Cat-Talk-101.com Is Live!!

Not only have I chosen the perfect domain name...I've chosen the perfect homepage template and written my homepage copy! Yes...my website dreams are really coming to life, for I have a live website!!!

Truly tonight I made great strides using the Verify It! tool from SBI! that allowed me to do the one time manual sitemap upload and verification of my site to Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ask search engines.

When I had to do that for this blog, all on my own, it was so difficult, and seemed to take forever. Though it did take me a little while, tonight's work seemed so much easier with the step by step instructions and links from SBI!.

The next step for me is to build a footer, upload some libraries and learn to create a graphic. Oh, and finally get to write some content!

It's been a long time coming, but I'm on the path to success!

With SBI! I finally registered my perfect domain name

Yes it has been several months since my last update.

Yes it is taking me longer to achieve my goal of a passion driven website.

Yes I finally did make it through to Day 5 and I registered my domain name!!!!

My perfectly researched and niche rich name of: Cat-Talk-101.com


Thankfully I listened to the Action Guide from the very beginning and did not rush to register any of what I thought were the perfect domains. They were so not perfect that I can't remember what they were!

I cannot stress enough how much I believe in SBI! as the best education I could have found for learning to build a viable content driven website.

My work is far from over, mind you.

Currently I am reading an e-book on Web Design Success, however I have selected my template and it is live. Now don't get too excited...the template is live, but I've not built my homepage yet so...no content.

The template, I must say, is really cheerful!

The cool thing about the work on Day 4 is that I have a "blue print" of what will make up my website, complete with researched keywords...researched to the point that I know what words I need to write about first to have the highest chance of ranking highly for those words, thus, building traffic to the site.

Well, that's a really quick highlight of my progress...in a nutshell, so to speak.

Don't know when I'll update again, but just as a tortoise slowly plods along the path towards the finish line...so, I too, as well!

Until next time...
Annie

Disipline: Starting out it's not how much you do, but that you DO it!

Good intentions, creative ideas and enthusiasm don't mean a thing if you ain't got....no, not that swing, but discipline.. 

Building strong discipline in completing my daily "to-do" list is my focused goal this month.  Out of that will come progress in the areas that are important to me, and hopefully help prevent me from "back-sliding".  You may know what I mean...one minute you are productive and knocking projects off your list, then the next minute your desk is a piled up mess and you feel out of control of your life.

I'm finding that instead of focusing on how much I get done, it's more important that I"m getting "it" done.

I'm exercising every day...not a long time, but consistently.
I'm working on the SBI Action Guide every day.  Not quickly, but with strong focus on what I do.
I'm cleaning one room a day...as scheduled.
I'm taking one paper/project out of my "holding" file and doing something with it.  It might take two or three days to complete, but I'm activily doing something.

For now I'm not making any predictions on where this will lead.  For now, I'm just focusing on discipline.

Find and Develop Your Best Site Concept...That's what' up next!

Last night was one of relaxation combined with good productivity.  As my goals quoted below from my previous post indicated, I wanted to wrap up Day 1..which I did.

Current Goals for Progress:


~Watch Video Action Guide for Big Picture and Day 1

~Read articles in the Read Now folder

~Stay organized: Delete or sub-file by topic any bookmarks for articles I choose to keep

The idea of creating topic specific Favorites folders to file Action Guide articles I want to read later is a great one...starting out organized is key.

To prepare for Day 2 of the Action Guide I printed the 37 pages of  Find and Develop Your Best Site Concept.  In a few minutes, in fact, I'll do my first read-through.  Tomorrow I'll watch the Video Action Guide, then I'll finally make my true start at actually "doing" the steps.

I don't want my site to be full of half-understood choices.  I'd rather take 3 times as long to work the program and create a solid, well built website, than to rush and think "I guess I'm doing this right" and end up with a half baked concept.

Since the tortoise is the SBI mascot, I'm believe I'm moving at just the right pace!

Site Build It Action Guide Update: Big Picture & Day 1

Three days into owning SBI and I'm feeling at ease...not the least bit overwhelmed. 

Thus far I have read the "Big Picture Introduction--Prepare To Succeed" and Day 1 -- Master The Basics.

