Posted on January 7, 2009 08:00 AM
You already know that most small businesses fail. It's a warning that's been given out to every entrepreneur with an idea, drive and the imagination to succeed for as long as people have been saying, "I should be working for me." Well, here's something you probably don't want to hear. Most blogs die too. People start them with the best of intentions. They tell themselves that they'll write every day, they'll pick up masses of... Continue Reading
Posted on January 5, 2009 08:00 AM
The start of any new business always contains the scariest moments. On the one hand, you're never going to feel more enthusiastic about your idea than during those first few months. You'll get to see your plan take flight and discover whether it really does have wings. On the other hand, you also have to cope with the fear that it's going to fail -- that what you thought was going to bring you a... Continue Reading
Posted on December 29, 2008 08:00 AM
You know what I like best about Twitter? It isn't the fact that it's easy to use and a ton of fun (although those are important). It isn't the fact that I can communicate with some fantastic people, get answers to questions and pick up information and advice that I couldn't have learned any other way (although those are important too.) And it isn't even that it's a fantastic marketing tool that drives traffic, builds... Continue Reading
Posted on December 24, 2008 09:28 AM
'Twas the night before Christmas and all across Twitter Tweeples eyes were lit, they were all a-glitter. The tweets they were flying with speed and delight as each one made plans for that great winter's night "I'm traveling", "I'm eating", "I'm hanging with family" "I just wrapped the presents, I can say now so happily" The news it broke fast, from Mumbai - attack we all were there to say "we've got your back" And... Continue Reading
Posted on December 23, 2008 09:00 PM
Well, we've done it.
A combination of marketing, timing, quality and providence has landed our application as the #1 best-selling app in the iTunes app store.
I appreciate the coverage we've received through media outlets and blogs.
Now that we've hit #1, I am going to post one more set of stats to add to those previously posted here. Continue Reading
Posted on December 16, 2008 08:00 AM
I believe that anyone can make money as an online publisher. I've always believed that and I've seen enough people set up websites and generate income to keep believing it.
But I know there's something wrong with this picture.
I'm not going to kid myself and it would be plain wrong to try to kid anyone else.
Some publishers are going to have an easier time than others. Continue Reading
Posted on December 13, 2008 02:46 PM
I had the privilege of speaking to one thousand people at a seminar this weekend. One the things I hear from attendees again and again is how "real" I am on stage. I take that a compliment, because to be otherwise would be to act "phony." After considering these kinds of comments, I wonder how many people aren't "real" on stage or some other part of their lives. I think one reason that speakers/performers struggle... Continue Reading
Posted on December 13, 2008 08:00 AM
Google doesn't just have the best search engine on the Web.
It doesn't just have the best contextual advertising system on the Web.
Heck, it doesn't just have the best advertising system of any form of media in the world.
It also has the best corporate slogan.
"Do no evil" is a great attitude for any business.
Continue Reading
Posted on December 11, 2008 09:31 AM
You never know what web 2.0 site is going to take off like crazy. Just yesterday I found a new awards site intended to highlight the best of Twitter, called The Shorty Awards. As the site says, "The Shorty Awards honor the world's top Twitterers." I have been nominated for a Shorty Award in the #business category. If I have helped you in any way, please consider seconding the nomination for me! It's easy to... Continue Reading
Posted on December 10, 2008 10:31 AM
I'm getting ready to bust loose with a four-letter word.
You aren't going to like it.
It might make you cringe.
Too bad. It needs to be said.
"Debt"
There I said it.
Do you feel relieved or does the word stress you out? Continue Reading
Posted on December 4, 2008 08:00 AM
It happens even before your site really starts to make money. You post articles, market your content, pick up comments and find that other sites are talking about you. All of a sudden, you've moved from being one person with ideas you want to share to being the center of a community, part of a circle of online friends with a keen interest in what you have to say. Continue Reading
Posted on December 1, 2008 08:00 AM
I'm fed up. I've really had enough. I've just seen it too many times.
Again and again, I meet people who wonder why they aren't Internet millionaires yet.
When I ask them how long they've been online, they say "Three months, and it's just not working!"
It takes about ten minutes to buy a computer and another two minutes to turn it on. Continue Reading
Posted on November 29, 2008 08:00 AM
Whenever I attend a conference I always try to listen to as many of the other speakers' talks as possible.
I can't think of a single talk that hasn't taught me something.
But some of the most powerful and valuable information that I've learned at conferences didn't come while sitting in front of a professional marketer. It came while sitting in the café afterwards and chatting with my students.
Continue Reading
Posted on November 27, 2008 08:54 PM
Black Friday is upon us once again, and it is time to hunt down the best deals online. I will not be braving the Friday morning crowds. It makes much more sense to sleep in and find deals at my favorite online merchants. Where do you go to find those great deals? No doubt about it. It's DealofDay.com The oldest and best bargain-hunting site, you'll find tons of online bargains here. Ready to save money... Continue Reading
Posted on November 25, 2008 07:59 AM
I got an email from someone the other day asking me which "gurus" they should listen to.
