Lynn Terry’s Elite Mastermind group has been closed to new members for several months – but I just got a heads up that it is once again open!

What Does This Mean to You?

Lynn’s Elite Mastermind group is a great fit for anyone looking to make their online presence more profitable. Its members range from well-known and successful online entrepreneurs to complete beginners… while many fall somewhere in between.

This community has proven to be a valuable resource to me over and over again since I joined last August. In fact, check out the following screenshot (I’ve highlighted in yellow the exact day (August 24, 2009) I found Lynn’s site and joined the community!)

(Keep in mind, WebCopyResults.com was only about 2 months old at that time… and had been created solely to showcase my writing portfolio for potential clients. In fact, Lynn is the one who encouraged me to take up regular blogging – so she is largely responsible for the direction this site – and my business – has taken since then!)

So basically – I found and joined Lynn’s Elite Forum on 08/24/09 – and hit my first triple digit traffic day on 08/31/09.

(I’m happy to say that the number of visitors to the site now averages well into the triple digits each day – even though I stepped away from the site to focus on other projects for a few months. (By the way – I don’t recommend doing that).  In spite of this, my goal is to hit 4 digits per day in site visitors within the next 90 days).

In addition to the vast wealth of information and at-the-ready feedback from other experienced online business owners this membership provides – I’ve also landed quite a few writing projects and have made several real life friends by belonging to this group. (I got to meet many of them in person at NAMS3 in Atlanta in January).

Bottom Line: The connections I’ve made through this group has generated AT LEAST 10x more in paid writing projects  than I’ve invested in my Elite membership. Talk about a solid return on investment!!

Hands down, Lynn’s Elite Mastermind is one of the best investments I’ve made into my business. I’m positive it will be for you, too! Sign up today: Become an Elite Member

(There’s no risk to join – you are billed monthly and can cancel at anytime – although I highly doubt you’ll want to once you see what it can do for you! ).

Til Next Time,

Lots of ground to cover in this installment of my cross-blog conversation with Nicole Dean!

Over the last week or so, Nicole and I have volleyed a series of questions back and forth to one another. (If you are just joining us: here is Nicole’s response to my original set of questions: Cross-blogging with Trish Lindemood).

Again, Nicole is a very well-known and successful online entrepreneur. She has lots of “titles” (i.e., popular blogger, affiliate manager, Internet Marketing genius, etc…  You get the idea! ) She’s built a very successful online business and I’ve learned a lot by observing not only what she says, but also what she does.

Needless to say, I’m excited to share some of her knowledge here with you!

In my last post to her, I asked a question about a really cool concept she developed called the Blog World Tour. I wasn’t sure if the concept really applied to my business model because I don’t have an information product or affiliate program to promote.  However, because Guest Blogging is a form of Content Marketing, I wanted to take a closer look at it here.

Here is Nicole’s reply: Guest Blogging for Service Providers

Now for my response:

Hey Nicole!

Thanks for the great, in-depth reply. Based on this discussion, I can see how Guest Blogging can enhance just about any type of online marketing program. In fact, I am currently working on my 2010 business plan and editorial calendar – and am going to incorporate a Blog World Tour into the first quarter.

And, yes – since I hate wasting time – I am going to use the Blog World Tour Guide as a blueprint for how to get the most out of this undertaking. No sense trying to reinvent the wheel!

Now, to answer your question to me:

I’ve been participating in a discussion about ethics on another site (which I’ll post about in a few days) but one major takeaway for me is that it is not only my goal, but it’s my duty to help Online Business Owners to invest their money wisely – especially now when money is tight for so many.

I know that you’re a member of online at Lynn Terry’s Elite Mastermind Group. (Since I chat with you in there.)

And, you’ve mentioned that you’ll be attending the NAMS Conference in Atlanta in January – which is awesome, too.

So, tell me. What made you choose to invest in those things? And, do you feel they’ve benefited you? In what ways?

Great question!