As I have been reading and have come across links for articles to read, I'm bookmarking them into 1 of 2 folders:

~Read NOW

~Read LATER

After I read each article I will decide if I can delete the bookmark or  if I should re-file the article into a reference folder.  For example, one article has to do with building in-bound links...definitely something I can see would be of importance for future reference.

Also, instead of printing every page of the Action Guide, I'm reading until I come across something that I believe I'll need to have in front of me...such as the technical directions on how to work some of the research tools, etc.

A great piece of advice I read in one of the SBI e-zines about getting started is:  Put your SBI blinders on....meaning, don't let the books, forums, newsletters, etc, of other methods draw your attention away.  All we need to focus on is the education from SBI.  So, I took an hour yesterday to clean out my original Internet Marketing notebooks, articles, brainstorm lists, etc.  Also, I bagged up and stored my copy of Honest Riches by Holly Mann.  It served it's purpose, but I don't need it now.

There were several issues of a magazine from my niche topic that I had accumulated.  I tore out the pertinent articles I wanted to keep for future reference and created a file by subject.  It will be a while before I need to think about them again, but for now they are not a piled distraction.

Still doing well on my home and personal to-do lists.  It dawned on me last night that to be successful in all areas of my life comes down to the simple act of discipline. 

Won't it be great if it really is that simple?

Current Goals for Progress:

~Watch Video Action Guide for Big Picture and Day 1
~Read articles in the Read Now folder
~Stay organized:  Delete or sub-file by topic any bookmarks for articles I choose to keep

If I can accomplish these goals today, then I'll be set to start Day 2 tomorrow...Develop Your Best Site Concept!  Now that will feel like I'm getting some concrete poured for this business' foundation!

It Only Took Me A Year and A Half...

My journey began over 1 and 1/2 years ago...and I'm happy to say, I'm still traveling.

Tonight I purchased my SBI! subscription. As my prior notes on the Action Guide indicate, the beginning of the process involves reading and/or watching the videos, analyzing, studying, thinking...BAM...using my brains and motivation.

So far I've:   Printed the Business-Building Checklist
                    Read the Big Picture Introduction: Prepare To Succeed

As the material teaches, I'm going to take my time, read and watch the Action Guide, click on every link for articles, and absorb all SBI! has to teach me.

My goal:  DO IT ONCE AND DO IT RIGHT!

SBI: Today is The Day!

The clock is ticking, I'm working my way through today's "To-Do" list, and by this evening, I will be purchasing my SBI! Website subscription!!! 

It's time.  This is not an impulsive decision, but a well thought out, worked for and planned arrival along the path that started over two years ago.

Want to know why I'm waiting until tonight?  Past experience.  When I get excitied about beginning a new project, it's all too easy to "go to dessert first" before finishing my dinner...meaning, do what I have to do before starting on what I want to do.

Here is a link to an article on the 10 Disgusting Habits of Work From Home Internet Marketers .  I was never as bad as this list, but I did have a time when I felt obsessed with learning IM and my house and home office responsibilities definitely took a back burner.  This was when I was reading Honest Riches by Holly Mann.  Her book was actually a great way to begin my education on Internet Marketing...I'd still highly recommend it for those starting out in this big "field of dreams", but afterwards, if building a website is how you want to proceed, the information from SBI is far more in depth...perfect for the 2nd stage of the process.

This time, I'm in a great place.  My house and home office work are up to date...I'm healthy and exercising...eating smart and healthy...basically...I'm ready!

So...in a few more hours, I'll actually begin my "college course" towards building my online business.

Today is a great day!

Will soon be purchasing my SBI! Website

Having just finished viewing the last of the SBI Video Action Guide, I am on the cusp of purchasing my website subscription.

My original intent to review each "day" of the Action Guide fell to the wayside during the Christmas season and subsequent bought of illness...then being out of town.

Though I was "plugging" along with watching the videos, the vast array of content made for difficult material to simply "review".

The bottom line:  If you decide to purchase and use SBI, the knowledge you will learn along with the tools provided will more than pay for themselves.

Just today while reading the section on monitizing, I was ovely impressed with the additional powerful tools that become available after writing and publishing 30 pages of content. 

Did you know that there really is a formula for knowing when to begin monitizing on your website?  Well, there is!  And SBI teaches us why and when...among hundreds of other important lessons.

