Day 2 – October 2nd

October 2 2007

Well here we are with day two, lets get right into it.

First of all thanks for the comments everyone. Please keep them coming, especially if you can add any more info/tips after anything I write. I don’t know everything and I’m sure some of the topics I discuss can be elaborated on further by some of you so please chip in if you can so we can all benefit.

What I Did Today.

I wrote my 1st ever review for the Blog.

I’m guessing you got the email from me today?

The reason I decided to Promote AuctionTNT via the blog is simply because it will stay there permanently. If I had just done a mailing like I usually do I would have had sales for about 72 hours. Posting a review to the blog means I can still get affiliate sales months or even years down the road. As an example Tim Knox still gets me sales of one of my products about 6 months after he promoted it and I always wondered how he did this. Then I realized it was because he promoted my site on his blog.

So there you go, something I am not ashamed to say I have just started doing myself and while I know it’s not top secret info I bet not all of you are doing this? So when you promote a product to your list consider adding it to your blog.

I submitted an article to multiple article directories.

And this only took me 2 minutes. I don’t care what anyone says, article marketing works and I have been doing this on a constant basis for almost two years now. You can check out all my articles at:

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Thornhill

I guess you’re thinking how I managed to write and submit an article to multiple directories in two minutes?

Well first of all I now get all my articles ghostwritten. I used to write them myself but I don’t bother now. As the sole purpose of my articles is to drive traffic back to my websites I don’t feel I have to write everything myself. I am not saying you should get your articles written for you. Just do what you feel comfortable doing. I pay $7 per article from a ghostwriter I found from elance.com and as it could sometimes take me an hour to create one article I feel $7 is peanuts for an hour of my life back.

Secondly, I use an article submission service. Once again I used to spend hours submitting to tons of article directories but now I just have to do this once and the site I am a member of does everything for me. This service costs me $37 per month and once again I feel it is money well spent as it’s something I no longer have to do. If you want to check this out visit submityourarticle.com

Now you don’t have to do either of the above. Like I have already said just do what you feel comfortable doing. If you enjoy writing and don’t mind taking the time to submit articles you don’t need to do anything different. However, if you find your business growing this is definitely something you should consider outsourcing.

A word of warning, be weary of using PLR articles as this can get you banned from certain directories for duplicate content. Always use 100% original content.

So there you go, two more business building exercises taken care of. Have you done anything today to build your business? Please add your comments below.

Auction Rookie
Reply October 2, 2007

John,

Thanks so much for the blog. I plan on being here everyday to follow your progress. The article reminder was very helpful so I better get busy and write my two for the day.

Thanks again,
Auction Rookie
Randy Smith
Reply October 2, 2007

I guess that shows the difference in effort required John.

What you’ve discussed today should give inspiration to plenty who have to write their articles, proof read, spell check etc.
Then submit them all manually —-

And generally spend many hours doing what you seem to have automated to a large degree.

Some would say you have it easy then ?

But I’m sure others will find inspiration —– Thinking that yeah, there does seem to be a lot more workload initially…. but hey – I’m on the same path as John, so it’s just a matter of time…

Then I too can re-invest in myself and free up my time for other things as well.

Good post John
Advice plus inspiration, and excellent combination…. thanx

Randy
RandolfSmith.com
Dave
Reply October 2, 2007

Hi John,

Thanks for this post on article marketing…

Curious if you target particular keywords in your article that you’re hoping to rank for, or just theme them together around a common topic (i.e., how to sell on eBay)?

Also, about how often are you submitting? Your eZine link shows about 55 articles (something like that)…Is this over the “almost two year period” you speak of?

Finally, do you ever vary your articles at all for the different directories? As you know, much is often made of the infamous “duplicate content” penalty (though I am a bit skeptical)…

Thanks, and look forward to being able to contribute soon too!

– Dave
Gary Packer
Reply October 2, 2007

Thanks John,

I’m sure I am on the right path (same as Randy). I also submitted some articles. I haven’t got round to outsourcing them yet. I just need a bit more money sent my way before that happens. So, until then, I just plod on, writing my articles for a couple of hours. It’s better than TV…

I look forward to tomorrow’s instalment with great anticipation.

Great blog, by the way.

Regards,

Gary
Gary-Packer.com
Mick Menesse
Reply October 2, 2007

Hi John,

Your blogs coming along nicely.
I would be interested to hear about your ebay listings John, things like do you list everynight or just autopilot them by scheduling?

As for myself I’m just putting the finishing touches to my new book which i intend to launch as a wso on the warrior forum and on my site http://www.Easyincome247.com .
It’s been written especially for those looking to automate delivery of their digital products.

Same time tomorrow John then?

