I think I need to be more positive. You can’t get anywhere being as cynical as I am. It’s toxic. It brings people down and it seems to keep me spiraling in a mode of self-defeatism. A couple of days ago I expressed some interest in Keyword Academy’s new course. The people running the course asked that those interested in being a part of it to contact them personally to see what our goals were and to get to know potential students, etc. etc. I emailed them and basically disgorged this pathetic story about how I’ve been ripped off before when spending that kind of money and how I wasn’t sure if it was right for me, blah, blah.
Well, what the hell was the guy supposed to say to that? I guess I assumed that he would come back and say it was alright and that they could help and they were the right choice. No, the dude wrote back and basically said they wanted positive people involved and that my skepticism, as valid as it may be, might not fit with their program. They didn’t feel like they had to prove anything.
Man, I had to agree 100% with his assessment. I pretty much think everything sucks in this business. I assume before I even start something that I will fail at it or feel ripped off. Maybe if my attitude was better I could get more out of things.
It’s funny, I couldn’t remember what Keyword Academy’s name was when I started this post and went over to Griz’s Make Money Online blog to get the link. What is his latest post about? Convincing a skeptic. My heart skipped a beat as I thought he could be referencing me. After reading it I realized it was about Adsense and people thinking it is crap. But you know, I have the same negative feelings about Adsense sometimes too.
When I look back at some of Griz’s articles he is basically very positive and confident about what he is doing. He finds what works and keeps working it. He makes money and seems to be happy.
I on the other hand move from method to method. Idea to idea. I’m bored doing this shit and I pretty much allow that misery to color everything that I do in this racket. So what do I do? I criticize everything. Granted most of the IM stuff deserves to be criticized. I think a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted with these programs and memberships. The problem is I can’t find the good among all the bad anymore.
Misery loves company. I think there are a lot of people struggling in this business. It’s such incredible hard and boring work that we are all looking for the easy way to make money online. I think some people like reading this blog because they feel some kind of kinship with the struggles. That’s fine I guess. But I feel like the pied piper of misery sometimes. I get so caught up in what doesn’t work that I forget all the things that do.
I’m pretty sure I find it much easier to find the bad in something than to look for the good. Hell, with KA I went in with the expectation that it would be a failure. It was unfair to pre-judge. I didn’t overtly believe it to be a failure but after re-reading my email to the owners I came to realize that there was an underlying attitude that was bent. My attitude really sucks.
We emailed a couple more times and I explained myself a bit better. And they seem like good guys and all. But I decided to not join KA anyway. I feel like I have the knowledge that I need and don’t feel like spending $600-900 for the course. I just need to do a better job of doing what I know. Get motivated. Work smarter. And have a better attitude.
This blog is a couple years old. I titled it Lost Ball in High Weeds because I was struggling and not making much. I felt lost. I’m not too lost anymore. I know exactly what to do to make as much money as I want to. It’s just that after 5 years of doing this I’m simply bored and burned out. If you had told me when I started this blog that I would be making what I do now, I would have been elated. But no, I continue to dwell on the negative. Will I be happy making $5K a month? $10K? Or will it not be enough then either?
I need a better attitude and create a belief than I can do much better in this business.
24 responses so far ↓
Online Privateer // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Hey, good post. I’ve got to say, I think you’re right about bloggers feeling a kinship to your struggles. Not many people point out the struggles and disappointments of MMO. But, attitude is a huge factor in this stuff.
It will be nice to hear a more positive Splork, but keep honest! We need honesty, and that’s what sets you apart from some of the others.
Sunshine // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Give yourself a big high five. This post was definitely your first step towards that big attitude adjustment you’re longing for.
You’re not alone. Most of us are just like you when it comes to struggle.
We definitely aren’t lazy because we’re making strides taking small actionable steps towards our goals, however, we tend to jump around from project to project not quite able to be patient long enough to see the fruits of our labor.
Actually, the product review you posted earlier this week was quite a refreshing post and shows that deep down you’re more positive than you even you give yourself credit for.