If you do read or view the Action Guide before purchasing SBI, keep in mind the phrase "read from 30,000 feet"...meaning, read for becoming familiar, not for learning.  There is an advantage to getting familiar with material before trying to study and comprehend, let alone apply it.

I'll openly and honestly say this, I enjoyed the basic knowledge I learned from Holly Mann's Honest Riches, but what she teaches is like elementary school knowledge when compared with all that SBI has to teach. 

SBI is serious business about seriously teaching you to build a serious web business...Seriously!

My plan, beginning tomorrow:

Feb 12:  Wrap up loose ends of office and home projects to stay caught up and on track.
               Purchase my SBI subscription.

               Print Day 1 of the Action Guide, put in binder and begin the study and process of building my web  business.

Though my progress to this point may seem slow, the fact is that I am moving on a solid path toward a defined goal, as opposed to flailing around with a mish mash of affilate programs, quickly getting nowhere.

At this moment I offer my praise and thanks to God for giving me the direction I needed to arrive at this point.  Truly, thanks be to God.

SBI Video Action Guide Days 4 & 5

Last night I watched Day 4 of the SBI Video Action Guide on planning the monetization of your site.  A key lesson to remember, which to my knowledge was totally ignored with the information I learned from the Honest Riches Internet Marketing book is....do not be in a rush to try to monetize...not only must you build up your content and trust with your visitors, but for the success of your site with the search engines you need to have a minumum of 30 pages of content then put in applications to at least two online directories.  Apparently a totally content site is easier to be accepted into the directories than one with Adsense or affiliate links.

It's no wonder so many of us become discoraged when we charge out the gate thinking we'll just start selling these wonderful products, then get dismayed when nothing materializes from our earnest efforts.

Also part of the lessons are creating an actual monetization plan to ensure there will be enough viable and profitable ways to eventually make money with your site.  Most everyone thinks of affiliate selling, but the Day 4 VAG helps to guide your thinking outside of the obvious box.

Tonight I watched Day 5 which focused on refining the site concept, registering the domain name and creating your own "voice" for your site.

Several months ago I came up with what I believed was the perfect domain name for my future site.  I was so anxious to go on and register it...however, I'm glad I did not.  Instead of boxing myself in with what I  think, I'm allowing my mind to stay open to the process, when I get there.

There are lots of links to articles and a few e-books, like Make Your Content Pre-Sell .  Though I have read it before, I'll definitely give it another read when it's time.

The thought occurred to me that I might be spinning my wheels, doing all this "pre" reading and watching, before making the plunge and buying my SBI site.  But after a minute, I dismissed that thought, for the following quote came to mind:

"People who fail to plan, plan to fail"

I wish I knew who the author of that quote is so I could give credit, but alas, I do not...but I do believe it.

Therefore, I'll continue at the tortoise pace, learning and planning...slowly moving on my goal to finish watching the Video Action Guide and scanning the written Action Guide, completing all by the end of January.

Until then, I'll keep to my slogan:  Dream-Build-Succeed...The time For Action Is NOW!

SBI Video Action Guide Day 3: Blueprint and Tier Structure Your Website

Having a written list of goals is making it easier to focus on making my way through the Video Action Guide.  The first part of Day 3 was, truthfully, a bit overwhelming and tedious.  HOWEVER, once I'm more than a spectator and actually, for instance, performing my searches for my Master Keyword List, it will make sense and be exciting.

The first section focused on showing how you will use your keyword list to add and eliminate keywords based on the demand, supply and profitability of the words. By creating this well researched list of keywords, you are, in affect, creating a blueprint by which to build your website.

The second section focused on using the 3 tier system to actually structure and outline, or "blueprint",  the pages that will comprise your website, using all the keywords you have been researching. 

One reason I really look forward to using all the keyword research tools offered by SBI is based on my past experience when my husband and I built our 1st and 2nd websites, about 15 years ago.  I remember the webmaster of the 1st site telling us we needed to come up with our list of keywords.  We had to just think up what type of words our customers would be searching for and how they could be tied into our website information.  So NOT scientific, to say the least.

Anyone who is even considering building a website without using the tools offered by SBI is really in for making the job harder on themselves than necessary. 

