Where My Business Is Taking Me
Over the past few months, I’ve been working this business online with the intention of giving as much as I can to a community of fellow entrepreneurs who likewise give of their time and talents to help me and others. I have seen a social family emerge and if it weren’t for those people who continue to give their time and efforts to encourage and help others, I probably would have quit long ago.
This post is to give a little background about what’s been going on and hopefully will stimulate those of you who are just waiting for something to happen to you, to get off of the fence and start considering what you can do or contribute to what I now consider a wonderful online family.
I decided a while back that I wanted to create and sell my own products online and that was it. I didn’t want to “work” for someone else or be told what to do. I have some background using Adobe Photoshop and because I am so cheap and hate to spend money, got into creating my own graphics for my websites, blogs, and ecovers. I purchased certain graphics and action scripts that I could use to create my own stuff and that’s what I’ve been doing for all of this time.
I’m the kind of person who loves to learn at my own pace and is very curious as to how all of this internet marketing stuff works so I spent a lot of time looking at source codes of many websites and learned how to do practically everything on my own without the cost of schools or tutors.
Because so many of you and my fellow AJ students were giving so much, I decided to start doing free graphics for those who I saw were taking action and actually building their online businesses. I started by visiting blogs and whenever I saw a crappy looking graphic image, I just emailed them and created a new ebook or ezine graphic free of charge. We all know the value of a product coupled with a great image can give a higher perceived value.
As I have given to several of you who are probably reading this right now, it has been fun for me to get my creative juices flowing to design something to your liking that helps brand you, your business, and or your products. I thought I would dread “working” for others but have found quite the contrary with graphic design.
A fellow AJ student and friend, Gary Simpson has been prodding me for a couple weeks at least to get him an ad banner linking back to my site to let people know of my graphic ability. The problem was that I was not sure if I really wanted to do all of this “work” for other people. It’s a lot more fun to give than to receive and there is no pressure of giving bad quality as I haven’t asked for money in return for my services.
This brings me to today. I realize that I cannot continue to just give free all of my talents as I still do have a family to provide for and this is the reason I got online in the first place and paid for a mentoring program to help me build a business for myself. So you all can thank Gary Simpson for what I just did.
Today I registered the domain SimpleEcovers.com and put up a “launching soon” page and put a brand new ad banner on the right side of this blog. If you haven’t noticed it, just look to your right. Everyone who I’ve done an ecover for in the last couple months will be my featured graphics and testimonials section as I’ve kept every single email and or comment about what I’ve done for them.
This gives me instant credibility for a new service which I will be offering and gives my “freebie” clients links back to their websites. It’s a win win for all of us and since I do not consider myself a graphics guru at all, my prices will probably be the best online as I still have quite a bit to learn. I never thought I’d be making banner ads, twitter backgrounds and ebook covers that cover the internet but there they are.
I still will be doing free work for those who really need it or have a low budget but the end result will be a successful online graphics ecover and minisite business. And it won’t stop there either. I’ll be of course continuing to produce other high quality information products as time permits. Also, I’m not going to go and pimp my business all over the place unless I’m providing real value to other peoples blogs.
I want those of you who are still struggling to know that you do have talents. Please just tap into those talents and do what makes you happy. I never in a million years would have thought that I would launch an ecover design site but here it is, almost ready after just a couple months of helping others and a couple of days of building my site. Don’t let anything stop you from your dreams and I promise you that success is a lot closer than you realize.
I want to personally thank those of you who let me work for you and give what I could. I thank you for your praise of my work which gave me the confidence to go forth with this business. You all know who you are and I’ll be over to your blogs soon. Success isn’t determined by the amount of money you make but rather how you perceive your life. I’ve made new friends and helped others to succeed. That’s all the success I need to continue on. Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Until next time…
14. March 2009 at 2:09 am
Hi Michael,
Something weird happened about 1/2 an hour ago. I just got this really strange desire to come to your site and – lo and behold – what do I find? ALL THIS! Like wow!
I immediately copied your advert graphic to lay it down over there at my TEMPLE. So, what happens? I’m sorting the code out and YOU are there (at the T) adding a comment.
Serendipity-doo. How was that, huh?
Anyway, your advert is now live over at the T and I have given you a couple of tweets about it all on Twitter. In fact, I have somebody who is in need of some graphics work. He is a fellow Aussie – Huddo. I expect he will contact you in a week or two when he is ready.
Um, yeah, I can be a bit irritating when I decide that somebody needs a “nudge” or a bloody great SHOVE! Like, I just don’t let up – LOL!
Excellent work here BTW.
Gary – Gazz-Man – Lemur Master (or whatever that thing is that Nikki calls me)
14. March 2009 at 9:02 am
@ Gary – I can’t thank you enough for helping me come to this decision. I hope people come to this blog and realize that the only thing stopping them from success is themselves.
