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5 Keyword ResearchPosted by lightening at August 6, 2008
The past few days of the 30 Day Challenge have involved extensive keyword research.
It’s making my head spin. And the temptation is there to simply skip this stage (or ignore the figures) and plow into whatever project I feel like.
But the truth of the matter is that setting up an online business is no different to setting up any other business.
Setting up a business ANYWHERE if there isn’t a market, there is too much competition or people aren’t willing to spend money in that area is a BAD idea.
3. Is this a market that is willing to SPEND money (because if people don’t want to spend money, you aint going to make any).
What has amazed me so far in my market research is how many niches are out there with healthy figures in 2/3 of these categories. It would be so easy to see a good result in one or two of the categories and assume that it was a goer. I guess careful research is what sifts the highly successful internet marketers from the “wannabees”. Either that or an extremely good gut instinct for the next “hot” thing.
As for me, I think it’s back to the drawing board yet again to see if I can uncover that elusive niche item that’s going to take me the rest of the way through the challenge.
30 Day Challenge, make money online5 Blogging on the Road - HP 2133 Mini-Note PCPosted by lightening at August 4, 2008
I’ve been looking at small laptops in preparation for our time on the road in 2009.
A couple of days ago I had the opportunity to finally see an Asus EeePC in the flesh. At the same time, I also laid eyes on the HP version of a Mini-Note PC.
The HP model is slightly larger than the Asus EeePC and my fingers sit on the keyboard just nicely. I think I would be able to adjust to the size of the Asus EeePC but on first try, I noticed I would have made a LOT of typing errors which could lead to frustration.
The HP model on the other hand fitted my fingers comfortably and I was able to touchtype error free (well as error-free as I normally touch-type).
It would seem that the market HP is aiming for with these laptops is the student/education market and for this reason, the laptops have been designed to be light to carry (weighing around 1.2kg) and durable (it has an aluminum casing with a magnesium alloy structure and a scratch-resistant acrylic covering). Both are perfect for my wanting a portable unit for travelling.
The one sticking point for me is the price. I don’t think it’s over-priced. It offers more than the EeePC and therefore you’d expect to pay more. My goal is to make enough from my blogging to purchase a mini-laptop before we go. Originally my goal was $500 which should get me an EeePC with change leftover (depending on the model I’d like and where I source it from). To purchase the Hewlett Packard version is likely to set me back $800+ (again depending on model, place of purchase and so on). I’m hoping they’ll come down in price in the next 6 months but I still need to aim a little higher in terms of savings.
If you have one of these or a similar “netbook” style laptop, I would love to hear what you think of it.
blogging2 30 Day Challenge - Transcripts Now AvailablePosted by lightening at August 2, 2008
For those who have been having trouble watching the 30 Day Challenge videos, transcripts are now going to be available. They’ll be available 2-3 days after the videos but they WILL be available.
I think this is GREAT news and will make the challenge information available to a wider range of people.
Simply right click on the “T” symbol to the right hand side of each video link.
Ed Dale has released a 5 minute cheat sheet video which gives you a very brief overview of the preseason content and highlights those areas which he feels are MOST important from all that has been presented in the preseason build up to the challenge.
The 1st of August is drawing to a close here but we’re working on a US time zone so we get an extra day (or half a day) of grace. Which means in actual fact that the challenge is just beginning as I type this post.
Videos for day one are up and are great (I’ve just finished watching them). If you’ve been having trouble coming up with ideas for markets, Ed shows a great little tip for getting HEAPS of ideas.
That’s what I LOVE the most about the challenge so far. Every step of the way so far has been covered from an absolutely “I have no idea” level. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
30 Day Challenge3 Starred in Google Reader This WeekPosted by lightening at August 1, 2008
Firstly, a couple from Planning Queen this week. Planning Queen has some wonderful ideas on her site. I was particularly blown away by the finished product with these Home Made Works of Art.
I also enjoyed the Guest Post from Mr Infrastructure - Role Reversal Experience.
A new addition to my Google Reader this week is Full Bellies, Happy Kids with some fabulour recipes. One in particular I’d like to try is Old Fashioned Fried Chicken.
Performancing published a great article - 20 Myths about Blogging that Many New Bloggers Actually Believe.
It saddened me greatly to hear the news of the passing of Randy Pausch this week. A very inspirational man who will be greatly missed by many but will live on in his legacy. Get Rich Slowly has a post about Randy and has included the you tube version of His Last Lecture. If you’ve never watched the Last Lecture, I’d urge you to take the time to do so.
A Google Page Rank update caused a few ripples throughout the blogosphere this week. I was pleased to find that this site has been upgraded from a page rank 3 to a page rank 4. No other changes on any of my other blogs. What about you? Any good news to report after the latest update?
And that’s about it from my for this week’s round up. As always, there are PLENTY more good posts than what I highlight here. These are just a small taste. I hope you’ll take the time to visit those that interest you.
favourite posts1Engines Ready - The 30 Day Challenge is About to StartPosted by lightening at July 30, 2008
I know some of you have had trouble either keeping up with the preseason training for the 30 Day Challenge either due to time constraints or trouble viewing the videos.
So, here is my very unqualified (I’ve never done the 30-Day Challenge before) advice on the bare bones you need to still be in this race.
It’s been a while since I signed up but I think there are 3 stages to the sign up process. I got confused originally and only signed up for the mailing list. Once you’ve signed up for the challenge, you should be able to see a dashboard page and links to the training, forums and blog. You then sign up for the forums separately (I think).
You’ll need to be patient if you have trouble. Apparently the last few days before the challenge are INSANE in terms of numbers of people signing up.
2. Introduce yourself in the Team Lightening thread on the 30 Day Challenge Forums.
5. Subscribe to the Team Lightening FriendFeed room via your RSS reader so you don’t miss any messages.
6. Put a link to your FriendFeed page on your 30 Day Challenge Forum signature (optional)
7. Brainstorm a list of ideas and/or topics that interest you that you might be able to use as a way to make money online. Don’t edit them in any way. You don’t have to share them. You don’t even have to use them. Just use it as a way of getting your creative juices flowing.
See, just when you thought it was all too late and too hard - not at all. You CAN do this.
And I’m going to be away all day on the 1st so I’ll be “behind” before I even start!!!!
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