In fact, here is a real life example:  Would you rather have tools integrated into your website to help you do the research, as with SBI, or would you rather have to buy and study books on keyword research?  And then have to figure out how to implement what you have learned...all on your own?

I know what I'm gonna do!

Dream-Build-Succeed...the time for action is now!

Resolutions: To Remain Slow and Steady...Dream-Build-Succeed

When I was in first grade and received my first report card, my parents saved it.  A while back I came across my card and was intrigued to read of the teachers comment on my reading skills:

Reads slowly but with expression.

That assessment came about 41 years ago, and in reflecting over my progress of the last year, I'd say it still has merit.

Many moons have risen and set since I began this journey of finding an honest way to make money on the internet.  There have been periods of inactivity...bursts of energy and productivity...times of brainstorming and imagining...analyzing and growing.

The foundation has been set of what will become my business and finally, realization of what I've been wishing I had studied in college and turned into my career.

At this moment I have no regrets.  I'm actually glad that I have not taken the plunge to purchase my SBI! website.  So often I have read of people who jump before thinking, full of giddy enthusiasm and rush through the process, only to not  produce the website of depth and quality that they had so wished to create.

As I move forward, from 2009 into 2010, I do so with great appreciation for who I am and how I do things.

I am moving slowly.  I have within me many wonderful things to express. 

In this coming year of 2010, I look forward to reaping the rewards of my patience.  By waiting to purchase my SBI! website, I'm going to be able to take advantage of their newest, most powerful platform:

SBI! 2.0

I've Dreamed.  I'm ready to Build.  I will Succeed.

2010 is going to be a very good year.

SBI Action Guide Day 2

When preparing to read the SBI Action Guide for the first time, it is suggested that you do so from "30,000 feet"....meaning that you read through once for familiarity, not learning or understanding.

After completing Day 2 last night, I totally understand. There is so much information to absorb, and such a variety of tools for research and analysis of data to learn to use that it will most likely take multiple "fly-by's" to begin to feel oriented.

When reading the Action Guide it is stressed that the term "DAY" is not actually a 24 hour day, but rather a term to designate the block of work that must be completed before advancing to the next level of the process of creating your website business.

"Website Business" is really what this is about. Not just a website full of articles and affiliate marketing ads, but a web business that will be producing a valuable resource for your specific future clients.

As I am reading I'm still keeping in mind my general perceived site concept, though I'm totally open to that being shaped differently after I purchase SBI and actually begin using the tools and "process" in "real time".

On to begin Day 3...

The SBI! Tortoise...Fits me to a "T"

In a quick update, I'm progressing....slowly but surely, just as the SBI! "mascot" suggests doing. I decided to switch to the printed version of the SBI! Action Guide to reinforce what I've been learning in the Video Action Guide, Day 2.

I'd definitely recommend trying the video lesson first then reading the same lesson....a great way to introduce then reinforce the lesson.

The other day I had a brainstorm for developing something that will be unique to my site, a little something that will make my "twist" on my niche just that much more "mine". Until I buy SBI! and have access to the full version of the research tools, I'm still uncertain how the "numbers" will support my "niche". Even if I have to go one step up, or "broader" for my site concept, I'll still use my specialty experience to make my site different from other sites, or even other SBI! sites that otherwise are similar to my "passion".

It's kind of exciting to think that some of the writing I began last night and tonight are the actual start of what will make up content for my site!

Being retired is great, except for the difficulty I'm finding in getting that level of energy back up to speed (as it was when I first began learning online). Once I can get more than 2 hours dedicated to this study and work, and, get motivated to get busy before 11pm at night, who knows what I'll actually accomplish!

Niche Selecting: Reassurance & Application

Had a bit of niche-choosing reassurance last night after re-watching some of the SBI! Video Guides Day 2 lessons. The importance of analyzing the keywords search demand and supply was stressed, along with using the resulting data to brainstorm for broadening or narrowing your chosen niche.

I did some Googling for sites that are similar to my niche, and even ferreted out some SBI! sites. The question that has been running through my mind is "What can I do to make my site different? What can I offer that will be of value for the content I will be creating, that isn't already out there?".