I’ve put in the time and resources it takes to get to this status. I’m no guru and I’m not rich but I’m happy and love the work that I do. That is better than just working any old job and being miserable.
Thanks for the good vibes as the Temple’s power can sure reach all over the world. I’ve gone over to your other site and noticed you have a complete series of books. If you ever want the graphics redone for those just let me know. I’d love to give that to you for your efforts.
For those of you wanting to give free reports and ebooks but just need a good looking cover to stimulate a “download” my new site will be perfect for this. Believe me, I’m inexpensive.
Thanks again Gary – Gazz-Man – Lemur Master – and now Psychic. LOL
14. March 2009 at 8:21 pm
Michael,
Very true…
The “I can’t” syndrome is most prevalent but when we start to think “what if?” then we begin to see things that are possible.
Well done for taking this step and I may take you up on your generous offer. I have several partially completed e-books and one that is pretty much finished.
Gary (aka all those other weird and wonderful names)
17. March 2009 at 9:05 am
Hi Michael…
I posted to you at Gary’s, but his thread get a little crazy so thought I’d post it here. Do you have rates for covers yet?
Any idea when your site will go live?
Thanks
17. March 2009 at 3:23 pm
Hey Gary, just let me know when you want me to work on those projects. The more detailed the information, the better graphic I can produce for you.
Hi Linda. Sorry I didn’t get the post over at Gary’s blog. Yes it is hectic over there. I haven’t rates for my covers yet as I’m still building the site and doing some comparison pricing online.
I want to not only provide a great service but have one with some of the best value online as well. I’m trying to come up with something that is unique to offer too. I’ve been sick all week long and since it’s spring break for my children, I’ve been plenty busy with the family.
Hopefully the site will be live soon and will be a great source for your future projects. For those of you who don’t know the site I’m referring to, it’s SimpleEcovers.com.
17. March 2009 at 6:02 pm
@ Michael – will do mate. Your work is so good. I’ll send you some info later in the week when I can clear some work away. Darn, I always seem to be saying that.
@ Linda – crazy busy, crazy manic or just plain crazy? Hmm, probably a combo of all of that.
Gary Simpson
18. March 2009 at 1:56 pm
Hey Michael,
Thought I’d pop over before I escape from the office for the evening. Imagine my surprise when pootling over here and then seeing my ebook cover on your banner! And then I saw it was over at the Temple as well. Honestly, I’ll just be getting loads of exposure that way (no pun intended just in case the Dalai Lemur is around), and that’s priceless.
So thank you again for your excellent work – it really is appreciated.
Nikki
18. March 2009 at 5:12 pm
Nix…
You should know by now that I have eyes and ears EVERYwhere. My monks see all and tell all.
Dalai Lemur indeed! Always PMSL at that ridiculous title.
19. March 2009 at 4:41 am
Dalai Lemur, Self-Proclaimed Lord of the Lemurs
Why oh why does this not surprise me? I see you’ve been over to the Lair again – honestly, are there that many of you that you can spread yourself so far & over such a range?!
Michael – apologies for hijacking your blog – blame the Dalai Lemur!!
*sits on hands amusing self*
Right, I’m off to make some tea. Yes, yes, I know…more tea…
Nix
23. March 2009 at 8:42 am
Hey Michael,
Great post – you’ve definitely positioned yourself well. I was speaking with Garry Parkes a few days ago, and he mentioned quite a few times at what a good job you had done for him – and I can see proof of your work all over right now.
And great point on tapping in talents! There are things that we all enjoy and are good at that we can use to help others and build our business at the same time – I agree completely with you. Great job for taking action and sharing your talents.
I actually had an e-mail ready to send you to see if you could do a background for my twitter profile as well!!
Glad you’ll be opening up your services soon – can’t wait for the launch. I’d be happy to promote for you as well.
Speak soon.
Adam
29. March 2009 at 2:51 am
Hey Michael,
I must apologise, I think this is the first time I have visited your site, I wish I popped by earlier. You have a great eye, I really like your graphics. The first thing I noticed was your heading, and I thought to myself, “hey, that’s a really cool heading, I like the graphics, he must have got a professional to do this for him”. Next thing I learn from reading your post, is the “professional” is you!
Well done, awesome job, I hope I’ll be making use of your services soon
Annie
29. March 2009 at 10:37 am
Hey Gary and Nikki, if you guys want to go back and forth on the blog, that’s fine. I’m just glad to have you both here. So go ahead and pick away at each other. It’s fun to read. LOL
At Ann Marie, thanks for coming by, I’ve seen you around the blogs and on JV Village so I know who you are. I’ve been busy and will be getting to your site as well. I look forward to working with you and for you.
