Changes in direction
It’s been way too long since I posted here, and it’s a long story why. Here’s that story.
My earnings in December were very decent. My earnings in January seem to have plummeted, as usual for January. I still have hope for my websites, but about a month ago, I had a better idea. An idea for a bona fide online business. Not just a website, but a website in place of an offline store, selling original products. To my surprise, people around me reacted with strong interest in the idea.
Then a friend offered to give me seed capital to get it started. My websites never got me results like that!
Since then I’ve been spending a lot of time networking with people offline and working on composing a business plan. I’m going to approach this like an offline business. A friend is putting me in touch with a consultant who specializes in both internet and start-ups in general. Another friend has recommended a good lawyer of exactly the type I need. I also have a recommendation for someone to do the accounting.
It’s a big undertaking, but honestly? I don’t think it’s going to be as much work as these damn websites have been. I’m not giving up the websites – far from it. I just launched a new one with the help of a friend and her very popular site, and I’m excited and hopeful. But when I look at the amount of work I’ve done in the past three years, and the fact that it’s averaging about $2-300 a month for me, it’s clear I’ve got to do something else.
The business I’m starting is something close to my heart, something I’m passionate about. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to blog about my experiences with starting it. I think that could be very interesting, though, and maybe I should. But I’m not sure I want this venture, which bears my real name, connected with this site and the (unfair) stigma of affiliate marketing. I think I will probably separate the two. If you’re interested in reading my story, let me know and I’ll tell you where I’m blogging it once I’ve decided.
Related posts:- March 2009 earnings, my new site, and my new venture
- Venting about Google, paid links, and my future direction
- Test your websites for accessibility
- Writing an eBook
- Goal assessment, and my new focus on affiliate sites
Categories: Affiliate Marketing, Online Business | 
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8 Comments »
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Totally interested in that side of the story. I just started a small sort of thing to sell my own products as well and I’d love to hear what works for you!
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I would love love love to hear more about your new direction – it sounds so absolutely exciting (and I’m totally jealous!!). Way to go!
February 5th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Not only your earning has gone down, most of the big companies have gone to their bottom line. You have said that you are taking care of the business in offline. That may give you some good result, you can’t completely wait on that for ever. Since online market will be back to rock again in fewer days.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I’m always inteterested in hearing about new ventures and how they are working out. I learn so much from that.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I know that you’re not sure if you’re going to blog about it – but I just wanted to touch base with you and see how things are going with this new direction you’re going in
Hope all is going great!
March 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am
At the moment, I’m a little bit stalled. I’ve been reading up on things I need to know, and been very busy offline and with my other sites. But I’m starting to write the business plan for real now.
I’m still considering whether to blog about it anywhere or not. So far, there’s not a lot to tell. It might get more interesting later.
March 17th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Great to hear that you’re still working on it!
May 11th, 2009 at 4:26 am
I’d love to hear about your new venture! Would you send me an email please? Thanks much!