It's easy to start feeling unsure, or even insecure about having something to build a site around that will actually offer enough to have others want to read the content....or at least for me it is!

Anyway, in the SBI! lessons it talks about "bending and stretching" your potential niche until you find something to be unique to your talents and knowledge. So, I started thinking about what my real experience with my niche is.

OK, now with that idea, is there something I believe can be added that would make it even more unique? Yes!

So, with that thought in mind I decided to look through my notebook where, about 6 months ago, I had been outlining some of the resource books that I would use for my content building. In there I had actually come up with my first draft site concept niche...and it was totally on line with what I had come up with last night. Except, now I had "drilled down" and made it more unique.

You might be wondering how this helps you? If you have a passion about something, go back in your memory to the beginning and look for the components that make up your experience. From within those components, look for possible "topic keywords" and research those. Even Google for websites and see what comes up.

Trust in yourself and look within....don't try to force anything, but work with what you know...isn't that a saying? Write what you know?

Lets' all try it, but instead, build a niche with what you know!

Niche-Choosing + Google AdWords Keyword Tool

Stayed awake this time while studying Day 2 of the SBI! Video Action Guide. To give myself a change of pace I decided to watch a couple of videos I did not watch last night. The first on Niche choosing, the second on Google AdWords Keyword Tool.

Earlier in my blog I mentioned the Google tool, after learning about it when studying the Holly Mann book Honest Riches. Hate to say this, but after watching the video on using this tool, I do believe I totally mis-applied the results in some of my keyword research for previous articles. Ooops!

Tonight's video actually has you open the tool in a different window and do research with your own site concept keyword ideas, working along with the instructions from the video. Not only do you do the steps, but you are being given explanations of exactly what the data means and how to work with the tables to get different comparisons of the data.

The work with the Niche Choosing is shown with tools you have access to once your purchase SBI!, but to see, again, how much research will be available, is educational.


***If you read yesterdays post, you know that I fell asleep, literally, at my computer last night. Well, as I was starting out tonight to watch the videos, I again felt uncomfortable and sleepy. I changed out of my "day clothes" into something comfy. Also, I was unable to get comfortable sitting in my desk chair, so I took the laptop and stretched out on the floor! No sleepiness or lack of concentration....so my point here is to remember that sometimes you have to change your approach to a project to get the best result!

Finding The Time - A book available on Amazon.com

Though far from perfect, I am doing quite a lot better on staying focused and productive. In fact, I'm re-reading a great book titled: Finding The Time, by Sharon Hanby-Robie. It's from a series called "The Spirit of Simple Living" originally offered by Guideposts, but now available new and used for half the price on Amazon.com.

The book is written in short chapters, easy to read and graced with gentle teachings of the Bible to support what is being taught in each chapter. As a way to make time to read, I try to do so each morning while having my breakfast. A nice way to get positive thinking started early in the day!

As regards my progress with the SBI! Video Action Guide...I've watched and read (with the online text) the introduction and Day 1....I watched Day 2 last night, but was so exhausted that I literally fell asleep at my computer. At the end of the video there is cheering and that is what awakened me...I'd insert a blushing smile here if I had one!

Needless to say, the combination of being tired, not starting the video until 10pm and the section being detailed meant that I was not in the right place at the right time. I will try again tonight to see if I can stay awake and absorb the information.

I will say this, without a doubt from what I've seen so far, the tools received from the SBI! web building program are out of this world incredible. It's definitely going to be worth the price.

Again, for anyone reading this, if you want to have a look at the program, this version of the SBI! Video Action Guide is totally free to review.

Well, time waits for no one...so I'm off to watch Day 2, for a 2nd time!

Distractions, Interruptions and What To Do With Them

In yesterdays post I wrote about distractions:

The first lesson I will apply is "Don't get distracted"... Faithfully focus on the steps of the Action Guide and stay the course.

When I was thinking about this lesson, it was in conjunction with not studying or referring to any other Internet Marketing or Website building "how-to" program. The idea being to focus solely on the teaching of the SBI! Video and Text Action Guide...to not get back into daily participation of forums...even the SBI! forum. To harness my time and energy on the pursuit of ONE goal.

