Do you have specific questions about doing business online? Here's your opportunity to ask!
Here are examples of questions I've been asked of late…
- How do I find a profitable niche?
- How do I put an email capture form on my blog?
- What's the difference between WordPress and Bluehost?
- WHY should I use WordPress?
- Is this the right time to start a new business?
- Is PLR safe to use?
- Where do I find a good ghostwriter?
Ask your question via the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer it as quickly as possible.
Note: Please post a separate comment for individual topics, i.e. “What are the 3 best traffic generation methods and how do I build my list faster?” should be posted as individual questions.
So do you think that a review site is the best way to build a income with affiliate programs?
Hi Laramis,
I sure do. I’ve been earning a great living online since 1998 from review sites and have watched over the years as arbitragers fell by the wayside with Google Slaps. Too, I find that one page comparison mini-review sites require way too much time and money in PPC to make it worth my while.
Ergo, the BIG benefit from review sites is that they naturally attract free search engine traffic, especially when they’re built on a blog platform.
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ros
Ros, I’m writing to tell you how HAPPY! I am with yours and Anik’s Blog Classroom.
I’ve tried many different Net Business programmes, ebooks and courses and have to say that dollar for dollar, yours is the MOST HELPFUL and easily applicable by far.
It’s funny how simple things seem difficult the first time you try; like setting up FTP, changing file permissions etc. Video training really is the way to go.
A few things have changed since you did the videos however, which reflects the speed at which the internet evolves. Reference to these changes on the Blog Classroom site would be helpful. (ie; the location of the One Click Plugin Install button on the Plugins page rather than on the dashboard)
Acquisition of applicable new knowledge is an empowering thing. Thanks again.
Sincerely, Adrian Edlington
Taipei, 1:08 pm.
Hello Adrian,
Thanks kindly for stopping by to let us know about your satisfaction with the BlogClassroom course. I’ll pass your message along to Anik along with a note that we need to start making revisions due to changes to WordPress.
Best of success to you!
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros,
All the info above seems to be related to blogging and blogs.
However, is this same info applicable for websites and webmasters looking to create a profitable online business?
Thanks.
Archana
Hello Archana,
In a nutshell, yes. And just to set the record straight, a blog is a website that uses a web-based content management system. I personally prefer and use WordPress.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Rosalind,
I am a fan of your affiliate handbook! I started this summer with a review site about beauty products, but quickly realized that
a. people really like to buy makeup after testing it at the counter
b. “makeup and beauty” is BROAD
So now I’ve re-focused myself on the wedding niche. More specifically, I will be working in the invitations/favors area. It seems that those products are primarily bought online.
My question is – do you advocate a review site type of model only? I’m considering building out a site that looks like an ecommerce site. How do more “traditional” online store models fare?
Any input on my chosen niche and proposed method would be awesome!
Hello Brynn,
The beauty in beauty (so to speak) is in finding those free samples to offer your visitors.
But the wedding niche is a very happy one and brides spend a LOT of money. I think you’re right about putting up a site that looks more like a store, but you can still attract a lot of traffic (of the free search engine variety) if you post regular content to a blog which you then feed broadcast to your subscribers via your Aweber account. 🙂
Cheers,
Ros
Hello Rosalind,
I have an idea and vision starting with a blog providing information revolving around digital media, while also doing some affiliate and PPC work. But with the mindset to grow into a web and information space that can potentially bring customers and clients into a media network where they can meet and go over products and projects. I have done a bit of research and viewed a few blogs and websites within this niche but I am still unsure where I should begin and what specific niche I should target as I start out.
Hi Shawn,
I’m afraid that I don’t have much of an answer for you in this case except that where you need to begin is to choose your niche.
And remember, the secret is in finding a HUNGRY market. 🙂
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Rosalind………Sean here…………….I spent the weekend reading most all of your book and I must say that what you’ve written is just absolutely overwhelming for me, and I’m sure that I’m not alone when I say this…..I’m not out to be hostile at all, and I must admit that I only browse the internet, but for a beginner trying to start an online business, It’s all just overwhelming for me……there are a lot of details that those, like yourself, who work on the computer everyday can clearly understand everything that you say-I’m just not one of them……And I’d like to start my own business within a month………………I can buy a computer, but what’s next after that?
