So I’ve been away from my blog for over a month now, well actually I’ve been away from my computer for that long too – and as ‘relaxing’ as it was, the continued stress over what I was leaving behind had me wondering whether the break was worth it.
Apart from the 6000+ emails that welcomed me home, the most interesting thing was the fact that those emails (spam aside) looked exactly the same as the ones I used to get when I first started this online endeavour 2 years ago…
I coined the phrase ‘GroundBlog Day’ once – referencing the fact that the make money online world never really changed. Sure the characters were constantly evolving but the general story line was much the same – but that’s OK, I mean who am I to sit and judge when realistically I too played a role in this incessant rambling we call blogging. There is only so much one can talk about when it comes to making money online so it is only fair to assume that this groundblog day will continue…until death do us part.
And it’s perfectly OK if you ask me. Anyone who says otherwise is either negative at heart or has their head shoved so firmly up their own ‘blog’ that they have lost sight of what it’s all about….
What choo talkin' bout Whalley?
What is it all about?
The answer to that is as individual as the players in the game, but for me it’s about refocusing on what is important and sharing what works.
I think the thing that frustrates me most – and this relates back to the 6000 or so emails I had waiting for me – is that there are still so many people trying to make money promoting systems when they themselves are not actually making ANY money from said ‘system’. Granted this is how the bigger players have always made their fortunes, but it’s about time someone pulled back the curtain and revealed the wizard for what he really is.
Get Back to Basics!
You want to make money online? Then stop trying to do a million things at once and jumping on every bandwagon that drives past!!
Make money from Facebook, No! Make money from Twitter, no wait – LinkedIn is where it’s at. What – no, how about CPA and offline marketing – or craigslist – or eBay, or dare I say it, Blogging.
And this is why 2012 is the year to Build Rank and Profit.
Why? Because it’s simple (kinda) and it works!
How do I know? Because while I was tending to family matters and taking a holiday I earned a passive income of over $4000 from my niche websites.
I did not make $13,754 in 2 weeks, nor did I make that money in the first year of being online. The fact is it took A LOT of work , and a crapload more trial and error.
I am just getting back into the swing of things and putting the finishing touches on my Build Rank Profit membership site, a site that will provide you with all of the knowledge I have about making money online and a site that will NOT try and promote 3000 different systems to help you get there.
A New Direction.
I suppose this has helped me define what 2012 is all about and in so doing has shaped the future direction of AlexWhalley.com
Last year I blogged a lot about – well everything really, and although I will continue to share what I learn through this medium simply because I enjoy writing, this year it will be a lot more focused.
If it’s not related to either Building, Ranking or Profiting from niche websites then there’s a good chance it won’t make it onto these pages. This means a lot less guest posts (sorry guys) and it also means I can focus on what is important – that being to teach you what I know works and not to waffle on about … well, everything else. I’ll leave that to the new players entering the game because as I mentioned before – Groundblog day will forever be a part of the making money online scene and I’ve already had a turn at playing a part 
So Happy New Year to all of you and may 2012 be your year to Build Rank and Profit!
Sincerely, Alex Whalley
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{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
Every year is a new beggining for us and that is a great thing. The best thing is to be focused in your goals.
I’m not sure exactly what you’ve said, but I do agree that no secret way exists for having a successful blog or website. The rabbit trails are many, and avoiding them takes focus, patience, and hard work. Happy New Year.
We need a start point for our plans realisation, it is something like a new page and the year beginning gives us the feeling that it is a new period and it is worth of starting something new that will succeed and it makes things seem easier. Who knows, may be it is really the very moment for best changes.
Hey Alex,
Good to see you back! Hope your time away was refreshing (returning to 6,000+ emails must not have been…). Looking forward to some awesome stuff from you in 2012!
Cheers,
Tom
All i can say is welcome back and Happy New Year. Hope you will have a continue success.
Good on ya, Alex! I was wondering when you were going to become less selfless and start working on projects for yourself.
Let me know if you need any input into the development of your BRP membership program. I have a lot of readers who are aching for a step-by-step SEO program.
Moe
Thanks Moe! And you KNOW I will be hitting you up for assistance soon
$4000 in passive income?!? That is awesome, Alex. I’m glad you’re back online and I look forward to what you have in store for 2012.
Thanks Dwayne, it’s good to be back
Great Year indeed. Profit and rank a 2 of the best goals you need if you want to keep on going in this internet life. SMO by the way is getting hotter like pan on the stove this is a good way for profit and rank.
What’s the good thing is there’s always a “New Direction” for us… it’s good to try and try again
if we failed.
