In my recent post, Now I can get going!, I mentioned as my next step is to create an affiliate marketing site. The first question that comes to mind is, “How do I do that?” I have subscribed to a newsletter from Dr. Andy Williams called ezSEO. I always liked Dr. Andy’s detailed and methodical approach to doing things and remembered that he had a course for creating fat affiliate sites in WordPress.  Since I build all my sites using WordPress, I thought I would check out Andy’s course to see if it could teach me how to create profitable affiliate sites.

His course is called WordPress for Affiliate Sites.  It is a subscription course that costs $47 per month and runs for about five months.  It does have an option to purchase the entire course at once, but there are a couple reasons to subscribe monthly.

• Course modules are presented on a schedule of about one a week.  This is the right pace if you are doing this course on a part-time basis.
• There is a 14-day money back guarantee offered with the monthly option.  This is not available if you purchase the whole course.

On the flip side, if you are able to focus and do this full time, then purchasing the whole course might be right for you.

Each lesson comes with a PDF guide, video, and action plan.  Some lessons also come with a mind map. I just finished the first lesson. The PDF is 18 pages long, so it was easy to read in a short setting. The video is just short of 37 minutes long.  You can complete the first step on the action plan in about an hour. I did this today, Saturday, and then planned the remaining activities for the rest of the week.  Following this approach, I can make progress toward my goal every week!

I also want to mention that the quality of the materials is very good. You can definitely tell the skill, knowledge, and experience that Andy applied in making this course.  If you are wanting to setup quality affiliate sites, I definitely recommend that you give WordPress for Affiliate Sites a try for the 14 day guarantee period.  I am going to see it through to completion.

A couple weeks ago I laid out some steps I am taking with my on-line business.  The first one was to update the look and feel of this website.  I am happy to announce that the major work is done!  I used the DynaBlue WordPress theme designed by WebDesignLessons.com.  I must say that I am really pleased with this theme.   Here are some of my favorite features:

• Google Adsense integration
• Ready for Twitter
• Nice graphics for RSS and Twitter
• Configurable ads in sidebar and header
• Contact form
• Featured post carousel
• Big text
• My daughter said it looks professional!

One upgrade I wanted to accomplish was to add polish to my email opt-in form.  I always felt that the standard forms from Aweber didn’t look too good.  I really liked Lynn Terry’s form, so I started poking around the SSWT forum looking for clues.  Well, she pointed me to where she got the graphic! (I didn’t intend on picking the same color that she did, but blue is what matched the new theme.)

I want to share with you where I got the custom email opt-in form.  It is part of a great offer containing 120 Squeeze Page Designs.  When you follow this link, you will have the opportunity to get 2 free squeeze page templates.  One is an email opt-in form and the other is an optimized squeeze page.  Here’s where it gets good.  For only $37 you can have the full 120 Squeeze Page Templates.  You could not even get the email opt-in form completed by a web designer for that price!  I think it is a great deal.  (Of course, I bought it!) It is so important to have a good, Web 2.0, look to your web pages in order to increase opt-in rates.  This package will definitely help you with that!

All in all, I am glad that this step toward building on-line income is complete.  It is time to move on to step 2 – launching my first affiliate marketing site.  I’ll keep you updated along the way.

About a month and a half ago, I posted about roadblocks keeping me from starting a project.  As with things of this nature, it took longer than I anticipated to get past the roadblocks.  Once I cleared the major roadblock, a couple of other detours ensued.  Now that I am past those, I am ready to get going.

One other thing that has changed is the project I wanted to start.  I am putting that on hold to focus on something that will generate some quicker cash flow.  I still want to do that project, but my online business has bills to pay, now!

As an exercise in accountability, I am posting here my plans for the upcoming weeks and months.

1. This website needs a facelift.  I am going to update the look and better integrate with social media.
2. I am launching my first affiliate marketing site.
3. Create more affiliate marketing sites.
4. More consistent posting on all of my blogs.
5. Profit!!

As this is a blog about my journey to work from home, I will keep updating you on my progress and what I learn along the way.

Joel Comm is offering two chapters from his book Twitter Power for free! Best of all, these are the chapters you need to get started on Twitter.  Here’s what’s included:

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Chapter 3: Getting Started the Right Way on Twitter
• Chapter 4: Building a Following on Twitter

Just click here to enjoy this great FREE offer.  Even better, you don’t need to provide any information to get this.

Also, once you are on Twitter (or if you are already there), follow me at http://twitter.com/mikesmind.

Twitter Power

Anthony Robbins (Foreword). Wiley 2009, Hardcover, 248 pages, $8.98

I have a project that I want to do, in fact I am quite anxious to start it.  There is a problem though.  Yes, you guessed it!  A roadblock.  I won’t say exactly what the roadblock is, but here are some general characteristics to describe it.

1. It has a looming, non-negotiable, deadline.
2. It is not a quick thing.
3. I tried to outsource it but that didn’t work out.
4. It’s not the most fun thing to do.

Everyone hits these kind of roadblocks from time to time.  Here is how I am planning to break through it.

1. Make it a priority.
2. Break it into smaller pieces.
3. Set a schedule to complete the pieces.
4. Block out big chunks of time to get it done.
5. Set an earlier deadline than the real deadline.

Will I get it done?  I think so. YES!  Once it is out of the way, I can do that project that I am really looking forward to.  I guess that is point #6.  Reward myself for getting through this roadblock!

One last thing.  If you think this roadblock will come up again, plan for it next time.