed!

Oh! I already use FOXFIRE but if we didn't we are to use that during the TDC and download it.

I downloaded iTunes7 (had 6, so really I upgraded) and then noticed all my songs I had on iTunes6 are GONE!!! Not happy about that...no time...dang....need to look into that...too much time and money spent on that!! Not fair that happened! >:(

I made THIS Blog to blog this. (make sense?! LOL)

About to watch iTunes video 1 (finish where I left off last night at 1am or so!!! zzzzzzzzz)

I will add more.....stay tuned.....after all..............

IT'S ONLY DAY ONE, BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

XO,

Kelly