Hello Sean,
Thanks for getting in touch to explain your situation and I’ll respond by asking you a question…
Would you expect to fully comprehend all the in’s and out’s, or become successful at anything, if you pour through a big, detailed step-by-step manual in a weekend without putting anything into practice?
At the very beginning of the Handbook I strongly suggest that readers go through the manual once (without doing anything), then go back and re-read each section while taking action to complete the steps.
There’s no such thing as overnight riches. We all get rich the same way – by learning and taking action over and over and over again.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros: i have your affiliate handbook it’s great. Do you have an updated one? I have no idea of how to set up a websit i have a course from Jim Edwards on mini site course which i’m working on when ever i get the time. I love your book keep up the good work.
Hi Robert,
The latest version of the Super Affiliate Handbook was uploaded to the member area on September 21st.
Please send Joel your purchase details via the Support Desk (link below) and he’ll set you up with an account in the membership area.
To get your site / blog up and running quickly, you should check out the Become a Blogger series of free videos which will show you how to install a blog quickly.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Rosalind, I’ve had my site online for several years, make a few bucks, but need to do more than keep waiting for SE rankings, and need to scale it up in other ways. What’s the best way to do this without using PPC (which for debt related terms is WAY too expensive for me)? Thanks.
Kris
Hi Kris,
Yes, if you’re not blogging or generating fresh content on a regular basis, waiting for organic traffic can be interminable.
Because you’re already email marketing (good for you!), I’d suggest that you pursue article marketing vigorously.
How do i starting marketing online? What is involved in the business?
Hello Eric,
I suggest that you start by reading my “Make Money Online Action Guide” to determine where you’re at in the process (i.e. do you need to learn some basic skills?).
Hi Rosalind,
After racking my brain, trying to find out what I’m good at, I’ve realised the only thing I can consider is martial arts. Or, to be precise, self defense.
What do you think about that as a niche to aim for.
Thanks,
Rezbi
Hi Rezbi,
A quick check of Wordtracker reveals some nice numbers for martial arts keyword phrases, both at the most generic and more niched levels. On its own, ‘martial arts’ showed a predicted count of 750 for the day and ‘self defense’ was 532.
Too, there are tons of products that you can sell in that niche.
Those numbers would have me confident in the topic so long as I was completely passionate about it and had the drive to focus on that topic alone until it was profitable.
Hi Rosalind,
Thank you for your advice.
It’s taken me a long time to find a niche I feel passionate about.. and it helps to know it a good one to to aim for.
Rezbi
What is a realistic time frame for making money as an affiliate? I understand it depends on how much I put in to the process, but lets assume I do everything ASAP and try multiple ways to market.
OK, given a profitable niche and a well-developed content site, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t start making money the first day you start driving large quanitites of visitors to that site via a brilliant PPC campaign.
It’s choosing the niche, developing the content and the brilliant campaign that take time.
How long that takes is entirely dependent on the individual’s ability to either do or hire out the work…
Thank you Rosalind.
My pleasure and you’re welcome, Sultan.
Hi Ros,
I wonder what the use of feeds is? Can it dramatically send traffic to a website or blog? Where can i read comprehensive info about feeds and how to use it to drive traffic
Hello Gem,
Sorry to take so long to reply… somehow I missed your comment as I was going down my list.
Publishing RSS feeds on your site has a number of beneficial effects.
Basically, publishing your feed makes it easier for visitors to subscribe to your latest news, especially those who do not wish to receive news via email. Take a look in the upper right-hand corner of this blog and you’ll see “Subscribe via RSS” alongside a graphic that shows the number of RSS subscribers for NetProfitsToday. Feedburner lets webmasters and podcasters manage their RSS feeds and track usage of their subscribers.
Too, you can use a service like >TwitterFeed to broadcast your latest posts to Twitter. The tweet includes a link back to your latest post – and that can bring more traffic to your site!
Here’s a little more information about Feeds.
Hi Rosalind,
Just set up a blog, having done a few websites. I am using the plug in called “all in one SEO ” do you think that does a good enough job of SEO? I dont know exactly what it does. Can I tweak anything on the blog directory to get better SEO. Do you have anything I could read up on?