Doing this is harder than I thought. Now that I'm "back in the game", I find myself wanting to see what's been going on...to update my old HubPages...to finally organize my notebook of Affiliate and Forum user names and passwords...all productive and useful, but not now....these are distractions.

One of my major productive flaws is creating daily To-Do lists that are too long...too ambitious. Yes, there are things that must be done daily, but in balance.

Instead of a list of 15 tasks, I'll limit the list to 6. IF I finish all those, then I can add another.

As I sit at my desk I see the stack of files to my right. A distraction. My initial response would be to tackle all the files today and get through them, but I'll commit to 1 file...completely working through it. Tomorrow, the next file, and so on until that distraction is off my desk, completed ad behind me.

A distraction does not have to be a negative thing..sometimes even things we enjoy can distract us. Instead of 2 hours of TV I'll be aware and just turn the thing off in the evening. I'll be the first to say that I am weak when it comes to limiting myself there. The theory of "A body at rest stays at rest, a body in motion stays in motion" sure holds true for me. Once I sit on the sofa with the remote in hand I hear the voice in my head saying "Ok, just for fun let me see what else is on". Complete distraction.

The final thing I'll be sure to keep doing is continue implementing the "15-Minute" rule:

Anyone can do something for 15 minutes.

With the aid of a simple timer set for 15 minutes starting on projects or tasks is easier. If this sounds like something you would like to try for yourself, follow this link to the HubPages article I wrote a while back: 15 Minutes to Boost Productivity.

*** Keep in mind there will be a fine line of distinction between distraction, interruption and sharing your time with others for fellowship.

This thought came to mind as I heard the call of the billiard balls from our game room. For a fun "something to do together" my husband and I recently purchased a billiard table. We try to play a few games a day, and I like to shoot a couple of practice games by myself at night. A lesson I learned from my first year of Internet Marketing is to not get overly "obsessed"! Once that happened and all I could think of was working online (whether or not it was productive) I found that it was easy to get a bit resentful towards obligations and family...not a mistake I plane to make again!

***To achieve my goal I'll set aside a specific time of day to devote to reading the SBI! Video Action Guide. Most likely between 7pm and 10pm.

Well, being true to my theory, I'm about to make my list of 6, tackle the 1st file from the stack, then challenge myself to complete items 1-5 before 7pm!

Where I've Been and What I've Learned...so far

Five months is a long time to be away...especially from something that had captured my interest and ignited the feeling that I had finally found exactly what I had been searching for. I had really believed that internet marketing and building a website to share my knowledge and teach others about my passion was what I was meant to do.

Recently, when I first realized how long it had been since I last posted, it brought forth a feeling of sadness and disappointment in myself...that once again I had started something "full throttle" then left it unfilled. I know exactly when my steam began to fade: After thinking I had made my first big commission from an affiliate program, only to find out that the customer asked to switch the credit to another person. After finding out the "back story", I understood and agreed that there was validity to the customers request. She had originally clicked on my link, so had my affiliate cookie. However, from a forum, she had received answers and guidance to her particular questions and needs. The other person (who I know and consider a great mentor and friend) really had been of service with her knowledge and experience during the "information gathering process" that proceeds any major purchase.

In the end, it really wasn't that big of a deal, but no matter, like the air seeping out of a balloon, my energy and interest towards anything related to internet marketing dwindled. My belief in what I was doing wained. Eventually I stopped blogging, participating in forums or even studying for building my website.

During the last five months my husband and I stepped-up our home search by traveling the Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coasts. For the last two years we were "temporarily" living in an apartment...the result of having sold our business and been blessed with the chance to begin an early "retirement". After viewing around 60 houses we finally found a home...truly somewhere that feels right. Anyone who has ever moved knows that no matter how much you organize and prepare, it's hard work. Before, during and after. Thankfully we are just about 2 months into the after, and though we still have some unpacking and minor tweaks, it's definitely feeling like home.

Now you know the "Where I've Been" part of this post...on to the "What I've Learned"....

I honestly think the break has been very productive. Granted, it feels like my internet marketing brain is filled with cobwebs, but I'm feeling the stir of interest to begin again. And, it really is like a new beginning, but better. This time I'm not setting out to make a business solely by being an affiliate. It didn't work for me. Representing products, blogging and writing articles gave me knowledge and experience, but all in fragments. To create something that is going to last, grow, benefit others and actually be successful I must create a website.

