Stop Thinking And Start Writing
As I look at my last blog post, I realize it has been a week since I wrote it. I have been spending the extra time I have creating graphics and redesigning my blog. As I go through other Alex Jeffreys student blogs, I see that they are busy posting and getting content that will draw visitors to their sites. I want to publicly say that I’ve dropped the ball.
Continuing to provide graphics for you fellow students will still be a high priority for me but in all honesty I really need to begin to build my list. So the only way to build my list is to finally start writing my giveaway ebooks and post them to the giveaway events. It takes time and planning but if that’s what it takes then so be it.
Sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to write when your job is on the line and you’re trying to feed your family. And then when you do have time, you are so tired from work and the worries of the world that you just want to relax. I feel like this often but I know that sitting around won’t build my business and I see so many of you blogging and creating on a daily basis.
I am seeing all of my fellow Alex Jeffreys students do a variety of things from product creation to helping others to all out quitting. So it makes me think about how we all received the exact same information from Alex but yet we all have done something different with it.
This is proof that it’s not Alex or the information. It’s us or should I say me. The reason over 95 percent of people fail is never because of the information, it’s because of themselves. If you don’t know what to do with information, it’s up to you to find out. I have no doubt that I have a wealth of information already on my hard drive so I need to go through it, apply it to myself, and repackage it branded by me.
Those who relate to me and my experiences will be the ones I target for free advice and help. I have to give first before I can receive so it’s time to start writing and produce my ebooks to give away. I need to prioritize my time so that I have enough time to write and enough time to help others. If I could do this whole online business thing full time, it would help a lot.
But most of us cannot do this because we have other day jobs that take up much of our time and resources. We come home to take care of the family, church, scouts, sports, etc. Do not go faster than you are able or you will burn out. I’ve seen to much of it and it’s almost happened to me. Slow down if you need to but have some urgency in mind so that you can create your first product. Plan, plan, and plan some more.
Just start writing and you can edit or rearrange it later. It only takes ten to twenty minutes to write a good article. I saw the great Willie Crawford wrote something like 1300 articles since 1996 and has over 100 information products. Now I’m sure he didn’t write it all himself as he probably outsourced much of it but the point is that the successful ones stay busy and are productive.
I don’t have one report or book that’s out by me yet. Yes I’ve done some PLR stuff but just like Alex, I haven’t had any success with it yet. I now know I need my own stuff, my own content that’s unique to me and my experience. So I’m going to write my first ebook as a resource report of what tools I use to run my online business. Yes it will have affiliate links inside but my main focus will be on the value to the people who read it.
Productivity takes planning so that’s what I am going to do. If you are in the same boat or have some tips or solutions for me, please feel free to leave a comment. Well, I’m off to write so until next time…
18. February 2009 at 3:36 pm
Michael,
I know of what you speak.
One possible resource to check out is Steve Manning’s writeabooknow.com. I bought it a few years ago but I am not an affiliate. Not all of his techniques work for me but some are very helpful, especially when it comes to the obstacles you have described.
Hope this helps..
18. February 2009 at 4:41 pm
Wow Michael. Talk about serendipity. Shortly after I left the last commnet I found this site: publishedandprofitable.com. Check it out – take the site tour.
18. February 2009 at 8:54 pm
Awesome Bernie, thanks for the resources. I’ll be checking out your site some more soon. I went ahead and checked out both of the websites and they look great. I not only need to get to writing but those sites go into the planning process and taking your newly written book, marketing it properly and making it profitable. Great info my friend. I appreciate the feedback.
20. February 2009 at 3:54 am
Hi Michael,
Great post.
You have got it exactly. As Alex Jeffreys students we have all been taught the same skills. So whether we succeed or not, is down to each individual.
Yes, we all start from different points in terms on technical abilities and also what each of us can commit time wise, but for those that are really committed to success those differing start points will only determine the timescale for when it can be achieved by. Of course outsourcing can help in this respect anyway if it is a viable option for people. Hope that make sense
Like you say Michael, it is all about getting the balance right too. Balance in terms of personal and family commitments mixed with the priorities within our online business as well. Getting you own free product (EBook) completed is a crucial step because it then starts to allow you to focus on building your list. I have neglected this to some extent since Alex’s course started as I have been focusing on positioning my blog and helping others. This has been a crucial stage for me but I now need to start moving the balance across to these other crucial steps of list building. I’m sure we can both help each other on that front Michael.
Just like to close by expressing my sincerest of thanks for you doing the graphics for me and Twitter background. They are awesome. I just wouldn’t have a clue where to start with graphics but you have come up with some wonderful stuff and you didn’t have anything to work with!! Well done.
You can see Michaels ‘talents’ at my Twitter page below
Garry
http://twitter.com/garryParkes
20. February 2009 at 9:44 am
Hey Garry, pleasure is all mine. I’m really glad you like the new images and hope that it will stimulate growth in the newsletter. In the future if you need new ideas or help with anything just let me know.
It’s completely awesome how we can be across the world from each other and work in this way. It’s proof business can be ran from the comforts of home. I’m taking a break so I can brainstorm your banners and special offer as I have not forgot about them.
Kids have school off today so it’s time to be daddy. Catch ya later friend.