You’re right, focusing on how to handle priorities are one of the factors to consider on how to effectively achieve your goals. What comes first the most essential part of the step. It’s not bad to take new direction as long as it offers improvement for bot the business and as a person. Thanks for the tips for 2012. I’ve enjoyed reading your goals.
Hi ALex,
Is your BMR site scheduled to begin soon? Pls keep us updated on the progress. BTW, I can’t even imagine how you dealt with those 6000+mails waiting for you in your inbox!
Hi Doc. I think I just highlighted all and deleted LOL (probably missed some important stuff but if it’s that important I figured the email owner would write again
With so many changes that Google is making.. especially customizing search results.. the SEO scene seems to be changing real fast. Let’s see what happens.
How goes it mate? Long time no write! Living that Internet Lifestyle are you?
Well, don’t hold it again me, but I’ve moved on. I’ve got a new site that is bring in the big bucks now. So while you were bringing a measly 4 grand, I was able to bring in $4 million. Just don’t ask to see the sales receipts.
Hope to see you over at the new site and that your New Year is a prosperous one.
G’day stranger!
Glad to see you have finally ditched that old blog and have moved to more personalised (and hopefully greener) pastures
Will definitely pop over and check out the new blog – hopefully its not half as confusing as the last one LOL
I am looking forward to some real information not not a lot of waffle without good information.
This is my year to start making some money online
Almost all people providing tips on how to make money online claim he/she is an expert. The best thing I could do is to keep an open mind and learn as much about this topic as I can. I often make comparisons and I am glad to learn that a lot of the posts have advices that are similar.
Tell me about it (although I dare not comment as I too am claiming to be an expert LOL)
I am looking forward to apply the new ways I can increase traffic and profit this year. Though there are techniques that ended as bad investments, I am grateful for the things I have learned last 2011. It is always important to look at the future with an optimistic mind.
Very true Anthony, very true.
The glass is half full after all – right
Hi Alex!
Happy new year 2012. It seems you are filled with fresh energy and fresh thoughts on blogging after coming from a long holiday season. And, you are going to focus much on ways and means to get a decent rank that brings money. Nice approach!
Barry.
Thanks Barry, I appreciate the kind words of support. And good luck to you too my friend, may 2012 be as fruitful as possible for you on your blogging journey
Hi Alex,
I wish you all the best in 2012 and want to say an honest THANK YOU!
The Amazon affiliate site I’ve created a couple of months ago after going through your course, and totally abandoned since (I was just trying out every new strategy I could find, as all newbies do
) has brought about 40 bucks this month. Granted, not a whole lot of money, but I bet you still remember the feeling of making your very first dollar online… It’s amazing! What’s more important – I now know that this whole thing IS possible.
In a word – the stuff you teach works!
Thanks mate and keep up the great job you’re doing.
Slava
Thanks so much Slava,
It is feedback like this that helps me stay motivated and reminds me why I do what I do.
Glad to see you are finding success with these methods and I look forward to hearing about how much better 2012 is for you.
Keep up the great work my friend.
Yes, I think this year it’s good to have a fresh start and set new goals. More focus and to also stop procrastinating all the time. Also, more good contents!
Great post, although I would also note that adding word verification to your comments might backfire.
Huh? You lost me there (unless this is spam in which case it is not supposed to make any sense LOL)
Hi Alex. good to see you back. happy new year to you too and I think that you “new” focus for 2012 sounds not only interesting but very appealing. Looking forward to what you’ve got up your sleeves and if you need any “push” to promote your membership site, let me know. Always glad to do something positive for my online mates
Cheers Francisco! Good to be back – although in a limited capacity (as far as the blogging goes)
Thanks for the support my friend
Now I wonder if there are virtual assistant jobs out there which pay so we can delete their emails. It’s so ironic why these people need to scam if they’re offering their products, not if their products are worthless. You wouldn’t need to spam if consumers will go after your product regardless if you’re promoting it or not. There are other ways on how to put them on ads our there. But I just can’t get it. Hmmm. Why not offer my services to those who would like to do away with spam emails?
That’s not a bad idea mate!
I get an average of 200-300 spam emails daily and spend half my bloody time deleting and/or unsubscribing (god knows how I got on their list in the first place!)
Hi
Happy new year
good to see u back
New Year New begining with New Plans
Very true Meg, FOCUS is the key I think. Good to see you again Meg
Glad to see you back, Alex. I was hoping for the same thing for 2012. Actually, I haven’t made much profit from my niche blogs yet but I will in time. Have a great year making money, Alex!