There are SO many people teaching how to make money online.
How DO you know who to trust?
Here's a checklist for you to help you determine the answer to this question: Continue Reading
Posted on November 13, 2008 08:00 AM
There are times when I really don't like surfing the Web. I'll toss a search phrase into Google, get a list of results that look interesting and when I click on a link... I'll get a junk page that's stuffed with ads. Back I go to Google to try again. I know, I could have clicked an ad. I could have done, but I didn't. In fact, I often won't even read the content on... Continue Reading
Posted on November 10, 2008 08:00 AM
Every Internet business -- every business of any sort in fact -- starts in the same place.
In the future.
Most entrepreneurs think first of how they want their business to look when it's all set up. They imagine the products prepared, the marketing streams in place and the revenue flowing in while they relax and cash the checks. Continue Reading
Posted on October 23, 2008 08:00 AM
Online publishing has all sorts of advantages. You become your own boss, you have your own schedule, you get paid to produce content and bring in users. It's all great fun... and you can do it without leaving your house or having to cope with office politics. It's those last benefits that can look so appealing and be a little dangerous too. Social networking sites have made it so easy to chat with other people... Continue Reading
Posted on October 20, 2008 08:00 AM
There's a reason that online publishing is profitable. It's a fantastic reason and it's one of the things that makes earning income as an online entrepreneur so enjoyable. People want to learn. They want to know how to be a better gardener, a better dad, a better soccer coach, a better entrepreneur too. Anyone who can provide that information can make some money -- and help others too. And anyone can do that. You might... Continue Reading
Posted on October 13, 2008 08:00 AM
Become an Internet publisher, and you'll need to learn a whole bunch of new marketing skills. You'll have to unwrap the mysteries of search engine optimization, figure out how to make pay-per-click advertising pay for you and get to grips with "link bait," banners and keywords to name just a few. None of it is really very difficult and all of it can be learned but for anyone just starting out, it will all be... Continue Reading
Posted on October 11, 2008 12:59 AM
Just because the economy is suffering doesn't mean you have to.
Thousands of people are supplementing their income by learning how to make money online selling ebooks.
I've been selling my own ebooks for a few years.
But I've been selling OTHER peoples' ebooks for a decade!
How do you find out what ebooks sell? Continue Reading
Posted on October 9, 2008 04:29 PM
Google AdSense. Over the years, I've generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in passive income with this incredible program. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who have no idea what it is all about. The fact is Google takes in $15 billion (that's Billion with a B!) dollars each year in advertising revenue. The best part is that they are sharing a portion of that revenue to people like you and... Continue Reading
Posted on October 6, 2008 08:00 AM
I've written a lot of content since I became an online publisher. I'd like to think that I've got better and better as the years have gone by but sometimes I'm not so sure. Although there are plenty of posts that still make me proud when I read them again, there's also no shortage of articles that really make me wince. They might have sentences I want to rephrase, points that aren't made clearly, and... Continue Reading
Posted on September 22, 2008 08:00 AM
I'm amazed that there are people out there -- somewhere -- who aren't making money from AdSense. It's not as though you need a doctorate in computer studies and a professorship in literature. You just need a website and an AdSense account.
And ever since blogging came along, the website bit has been a breeze. It takes all of about five minutes to sign up on Blogger and it's a perfect match for AdSense.
Continue Reading
Posted on September 15, 2008 10:25 PM
It's been two years in the making. Finally, Blizzard Entertainment has announced the long-awaited expansion pack to the world's most popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft. Wrath of the Lich King is set to hit stores on November 13th, and I expect it to be another huge best-seller. Some people are surprised to find out that I play computer games, but I like to work hard AND play hard. Those who know my story would know... Continue Reading
Posted on September 9, 2008 08:00 AM
It sounds like a terrible idea. You spend ages thinking up an idea for an article, doing the research and writing it out... then you give it to someone else to put on their website.
They get all the ad revenue and you get... what, exactly?
Well, you get a link and if the site is good that could be worth more in steady streams of traffic than
Continue Reading
Posted on July 31, 2008 11:40 PM
I was all set. Today was going to be the day. I knew from the pre-orders on my new book, "Click Here to Order: Stories of the World's Most Successful Internet Marketing Entrepreneurs", that we were on the verge of making history with an instant best-seller. And then... it happened. I received a call from my publisher, David Hancock. David is not one to be given to overexcitement, but there was something in the sound... Continue Reading
Posted on June 19, 2008 12:47 AM
Have you ever wondered what people did BEFORE they become Internet marketers? It's pretty cool to see that the greatest success stories are people just like you and me. I will tell you this about me. I used to be a DJ. Yup, I worked in the nightclubs to begin with, but then the entrepreneur in me discovered that there was more money to be made in playing music at private events. So I started... Continue Reading
Posted on June 17, 2008 08:20 AM
Question: What is the one of the biggest obstacles that people have to creating an online business?