24. February 2009 at 11:44 pm
Hi Michael,
Thank you for stopping by at my blog – the one I have called the “TEMPLE” – LOL! Some people may find that name unpalatable or corny or arrogant but that is exactly what I want it to become known as – a temple of learning (especially for Internet Marketing “newbies”) – and everybody gets to contribute to the repository of knowledge housed there.
I must say that you have great talent in graphic work. I am clueless in this regard, like Parkesy said above. You, however, are awesome at it. I have seen what you have done to Garry Parkes’ Twitter page and I think it is wonderful, as is the work you did on the cover of the Profit Pulling Project newsletter. When I first saw that my immediate reaction was, “Wow! Who did this?” Seriously.
So, we are all progressing at different speeds and down various paths. I agree that making comments and being helpful is a great way to attract attention. Garry Parkes and I both focussed on creating huge blogsites and offering visitors as much as we could. I don’t think it is boasting or arrogant to say that we both have super-blogs coz the evidence is there for everyone to see. But that was our intention from the start to do this. Now, we are moving into capitalising of that. We are both focussing on list-building.
In fact, we are both doing a JV with a couple of other F500 members and your services could come in very handy in that regard. If you are interested in getting your work seen by a LOT of visitors then I am sure we could all come to a mutually acceptable agreement.
Get those list building e-books finished Michael coz there will soon be a very nice outlet where you will be able to promote them.
Regards
Gary Simpson
25. February 2009 at 10:09 am
Hi Michael
I really agreed with you as I read your post especially:
Although my job is not on the line at the moment, I am on an hourly paid contract. I have not been well today so did not go into work and have consequently missed out on 3 hours’ teaching. I still don’t feel brilliant, but will need to go in tomorrow.
Working at our own speed is so important – I started as a complete newbie and as a mum as well, I think it is even more difficult to allocate quality time to this.
However I have been spending quite a while over the last couple of weeks researching young people having blogs, websites etc and making money on the Internet. You may have seen that my daughter has featured on Garry Simpson’s blog, so I have a particular interest in this.
It is so important that we have an interest in what we are doing. I have just read a quick read book by Richard Branson called “Screw it, let’s do it” which is a great short book to read to boost morale. In it he says that if you don’t enjoy something it could be time to move on: “I didn’t set out to be rich. The fun and the challenge in life were what I wanted – and still do.”
So follow where your enjoyment and talents lie, plan and move forward from things that didn’t work for you and improve on those that do.
I have had a look at both of the sites recommened by Bernie Perry and I can see some value in following those lines – so more research for me!
So keep going – I don’t have an ebook or report yet, but I will do soon. Don’t let the pace at which others are going put you off. We are all individuals, who will travel our own road in the company of like-minded people.
Hilary
6. March 2009 at 9:31 am
Thank you Hilary for that comment. I’m glad and very impressed that you are including you daughter on your journey. She will have some insights that are from her perspective that will help you tremendously.
Thanks for the words of encouragement as to go forward with the skills I already do possess and for me this seems to be graphic design. I love designing ebook covers and such for myself but never had the intension of doing it for others.
As i continuously give of my time and talents, things are beginning to take off and your comments reflect that. Whenever you are ready for the design process of your new report or book, I’ll be glad to do a cover for you free. You deserve it.
Givy Lizzy my best as I have checked out both of your blogs and I’ll be back soon to spend some quality time with you ladies. Thanks again.
6. March 2009 at 11:21 am
Thanks Michael
I really appreciate that offer – I was trying to decide what to do about a cover. I am not ready for it yet, but will come to you when I am.
I have had to take a step back for a while – Gary, Nikki and others are all talking about the importance of not being too busy but to take time for ourselves.
For me it’s been catching up with the pile of ironing today, but also spending time with my children and as you said on my blog it is the quality time with them that is important. My son is choosing his options for his GCSE exams (at age 16) at the moment and that has meant a great deal of discussion in our household, whilst my daughter is taking part in a preliminary round of the National Festival of Music for Youth with her choir on Sunday. These are the important things in my life and will continue to be so.
So although I am seeing many other people moving forward into new things I simply cannot even try to go at that pace. I cannot burn the candles at both ends (I’m certainly not as young as Alex!) but I can take time to learn things properly and to go along my road, excited about what I am doing, but also knowing that I am not trying to spread myself through everything just because other people are doing it and say that I should too.
No, I am my own person and will do things my way. I want to enjoy my journey, not have it go by in a blur along the motorway. Yes, I need to earn some money, but I know that if I produce quality work and give something of value, then the money will eventually come to me.
I love the spring, the days getting longer, the sun getting stronger. Today I noticed the first buds beginning to break on the trees. They will soon come out and cover the branches with their green leaves. That is how I feel – the buds are starting to emerge, but I don’t want them to get blackened by the frost if they come out too early.
So let us each celebrate the unique human being that we are – wouldn’t life be dull if we were all the same?!
Hilary
29. March 2009 at 10:46 am
Hilary, your words are truly inspiring to say the least. Go at your own pace and do what you can, your family is most important and they need you.
Let me suggest that making videos is one of the quickest most powerful ways to brand yourself and get your products seen online. Even if you just produce a quick 10 minute video a month like Gary Simpson, you will get a following.
I’ve noticed he has been getting a couple thousand views of his motivational moments in just a week or so after releasing them. With your dedication for young people and family, there is a niche right there.
Thanks for taking the time on my blog to comment and start releasing these fantastic blog posts on video. You’ll be surprised.
Michael