AJWalton's December InfoBarrel Earnings
December was an extremely bizarre month. I moved back to Winnipeg (from Calgary) on the 16th and did next to nothing on InfoBarrel after that time. I also started learning about how to build Amazon niche sites, since I've never had success with Amazon and wanted to figure out how to use it more effectively. I also started my personal blog, Renegade Writer, and spent a lot of time figuring out CSS code to make it look nice.
My main December project though, was putting together a mastermind team. I got such an unexpectedly overwhelming response that I decided to ask the people I knew best, the people I had learned from when I was starting out here, if they wanted to start a joint venture. On January 1st we launched 5Currencies, which I'm not going to talk about in this earnings report - but I highly recommend you check it out.
This on top of the demands of family and friends (not that I mind - it's just a lot of energy!) has left me with an incredible need for a vacation - likely in the form of a couple 100 new articles.
Here's what I had stated as my December Goals, along with my notes:
Earnings: $700 ($23.33 average over the month - I currently average about $10/day)
Total Articles: 500+ (additional 150, this should be doable)
Forum Posts: 1000 (17/day)
Article Earning Rate (per week): $0.35/Article - aided by more social bookmarking with revenue share
1 Referral
Any Amazon earnings
A single $40 day by the end of the month
I have never been through December before and didn't realize that it is actually one of the worst times of the year for traffic. Nevertheless, I like the trends:
|
|
Articles | Page Views | Clicks | AdSense $ | Chitika $ | Amazon $ | Total $ |
| September 2010 | 55* | 487 | 8 | $6.46 |
$0.59 |
$0.00 | $7.05 |
| October 2010 | 92 | 2889 | 115 |
$29.88 |
$2.58 |
$0.32 |
$32.78 |
| November 2010 | 351 | 8083 | 598 | $176.87 | $22.11 |
$0.00 |
$198.98 |
| December 2010 | 515 | 13280 | 1003 | $329.38 | $31.78 |
$22.52 |
$383.68 |
I actually made all my non-monetary goals! I finished with over 500 articles, over 1000 forum posts, one referral, and Amazon earnings in the bank. If you include two Market Samurai sales and the Amazon gift card I will presumably get, my total for the month comes to $501.80. So I didn't make $700, but I really couldn't be more pleased at this point!
My plan is clearly working, using the abilities I have as best I can. My biggest problem is trying to do too much, which since coming home has prevented me from doing any single thing well (like cranking out obsene amounts of articles). Right now, writing this, I feel extremely burned out - something I didn't feel even after the November contest and through the first couple weeks of December.
Lesson: do the bare minimum number of things you can to be successful, but do them extremely well!
Another Lesson: Ignore what people think you "should" be doing. I'm not going to lie, it's been a little strange having people look up to me and follow what I'm doing - it's not something I was prepared for. I've felt pressure that I should be delivering the "right" message, like I should optimize more, backlink more, because "that's what people do." But it's not what I do - I built my system specifically for me, and while I hope people can learn from what I do, I don't pretend like my methods are optimal for anyone else. I can already feel the stress levels dropping!
My goal for this month is straightforward: simplify.
IB + blog + new website + needing content everywhere + trying to do videos = insanity! I still want to have a life off of the computer, which I did very well in November, not so well the last 2 weeks. I know a couple people have the impression that I'm a high octane machine, but it's really not the case - I probably do far less than many others here, it just looks like a lot since I only write articles and do so efficiently. So I'm going back to barebones IB articles, and lots of them!
Specific numbers:
Article Total: 700
Earnings: $700 (though Adsense, Amazon, Chitika)
Page Views: 28000 - based on my earnings rate this is what I'll need
Daily earnings by Feb 1st: $30/day*** If I can accomplish just 1 thing, this would be the one I'd like.
As always, my rule is to aim high. I could easily put in numbers that I know I will reach, but that won't push me to reach them and something inevitable doesn't feel like an accomplishment. Here's to a great 2011!
If you haven't already, I suggest you sign up for InfoBarrel! Success is yours for the taking. See you on the forums!
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Comments
Nice Job AJ, really encouraging stuff!
Thanks Mike - I look forward to watching you grow your Internet Empire!