I agree, it IS  our duty to help other online business owners invest their money wisely. There are just SO MANY bells and whistles and bright shiny objects out there all promising the be The Next Big Thing. It is so easy to get caught up in the whole “I just need to learn one more thing – THEN I’ll be ready to make a go of my online business. THEN it will all become crystal clear.”

So not true.

I personally had to learn this the hard way. The very first time I dipped my toe into the online marketing waters – I fell for a VERY pricey program that promised to help get me up and running. Fortunately, once inside, I saw that it was not all it was cracked up to be – and was able to get all my money refunded.

Now, nearly 2 years later – I realize what they were peddling for thousands of dollars (*gasp!*) is stuff that can be found in an awesome $37 program! So, I am pretty passionate about advocating products and programs that deliver on what they say – without breaking the bank.

That said: Lynn Terry’s Elite MasterMind Group is hands down my favorite online resource. Hands down.

Let’s face it – Lynn is at the top of her game – and clearly doesn’t need to be as personally involved in the forum as she is. I love that she takes the time to personally respond to threads. In fact, I recently posted a question I had about my own online business – and she and I had a really great and lengthy online conversation that produced several “Eureka” moments for me.

I’m not talking about general theory or ideas, either. Her advice really helped clarify EXACTLY what my next steps need to be to get to where I want to go. She could charge hundred, if not thousands, of dollars for that type of  personal attention.

That’s just one example – there is also a ton of value in the contacts and friendships I’ve made there.  The membership ranges from complete newbies to highly successful Internet Marketing professionals such as yourself – so there is something for everyone. In fact, I don’t think it’s possible to really absorb all the great ideas, information and resources available there.

Further, the group is comprised of card-carrying members of the White Hat Internet Marketing Club (ok, I just made that up – but you know what I mean! ) – and that is really important to me. I want to be involved in something that embraces “best practices” vs. short cuts that can really hurt your business down the road.

So, yeah, the 27 bucks I spend per month to belong to the Elite MasterMind Group is definitely the best investment I’ve made into my business!

As far as NAMS3, this is my first time going  so it’s hard to say what the value is. However, my offline corporate career has been in sales and sales management – so I know how important it is to keep up with what is going on in your industry. Plus, I love to learn and really enjoy connecting with people in real life. I am positive that attending NAMS3 will not only help advance my own online business efforts – but what I learn there will also make me a more valuable resource to my clients.

I can’t wait – I am really excited to be there!

Now, if you don’t mind… I want to turn this back to you one more time…

You are an instructor at NAMS3 and have been involved with the previous sessions.  What do YOU think is the most valuable part of these workshops? If someone is still on the fence about attending – what is one specific example of real life results you’ve seen come out of it that might help them decide to attend?

Looking forward to your reply!

PS Here is Nicole’s reply and wrap-up for this series. Hope you enjoyed it!

I am a huge believer in learning from the best when you want to master a new skill.  This is why I am super excited to share with you my Q + A session with Lynn Terry regarding Rosalind Gardner’s Super Affiliate Handbook.

I have learned so much from both Lynn and Rosalind. (They are both considered leading authorities on the topic of affiliate marketing). Rosalind – well, she wrote the book on it and Lynn is a hugely successful super affiliate and internet marketing expert. Lynn credits the Super Affiliate Handbook as one of her all-time favorite affiliate marketing resources – and in this post, she shares how she applied what she learned from the Super Affiliate Handbook to create a real-life super success story!

I think you’ll be as inspired by her answers as I was. Enjoy!

Q: I understand the Super Affiliate Handbook has had a lot influence on your career in affiliate marketing – what was your biggest “a ha!” moment while reading it? What made you decide you could do this and be very successful at it?

A: I had been doing affiliate marketing on the side for years when I first read the Super Affiliate Handbook. I used affiliate links alongside my service-based business, and in other ways – so I did have some experience with affiliate programs, and knew there was tons of potential there.

Where SAH influenced me most was in seeing it as a business model of its own – and using that to go from “affiliate marketer” to “super affiliate”. It was a huge transition for me, as I went from an active type business model (get paid for time) to a more passive income model (invest the time upfront, earn for years).