Answer: Building a web site!
I have a confession to make.
I am NOT an expert at building websites.
In fact, I hire out all website design and creation. I am just not good at it.
But what if you can't afford to pay someone to do it? Continue Reading
Posted on May 31, 2008 12:56 AM
I'm currently in Los Angeles for the annual Book Expo America, otherwise known as BEA. Why BEA? I have a book coming out on August 1st and I showed up to support my publisher and do some networking. Now I must confess. I am a trade show junkie. I love the vast conference centers with aisles and aisles of vendors hawking their goods and services. I'm especially a sucker for the freebies and swag. It's... Continue Reading
Posted on May 18, 2008 11:10 AM
While speaking at Harv Eker's event, I wanted to demonstrate the power of the flip video camera. So I decided to shoot this brief video to show this incredible audience. I think they are a bit excited! Continue Reading
Posted on May 12, 2008 10:55 AM
I am a PC user.
I am also a Mac user.
That's right.
When it comes to computers, I enjoy the best of both worlds.
In fact, I have used BOTH Apple and PC-based computers since they became available almost three decades ago!
I am leaning Mac-heavy these days, but my home computer is still a PC. But when it gives up the ghost I will probably make the switch to Mac. Continue Reading
Posted on May 3, 2008 12:40 AM
I came into the world without a goatee and mustache. Surprise, surprise.
But sometime after I got married, I decided to give the goatee and mustache a try. It must have been around 1992, I believe.
As it turned out, my wife really liked it. So I decided to keep it, rarely shaving it off over the years only to grow it back again.
But times have changed... Continue Reading
Posted on April 25, 2008 11:21 AM
Everyone has heard of Chicken Soup for the Soul and the zillion titles that were derived from this massive best-seller. What you don't know is that I am friends with the man who helped make that series so huge! His name is Rick Frishman and he knows a few things about getting attention. ;-) Rick has just released a new book of his own called "Where's Your Wow?" that reveals 16 ways to make your... Continue Reading
Posted on April 19, 2008 11:16 PM
I remember seeing Ben Stein for the first time in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Who could forget the monotone deadpan teacher repeating "anyone... anyone... Bueller... Bueller". And then there was "Win Ben Stein's Money", a campy television quiz show that demonstrated Ben's ability to stand toe-to-toe with the best of them. I sure would have liked to have seen him go up against Ken Jennings. As a columnist for the Wall Street Journal and a... Continue Reading
Posted on April 15, 2008 03:14 PM
I recently posed the riddle on Twitter, "How many Internet marketers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"
I think pasoderholm and FunDivaCristy tie for the best reply.
What do you think? Do you have a funny answer to this riddle? Continue Reading
Posted on April 8, 2008 12:37 AM
What would you do if you were able to come to my home and office and ask me whatever you wanted? Would you have some questions for me? Dave Woodward did. A few months back, Dave contacted me and told me he was putting together a brand new series called "Legendary Marketers", and he asked if he could come visit with me at my home and office to find out what made me tick. Of... Continue Reading
Posted on April 5, 2008 12:55 AM
It was fall of 2005 when I was scheduled to speak at Robert Puddy's Focus 4 the Future Internet marketing conference. It was the first time I had spoken at an event and I was on a roster with Mike Filsaime, Gary Ambrose and Craig Perrine. Yes, I was nervous. But why should I be? My AdSense ebook was a huge success and my name had begun to spread in the Internet marketing community. The... Continue Reading
Posted on April 1, 2008 04:01 AM
Now this is incredible.
And when I say incredible, I mean INCREDIBLE!
Like most marketers, I have not been able to find an email solution that guarantees my newsletter will arrive in the inboxes of my customers.
Even the best autoresponder service has problems getting my emails through to AOL.com, Yahoo.com and hotmail.com.
That's why I am doing backflips over Instant Whitelist! Continue Reading
Posted on March 26, 2008 12:32 AM
I was at a conference recently and someone asked me if I had anything in the works.
I had to laugh.
Ha!
When I think about how many projects we've got in the works, I can't help but laugh!