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
I use All-in-one-SEO on my blogs too and the only time I actually use it is if the title of the post is written to attract readers’ attention but doesn’t include the main keyword (product name usually) in that title.
It’s helpful too if you’re not incorporating tags into your posts. Then you’d use All-in-one-SEO to add your keywords.
Hey Ros!
I’m really getting into this. Your last video showing some REAL results has re-inspired me. This particular blog theme is also very illuminating and I’m loving it. You probably already know this, but a couple of your links have resulted in “this article is no longer available”.
Thanks for all you do,
Charles
Yeah… re-inspired! Good for you!
And Eeks!! Can you tell me which links didn’t work, Charles? I’ll be eternally grateful. 🙂
Thanks for your answer to the PLR question, I’m hoping I can find some good articles on outdoor lighting. Another quick question, what is your favorite and most successful way of getting backlinks?
Cheryl
My pleasure Cheryl.
And hmm… the most successful way is my least favorite way. It comes from having folks steal my content — oh, did I say steal? I meant ‘syndicate’ my content by publishing my RSS feeds on their sites.
Other than that, I think the most valid and valuable way to generate inbound links is through blog commenting and forum posting.
I’ve been submitting my site to link directories for month. Do these directories really work, or am I just wasting my time. Thanks.
Reginald
Hello Reginald,
I believe I have links directories listed under ‘time wasters’ in the Super Affiliate Handbook… seriously.
There are certainly much better ways to generate free traffic. Try blog comment, such as you’ve done here, and spending time in forums relevant to your niche market. Answer questions and make sure that you have a compelling signature line that makes people WANT to visit your site.
Thank you very much, Rosalind for your timely reply. May I ask another question? What about writing articles and submitting these to all those article directories I see on the net? All these directories say they link back to your site. However, just from my own experience when I’m looking for something, I never go to a article directory to find it. I just go to a search engine. Is submitting articles to an article directory just another “time waster”? Thank you again for your help
Reginald
Hi Rosalind,
I have created this capture page with the help of a great Scriptlance programmer and Chris Koehls’ ‘LeadpageGenerator’ platform. I have set up an Aweber autoresponder and Google Analytics. My programmer has also set up a split testing mechanism. I am now finding trafffic building really slow. I am buying lots of PPC, but the clicks are a dripfeed.
I refuse to spam a genealogy list, and I want to use Adwords because it gives such great keyword feedback to help plan my SEO on future articles, blogs etc. What would you advise to really inject enough early traffic to help get my split testing going? I will ramp up the PPC but am I missing a trick elsewhere?
I own SAH and your NPT advice is always great.
Kind regards,
Alun
Well done Alun, especially with regard to having Google Analytics set up for you at the same time so that you can really monitor traffic and conversions.
Once again, I’m going to make the suggestion that you need to go where your market goes, help them out, and make sure that they WANT to visit your site because they appreciate your advice and you have a must-click signature line.
Other than that, the only other option is to throw a whack of cash at PPC and probably include YSM in that mix.
Okay Ros, I’ll bite!
In a week & 1/2 I’ll have 6 months in, very consistently blogging, watching my organic search traffic slowly grow…and only one $5.00 sale. 🙁
I’m finally on a WordPress theme I like (3rd one) & it seems more business-like (& less looking like a hobby site). Since I’ve changed over to this theme (about 3 weeks ago) I’ve been trying to implement the 125×125 ads that I can place in the right sidebar. I’ve been using the ads data code from Commission Junction, but I still can’t get them to display properly. I guess I’ll need to set up some communication with the theme developer (theme is “Simple Balance 2.1”, by Alex Cristache).
I’m sure you’ll advise me to get some real ad/link content on the blog, that works, but I’m confused as to where to go, at the moment.
I know my niche is narrow, but I’m sure it will work if I can focus it properly. I did try the free trial of WordTracker, but didn’t like it (& couldn’t afford it). I subscribed to NicheBot for almost 3 months, but never got the hang of it, so I unsubscribed. I checked out the NetEffect magazine from StomperNet, but was overwhelmed by the quantity of (good) information. Now I’m thinking maybe this Dan Ho could guide me (you think?). I know one area I’m very weak in is getting & setting up appropriate keywords, and their proper placement throughout the blog.