Splork // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Hey Online Privateer. I’ll definitely stay honest and fair. But it’s time to rise above the cynicism a bit. Thanks for reading.
Splork // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Hey Sunshine. Thanks for reading.
Patience. There it is. That is what many of us lack. I think maybe we get so charged up hearing about success from people we read that we want the green now. And when we don’t see instant results we move along to something else. Never really giving something a fair chance.
If I step back and look at what I’ve, um, accomplished, it was through patience that made them successful.
Scott // Jan 8, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Hi Splork,
When I read your recent post about building blogs, bookmarking them, AAing them and so forth, I thought that maybe you might make a video showing your best practices. Distribute it free or charge a teeny bit for it. This is a good schtik or persona you got going – somewhat irritated but ever persistent. Monetize it. Leverage your strong writing and your convicted personality. Hell, you’ve done the hardest part already – putting yourself out there.
You referenced a Chris Rempel product. I like Chris’ stuff because he has a straight forward style. Kind of like yourself.
My advice, worth what it costs.
barry // Jan 8, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Good grief! Charlie Brown!
Splork, you’ve either got a bad case of CRS (can’t remember shit) or you’ve neglected on purpose the five or six guys you identified as being worth the time.
Griz. Frank at Optempo. Vic. Courtney. One or two others.
You had these guys identified and were working with their stuff. I respected you because you seemed to have a set of people you liked, respected and could work with and because it had all the potential in the world to make you money and generate some fun. I was biased in my estimation because I, took thought these were good people. I still do.
Well, bubbala, all you need to do is go back to basics and open up those lines of communication with these guys. get back to using their stuff and talking to them. Maybe you’ll add a couple of more. Maybe you’ll add a couple of products or systems to handle certain tasks or fill niches.
Splork, You Had It Figured Out A Year Ago!
Nuff said.
Love and kisses,
Barry
Splork // Jan 8, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Hey Barry. I don’t read or follow anything that Vic does. He lead me down the rabbit hole almost a year ago with his .info/BANS crap. I have no idea what his site is about now. Court is kind of in the background. He has other people doing the front end work now. I don’t follow them as much as I did. I’ve talked about and promoted Frank’s product a lot. I use his BCW to create posts for my Ebay/Blogger blogs which do pretty well. And I hang on every word Griz writes.
This post was mostly about me needing to get motivated, stay focused and try to be a little more positive about the successes I’ve had and what the future can hold. ry not ot be so cynical. Like I said, I know what I need to do and I know how to make the money. I guess I need to quit writing these kind of posts because it gets taken like I have no clue what I’m doing. I am way too transparent and open I think.
Splork // Jan 8, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Hey Scott. It’s a good idea and all but I just don’t have the drive to monetize this in that manner.I don’t want to teach and charge for it and be responsible for the success of other people.
I’m happy to throw out what I’m doing, but there is no magic to it. I build WP blogs and XSP sites on niches and monetize with affiliate products and Adsense. I build Blogger Blogs and use the Ebay widget. I find the best keywords I can at Nichebot for my site meta data, article titles and anchor text. I get backlinks through articles, commenting, link submissions/trades and bookmarking. I deposit all the checks that come in each month.
There really isn’t any best practices as far as I know. I just watch the videos and follow what they say to do.
If anyone has any questions on specifics, I’d be happy to answer them. Nobody asks so I figure nobody is interested in the specifics.
Frank Carr // Jan 9, 2009 at 11:56 am
I think on of the main values of academy’s, Vic’s, Court’s or others, is that it helps keep you focused on your goal because you’ve invested in it. It’s sort of like you’re more apt to exercise if you join a gym.
I think you’ve got the basics down rather well but you’ve gotten stuck in the mechanics of it all. The trick is looking beyond it. I won’t get all Zen on you but the idea is to find simplicity beyond the mechanics, the routine, by understanding yourself.
Roger // Jan 9, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Hi Splork,
You’ll probably argue with me but I’m going to post my thoughts anyway. I’m not going to try and tell you what you should do, just my take on your post. I won’t act like you don’t know what you’re doing. OK?