Seriously, me and my team are projectaholics. We just love creating and coming up with new stuff that people will like. Continue Reading
Posted on March 25, 2008 12:00 AM
I love to experiment with technology. And on Wednesday at 1 pm EST, I am going to give you an opportunity to experiment right along with me! You've participated in teleseminars... And you've participated in webinars... But now I invite you to join me for the very first "Joel Comm LIVE!" TV show streaming direct to you over the web! During this one-hour program, I will be answering questions from viewers in real time. Simply... Continue Reading
Posted on March 24, 2008 01:54 AM
I've got a pretty colorful past. I got my first job when I was fourteen-years old, working behind the counter of a fast-food restaurant at Northbrook Court shopping mall in Northbrook, Illinois. After all, I needed to save up money to buy a TRS-80 Model I computer from Radio Shack! Once I acquired my driver's license, I worked in the health & beauty department at Venture. Yes, I was a stockboy. At the age of... Continue Reading
Posted on March 19, 2008 12:07 AM
Last summer, Revenue Magazine did an interview with me to discuss The Next Internet Millionaire. Lisa Picarille put together a great piece that you can read here. But one of my favorite things about the article were the photos taken by Alison Rose Williams of Fort Collins. Revenue hired her to come on location and take some shots of me for the magazine. While she was there, I asked if I could pay her to... Continue Reading
Posted on March 13, 2008 01:53 AM
There's a fun game people like to play that goes like this. Take any sentence or phrase and add the words "in bed" as a suffix to make it funnier. For example, "John ate a steak... in bed" or "Jill picked out the latest hat to wear... in bed" It's especially fun with fortune cookies, where the game has become part of our pop culture. For example, "You have very good skills and exceptional talents... Continue Reading
Posted on March 10, 2008 01:32 AM
I'm about to share a hard truth with you.
I hope you are sitting down, cause here we go...
Most of the people reading this newsletter will never make money online.
Ouch.
Sure, read it again. You heard me right.
Now before you go questioning me, calling me insensitive or flat out cursing me out, let me say this...
Continue Reading
Posted on March 7, 2008 05:30 AM
Wow, what an incredible day! Wait until you hear this. I thought it was going to be a day like every other day. But you never know what kind of curve balls life is going to toss your way. Here's how it started... First of all I wake up and find this email in my box from a producer at a MAJOR cable network ... "Congratulations on your show, 'The Next Internet Millionaire.' We've reviewed... Continue Reading
Posted on March 1, 2008 02:52 AM
If you saw The Next Internet Millionaire, you will remember our third runner-up, Thor Schrock. Thor is an impressive guy with a natural ability to speak and a strong desire to succeed. He is very creative and he's about to demonstrate that creativity to the world. Thor is taking on the task of creating his own reality show, The Top Affiliate Challenge. Unlike my show, Thor is seeking to broadcast his show much closer to... Continue Reading
Posted on February 25, 2008 05:54 PM
I've been wanting to meet Jason Calacanis face-to-face for some time. For those that don't know, Jason is the co-creator of Weblogs, Inc., which was sold to AOL for $25 million. I'm at Affiliate Summit in Las Vegas where Jason Calacanis delivered the keynote address this morning. I really didn't know anything about Jason as a person, so I was looking forward to an insightful talk with fresh ideas. Wow, was I in for a... Continue Reading
Posted on February 22, 2008 12:10 AM
Admit it. You are passionate. Oh, I don't know what you are passionate about. But I guarantee that you are passionate about SOMETHING! You may be crazy about parakeets. Or perhaps you know more about bonzai trees than anyone on the block. Maybe you are one of the world's leading experts on Mt. Everest. Or it could be that you make the best french silk pie in the hemisphere! The point is that everyone is... Continue Reading
Posted on February 21, 2008 12:33 AM
A few months back, I launched this groundbreaking Internet marketing course to the world... The Secret Classroom ... and the feedback has been fantastic! I regularly receive emails from people telling me what an impact this course has had on their online business. I wanted to take a moment today and share one of these emails with you. I think it says way more about the value of The Secret Classroom than I could ever... Continue Reading
Posted on February 13, 2008 09:59 AM
I consider myself a fortunate person.
Every day, I sit in a beautiful office, surrounded by great people and look out of my window towards a fantastic view of the Rockies.
I think it's a great thing.
Not everyone agrees with me.
I know that lots of people want something different. They want to work from home. Continue Reading
Posted on February 5, 2008 12:17 AM
I'm a big fan of Amazon.com. I spend far too much money there but they also give me a fair bit of money too through book sales and affiliate links. I think they've done a fantastic job of selling products online and helping website publishers earn from their content. They might be the Walmart of Internet retailing, but they're definitely not the Apple of whiz-bang gadgetry. Their new Kindle book-reading machine is a great idea... Continue Reading
Posted on January 25, 2008 05:46 AM
I've had several people ask me what I'm going to be up to in 2008. I'm very excited, because this is going to be a breakthrough year for many people who will increase their online revenue. AND, I am excited because I am going to be doing several things that have never been done before! That's kind of a mantra with me. I don't like to do what everyone else is doing. You have to... Continue Reading
Posted on January 24, 2008 11:23 AM
"Get Google Pay-Per-Click Ads for Free" was the title on the report that promised an amazing way to advertise on Google AdWords without having clicks ding your wallet.