Not just a website, but a great one. An excellent resource full of content, advice, examples, and yes...specifically chosen affiliate products, but only those I fully believe will benefit my visitors. No more representing a product just because it offers a high commission. And that's a positive thing, for it will really narrow my focus to what is relative to my passion.

If you have read any of my earlier posts you know what I think about SBI! (Site Build It!), the website building+so much more company. Like an athlete warms up before the big race, last night I began watching the 1st video of the free version of the Video Action Guide (VAG) to prime myself on what to expect when I purchase my SBI! site. (It's the same guide actual SBI! users use, just without access to all the research and marketing tools you get once you own SBI!).

The first lesson I will apply is "Don't get distracted"... Faithfully focus on the steps of the Action Guide and stay the course.

That's a great lesson, for distractions come in many forms. Participating in forums, reading RSS feeds, reading and writing HubPage articles, chasing down affiliate programs...all these are things I spent my time on...before. Don't get me wrong, these aren't bad things. They are just not things I want to have clutter my mind or steal my time...been there, done that...have nothing to show for it. Lesson learned.

When I first created this blog I did so with the intention of being honest in my choices and experiences with internet marketing. That hasn't changed. I'm not sure how often I'll post while studying the Video Action Guide, but, I'll definitely update here along the way.

As I sit here in after thought, I realize that I'm feeling more clear headed and confident. I enjoy doing this...writing and sharing what I know. Truly, truly, everything is going to be just fine.

Make Your Content Pre-Sell from SBI - Reviewed

In the SBI Master's Course, the free e-book Make Your Content Pre-Sell (MYCPS) is actually the book I've just completed reading. So, to correct my previous post, I will now begin reading the SBI Action Guide.

The MYCPS course will be useful to anyone planning on building a website as well as anyone who has an existing website.

Some of the topics that are covered in this course include:

~Points on writing to develop a friendly tone in your website content.
~Discussions on the elements that truly make a difference in your sites look and feel.
~Tools for developing the voice and tone of your site.
~Web page layout pointers, including discussion on fonts and color.
~Writing tips...from style to the mechanics of writing to pre-sell.
~Learning how to outline your site before trying to build your website.
~How to edit, polish and tighten your website content....before publishing your page!
~The importance of your sites homepage
~How E-zines work as a repeated pre-selling tool.
~How to integrate your affiliate offers without spoiling your pre-sell.
~The importance of copy writing your work...and how to.
~An outline on content page structure that makes the actual writing process easier.
~Finally, a wonderful summary of all the key points covered in the course.
(Complete with hotlinks back to the section in the book for each key point.)


In all honesty, I did find it easier reading with the Affiliate Master's Course, over this Make Your Content Pre-Sell course. I think the reason for this is that the MYCPS is more detailed, so there was more I had to absorb and concentrate on. That, in and of itself, has made me so glad that I have completed the course.

Keep in mind, these are all free e-books, so if you feel the content may be helpful, just click on the hot linked titles and you will be taken to the information page, along with the free download. On this last book, I found it fine to just read it from my computer and take notes where needed.

Good luck, and if you have any questions about any of this, please, do leave a comment and I'll be happy to answer with what I know!

The SBI Action Guide: My Next Step

Wow. Time flies, or at least in my world of blogging it does. Since my earlier post on Applying What Affiliate Masters Course Taught Me I've been continuing to read the reference material I'll be using with my website creation. Having just recently completed this step, I'm now venturing on with a quick study of the SBI Action Guide. Basically this is the guide that you receive when you buy your website package from SBI. Of course, the tools that come with the site aren't activated, but it's a good opportunity to see what to expect. Since I like to read, I chose the printed guide, but they do offer the SBI Action Guide Video for those who prefer to "see" the information.

As it stands now, I'm planning to purchase my website package no later than June 9th, 2009. Why then? As you can read about in one of my first blog posts: Auctions For Income, June 9th will mark the 1 year date of when I first began my fore into Internet Marketing. Having a goal is one thing, but having a bonafide reason for a particular date is very inspiring for me.

Here's to living life in the slow lane. It might be taking a while, but I'm still moving towards my goal of an honest way to make money online!