Very proud of you. I'm sure you will reach all your goals. Happy New Year!!
Thanks Lynsuz, for all your encouragement =D. Happy New Year!
go AJ
You too dreamaker!
You can do whatever you put your heart and soul into and wishing you the best - and to stay healthy doing it all:)
Your support and encouragement has been invaluable, I always feel great after getting feedback from you :)
Great job, AJ! Thank you for telling us what you are earning. It's so encouraging to the rest of us and, yes, even grandmothers like me can look up to some if you energetic younger writers and admire your success! Well done!
You too Deborah-Diane! I saw that you're getting more views per article than I do, fantastic stuff! It's been a pleasure having you as a consistent presence on the forums.
Wow AJ, very impressive. Before you know it you will be making over $1,000 per month. Definitely an inspiration for all writers to keep at.
Thanks simpleprocedures, we're all in this together! All the best in 2011.
Thanks for sharing thing AJ. It is encouraging and helpful.
It's been fun watching your progress the last few months dpeach, you're doing great. I know you'll go on an write elsewhere, but I hope you'll keep taking the time to pop back here and say "hi" on occasion!
Nice work AJ. I am glad you got some higher Amazon earnings.
It's amazing what actually putting in the time will do. I too am glad it's paying off. Meet you at 1500?
way to go AJ!
Thanks Sookie =D
You are amazing and someone to follow. Way to go AJ. Congrats.
Thanks HBI, best of luck in 2011
Wow AJ, well done. Thank you for sharing. Inspirational and encouraging.
Thanks for your kind words latenightowl. I find this to be such an inspiring environment here at IB!
Happy new year, AJ! As usual, it's inspiring to see your earnings climb month after month. I just visited your new site 5currencies.com and am excited to try out your Get Started Writing course. The problem that I am facing now is how to keep myself motivated to write more in a shorter period of time. Sometimes I can take more than 2 hours to write an article:P
Happy new year Brian! Don't worry about taking a long time while you're learning the process. Work on developing a system that's right for you, and then you'll have no problem speeding it up. There are many paths to success, and crazy volume doesn't have to be your route.
I take over an hour for a blog post. It's a different animal - slower can be better. Best of luck to you!
Congrats AJ.
Way to go in the contest. You really worked some magic there.
"Ignore what people think you "should" be doing."
Woot woot! I like that a lot. I have felt an extra stress for this same reason from time to time and seeing it written out like that makes it so much easier to brush off. Kudos Aj!
Thanks DKR! How is fitness blender doing?
Very well, thanks for asking Aj! Our traffic is now up over 1400 % so we're super excited!
1400%! Fan-freaking-tastic! That's wonderful to hear, I hope the trend continues.
Thanks so much :)
I enjoy reading about all your successes, keep it up.
Very nice and motivational! For only being 4 months in the game, you are doing awesome. Hope you continue to rise....
Thanks W03, I hope you also find success here :)
It is always the best way to shoot, to the top! You will get there.
Thanks pwarlick! I look forward to meeting you there :)
You're now one of my article marketing heroes. I do aspire, of course, to have my own site at some point. I'm also very curious about chitika, which I joined here, but had never seen anywhere else. I guess the idea of learning code frightens me, or something. I'm also with you on amazon. I've not added my amazon associates account to info barrel yet, but whenever I get free reign here I might do that, and write specific product articles that could possibly work with amazon. On hubpages I've tried that, but still not hit a lick yet. I'll keep trying.
Thanks WTS! Definitely study chezfat if you're looking to capitalize on Amazon. There's a ton of information to digest, just pick a couple things at a time and get used to them. I've been here a while and I still don't have Amazon rolling the way it could be.
"Start small. Think Big" - that's my motto. Best of luck to you!
Very impressive! I am still enjoying my first year of retirement,and have no special goals. Maybe later!
nice work Aj
This is just inspiring...
Thanks esemchoy!
Good. This really encourages me.
you'll do great!
I'm new here and I can't imagine this huge encouragement from you...I just can't wait to overtake you. Thanks.
Good luck Mr. Samuels.
Thanks again
It is fun to see how others set goals. Thank you for sharing.
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