I know my blog has a following – I hear it from the different people I see at the different regional motorsports events I attend & also to the various blogs I frequent. For those people who DO know about it, they really like it! But outside of South/Central Texas it’s weak (as per Google’s Analytics).
It’s been months since I read SAH – I’ve also been sort of following the path of Yaro Starek – I guess I should get back to your roots & reread your Handbook. It seems that I’m simply missing one or two key ingredients & then things will turn. I need to be redirected & mentored…
Thanks in advance,
Racing Ready Dan
Hi Dan,
No small wonder your readers like your site, Dan. It’s great. You’ve done a fabulous job of putting content together. I have a slight concern for your niche during these tough times, but then are, there are ALWAYS people with money that persue their interests regardless of the economy.
My first recommendation is that you conserve your resources for PPC… and save THAT for later.
Next, unless you are getting sizeable amounts of traffic from those forums and sites listed in your blogroll, HTML comment them out until the site is getting traffic, you have a pile of subscribers and the site is making a reasonable sum of money.
Petty point, but I’d go for a white background. Peach is close to pink and pink doesn’t associate with racing. Not only that, but it’ll be easier to see. I’d HIGHLY recommend a theme like Revolution Chrome (hit Themes in the horizontal nav and it’s under ‘Media Themes’. That will also allow you to get the Adsense off your homepage. I’d also drop the ‘Archives’ list and swap it out for a link to your site map.
If you decide not to go for the new theme, I’d suggest that you switch things around and have your content column on the far left and make your newsletter signup more prominent.
Last point for now, monetize, monetize, monetize. Your Bookstore should be full of book reviews and the Products section should be full of products… ie. car parts. 🙂 Consider installing Datafeedr which will let you build a store from merchants in a number of different networks.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks so much Ros – you gave me some great pointers & the renewed direction I needed.
I thought the fading background color was orange, like the traffic cones used in autocrossing – it’s only on the top inch or so. I’ll check out that theme you suggested.
Okay, monetize is my new priority! Since I won’t be out shopping on Black Friday, I’ll be moving in that direction…
Thanks again! I know I can make this work…
Truly a pleasure, Dan. It’s always a delight to come across someone who understands and embraces the concept of added value. You’ll do well… just keep at it.
I’m currently employed in the BPO industry as an article writer. I’m hoping to become an independent contractor from next January. Please advice on how to make the most profit out of this business.
Hello Charles,
I’d suggest that you need to get yourself listed in as many freelance writers databases as possible, as well as sites like Elance.
You might also want to set up your own website to profile and highlight your skills as a technical writer, listing samples of your work.
Too, to get your foot solidly in the door, you may want to bid low for your first projects, which then raises your status as a ‘provider’ with experience.
I hope that helps.
Hi Ros,
This is a great read!
My DH does not believe this is at all possible – even thought we have a friend who’s DH has quit is high paying job and is really pulling in the cash after 2 years. He has several websites – my friend is not sure how many her hubby has to be exact but she thinks over 50.
My questions(s) are (without asking for too much detail)
What is the ballpark figure of how many websites you yourself run? (1-10, 10-20 etc.)
Are they all done on a WordPress platform? I own Microsoft Web Expression 2 and the learning curve is steep to say the least. Even with a book I became very discouraged.
I stink at math – ad words/wordtracker really confuse me – is there a more simple explanation to it?
I have never understood adwords/keywords. Is there anyway to do a video snapshot of exactly what it looks like and the bidding process?
Thanks so much and keep up the great work!
ps – yes I have your book! It was the first book I bought.
Hello Dawn,
I run 5 – 10 websites, closer to 5 than 10. 🙂
They’re on a mix of platforms (the old ones are static HTML pages) whereas the newer ones are all on WordPress blogs and NPT runs ArticleLive (now called Web Site Publisher) for the article database.
Here are simple explanations for ppc advertising and keyword research.
As to the keyword bidding process, I suggest that you just have to get in there, set up an account and play with a small number of keywords… and set a daily budget!! Set your keyword bid prices low at first and see where they end up compared to the other advertisers’ listings.