Happy New Year Alex. It’s good to know that you are earning from your site. I too have my own blog but my income from it is incomparable to yours. I still have a long way to go i guess. Have a great year ahead of us. Cheers !
Keep at it at Farrell and you will see those kinds of results soon enough. (for the record this blog only contributed about $1000 to the total)
One of the major facets of successful blogging is being regular and interactive. You should write useful stuff so that people feel like shelling out their precious time.
Welcome back Alex. I was wondering what happened to you. 6000 emails, my God.
That’s the beauty of working online, you were away and still made 4k.Anyway, I am looking forward to reading your new posts for 2012.
take care…
Thanks Justin, good to be back and I appreciate the kind words mate. See you soon (I’ll pop over shortly)
Well, that’s good for you Alex. Most of the people nowadays worldwide are making money online, some are successful and some are failed. By the way I’ m looking forward to the result that you may got for this year. Have a best luck!
Thanks Carmen, I appreciate the kind words
Hi Alex,
I have a lot of projects and goals for 2012,
a BIG one in particular between them.
I think with hard work, dedication and passion you can reach whatever you want.
I just want to give you my best wishes for you and for your family for 2012 !
Thanks Erik,
Good to hear from you again mate – and glad to see you are still plugging away at this dastardly game
Good luck in reaching your goals for 2012 – if there is anything I can do to help/promote/support please don’t hesitate to ask
you are soooooo right, there`s no secret path for having a successful blog or website. like everything, it takes hard work, patience, passion and a lot of effort
A LOT of effort LOL
Good to read about your goals for this year. Wish you good luck in being able to achieve most if not all of them and looking forward to your posts this year. And love the Gary Coleman tagline.. made me laugh out loud!
-Jean
Hi, Alex… I agree with you, i think that 2012 it’s very good for new start and new projects. Good luck for you in this 2012. Success will coming for you!
very nice explanation Alex , keep sharing and rocking
Alex,
Great Post! A wise man once said that the only reason men fail is broken focus!!!! And it’s so easy to get distracted these days — twitter, FB, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, Google + and NOW Pinterest! Gimme a break! My goal for this year, like you, is to stay focused on my blog and the content of my blog — not all the different venues for marketing and systems for making money. And thanks for reminding us that the first year is tough and it takes LOTS of work. That’s a dirty word for most people — work. They want the system to do all the work while they watch American Idol and Dancing with the Stars!
Keep up the great Work!
– Jupiter Jim
Good goals for 2012! There will always be new methods and sites scrambling for our attention.
Sometimes it’s good to be an early adopted, but not at the expense of your content and overall business goals suffering.
I think that Google helps us more this year then the years before, and we should take advantage of that. Good Luck to everyone.
Thanks so much for the share, your tips are nice to know especially when you are in the situation of thinking to move an office. Thanks so much!
I am just starting to learn about the different ways to make money online. Your thoughts about not diversifying too far are interesting. I don’t know where I want to start, though. Any recommendations?
All I can recommend is what the post states. Find ONE niche and ONE method of monetizing that niche and stick with it until you see some tangible results. Do NOT move on until you do. Trying to do too much will just leave you feeling overwhelmed and you will ultimately quit.
I am looking forward to apply the new ways I can increase traffic and profit this year. Though there are techniques that ended as bad investments, I am grateful for the things I have learned last 2011.
Focusing on what works; I like that. Instead of having to try a lot of things that others say that worked for them, why not focus on something that has been working for you all this time, right? I mean, it’s okay if you want to experiment, but take note that you shouldn’t consider that thing you’re experimenting on as your main goal.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that this year will be the one for me@
Are niche sites still the way to go since the Google changes (and the continuing changes) ? My thinking is going wide and shallow is a hard business model for an individual these days. Better to go narrow and deep with some kind of authority site – or rather concentrate on a site where you can become an authority and eventually contribute value (a product) to it. With this said, if you are new to IM you need to break a few eggs before you can make that perfect lemon meringue pie so as a learning experience chuck a few pies against the wall and see if they stick. Then concentrate on your chef d’oeuvre.
GroundBlog day… I do so enjoy a groan inducing pun.
Anyhow; I agree largely with what others have said (sans the happy new year part – think I rather missed the boat on that one) that 2012 is shaping up to be a very good year for new projects. We’re starting to climb faster out of that whole ‘global recession’ thing; and the web is once again ripe to have money made off of it.
Hi Alex,This year is good for building rank and profit but I think if you work sincerely in right direction then you will definitely achieve your goal in every year.