I immediately started creating affiliate sites, instead of just using affiliate links on the side. Using Rosalind’s methods, the results were incredible!

Q: What was the most valuable thing(s) you learned from the Super Affiliate Handbook?

A: I think the most valuable thing I took away from SAH was the potential. My first time reading it start to finish, light bulbs were going off left and right. I was already doing very well with my online business, but I could see straight away that this had the potential for multiple 6-figures… with a lot less work than I was already doing.

Another thing I picked up from Rosalind in this guide was an inside look at the affiliate world. Up to that point I just took things as they were – the tools were all I had to work with, a declined application meant I should move on, etc.

She really opened my eyes to the fact that merchants are real people, that this is a business model of its own – and that you can negotiate and communicate to take things to the next level.

Now I make it a point to have relationships with my affiliate managers, to make requests and offer feedback – and to really take an active role in the process. It’s made a HUGE difference!

Rosalind really lays it all out, including a 20-point checklist you should consider when looking at new merchants to work with.

Q: What specific steps did you take to apply that new-found knowledge to launch your very first affiliate site?

A: I was completely inspired and super-motivated when I finished reading the Super Affiliate Handbook. I immediately launched a huge product-based affiliate site based on what I learned from the guide, and just really went all out with it. That was almost 6 years ago – and the first of many, of course.

It’s one thing to read a guide, or learn a method of making money as an affiliate. But you have to take action and implement the steps to see results. So that’s exactly what I did.

Rosalind updates the guide frequently. I recently read the latest edition, which has tons of current updates, and I got fired up all over again – I started 2 new affiliate sites that same week.

Q: How long did it take you to start making sales/income from your affiliate marketing efforts?

A: I was making sales within 10 days of reading the Super Affiliate Handbook - they started trickling in that first week or so, and it just got better and better from there.

Of course, I already knew how to create websites so I had that advantage to get a quick start on the tips & methods in the guide. But she covers all that as well, so it’s actually a very newbie friendly guide even for those that don’t have any previous experience. If you knew nothing about affiliate programs before reading the guide, you’d learn everything you need to know right there.

Q: What would you do differently had you known then what you know now?

A: Oh wow – I would have worked even harder and faster. At the time I only knew the potential second hand. Now that I know firsthand how well this model works, and how much can be achieved… I would have worked 18 hours a day, 7 days a week on that alone. LOL.

Seriously – I was a bit tentative about it in the beginning. But aren’t we all when it comes to something new? That’s okay though, because I am doing very well with it now, and continuing to grow my passive income streams by the day. I love it!

I also would have done more outsourcing I think. That’s one thing I’ve implemented in recent years that has helped me get a lot further in a lot less time.

Q: What impact do you think those changes would make? (i.e. faster ramp-up time, less time spent on non-profitable endeavors, etc…)

A: The most obvious impact… my bottom line would be a lot fatter! I’m not complaining though. I do very well with it as I mentioned, and I worked hard along the way to make that happen.

It would be nice if we knew everything going in, but as entrepreneurs and with online business… a lot of it is “learn as you go” and “learn by doing”. The absolute best way to get answers is to dig in and get them yourself. Once you have the basic model, the rest of the details are up to you.

It’s a process – not a “get rich quick scheme” – but it’s a VERY profitable process, and well worth the time invested.

Q: Any last words of advice for those still on the fence about whether they should buy the SAH?

A: When I was first introduced to the Super Affiliate Handbook, I debated on it for about two weeks. It was actually my very first ebook purchase. It was $47 – which at the time I viewed as an expense. Gosh, that’s funny now (lol), my hesitation and all.

That was one of the best investments I EVER made in my business (really, in myself) – and that 47 bucks was a drop in the bucket compared to what I earned back in the first year alone…

Not only do you get the current version, you get all future updates free. And Rosalind updates the Super Affiliate Handbook frequently. I know she’s updated it twice in the last few months alone.

My advice to anyone interested in affiliate marketing: download it today, READ it today, and start taking action immediately. You’ll be so glad you did!