This ebook was #1 on Clickbank's Marketing & Ads category, so curiousity got the best of me and I paid $97 to see what it was all about.
Want my honest assessment? Read on... Continue Reading
Posted on January 22, 2008 11:05 PM
In November of 2005, I went to Armand Morin's Big Seminar for the first time. My eyes were opened to brand new possibilities, and I can say without reservation that it was one of the most significant events of my life. Since that time I have gotten to know Armand as a friend and a mentor. I've been a guest speaker at Big Seminar, he has been a guest teacher on The Next Internet Millionaire... Continue Reading
Posted on January 16, 2008 09:20 PM
I love living in Colorado.
Ever since I moved my family here in February of 2007, I really can't imagine living anywhere else.
I love the mountains.
I love the change of seasons.
I love zero humidity.
And I've met some really great people here.
But there's one thing that is still lacking... Continue Reading
Posted on January 11, 2008 03:18 AM
I love quick and easy changes that make a significant difference.
A few months back, I learned of a contextual advertising service that was compatible with Google AdSense.
It took me less than 15 minutes to place their code on my pages.
In my first month, I made an additional $1000 just from that fifteen minutes.
Not bad!
And it gets better... Continue Reading
Posted on January 8, 2008 04:08 PM
Before we left Oklahoma, we used to eat at Moe's, a tex-mex fast food joint. It was pretty good. I especially liked the way they trained their staff to yell out "Welcome to Moe's!' every time someone walked in the front door. It made for a friendly environment where they recognized every customer on every visit. As a sidebar, Moe's only played music featuring dead musicians in their restaurant. Interesting... But when we moved to... Continue Reading
Posted on January 7, 2008 12:18 AM
I've been paying close attention to customer service wherever I go these days. In my business, I tell my support team to go the extra mile when assisting customers. I believe this pays off big time in the long run. But I am amazed at how many businesses do not pay attention to the simplest of customer service details. In the past few days, I have made observations at Best Buy, Gamestop, Qdoba and... my... Continue Reading
Posted on December 31, 2007 12:34 AM
Well, here we are on the brink of another New Year. I've recapped the highlights of 2007 on my blog As we enter 2008, I am more committed than ever to provide you with the best content... the best books... the best software... the best reviews... the best sites for making money online... the best of everything! 2007 was a groundbreaking year in many respects, but 2008 is shaping up to be even bigger. I... Continue Reading
Posted on December 19, 2007 12:36 AM
With 2007 almost gone and 2008 on the way, I am doing quite a bit of reflecting on where I've been, where I am going, and how I can best serve you in the upcoming year. So this is going to be an interactive newsletter, because I am counting on you to tell me what you would like to accomplish in 2008, and perhaps give me an indication of how I can best help you... Continue Reading
Posted on December 18, 2007 10:35 PM
I'm a huge fan of developing online communities for revenue generation. The wonderful thing about community sites is that the members create the content for you. However, it can sometimes be tricky to kickstart your forums in order to get people posting. If you launch forums and people visit only to find that there is no activity, odds are they aren't going to register, post or return. This is the primary reason most forums don't... Continue Reading
Posted on December 10, 2007 11:56 AM
I don't know where I'd be without joint ventures. I'd still have my AdSense income, which is nice, but I'd certainly be a lot poorer. I'd have fewer friends. And the people who acted on my recommendations would be a lot worse off too. Joint ventures are a vital part of my business. They should be a vital part of yours too. I still say that the best place to find joint venture opportunities is... Continue Reading
Posted on December 5, 2007 10:00 AM
The day has arrived! I don't think there has ever been such excitement over one of my product launches, and I am excited to say that the excitement really has nothing to do with me! Instead, this product is all about YOU, and the opportunity you now have to receive the Internet marketing education that can last a lifetime. The Secret Classroom It's not an ebook that overpromises and underdelivers. It's not a software tool... Continue Reading
Posted on December 3, 2007 12:12 AM
You've heard this phrase a thousand times. "It's not what you know, it's WHO you know." Do you believe it? It's true! At the age of 17 I got a dream job at the local computer and video store... ... because I knew the owner. At the age of 20 I got a summer job at an advertising agency and learned a ton... ... because my mother worked there. At the age of 24 I... Continue Reading
Posted on November 29, 2007 10:13 AM
It's a sad moment, but it was easy to see coming.
Google has now officially killed off site targeting.
The function that allows advertisers to choose to advertise directly on your Web pages still exists. But now it's called "placement targeting."
There are two differences. Continue Reading
Posted on November 23, 2007 12:10 AM
It was only a matter of time.
Google is coming out with their own phone.
But Amazon has beat the Big "G" to the punch with their own electronic device.