To understand Wordtracker better, I suggest you pay the site a visit and take advantage of their free trial.
Hello Rosalind,
Just would like to say first off I Thinks, your superaffiliatehandbook is Great. Sorry I Didn’t buy it early on. It’s been a Great help!
Here’s my Question. I’ve been promoting my site for at least two years using ppc, forums, blogs,
safelist, trafficexchange, but there must be something else that I’m missing.., or that I’m not doing..,can you help!!! I Have not earned not one cent.
What I’ve tried to do with this site is share different resources that I’ve come across.. I really enjoy helping others, so I tried to base this site on helping others.
In His Love,Thanks
Pastor Hall
Hello Pastor Hall,
Your intent is placed correctly, so that’s a great place to start.
However, you need to ask yourself what a visitor sees when they arrive on your homepage. Does the domain name correspond with the topic title at the top of the page? Are all the products relevant to the topic? (I see affiliate marketing, ebusiness, weight loss, water4gas and real estate products on the homepage). All those options can be a little confusing for a first time visitor.
So focus is an issue and the overall topic of trying to teach others to make money online is problematic when you haven’t had that experience.
What you do have now is experience at setting up a site, so what I would suggest is that you might want to go back through the Handbook starting with niche selection and pick a topic close to your heart that you like to share with others.
Hi Rosalind,
Thank you very much,For your Answer.,in other words I Need to Focus on aTopic or one Niche.., and work with it..uh
Again Thanks a Lot, Rosalind you’re the Best! I’m enjoying Learning From your Book I Just need to aply what I’m learning,
In his Love,
Pastor Hall
My problem is I am very genourous, I have probably given away more money making ideas than I have made money with! It just makes me feel good. How do I find strategic partners and share with them my visions without giving them all ?
Remember the saying ‘charity begins at home’? You have to make sure that you and yours are properly taken care of before you give away the farm.
Other than that, there’s no ‘problem’ with generosity, ever. Giving to get is the RIGHT approach always. 🙂
You just have to scale back on your upfront offers, or consider charging for consulting (if that’s what you’re doing).
I have chosen a niche, am building a site, and am starting to get some traffic. In the niche I have chosen there are lots of vendors but very few have affiliate programs. How can I help the vendors add affiliate programs to their sites and help them increase traffic and generate an income for me. How do I incorporate the affiliate programs into my site. Or do I need to abandon what I have built and start over? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Hi Dave,
Getting vendors (especially merchants that are new to online business) to understand affiliate marketing and then getting them set up is a tough task indeed and not one that I would spend too much time on — well, not unless they pay me for my time upfront. But if you’re just giving them suggestions, there’s no guarantee of follow-through on their part.
Having said that, I hope that you’re not talking about your fly-fishing niche… ’cause there’s SO much that you can do with that.
And just as a suggestion, take the Adsense off your homepage and move all the others to the bottom of your pages. Why make pennies from Adsense when you can earn dollars promoting products?
Sorry to butt in here Ros and Dave, but this forum has my undivided attention, although I should be working;o) In Dave’s reply you said: [Why make pennies from Adsense when you can earn dollars promoting products?] Do you mean banners, links, or product content pages, or a mix? Sorry to yet throw in another question when you’ve already been working so hard at this! Thanks Ros!
Hi Rosalind! Thanks for inviting me to ask you a question. I read above where you recommend using PLR articles. I’m looking at Alice & Mila’s site. Let’s say I purchase the menopause article bundle and then the monthly health articles and create a site around them – will numerous other sites be posting the same articles?
Working full time doesn’t give me much (if any) time to write in addition to creating sites and learning about ppc and seo, etc. Right now I’m paying an Elance writer $150 a month for 3 blog posts a week and making no money on the site yet. So, PLR is looking very promising, but I want to be sure it’s the right thing to do.
I look forward to your reply and Thanks!
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
How long have you been paying that writer? If it’s been more than a month and the site isn’t making any money, terminate the contract and use the money that you would have paid him or her and buy some PLR and to have those articles modified so that they are exlusive to your site.
Because, yes, as you suggested, if you use unmodified PLR articles, you run the risk of having Google slap you with a duplicate content penalty… and you don’t want that to happen.