There you have it – some great words of wisdom from someone who doesn’t just talk about making a living online – but who actually does it. (And does it quite well, I might add! )

Til Next Time,

PS Like Lynn, the Super Affiliate Handbook was also my very first ebook purchase. I, too, debated on whether I should buy it – and am really happy I did. It is what opened my eyes to the potential of affiliate marketing and online business opportunities. I’m not a super affiliate (yet! ) – but have made many, many times more than the $47  I invested into it by taking action on what it suggests.

Ready to get started?  You can instantly download your copy here: Super Affiliate Handbook

I promise this will be my last post related to affiliate marketing for a while. Tomorrow, I will return to my usual realm of content creation and Content Marketing…

Yesterday, I mentioned two Super Affiliates (Lynn Terry and Rosalind Gardner) I highly respect and recommend to anyone looking to learn more about affiliate marketing. I would like to add one more name to that list: Susanne Myers. Susanne has been making a full-time living online for the last 3 years and has recently launched a blog to share what’s working for her in the world of affiliate marketing.  Check out her site to read more of her story – I think you’ll agree she has achieved what many aspiring online marketers are trying to accomplish.

I like her easy-going writing style and always pick up a cool tidbit or two when I swing by her site. For example, I have known for ages that I need to stop using bare (direct) affiliate links – but because all things technical scare me a little (until I actually sit down and do it!)  – I never quite got around to doing anything about it. Then, I found a great blog post by Susanne explaining how to use a simple WordPress Plugin (Redirection) that made cleaning up (and redirecting) my affiliate links a breeze.

I found her post to be really useful – and thought you might, too. If this sounds like something that might be beneficial to you – read her post here. Definitely a great idea to apply to your site sooner vs. later!

Til Next Time,

PS I first learned about Susanne through Lynn Terry’s Elite MasterMind Group. What I find so beneficial about this group is that the membership includes all skill levels, from those just starting out to highly experienced (and successful) online professionals. This diversity opens the door to a lot of great conversations and brainstorming opportunities that are enhanced by a broad range of perspectives and ideas. This interaction can definitely kick your own online efforts into high gear!

Time for the first full monthly update on the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge!

Let me first preface these numbers before I begin: This site was launched on June 18, 2009 – so be gentle with me on the actual traffic volumes, ok? The “newness” of this site is part of what makes it a good test for something like this – results can be directly attributed to current actions versus flow-through from prior efforts.

So here goes…

This graph shows the number of unique visitors to the site for the month immediately prior to starting the challenge: (If these graphs are difficult to see – the results are written out and explained below).

Here is what happened in September:

Not bad. Number of unique visitors in September was up 2.33 times over August (725 vs. 311) and total number of visits increased from 2.15 visits/visitor to 3.12.  Total number of page views per visit did drop significantly from 9.01 to 5.41. I’m not sure exactly why this was – but the average time on site remained pretty consistent (7:16 minutes in August to 7:10 minutes in September) – so I am not overly worried about it.

More visitors returning more often and staying about as long is a good start. However, I am far from patting myself on the back and shouting Woo Hoo! I understand these are very small numbers and it is much easier to double a small number than a larger one – but am pretty happy with where things are heading overall…

The other stat I would like to cover is back links, although I find the reporting on them spotty, at best. Google just depresses me (they only show “4″). Yahoo is much better (54) BUT they include internal linking (where I linked pages within the site vs. from outside sources).  For some reason, when I do a site: domain.com search on Yahoo – it doesn’t give me the option to filter out internal links. Not sure why.

So, I used an external back link checker (www.backlinkwatch.com) – they show 49 back links for WebCopyResults.com, with 9 of them being “no follow.”  I don’t have a screen shot from the beginning of this challenge, but the number of back links was 18 at that point.

The three things working best so far in this challenge:

1. Daily Blogging
2. Social Media (especially Twitter!)
3. Commenting on other blogs and forums

In my opinion, the last two are probably most important. Judging from where traffic is coming into the site, the value of these two activities is significant. In fact, I would be remiss if I didn’t send a special “thank you” to Lynn Terry and the group at the Self-Starters Weekly Tips forum. The encouragement and advice I’ve received from that group has been great- so thank you!