It's called Amazon Kindle, and it appears to be a contender for the coolest device of the 2007 holiday shopping season.
Imagine being able to access thousands of books wirelessly and read them on a crystal clear display anywhere you go. Continue Reading
Posted on November 12, 2007 10:55 AM
Do REAL people make money online?
Well, I consider myself real people!
Let's face it, before I became known for my AdSense ebook, I was just another anonymous Internet entrepreneur.
It's true!
Now my success story may seem out of reach...
... but it's not.
No way.
If I can do it, ANYONE can do it.
Trust me. I know myself and am still amazed that people consider me an Internet "celebrity." Continue Reading
Posted on November 8, 2007 10:13 AM
If you aren't doing video.. ... do I really need to finish this statement? Ok, I will. If you aren't doing video, you are missing out on one of simplest and sure-fire opportunties to promote your website, business, yourself and your services. Missing out. Those who keep an eye on hot trends know that video is it! This is why I want to you to RUN, don't walk, to the site I am going to... Continue Reading
Posted on November 1, 2007 11:57 AM
It's not always easy thinking up something to write about. However frequently (or otherwise) you update your site, you have to think of a topic, decide whether your users will find it interesting, estimate whether it will bring in ad clicks and turn it into content. Often, that's not a problem. You might be bursting with things you want to say. Sometimes though, you'll be left scratching your head and wondering what on earth you... Continue Reading
Posted on October 23, 2007 09:54 AM
Last month I was in Atlanta for the Big Seminar. Now usually I'm not much of a morning person, but when I took a peek at Friday's schedule, I knew I had to wake up early... Over the past five years or so I'd been hearing the first speaker's name over and over again... "Joel you've got to check out this young kid Jermaine. He's from the inner-city, but Corey Rudl is taking him under his... Continue Reading
Posted on October 15, 2007 09:11 AM
Cost-per-click advertising, contextual advertising, cost-per-mille advertising, domain name investing, affiliate networks, joint ventures, resell rights, floating ads, banner ads, video ads...
It's enough to give anyone a headache.
There are so many ways of monetizing a website these days that it can all get a bit overwhelming. How can you tell which ads would best match your content and which system you should be using to squeeze the most out of your pages? Continue Reading
Posted on September 11, 2007 12:46 PM
I know I am opening myself up to criticism for this post, but it's been on my mind and I really just want to put it out there.
I dislike the way multi-level marketing has been done by many companies.
I don't dislike multi-level marketers, mind you (well, most of them anyway). I just think that business model has proven destructive to many individuals and families. Continue Reading
Posted on September 7, 2007 12:26 AM
One penny.
One cent.
1/100th of a dollar.
Uno centavo.
That's all it takes for you to instantly own your own Internet store!
Yes, I'm serious.
My customers have been asking me for a simple solution where they can tell people about great products and earn easy commissions...
Continue Reading
Posted on September 3, 2007 12:06 PM
There's no doubt that Google is challenging Microsoft's dominance of the desktop.
Search, office applications, email... the list goes on.
But here's a surprise that was discovered as an easter egg hidden in Google Earth...
... The Google Earth Flight Simulator Continue Reading
Posted on September 1, 2007 12:34 AM
I did it. I bit the bullet and picked up an iPhone. I've been a faithful Treo 650 user for two years, but the buzz regarding Apple's new device won me over. So I ponied up $599 + shipping and tax to get one of these puppies in my hands, though I was unsure of what I would find once I actually got to try it out for myself. I may now render the verdict... Continue Reading
Posted on August 28, 2007 11:34 PM
How would you like to be able to discover the all-time top paying keywords for AdSense? Would you like to access search and bid data for over eight million AdSense keywords? Wouldn't it be helpful to locate hot domain names that are still available? It's time to do AdSense smarter! Check out this site now and find out why AdSense Smarter is the best top paying keywords tool available and learn how you can profit... Continue Reading
Posted on August 21, 2007 11:02 AM
Everyday I receive emails from people telling me that they have the best product since sliced bread, and asking me to do a joint venture with them. It is physically impossible for me to promote every product that comes my way. In fact, I am becoming more and more selective, making sure that I only share products with my customers if there is great value. Honestly, you wouldn't want to see a lot of the... Continue Reading
Posted on August 10, 2007 12:21 AM
May I get your opinion please?
I am giving away a FREE autographed copy of my book, The AdSense Code, to one person who will give me feedback on a one-minute video I have created.
