SEM Tycoon

**LeeD** · 08-15-2006, 01:40 PM

My thought is that you devoured information to help become more successful online, which leads me to...What do you recommend for learning? (EG what books, tools, etc to begin earning) Thank you, Matt (NavySeals91)

**engaged** · 08-15-2006, 03:09 PM

You can never beat trial & error.

**Spencer Fry** · 08-15-2006, 05:17 PM

Learning to me is a two step process. Yes, there’s lots of trial and error involved, but if you’re trying something that doesn’t work then you won’t be any further along. Therefore, I recommend trial and error as well as working with or under someone who has more experience than you do. If you know someone who is running a large successful website or Internet business, ask them if you can help (for money or for the experience) and try to gain as much from it as you possibly can. This mentorship will help you start to gain a knowledge of what works and what doesn’t.

**xboxundone** · 08-15-2006, 05:48 PM

Wow good question. While there are many good books out there on internet marketing etc.. i have not read a one of them. 95% of information i gather is from forums like EF, DP, SP etc.. Why pay for the information when most of it is out there for free. Also try to find someone that is doing good with websites (doesn't mean someone making 100K a month. but if you are making nothing try to find someone making something then once making something find someone making 5 k a mont and so on) but don't burn bridges u would be surprised how some partnerships are worth way more than a quick buck.
Also not books but mags i suggest you read... don't have much to do with sites but once you start making the money you need to know what to do with it subscribe to Kiplengers, Smart Money, Entrprenuer & Money. Heck even soemtimes they do cover online marketing etc.. Also listen to others if they talk about a great marketing article from a newspaper or mag find it and read it. as i gained a wealth of information from a Wallstreet Journal article all about online marketing.

As far as tools 95% of tools i use are free and do a great job!

**Frito Pie** · 08-15-2006, 09:25 PM

It would be great if the right info (in book form) would provide revenue. If that were the case, all college students with books in their dorm room who dared to read them would be wealthy. If books = revenue, I'd buy a book store.

There are good books out there, on the internet and off for marketing strategies and revenue building. I didn't use any of them although I see the value of their content. Revenue doesn't arrive just because someone has an ingenious idea. Revenue doesn't arrive just because someone has built a website. It doesn't arrive with lots of one time hits to your page.

For me it was a combination:

Traffic arriving to a sticky site which keeps visitors browsing for more than 10 seconds, returning for something more (maybe bookmarking because they like what they see) and then with an offer that meets their needs.

Hit the right combination for your product and you are a winner. Miss it with 2 out of 3 and you will be forever chasing the illusion of online money.

**capitalistpig** · 08-15-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engaged

You can never beat trial & error.

I'd have to agree, that's the best way to learn. You can learn the basics in any webmaster forum like DP, Webmasterworld, etc., but in order to earn, you need to "do". Experience, wisdom and success can only come from trying.

Work with others that have similar goals and share info/experiences. That will help you to see things that you might have missed if you were working by yourself.

Finally, Don't be afraid to fail. I fail all the time, but it doesn't stop me from trying. Yes, it's frustrating, but quitters never win and winners never quit

Helpful? Maybe, maybe not. But that's what I did and that's the mind set that I've developed.

**LeeD** · 08-21-2006, 03:55 PM

I didn't read any books that I recall. I used what little creativity I had and trusted my business instinct all the way. I took chances, had some victories along with some failures, and worked hard.

The main source of my "information" and learning time was spent on forums. I devoured forums, and built relationships with key people and picked their brain as well. Sure wish EF would have been online back when I was learning...

**LeeD** · 08-21-2006, 03:59 PM

Here is the 3rd Q&A with EF's big earners for you to devour and discuss! Enjoy!

**Bookworm-SEO** · 08-21-2006, 08:27 PM

Although I'm still learning the ropes, I find blogs to be a great source of information. SEOMoz is full of original info, as is problogger.net, which are my favourites. Problogging.com's headed by an intelligent guy by the name of David Krug, and of course my blogroll are often a nice source of info and ideas.

**ace11** · 08-21-2006, 11:04 PM

If we learn by reading, hearing, seeing words we retain 10-20%. 30-50% is retained by watching videos, seeing exhibits, watching demonstrations, or seeing someone else do it. 60-80% is retained by participating in discussions or teaching and 90-100% of what we learn is retained by actually doing the real thing!

**Visual Depth** · 08-22-2006, 03:10 AM

Thanks for the incite guys! I definitely read as much as I can, but I think I need to take your guy's advice and find a mentor, and start putting things to the test.

**breakpoint** · 08-22-2006, 03:59 AM

I think we need some juicier answers

**Libertate** · 08-22-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xboxundone

[...]from forums like EF, DP, SP etc.. [...]

EF = EarnersForum.
DP = ?
SP = ?

**ConceptualMind** · 08-22-2006, 03:59 PM

DP = DigitalPoint.com
SP = Sitepoint.com

**phear** · 08-22-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Sure wish EF would have been online back when I was learning...

This raises a question for me.... Most of the big earners have been around for a while... does this mean that now a days you cant make it as big?... i mean there are so many people doing this. And as you stated, with forums like this one it makes it easier for more people to start doing this sort of business.

**Next** · 08-22-2006, 07:48 PM

Now it's much harder, back when YPN first came out for a few months the CPC was $5, now it's like $0.50 and you could quadruple your money and even more if you knew what you were doing, you just have to wait for the next big thing to arrive and be one of the first ones to do it.

**Mark Compton** · 08-23-2006, 01:27 AM

Get more links to your website, grow your opt-in list, do weekly ezine solo ads,Google AdWords campaigns, offline marketing campaigns, develop and distribute more article content and then if you can take a day off. Oh, yes,
do your blog. It is important. These are good ideas and can be applied to any business.

**Mark Compton** · 08-23-2006, 02:06 AM

Yes Phear, I think you have a valid point. I just want a few sales. I feel so useless. I wont ask for the world. Just a little success. I have the whole thing in operation and am learning all the time. Perhaps time is needed to lay the foundation. In the meantime something more than just a co-op that gives a little.

Mark

**phear** · 08-23-2006, 11:53 AM

I know the point i made is my own, but i dont want to believe it. I would like to think that if I put in the work and make the right choices, catch the new opportunities as they come, that anyone can be successful. So that said, I am building a core for my network at this time, starting with two communities that i can be proud of. I feel that with a strong community the money will follow. Then once you make some.... then you can spend more and make more...

**imported_Shan** · 08-23-2006, 12:46 PM

Forums are the number one place to learn. Without any forums, I wouldn't have anyone to guide me with my online ventures. It would have been harder for me to learn how to develop websites, web-design, or monetize my websites. I've learned alot by reading and asking questions in forums. There are many experienced members in forums that can help you, and give advice. Take advantage of it!