SEM Tycoon

**james2** · 07-25-2006, 05:10 PM

So Lee, you going to tell us what you do? Like maybe use one of your site's as an example, and teach us.. or are you just going to tell other people to give them their secrets. So far, this thread is just talk.

I'd wager a large portion of your income is through the forums? Specifically, I'd say the spring forum.

**jerome2900** · 07-26-2006, 09:07 AM

With " the right way " you can sleep at night especially if you dont have a 9 to 5 and you have bills to pay, there are creative ways to do it the right way and make just as much or more and it wont require all your time either. Its good to have a business you are proud off and dont have to use fake names and addresses lol

**sknydave** · 07-26-2006, 09:14 AM

Well there are quite a few posts in this section of the forum which I don't think constitute "the right way" lol

**elvirs** · 07-26-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

~ SPAM

look at what you do on introduction forum, you post the same "welcome on the board" message to all new members no matter what they say or ask for. i am sure you do not even read their posts or look at their names. not good example from administrator.

**LeeD** · 07-26-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvirs

look at what you do on introduction forum, you post the same "welcome on the board" message to all new members no matter what they say or ask for. i am sure you do not even read their posts or look at their names. not good example from administrator.

I would hardly say that an admin is spamming his own board by welcoming his own members.

**bigmista** · 07-27-2006, 01:00 AM

I like what is going on here and I plan to learn a lot from just about everyone here. I would definitely be interested in working with a mentor or participating in a guided group with a mentor. I would be willing to help in any small way I possibly could.

**Handsome** · 07-27-2006, 09:10 AM

Well it is really a great artical is it is true

lolz

any ways thanks for sharing dear

**KoolKat** · 07-27-2006, 11:36 AM

Hi all,

Hmmm, I'm seeing no response at all to my post on the previous page.

I am still interested in connecting with people who REALLY want to work hard, and who have already done a lot of foundation-building in preparation to get our butts into gear.

I'm seeing a lot of posts where people are saying they want to learn, this forum is a great place, who can help us get started (serving as a mentor), etc. etc.

I haven't been with this forum long, but so far it seems that there is much talk and little action. I see people wishing/hoping for guided mentoring, as I also have. But let's face it...the big money-makers are very busy, and they're under no obligation to serve as mentors.

So thus far, the forum seems to be a very unstructured affair, people will pop in, glean a pearl of wisdom here and there, and pop back out again. There's no real structure here, which is usually the case with forums, except that we beginners YEARN for structure. We seek out a fairly linear path to keep us focused on our goal, and what we find here is random access.

This is the nature of forums. So my position, as I elaborated on in my last post, is that WE HAVE TO DO IT OURSELVES! No one is going to take us by the hand and say 'here's what you need to do now...and here's what you need to do next'. Of course we all have to begin at the beginning and it can be overwhelming even knowing what the next step should be, let alone understanding how to implement it.

For those folks who are really at that beginning point, I hope you don't get discouraged. Keep moving, keep doing something every day to help your understanding. Research, read, see how others are doing it, check out various products. If you're interested in figuring out how to get started with your web business, PM me and I can give you some free resources that have helped me tremendously.

In the meantime, I am still looking for a small cohesive team of people who are ready to come together and take action. I'm looking for movers and shakers, motivated individuals who can bring a lot to the table, including the belief that no one is going to do it FOR us.

Again, see my post for more details on who I'm looking for. And if you think you are one of these people, PM or email me and tell me why.

Looking forward to hearing from some of you!

~ Kat

**Frito Pie** · 07-27-2006, 11:40 AM

Your post sounds more like a sales pitch to me. And when I see it coupled with your signature, I'm even more suspect.

**LeeD** · 07-27-2006, 11:50 AM

KoolKat, I must say your posts aren't going to get you the desired response. To come on the fastest growing webmaster forum EVER and say it is unorganized and unstructured is a bit odd in my book. I would think this is I wasn't the admin.

Those that will benefit (and dozens have, I hear from the daily) will do so because they are persistent and want to learn. It is up to you, not the forum structure to make this happen.

**xboxundone** · 07-27-2006, 12:26 PM

Also those have to remember we aren't always going to post all advice in the open i know i have given Much advice via Pm's and AIM because of this forum. and even received a little advice.. so the givers of advice and knowledge are there... the one thing i preface this with is that we aren't going to just ahnd you a golden nugget it will still take hard work.

**KoolKat** · 07-27-2006, 03:08 PM

Hi Frito, Lee, and xboxundone,

Thank you for your comments.

Frito, I guess you're right. It IS a sales pitch...but if you read this post and my last, the 'pitch' is that ultimately we need to be willing to work hard and do what it takes. If given ALL that I said over these posts about working hard, doing it for ourselves, taking up the torch and not expecting a handout from others, if what you took away from all of that was my sig file (was that in violation? are others not doing it? why the criticism on that point?) then you really did miss the point of my posts.