This will literally take just a couple minutes. Continue Reading
Posted on July 13, 2007 10:34 AM
You are invited to a one-of-a-kind webinar that you are going to love! On Tuesday, July 17th, you have the opportunity to listen in and watch as I interview Sheila Simkin, a seasoned world traveler who has been just about everywhere and knows how to travel the world on a budget. There is no one quite like Sheila. Not only does she blog her adventures on her site, but she provides tips that even the... Continue Reading
Posted on July 6, 2007 10:02 AM
It was fall of 2005. I was in Charlotte, North Carolina, preparing for my very first public speaking engagement. I would be speaking before an audience of 25 people who had paid to hear me and a handful of other Internet marketers share how we make our millions online. It was at this time that I had begun preparing the manuscript for my first traditionally published book. But I was lacking a title for the... Continue Reading
Posted on July 4, 2007 12:07 AM
Google's referral programs have never impressed me very much. Although the commissions are now fair, they started out very low. But even at the new(ish) rates, few sites are going to benefit from them. They're only good for publishers who aim their content at other publishers. That's always been the problem with Google's referrals: there were too few products aimed at too few topics. But Google has been working on a whole new referral system... Continue Reading
Posted on June 28, 2007 12:00 AM
Recently, I told you that I was pulling out of the Bookwise program. It looked like a good opportunity -- it still does look like a good opportunity -- but when they objected to the domain name I was using to profit from it, I decided to leave. One door closes... and another one opens. I've been playing around with AuctionAds, and I have to say, I've been very impressed. AuctionAds lets you put eBay... Continue Reading
Posted on June 11, 2007 05:56 PM
I had the pleasure of enjoying the company of my brother and his family this past weekend. They live in suburban Chicago, so it was a treat for them to come to the mountains and enjoy a little slower pace for a few days. By the way, you'll want to watch for my bro. He is a brilliant CPA with some keen insights into money management. I foresee a website and a book in the... Continue Reading
Posted on June 8, 2007 12:31 AM
I've been pretty lukewarm about Google's referral products. They've been pushing them pretty hard but I haven't been impressed. I'm not convinced that the Google Pack contains anything worth writing home about. I don't care enough about Mozilla to recommend that everyone downloads Firefox. And the commissions that Google is offering for its downloads just aren't big enough to take up real estate on my Web pages. I'd rather put together a joint venture with... Continue Reading
Posted on June 6, 2007 11:17 AM
One of the challenges of building pages for AdSense is that until the page is up and running, you can't really tell which ads you're going to get.
And that's vital information.
Apart from the fact that you can't know which ads to filter out if you don't even know which are going to show up, seeing the ads before you go live can help you decide which keywords to focus on. Continue Reading
Posted on May 30, 2007 04:57 PM
Google's done it again. When Google declared that publishers could no longer put ad units near images, it set the forums-a-buzzing. How far do the units have to be from the images? Does it matter if the images aren't related to the subject of the ads? Has anyone actually been banned for putting ad units near images? Google didn't exactly clear up all those questions, but it did make its reasoning clear. Images shouldn't look... Continue Reading
Posted on May 22, 2007 05:56 PM
"Take this job and shove it... I ain't workin' here no more" And so went the lyrics of the popular country-western song belted out by Johnny Paycheck. It is a common practice to place a phone call to a local radio station and ask them to play this song when you "fire your boss" Let's face it. It's a fun tune. And more people than ever before are telling their bosses to "take this job... Continue Reading
Posted on May 18, 2007 12:03 AM
Thank you to those who submitted questions on my blog yesterday. I really appreciate your input and will be sharing some exciting news with you soon. By now, you probably know that I like to provide as much free information as possible. There is a lot of worthless junk passed off as valuable in the Internet marketing niche, and I like to make sure you get good stuff for absolutely nothing when possible. In celebration... Continue Reading
Posted on May 17, 2007 12:00 AM
Thanks for reading my blog today. I've got a problem and I really need your help. The problem is that I receive SO many questions about making money online there is simply not enough time in the day to answer them. So I realize that I need to focus the direction of my site to make sure I am serving as many people as possible in the time that I have. I sincerely want to... Continue Reading
Posted on May 10, 2007 12:21 AM
OK... We all know most people are concerned about hackers and the safety of shopping online. And we all know that trust seals can help. But is there a best seal program to address this problem? Are there any real, proven benefits of one over the other? HACKER SAFE is proven to be the most effective trust seal... Ever! Think about it for one minute... * Used by over 75,000 websites * Seen on over... Continue Reading
Posted on May 9, 2007 09:00 AM
Survivor.
The Apprentice.
American Idol.
We are drawn to reality television like a moth to the flame.
We watch... and we watch some more, intrigued by the characters, the challenges and the inevitable prizes.
Let's face it. Secretly, many of us wish that we could be a contestant on one of these shows.
Now imagine this... Continue Reading
Posted on May 4, 2007 06:15 AM
Writer's block.
Like the cement barricade at the end of an unfinished highway, the writer's block stands before me... mocking me... challenging me...
It happens to everyone, but I sure didn't expect it to hit today.
Because content creation is such a critical part of making money with your blog, writer's block can be the site owner's worst nightmare.