There’s an important difference between being cynical (read – negative) and being cynical and satirical and applying wit – especially if it is presented in an ordered fashion that leaves the reader with a grin.
Which one are you? I think I know-I’ve mentioned it before.
Just how many people are idolised and make a fortune from taking the same cynical/satirical approach with their TV programs & newspaper/magazine columns? Most of them! The ones that don’t, don’t get read and fail. People like sarcasm, when used cleverly and not directed at them. People like to hear a good, humorous rant.
As I read your post, I couldn’t help thinking about the fact that you are ‘the cubicle guy’ – right? In other words you do a job in the rat race.
After 15 years of that myself previously, I only have respect for someone who does that and this too (online stuff).
You compared yourself with Grizz. Ahem. Grizz says that he works about 4 or 5 hours a day (correct me if I’m wrong) to earn a great income and he lives in a log cabin in the beautiful wilderness – a far cry from a cubicle life and possibly a suburban/city home life. When he goes shopping he takes a helicopter FFS!
And what other secrets to a wonderful reduced-stress existence has he discovered? I don’t know, but he seems pretty wise so I would guess – quite a few.
Here’s another fact about Grizz – I had come across his site (through you) but hadn’t really dug deep and got stuck in. Recently, I did. And I hadn’t forgotten that it was purely through reading your blog that I had stumbled upon him.
I really appreciated the nod. he has a totally different style to you. But his stuff is top notch. AND he links back to you. Why would he do that?
If you feel the need to change – great! But I wouldn’t want you to think that we read this because we are all negative cynical types. I am, but the other 7 aren’t.
You have a style that is unique which is one of the best ways I could describe why I like your writing. I would also add that even if you are not, you appear to be very honest – another rare thing online.
You might be cynical, but have you considered how cynical it is to only write stuff in order to sell it, shove those links down your readers’ throats and expect them to lap it up and become a loyal reader? Well 95% of them are like that – consequently they are more cynical than you AND less popular. OK, not all of them
But you know what I am saying – yet another affiliate blog repeating the same mantras and desperately trying to make a sale. You don’t do that – so at least value the fact that you are not a whore.
Good luck with whatever direction you take from here, but I hope you read these comments and ask yourself why we would bother coming here if it just brought us down. It doesn’t.
And thanks again for leading me to Grizz’s blog.
Splork // Jan 9, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Hey Roger. Thanks for that. Puts things in a bit of perspective I think. The good thing about cynical people is that we talk a good game about being more positive. It ain’t happening. I won’t change the style of the blog. I just have to be a bit more upbeat in what I’m doing and not keep wallowing around like I’m still a Lost Ball. I sort of am but I sort of ain’t. But IM just lends itself to cynicism and sarcasm. I have to remember that people that are trying to sell something typically don’t have a sense of humor with people that think they are full of shit. I’m still here to point out the absurd. Hell, someone’s gotta do it. May as well be me.
Lisa // Jan 9, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Hi Splork,
Perhaps what you are wrestling with is the absurd nature of what you do with IM defining who you are. They are not the same. It is good that you are honest, it is refreshing, in fact, you do the rest of us a great service by calling it like it is.. don’t let it that cynicism invade your life. Use the money you make as a means to freedom
to be the person who want to be, honest and straight, and take joy in that.. It is a rare integrity.
btw- I have questions on the specifics, if you are still willing to answer..
thanks
Splork // Jan 9, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Hey Lisa. Wouldn’t it be funny if I turned out to be the biggest joker of them all in IM. Running a ruse on this blog to somehow generate fat stacks elsewhere? Gotta figure out how to do that…Just kidding. I appreciate the comment.
You got questions…sling ‘em my way. I’ll help the best I can. Email addy above in the contact page.
Thanks for reading.
SuperStudent // Jan 11, 2009 at 6:09 am
Respect Splork. I agree with the opinion of not following Vic anymore. I also regret following him and I even cancel my membership yesterday, after Vic had another “panic attack” and started screaming about how noobs we all are.