Lee, thank you also. Please note that I did not say the forum was unorganized. I said it was unstructured, and that was not meant as criticism, but rather an observation of what forums are, in general, at least by my perception. They are places where people can pop in and out of various conversations of interest to them, more of a water-cooler kind of thing than the structured linear progression that some of the newbies here, including myself, have said would be helpful. Thus, I'm not sure why you would say that 'It is up to you, not the forum structure to make this happen.' because that is the very point I've been trying to make. In my appeal for some others to collaborate with me and get moving, I've said that it is NOT the forum that will do it for us. It's US that will do it for us. I stated and restated that point in a number of different ways. I'm not looking for the forum to do it for me. I need to do for MYself, and I'm looking for others who understand that we need to do for OURselves. I think that if you re-read my posts you will see that stated over and over. The value in this forum is that when we hit those bumps in the road, we can jump in and ask a question or ask for a bit of advice. But we are in complete agreement that the forum can't do it for us. I apologize if you felt that I was criticizing the format of the forum. That was not the case. My point was that the forum is a vehicle, not a crutch. I'm not looking for anyone to do it for me. I'm looking for others who KNOW we need to do it for ourselves.

Xboxundone, what you say is completely consistent with what I'd hoped my message here was. I don't expect a handout, I don't expect to be mentored, I don't expect to have you all sit down and reveal your secrets. That's exactly what I've said in my posting. We need to be self reliant, we need to do the work, lay the groundwork, sweat it out, figure it out, etc. Those were the messages in my posts, as I said that over and over, and a lot of different ways.

However, I HOPE that this is also a forum that is marked by a spirit of some measure of willingness to help, advise, and encourage when appropriate. Otherwise, what is the point here? This forum is a tremendous gift to all of us, but what matters is how we deal with it, within it, and with each other. Will newbies who are asking how to get started be criticized for 'whining', as I have seen, or will they be given a bit of info that they can pick up and run with (emphasis on THEM taking the action)? Will questions for help be met with 'you've got to do your own work' responses, or with 'tell me what you've done so far and maybe I can get you over the hump'? Undoubtedly there are some who just want to be taken under someone's wing and taken along for the ride. Those who are not ready or willing to do their own work simply will not succeed. Will there be a response of suspicion with every sig file or embedded link, or will there be an assumed trust to keep us open to REALLY HEARING (so to speak) what someone may be saying? But in all cases, I think that there is a tremendous opportunity for this forum to be something special.

It surely looks like I've shaken things up, however inadvertently. I think that if you read my posts you will see that I am sincere in my own desire to succeed, and hope that I can find SOME OTHER BEGINNERS (beginners at making money but not at having done a lot of work to prepare for this moment), the movers and shakers I was referring to, those that are ready to take action for ourselves, to collaborate with. I'm looking for a core group of folks who first assume trust, who value an ethical approach to doing business, and who can subscribe to a philosophy of 'paying it forward'.

If this sounds like you, please let me know.

BTW, sig files seem to be SOP here, as in most forums. I don't think mine should stand up to any greater scrutiny than anyone else's, so it remains. I've re-read the TOS, and I don't believe it's a violation of forum rules. If you don't want to click, just don't click!

~ Kat

**LeeD** · 07-27-2006, 04:13 PM

After reading 3 of your lengthy posts in this thread, I must say, "I just don't get it". Your arguement or statement is that you want people to come together that are hungry, motivated, and eager to learn more about web business and earning. This is the very thing we have here!

Just put the place to good use and earn!

**Frito Pie** · 07-27-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Frito, I guess you're right. It IS a sales pitch...but if you read this post and my last, the 'pitch' is that ultimately we need to be willing to work hard and do what it takes. If given ALL that I said over these posts about working hard, doing it for ourselves, taking up the torch and not expecting a handout from others, if what you took away from all of that was my sig file (was that in violation? are others not doing it? why the criticism on that point?) then you really did miss the point of my posts.

You are selling a program. You want others to use your system, your software, your program. This is your sales pitch.

You apparently need people in order for you to earn and you want to find them here.

We aren't here to sell to each other.

As for working hard and doing what it takes: Notice my earning badge. I'm doing okay without your system.