Opportunities for improvement include guest blogging and the weekly eNewsletter. I made the mistake of switching providers mid-stream (am glad I switched to aWeber, but should have done it before the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge began). Live and learn. The good news is that is resolved and will be on track for the remainder of the challenge.

The BEST part so far has been the built-in accountability – and the fact that this exercise has challenged me to work at this a little every day. I’m excited to see how things progress from here!

How about you? How is your own Content Marketing publishing schedule working out?  Leave a comment below and let us know!

Til Next Time,

PS If you happen to create your content right in your admin panel (if using WordPress) – be sure to save your work frequently. I lost almost 100% of this post this morning for some unknown reason and had to start over. Frustrating and easily avoidable. Have a great weekend!

Yesterday marked the half-way point for Month 1 of the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge and I wanted to share a small update with you…

First, a disclaimer: it is wayyyyyy too early to get any kind of a definitive feel for the long-term results of this undertaking. That said, however, I thought maybe what I’ve seen so far would give you a bit of encouragement.

Here’s are a few results so far…

1. # of new visitors to the site (thru Sept 15) is 50% higher than for the entire month of August (which was double July). Granted, this is a fairly new site – and it is easier to double a small number than a large one… but these results are still encouraging.
2. # of page views have nearly doubled over the month of August, as well.
3. # of new visitors for my finance site has reached the same level as August (entire month), but the number of pages viewed per visit has skyrocketed from just over 2 pages in August to nearly 9.4 so far in September.

For WebCopyResults.com – Half the time, twice the results. A really good start.

But is it sustainable?  Time will tell.

At this point, it is too early to credit anything to the long-term benefits of content marketing.  I am just now starting to see search engine results for articles I wrote last spring – but I find that by itself very, very encouraging. If a handful of marginally optimized articles I put on a low ranking site 6 months ago (and forgot about) are now consistently returning Google, Yahoo and Bing search results – I can only imagine how things will be 6 months from now if I remain committed to producing quality, optimized content on a consistent ongoing basis.

That by itself is enough motivation to keep me on track with writing for my own projects (in addition to writing for paying clients). Prior to this exercise, my own projects were always the first to be put on the back burner. I now realize if I don’t make the time for what matters to me, I certainly won’t “find” it.

So, if the content itself isn’t driving the increase in traffic – what is? I believe there are two main reasons for the increase in traffic, thus far:

1. Visiting and commenting on related blogs and forums. One community that has been invaluable to me is Lynn Terry’s Mastermind Group and general forum. Not only do I learn something new (and valuable) every time I visit, but the support and sense of community there is phenomenal. The other members of the group really supported the launch of the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge by Tweeting, Stumbling, Digging, etc… Which leads to the second factor…
2. Creating “Buzz.” The 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge is a live, real-time case study that could succeed – or fail. There was a definite spike of traffic around its launch because it was new and maybe a little different.

These two factors should be fairly easy to replicate in your own business. If you want to bounce some ideas around, leave a comment below and I’d be more than happy to brainstorm with you.

Til Next Time,

P.S. If you haven’t checked out Lynn Terry’s Private Mastermind Group yet – I can’t recommend it strongly enough. I promise the information, ideas and access to FREE resources you will receive will MORE than make up for the cost of membership.  Check it out!

Yesterday, I introduced the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge. I am conducting this challenge over the next 3 months to illustrate how developing a clear and specific “Action Plan” of things to do daily, weekly and monthly can impact the results of your Content Marketing efforts.  The 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge will run from September 1, 2009 through December 1, 2009, with updates provided once a month. Key success measures will be 1.) increase in new traffic, 2.) increase in repeat visitors, and 3.) increase in off-site exposure.