Thanks too for the the compliments on my graphic design. I’m still learning but have fun doing this type of work for others. I’ll see you around the blogs dear.
Michael
30. March 2009 at 9:44 am
Hi Michael,
Thanks for that – you may end up regretting it though! I do like to add my brand of randomness all over the place…particularly when I’m encouraged…
Nikki
31. March 2009 at 8:54 am
Hey, me again!
I’ve just replied to your comment over at Parkesy’s blog, so thought I’d pop over here for some welcome relief from the lectures!
Nikki
2. April 2009 at 7:33 am
By the way – er, why on earth am I not on your ‘AJ Students With Skills’ list?!
Oh, I know…you haven’t had a chance to see my skills yet…
Catwoman
2. April 2009 at 10:30 am
Oh believe me, you will be there soon. I really want you to get you book done so I can review it and give you exposure and also get some videos made so I can put them on here.
I don’t know how long I have to keep talking you up till you just do it. If we aren’t accountable to anyone but ourselves, then there is no urgency if you get my drift.
BTW Do you have a webcam?
3. April 2009 at 4:44 am
Ah yes, talking of books and the excellent front cover that you did for me….I’ll email you in fact…
No, I don’t have a webcam – it’s not quite *those* kinds of services that I am planning on offering! I’m thinking about getting a normal video camera like a Flip or something, then I’ll be able to make vids whereever I am – I don’t have lush scenery around me so I’ll need to be a little more inventive in my videos!
That’s very kind of you to offer to help promoting me and my work by the way, so thank you for that.
As for the cup of tea – I’m here ready & waiting! Milk please; no sugar…
Thanks,
Nikki
3. April 2009 at 12:13 pm
Good grief sorry Nikki, I wasn’t refering to “those” kinds of videos either even though you’ll make money a lot faster. LOL
I just mean getting used to talking in front of your computer or just chatting during a live video stream. Now I know where your mind is most of the time. JK
I myself am a pretty shy guy in front of any sort of camera cause I always think I look crazy or something. I got a webcam just to practice talking and stuff and then watch the videos to see what I can improve on.
The conclusion I came to is the more I do it, the more comfortable I’ll get with it no matter how dumb I look in the beginning. It’s truly a fail forward fast kind of thing.
I too want the little flip video but that only works if someone else is shooting you as you can’t tell if you are in the shot or not. I’m looking for a camera that the video screen flips around so I can see myself in the shot.
The milk is warm and no sugar, just the way you like it.
4. April 2009 at 5:15 am
Hi Michael,
I always look crazy, so no amount of video editing or practice or anything along those lines will be able to sort that out! I do have a tendency to make myself laugh with the random nonsense that I talk about though, so I can’t imagine that any videos that I make will ever be completely serious. But then surely half the point is that you get to see the ‘real’ me (possibly not in the catsuit though, as that could start going down that *other* path).
Ah – if it’s a saucer of milk then cold milk please; if it’s a cup of tea then it’s milk & no sugar…depends what you’re offering of course, and which persona is out to play at the time!
Ok, I’m going now before this turns into a complete mess…
Nikki
(Purple Minxy Witch / Catwoman)
16. April 2009 at 9:00 am
Me again! Just because I don’t feel I’ve shared enough of my randomness around for a while…I can’t be depriving people of the PMW entertainment!
Thank you for the very kind prezzie that you sent through to me by the way – much appreciated.
Great job on Garry’s Dominating Twitter cover and squeeze page – your work has a definite ‘look’ about it, and it’s a very professional one.
PMW
PS – Pop over to my blog and join in the fun over there! You know you are always welcome…
20. April 2009 at 1:59 pm
Hi Michael,
Firstly, compliments on a great Blog, you have a new subscriber.
Can’t seem to find any other way of contacting you, so I was hoping you could from this comment as I have a new project coming up and would love to ask you to do the graphics? (for a fee of course!)You did a great job on Garry Parkes Dominating Twitter and found you via his blog.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Sean
16. May 2009 at 12:19 am
@Nikki, I will definitely come by the blog, I mean the Lair Of Temptation. Getting a business started that takes a lot of time to do really does just that, “Take up a lot of time.”
But nevertheless it’s fun and great to help get peoples products out there as I’m helping you to do. “Social Networking Sites Explained” will be good I’m sure so when everybody reads this post they can go and see if it’s ready.
I know I’m looking forward to my copy.
@Sean, Sorry it took a while to reply to this post. For those of you who don’t know, I gave Sean a stunning new header graphic for his blog. Sometimes I surprise myself Sean because I don’t see how I could do something like that.
It’s proof that if you just apply yourself, you can accomplish anything even if your goal is to work from home full time. Go and check out Sean’s blog everyone. He is progressing well with it and is very informative.