**KoolKat** · 07-27-2006, 05:28 PM

Lee, I'll try to keep this one short. There have been some who have asked for guided mentoring/private forum for beginners, etc. This speaks to a desire for people to be able to work together in smaller groups, sharing ideas and resources more directly with each other, and kind of setting up some real measurable and achievable goals, and then motivating each other to keep going, keep moving, try different stuff, etc. This sharply-focused subgroup where we are each others' mentors might meet the need that some have expressed for a tighter focus. When I saw that some others seemed to desire the same thing, I put the word out. There are a lot of newbies here that feel alone and not sure how/where to get started. So wouldn't it be great if a few of us got connected with each other and created the support structure that people seem to be asking for?

***********************

Frito,

"You are selling a program. You want others to use your system, your software, your program. This is your sales pitch."

I'm not selling a program and I don't have a system. What I have is motivation and enthusiasm and, like a lot of others, just finding it hard to get the traction going. The engines are revving, and I think by working together with a few others with the same experience, we can get into gear. That's been my message throughout these posts.

"You apparently need people in order for you to earn and you want to find them here."

Isn't that why this forum is here?

"We aren't here to sell to each other."

Again, you've focused solely on my sig file rather than the whole of my message posts. If you find the sig file so much more heavily weighted than the essence of a post, perhaps you should suggest to the administrator that all sig files as well as the marketplace forum be eliminated.

"As for working hard and doing what it takes: Notice my earning badge. I'm doing okay without your system."

My 'system' as you call it is to work hard every day and stay committed even when it's hard to see results. This is what is conveyed throughout my posts. But your use of the term 'system' makes it sound like there's some sort of trickery involved, quite a leap given that you've sought absolutely no clarification on my presumed 'system'.

Moreover, flaunting your earning badge and the sense of arrogance portrayed by your 'cool shades' smilie seems, at best, in really poor taste to me. I've done/said nothing personally denigrating to you or anyone on this board, and your recent post has become personalized in its condescension. I find that offensive, and I choose not to put any further energy into discussion with you.

~ Kat

**abohart** · 07-27-2006, 06:42 PM

Boy am I sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to this forum. I am pretty much at the same point you are. I have done hundreds of hours of research, I understand web design, blogging, RSS, and countless other tools. I know how to blend adsense well, and I'm pretty sure I know most of the techniques for building traffic. What I don't know is, how long should I wait before I know that I have failed and need to learn something else? By all rights, if I understand what I have learned over the last year or so, I should be generating big number like a lot of the folks here, but I'm not.

Allen

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoolKat

Allen, your post hit home with me, as I've been thinking along the same lines. I would love to see a 'beginners' forum here, with a mentor as you have suggested. Perhaps one day there will be one, and maybe if Lee sees this (Lee?) he'll give some thought to the idea.

In the meantime, I've been thinking of looking for maybe 5 - 8 people like yourself, smart and motivated ~ beginners, yes, but not looking for someone to do it for us. I've been doing a lot of research for a long time, and I think I have some good ideas on direction. Do I have all the answers? Of course not. And so when there are questions or bumps in the road, it would be helpful to be able to pop a few questions here, relying then upon the generous spirit of xboxundone and others here.

Aside from that, WE've got to do the work, and for me I feel it's time to put the rubber to the road. Like you, I'm also tired of all the marketing hype I receive in countless emails (gotta get off some of those lists!), as I try to discern the honest 'gurus' from those who will push just about anything at me to try to make the sale.

On the other hand, I've worked really hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, and I've purchased some tools that I think will help me to become successful. There's inevitably going to be a cost of doing business, and I think it's essential to invest in our own business, so I've begun to take those steps.

So while I'm a 'beginner' at making money, I don't feel like a beginner in terms of the countless hours of preparation that I've been doing. And now I'm ready to go.

Surely it would be helpful if it seemed like there was more of a planned guide here on this forum, a clear step-by-step (via a mentor), but I would suggest that we develop our own. With 5 - 8 people who share similar levels of 'readiness' and motivation, we can do a lot to share ideas, resources, and motivation. And hey, let's track our progress along the way and commit to BEING a mentor to others one day. I read a great quote the other day that said 'Don't LOOK for a hero...BE one'. So let's mentor each other. Let's bring all our tools and ideas to the table and let's help each other. Yes, ultimately we EACH need to do for ourselves, but we need not do it in isolation. Let's create a small, powerful, viral, committed community.

Here's what I can bring to the table and what I'd be looking for in my teammates:

> Absolutely above-board, honest and ethical approach to doing and building a business
> Willingness to put in a minimum of 15 hours a week into business building (more when I can quit my day job!)
> A 'readiness' to get started, insofar as there has been a lot of research and preparation to get to the 'chompin' at the bit' point
> A fundamental understanding of: the value of niche marketing, SEO concepts, the importance of providing unique, dynamic, keyword-rich content sites, AdSense guidelines, blogging, PPC, etc.
> Commitment to doing what it takes
> Enthusiasm and determination!