Here are the Action Items for the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge:

Daily Action Items:

• Update blog
• Post blog updates to Social Media sites
• Encourage visitors to share topics they like with Social Bookmarking sites
• Submit weekly articles (see below) to 5 article directories (25 per week)
  

Weekly Action Items:

• Conduct Keyword Research for all content to be created that week
• Write 3 fresh articles to be distributed off-site to article directories (distribution schedule above)
• Create 3 unique articles/product reviews (posted on site)
• Contribute to 2-3 guest blogs per week (1-2 posts each)
• Write and distribute e-newsletter
• Identify and comment on one high-quality related blog or forum – but only where my contributions can provide genuine value to that site

Monthly Action Items:

• Conduct and publish one book review
• Write and distribute one press release
• Create information-rich incentive report for email subscribers
• Share results with WebCopyResults.com readers and subscribers!

This Action Plan includes many of the key components of any comprehensive Content Marketing program. I will discuss each of these Action Items over the course of the next several weeks to explain how they fit into a well-rounded Content Marketing campaign – and how you might be able to adapt these ideas to your own business model and schedule.

Til Next Time,

P.S. Be sure to sign up for our email updates (or subscribe to the RSS feed!) to stay up-to-date on the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge. Also, click on the “Comments” link below to share your thoughts and ideas on how to make the challenge better.

Have you created a solid game plan for your Content Marketing program?

Have you sat down and figured out how much fresh online content you need to produce and distribute over the next 3, 6 and 12 months to make your Content Marketing efforts successful?  Have you looked at where you are now and figured out where you want to be a year or two from now – in terms of traffic and more importantly, revenue?  Have you established how the words you create (or have created for you) will help you reach these goals?

Or, are you still hoping that producing a few interesting and informative articles here and there will miraculously pull it all together?

(Hint: it won’t).

If you want to  kick your Content Marketing efforts into high gear – you have to come up with a plan.  And follow it.  One of the best things I’ve learned from belonging to Lynn Terry’s Elite Mastermind Group is how much you can achieve if you simply make a commitment to take action.

Yes, I said ACTION.  You may have heard the saying “After all is said and done, more is usually said than done.”  How true. No  matter how many great ideas or noble intentions you may have – if you don’t take deliberate and calculated ACTION to achieve your goals… you are likely to find yourself in the exact same place this time next year.

This need for a solid game plan has encouraged me to develop the 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge to see exactly how much progress can be made in a relatively short period of time simply by creating and following a specific action plan of things to do daily, weekly and monthly. Starting tomorrow, September 1, 2009, I will spell out the specific action items I plan to follow over the next 3 months and will provide a monthly update to let you know how well (or not) following this plan is working (in terms of increased new traffic, repeat visits, and off-site exposure).

My hope is that this exercise will provide the inspiration you need to establish a solid game plan that works for you, too.

Til Next Time,

P.S. Another great thing about this 90-Day Content Marketing Challenge is the built-in accountability it creates. Knowing I have to report back here on my results is the biggest motivator I can think of in terms of following through on my Action Plan.  If you need some accountability partners to help drive your own results, be sure to check out Lynn Terry’s Mastermind Group!

In my last post, I talked about the great results I’ve had with Lynn Terry’s private brainstorming group.  Every time I log in, I come away with at least two or three great ideas on how to improve my business. In addition, I’ve made wonderful connections with like-minded entrepreneurs and have uncovered several opportunities to work with really talented people.  I’m really glad I found this forum when it happened to be open to accepting new members!

In that post, I also referred to a second group I really believe in and enjoy: Mike McGroarty’s Backyard Growers Group. Through his website FreePlants.com, Mike offers a free weekly one minute gardening newsletter.  In addition, he has created a program to teach gardening enthusiasts how to propagate plants and establish their own Backyard Nursery.

He also offers a wonderful members-only message board where members can ask questions, share best practices and offer up success stories to one another.  One of the best things about this members-only forum is the Plants for Sale section where members can buy and sell rooted cuttings, liners and other plant-related items.  I once purchased 70+ one and two-year-old Japanese Maples from another member for approximately $100.  I could have resold them immediately for $350 – $400, but chose to grow them out for a few years so I could increase my asking price significantly – if I can manage not to kill them all in the meantime!