Regards,
Mick
Dan Thompson
Reply October 2, 2007

I’d just like to expand on the 1st bit of your post about the review for AuctionTNT.

Reviewing products is the easiest way I know of earning affiliate commissions, I’ve earnt thousands from a single review site this year. If anyone out there is reading this, don’t just stop at a blog post, after you’ve done the initial review (as John has done).

Go out and do some keyword research, if the item/service you are reviewing is proving to be popular, go out and buy yourself a relevant domain name and “tart up” the review, making sure you include the correct keywords, check the keyword density, add a blog that auto-updates, write some articles targetted around the keywords and hey-presto!
Jo Blythe
Reply October 2, 2007

You know something, John, Today I have done NOTHING productive!

Why is it when you sit down to work, your mind full of new, good, money-making ideas and thoughts – you suddenly lose track and end up reading (or worse – buying) some “rave review” software, plr, rubbish!

I hope that by reading your daily blog I will be inspired to conquer the world (maybe a bit too much of a challenge!) – or at least put my mind to what I am supposed to be doing – MAKING MONEY!

Keep up the good work (I should address that to myself)

Kind regards
Jo
Sarah
Reply October 2, 2007

Hello John, If you can get through to me on how to upload etc to my sponsored web site that has sat for a year- you will certainly be breaking records- because nobody else has been able to help me.
I’ve had plenty of offers but everybody seems to talk in jargon and presuppose that I understand what they mean.
I’ve finally learned what the F.T.P. stands for in a programme.
But what does FILE PROTOCUL TRANSFER mean?
See what I’m getting at?
I couldn’t even load down your free monthly $10 fee I was entitled to through Jim Cockrum’s books.I AM CERTAINLY THE WEAKEST LINK!
Here’s hoping by the end of the month I’ll have made some headway-
Over to you John- Did you know that after age 43 one is too old to understand the new technology.
Show them they are wrong-SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY!!! All the best. Cheers, Sarah
Sarah
Reply October 2, 2007

This is exactly what I am talking about.
I HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED A LENGTHY COMMENT AND WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN- NOT EVEN FOR YOU JOHN.
books 999
Reply October 2, 2007

I am getting onto a habit to read this blog and it is a good thing that i have sin up for up dates.

Today I have edited 4 articles I have written long time ago and you are right, it is Just for traffic, so no need to spend too much time with it.

So I have created article Directory myself and you can submit any articles you want and suggest a categories as you wish.

http://www.3dsolutions.info
You can post Your Articles

I also had few listing on ebay http://store.auctiva.com/kristined

and what i have done over week end it’s ADDing FEEDback to a listings.

I am seriously thinking about shop though, not sure though how many listings would that require.

Till tomorrow
books 999
Sarah
Reply October 2, 2007

Boy is my face reeeddddd!!! The penny has dropped aaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhhhhh
Steven Cousley
Reply October 2, 2007

What did I do today? Posted an article to one of my niche sites and also a blatant advertisement on my blog. The article was based on a PLR article but with some editing to personalise it a little (and immprove the grammar.

I’m only part time here but I make sure I do something everyday to make sure that I’m “out there”
Mick Menesse
Reply October 2, 2007

Quote from Sarah

“Did you know that after age 43 one is too old to understand the new technology.”

I dont know about 43 Sarah, I’m only 41 and struggling to even work my sons ipod!!

Mick
Mark McWilliams
Reply October 2, 2007

Another great post John! Seems like I’m off to elance for a few articles 😉 – Might start earning me a little spnding cash.

Thanks for the information…I know the whole blog is going to be amazing and so cool.

Thanks
Mark
John Thornhill
Reply October 2, 2007

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Dave – I just generally go for the ‘How to Sell on eBay’ niche. I probably should target my articles more and I have done in the past.
As for duplicate content it does not worry me, if my articles are good enough to be approved by Ezine Articles they should be ok everywhere else. As for duplicate content and Google that is something I don’t even want to begin to try and learn. I know as long as my articles are viewed (and they are) I will get traffic.

Mick – The eBay side of my business is 100% automated apart from support and listing brand new items. As soon as a listing ends or sells it starts again. This is a setting you can set with selling manager pro. Just set it to ‘relist whether it sells or doesn’t sell’.

Dan – That is an excellent comment and I hope everyone took notice, I know I did

Jo – It’s easy to lose half a day on the Internet and achieve nothing, try doing what needs to be done to build your business first before surfing the net.

Sarah – ???

Steven – Your built your business today, good for you.