Let me know if this sounds like you, Allen. If so, let's get started, and let's find a few others of similar ilk and bring them in.

Maybe there'll be interest, maybe not. But these are my thoughts. What are yours?

~ Kat

**abohart** · 07-27-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frito Pie

You are selling a program. You want others to use your system, your software, your program. This is your sales pitch.

You apparently need people in order for you to earn and you want to find them here.

We aren't here to sell to each other.

As for working hard and doing what it takes: Notice my earning badge. I'm doing okay without your system.

The original point of my first post here was to point out that there was no private forum for people who have not yet earned any appreciable money from their Internet efforts. Because of that, the forum initially gave me the impression that it was created simply for the "big guys" like yourself to pat each other on the back and help each other to make even more money, while leaving the little guys out in the cold. Kat has stayed completely on topic for that post, and frankly, I don't see where there is any sort of effort "sell" us something any more than hundreds of other posters have done on this board.

**KoolKat** · 07-27-2006, 07:10 PM

Hi Allen,

Great to hear from you. I really understand your feeling of discouragement, because it is from that very place that I am motivated to keep going.

I have the advantage of being a high school teacher, so I have some vacation time now to try to get moving on some things.

Allen, don't quit. In fact, isn't it true that you can't really fail until you quit? I don't think there are any 'shoulds' about how long it will take to make money, and certainly that will vary person to person, but the main thing is to know that it WILL take time.

Goodness knows I've put thousands of hours into learning what I know. And none of it is a waste. It's just that I am realizing it's time to take action. I've done some good work, and I've also allowed myself to become distracted with too many other things, wondering if I should become an affiliate here, become an affiliate there, what I should buy, what I shouldn't buy, this sounds good, that sounds good, etc.etc. What I'm going to do is get off of MANY of the guru email lists that I'm on and pare it down to just a few.

I read a quote once that really hit home for me, actually a phrase, not a quote: paralysis by analysis. I've had some difficulty recognizing when it was time to stop preparing and start acting. I'm there now, and perhaps you are as well. I've done a lot of procrastinating, and now it's time to move.

I also want to recognize that while I can begin to take action, it's not going to happen overnight. What's important is consistency, doing something every single day, whenever you can. It might be for an hour, maybe two, sometimes less. Whatever. I know what it will take. I just have to DO IT.

If this resonates at all with you, great. If you want to try to work together to set some goals, compare notes, challenge each other to move forward, whatever, that would be great. I've got some great ideas and I'll bet you do, too. If you want to collaborate through this growing process, PM me and we'll see what we can figure out.

Same goes for anyone else rarin' to go.

Let's roll!

Cheers,

Kat

**imported_mondala** · 07-27-2006, 07:30 PM

For those seemingly frustrated (lower earners like me perhaps!?:yes: ),,,, I think we have to be realistic. We can't expect everyone to bond into webmaster brilliance or create meaningful partnerships instantly over a night/a month here a earnersforum,,,, nor can we expect high earners / skilled veterans to take everyone personally under their wing.

I think the framework of this site is setup quite well where the admins here have surrounded this community with top earners and skilled veterans of many areas, lots of hype and lots of activity...

Lee's first post in this thread as an example and the atmosphere I have observed so far on this forum is that in good time we will all sort ourselves in the right direction and find the help we need through creating relationships, finding contacts and sharing ideas, etc. The benefits of this forum will be recognized by sticking around as the digital dust settles and contributing positively as it does. We may need to mingle for a while among our own peers at the same earnings level, or just read and silently absorb all the advice we can find here...... surely someday with an honest effort, hard work, and patience we will find a mentor above and beyond us that will show us some tricks or we'll group together in a nice mix and find ourselves progressing to the next level.

I have some posts where I did not get the feedback I was hoping for but I moved around a bit and will revisit them again soon. (hint hint, all gurus, search posts by mondala and give feedback on unanswered threads! :yes: )

Anyhoot, I guess my suggestions is don't expect miracles overnight, I've studied and read hours on hours for two years straight now and the key is not to get to anxious or overboard. Keep your enthusiasm and do what you can in the now and one day you'll start to see hurdles pass and success at last.

Cheers & Kudos to Earnersforum! :thumbup:

**Hoang** · 07-27-2006, 11:04 PM

Once you learn how to make that first dollar online, it's pretty much uphill from there. You just gotta work at it to keep increasing your monthly earnings. I know how it can be frustrating sometimes not being able to make more money but it takes patience and time. I spent my first year online learning how to make money by reading articles, reading forums, experimenting and I've finally found the formula that works for me. I've been at it ever since and it's paying off.

There are literally thousands of free articles out there that will give you a push in the right direction and if that's not enough for you, I don't know what is. People can only help you to a certain extent and you gotta explore on your own after that.