Kidding aside – if gardening is your thing, growing and selling plants really can be a fun and profitable business. Mike McGroarty taught me that.  Although Mike often refers to himself as “an old dirt farmer” – don’t let him fool you.  He is a very talented marketer and shares a lot of what he knows on the board in relation to growing a Backyard Nursery into a viable business.  So, not only do I learn about one of my passions from my involvement with this group – by reading between the lines, I have been able to gather a lot of valuable insights about both Internet and real world marketing.

I’ve belonged to this group since September 2005 and have met Mike and other members in person since then – and really can’t recommend this group strongly enough to anyone interested in turning their love of gardening into a real business.  Although this group is unrelated to my primary business efforts, it fits with my long-term vision of running a profitable small hobby farm alongside my other business ventures.  The Backyard Growers Group will play a large part in making that a reality.  It provides a wealth of information on one of my favorite topics (gardening) AND lets me connect with other enthusiasts who are already running their own successful plant-related businesses.  I love to log on to the private message board and hear about Backyard Growers from across the country who are earning serious full or part-time incomes by propagating and selling landscape plants.

As a die-hard entrepreneur, I get a real kick out of anyone turning what they love to do into what they do for a living.  Its fun and its exciting!

Now, my challenge for you is to find one thing you are passionate about and find a legitimate Mastermind Group related to that topic.  Then, join and get involved. You will be amazed at how much further you will travel when you aren’t alone on the journey.

Til Next Time,

P.S. If you like plants or gardening even a little, be sure to check out Mike’s website, FreePlants.com and sign up for his free weekly one minute gardening sessions.  Your gardens will thank you for it!

In my opinion, the best way to learn Internet Marketing (or any other topic) is to actively engage in the process. This just means adopting a hands-on, interactive approach to really absorb the information.

I have always been an avid reader and read everything I can get my hands on (or “eyes around” if I find it online) about entrepreneurial topics, copywriting, online marketing, time management, and to a lesser extent, cooking and gardening.  Reading non-fiction is a great way to become a lifelong learner, but by itself, reading is a passive approach.  Think about it – how many times have you read a great list of tips or ideas on how to do something better – only to forget about it the next day?

This happens because even if something seems like a great idea – if there is no accountability associated with it – there is a good chance you will not act upon it. It’s simple human nature, really.

Therefore, taking an active approach to your personal development is the best way to go.  If you want to learn Internet Market (or any other topic) on a continual basis – join a Mastermind Group.  A Mastermind Group is a group of like-minded individuals of varying skill and experience levels who are all committed to learning about a specific topic – and sharing their own knowledge about it – with one another. The group encourages and challenges one another to take action to achieve their goals.

I personally belong to two different Mastermind Groups and I highly recommend both of them.  The first is Lynn Terry’s Private Brainstorming Forum. For less than a dollar a day, members of this group have full access to a members-only private forum where they can openly brainstorm business ideas and get their most pressing business-related questions answered.  What makes this group so amazing is that Lynn personally responds to inquiries and takes an active interest in her members’ success.  (Unlike many Internet Marketing “gurus” out there – Lynn has actually been making a full-time living from her online activities for 12 years – and she is incredibly transparent with her methods and results).

In addition to this ongoing 24/7 support, members of the Private Brainstorming Forum also have access to a live weekly interactive webinar, The  Brainstorming Hour, and a members-only download area.  The Brainstorming Hour is great because members get a chance to provide updates on their own progress for the week and learn from each other’s experiences.  Lynn moderates each call and provides her own insight into how each participant can improve and expand on their current efforts.

I’ve learned a lot from the Private Brainstorming Forum and have been able to share my own areas of expertise with other members – definitely a win-win as far as I am concerned!

In my next post, I’ll talk about the second Mastermind Group I belong to and discuss how these communities can be of value to you regardless of what topic you want to learn.

Til Next Time,

P.S. Lynn’s Private Brainstorming Forum is not always open to new members.  In fact, enrollment has been closed since January 2009 – and just recently re-opened.  So, if you think this group might benefit you – be sure to check it out today!  (Also, you can cancel your membership at any time without penalty, so there really is no risk in checking it out!)