Attitude Change is good man . Keep it coming.
Dinheiro // Jan 13, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Splork, don’t get me wrong, but this is the best of the best articles you ever did. Great words man, and this is what i think too, we were loose too much time reading many methods, trying many things, and “crying” for not making what we should do. What should we do? Put what we know on the field, and make the large quantities that make the money.
It’s “simple”, in the end the solution is: motivation, mechanical work, and TIME.
Splork // Jan 13, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Thanks for reading Dinheiro. I appreciate the comment.
Dinheiro // Jan 14, 2009 at 5:25 am
I’ve one question for you splork, if you can answer of course. How many blogger blogs do you have with franks tool and ebay widget? And what is the percentage of the money won by that blogs in your monthly earnings with IM?
Splork // Jan 14, 2009 at 7:31 am
Ebay pays me poorly. I’d say it is about 15% of monthly checks.
I have around 35 Blogger blogs built using Frank’s tool so far. I got into a big building/re-working binge a few weeks ago and crammed a whole bunch on the web. Only about 5 are worth anything at this point honestly. The best ones are those that I submitted articles for at AMA and bookmark aggressively. Time is not my friend.
Though they are ridiculously easy to build. 15 minutes each maybe? Sign up at Blogger, modify template, get code at Ebay, add a couple of posts with photos/videos and use Frank’s tool. It’s up.
Dinheiro // Jan 15, 2009 at 5:20 am
Splork and you never updated that blogs anymore?
I think i loose too much time with photos, i try to make unique photos, because they bring me traffic (sometimes much more traffic than an article).
Dinheiro // Jan 15, 2009 at 5:27 am
Ah, just forgot to ask, besides the ebay widget, do you put adsense on that blogger blogs, or it’s “dangerous”? On experience i had is when a blogger blog begins to have 1000 (not so good, but not spam) articles, they begin to make money, without much promotion/bookmarking.
Splork // Jan 15, 2009 at 7:26 am
Oh yea. I update them. Some are grandfathered into AMA and I don’t have to. The others I use BCW.
No Adsense. It’s not that it’s dangerous, and it probably is, I want people to be distracted by the Ebay ads and not Adsense. I’ve got plenty of Adsense sites to worry about.
I’ve a long way to go before I have 1,000 articles. That’s why BMD is so important to my promotion activities. The blogs are crap. I could never get traditional link trades. Good directories probably wouldn’t accept them. I do a bit of RSS submissions with tools and bookmark. On the ones that I really like, and I have a couple, I write an article and let AMA blast it. The one blog that I’ve had the most success with Ebay, is the one I took the time to write an article that is now sitting on over 100 blogs.
Jon // Jan 15, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Hi Splork,
Long time reader but first time commentor.
I have been at this internet marketing stuff since the web started and your blog is the first one I check in my RSS reader.
I find your cynicism to be a very refreshing stop on the web where all the IM folks kiss each other’s behinds to hawk a steady flow of marginally useful products.
I have twice made the mistake of participating as a company man for a couple of IM outfits. The people seemed better those at most operations but once behind the scenes they just turned out to be smoother con artists.
Maybe you should just shift your attitude from cynical to a healthy level of skeptical. Most IM product pushers don’t deserve better treatment.
You seem to know the system and have found good tools you just need to stick with something and have some more focus.
Maybe start a side blog about a subject that you are passionate about and not care if that blog makes money. Promote the hell out of it and you can probably figure out how to make more money with it than with all of these others.
Biking?
Splork // Jan 15, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Hey Jon. Thanks for reading. Yea, I’ve already got a two cycling blogs. And I doubt I can modify the cynicism I feel these days. From the financial meltdown that is seriously jeopardizing me and my kids future to all the shit in IM, it’s tough to simply tool around and think everything is rosy.
Jon // Jan 16, 2009 at 11:52 am
As long as you have some fun at it and enjoy your family, that is all that really matters.
No need to be rosy. There is a lot of crap out there. Besides I would miss your cynicism if it completely went away.
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