Everyone – Jo summed it up, it’s easy to lose focus on what you are doing online. Try planning each day (tomorrow) before you retire and when you turn your PC on each day do what needs to be done before surfing the net and hitting the forums.
Keith Bowman
Reply October 2, 2007

Hi John,

I now understand what you mean about being careful about using PLR articles. I submitted my first article to Ezine Articles and even though I modified it quite a bit, they suspended my account. I immediately emailed them and apologized and explained to them what I had done. Thankfully, they re-opened my account. Lesson learned, NEVER use PLR content for article submissions.

Keith
David DeWitt
Reply October 3, 2007

Hi, John and everyone! I seem to be in the wrong time zone to get read before John sums it all up.

I was trying to tell a friend how to submit articles to get traffic to his auction site and discovered he could barely write a coherent line. Nice guy, no basic writing skills. I told him I would edit whatever he wrote for distribution and he offered to pay me!

I basically just want to do this friend a favor but it shows that there is a market out there for ghostwriting. Another friend asked me to build him a website and paid me $500. to do it. Both of these services might be income streams for people with the time and ability to do it. These days building a website doesn’t necessarily mean having coding skills.

I usually cut and paste bits of code for my auction pages and have learned just enough html code to work miracles with the way they look. I think a well planned, attractive sales page or auction page makes you look more professional.

I have also used my experience running my niche blog site to help some else begin their new blog, and this has been rewarding, too.

My blog has eighteen authors who are filmmakers, authors of books, one is a professional actor in Canada and one is a film historian who appears regularly on TCM featurettes for DVD release. We have 228 articles posted as of today and 104 comments. The site is tied closely to a Yahoo group dedicated to the same niche that has over 1000 members. If you are considering a blog of your own, it wouldn’t hurt to join a few Yahoo groups that are interested in what you might do on a blog with their niche subject.

Thanks for another look behind the curtain and Sara, you are a hoot!

David~
Dave
Reply October 3, 2007

Thanks John, good stuff. In terms of staying focused, I’ve found that if I don’t start my work *before* hitting a forum or before checking my e-mail, then I simply don’t get as much done…

– Dave
Jo Blythe
Reply October 3, 2007

Thanks for your comments, John – I must do better.

Regards
Jo
Paula Brett
Reply October 3, 2007

John, I don’t know whether you knew but one of your very own Members has been hiding her light under a bushel and been quietly working away as a ghost-writer – she’s amazing. If anyone wants to try her out, her name is Pat Graham and her work is excellent – attention to detail, grammar, spelling, you can’t fault her — and her prices are fantastic too. Just wanted to give her a plug to help our a fellow Member – her name is Pat Graham and she can be contacted here ghost-writer@charter.net (she is in the process of setting up her own site, but has been too busy 😉 )
Kym
Reply October 3, 2007

Hey Johnny
Another great post. And I totally agree about time management. I can spend a whole day scanning blogs and reading articles e.c.t. and at the end of it, nothing was done & I can’t even remember which pages I visted half the time. Something YOU once said I still do to this day is, The good old piece of A4 beside you for jotting down your daily plan. Mind you they are starting to pile up. lol.
I just can’t seem to throw them out. I’m thinking of puttin them into a big binder one day for easy access. One day. I think I’ll jot that one down. lol
Take care Big Fella
Your Aussie Mate
Kym
Kym
Reply October 3, 2007

Oh I almost forgot…..Sarah dont ever change! hehe
books 999
Reply October 3, 2007

John,

Thanks for Auction TNT.

Yesterday i wrote:
and what i have done over week end it’s ADDing FEEDback to a listings.
…. and that what i was doing manually .

Thanks to
http://www.auctiontnt.com

i have a software to do this manual, tedious, incredibly reduculous job … to a much better standard and almost on autopilot.

To be honest it is NOT what i expected ATT ALL, but hey
there are some pretty useful tools out there,

so thanks again,

books 999
Tom Parker
Reply October 5, 2007

Hi John,

Really great post today. After reading I’m seriously considering automating my article writing and submission. I just have a question. Do you use the same ghostwriter for all your articles? I don’t mind paying for articles to be written but I’ve heard that the quality of ghostwriters can vary quite significantly? Any recommendations for finding a good ghostwriter?

Tom
Marlene
Reply January 26, 2010

Wow John, it just hit me, how stupid I am!

I mean, I know article marketing works, I submit 5-10 articles a month and they drive traffic…

I also know that outsourcing is the way to go….

Then why the h… do I still spend hour after hour writing these articles and submitting them + bookmarking, when it only cost $7 to have someone do it for me?

Well no more…. I will go to Warrior Forum or Elance today and start getting my life back!

Thanks a lot John for opening my eyes
Pierre Trudel
Reply July 20, 2010

I am on ezinearticles and write my own stuff as Pierre William Trudel.
I know about elance but cannot afford it. I do understand.
I did not know about submityourarticle.com.
Thanks John,
I am learning.
Pierre
Thee Quest For Perfect Health