What do I write about today?!?!
Here's how I handle writer's block. Continue Reading
Posted on April 30, 2007 02:41 PM
I'm sitting at the airport in Atlanta, Georgia, awaiting my return flight to Colorado. After living on the front range for nearly three months, I already find myself missing the beautiful mountains and am eager to get home. I wanted to send this newsletter today because I have just spent the last few days at Big Seminar #9, where I had the privilege of speaking to four hundred attendees and teaching how anyone can make... Continue Reading
Posted on April 21, 2007 12:22 AM
I like to think I've come a long way. It didn't happen overnight and it didn't come easily. But there's a world of difference between where I am now and where I was when I put up my first website. For one thing, I've now got more than one website. For another, I have a lot of speaking appointments, a small staff to help me and I've written a lot of books that -- best... Continue Reading
Posted on April 18, 2007 12:41 PM
I'm impressed.
I don't say that much these days.
While on the hunt for the absolute best resources and services that actually help people make money online, I find myself wading through a lot of nonsense.
A LOT of nonsense.
When a friend told me about a new product called "My Affiliate Store", I had to laugh. Continue Reading
Posted on April 13, 2007 12:03 AM
Friday the 13th?
This is your lucky day!
I'm not superstitious, and I believe that this Friday the 13th is going to be a huge winner for you!
Why?
Because I've just had the opportunity to speak with Brad Fallon of Stomper fame, and he is doing something that is about to rock the Internet marketing world! (And it won't cost you a dime, so breath easy, ok?)
Continue Reading
Posted on April 10, 2007 08:12 AM
Does $10,000 for sending one email sound impossible to you?
How about $25,000?
Would it floor you to think you could make almost $75,000 with just two email promotions?
To be honest, at one time I wouldn't have believed it either.
But the fact of the matter is that it is far more possible than you think. Continue Reading
Posted on April 8, 2007 08:41 AM
Easter morning.
New beginnings.
A reminder that although the world seems somewhat messy, there is hope.
I must confess. I enjoy marshmallow peeps, coloring easter eggs and baskets filled with goodies.
But the Western world's twist on Easter is not what it is really about any more than Santa Claus has anything to do with Christmas.
No, Easter means much more. Continue Reading
Posted on April 7, 2007 08:39 AM
They say variety is the spice of life. I have to agree. I love variety. It keeps things exciting. It's why you see me doing multiple projects and always coming out with something new. I just can't sit still. (My wife says it is ADD, but I think she is.. Oh! Look at the butterfly!) ;-) Well, you know how I teach people to find a niche and become the expert in that niche by... Continue Reading
Posted on April 4, 2007 12:16 AM
I was on the phone with Armand Morin last night, and I've been thinking about something he said ever since.
We talked about the great ebooks that are out there...
We talked about some of the cool software tools that are now available...
And of course, we talked about AdSense.
But here's what he said that stuck with me. Continue Reading
Posted on March 28, 2007 01:04 PM
Last July, I wrote about how Amazon.com was breaking into contextual advertising with its Omakase program. Now they're at it again with another context-based advertising system.
This time though, they've taken a leaf right out of Kontera's books.
Instead of placing ads in ad units, they're linking to keywords in the text and serving floating ad balloons. You can see samples here and here. Continue Reading
Posted on March 27, 2007 07:50 AM
Where in the world are you? I thought it would be cool for people to check in and share their location on this planet we share. Maybe even tell us what you like the most about where you live. I recently arrived home from Washington, D.C. where I attended an internet marketing seminar. While I as there, I got to spend some time with Tom Kulzer of Aweber.com. For those that don't know, Aweber is... Continue Reading
Posted on March 22, 2007 08:37 AM
It seems like everywhere you turn, people are talking about Web 2.0. What's the deal with Web 2.0 and why should we care? In the past weeks, I have shared with you how I built my lists, increased my visibility and made more sales by using Squidoo. Many of you have written me thanking me for the free report on the topic as you are seeing results from using this new web technology. But did... Continue Reading
Posted on March 19, 2007 11:58 AM
I love to write my own newsletter. It gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings with you in a very personal way. However, my friend Eric Holmlund has written such a brilliant piece that I have asked him if I can reproduce it in its entirity. Being a great guy, Eric said no problem. With no further ado, here is Eric's post... ---------------------- I want to tell you about a young woman... Continue Reading
Posted on March 16, 2007 02:19 PM
What's the truth about global warming? Is it as the media is currently reporting and as Al Gore's movie says? Or is it an issue being driven by a political agenda? I am skeptical, as I have already read much that debunks "An Inconvenient Truth" as "A Magnificent Lie". And now, a group of dissenting scientists have gotten together to create a documentary that makes it look like a tremendoes hoax. Whatever you currently believe... Continue Reading