$18,000 in 28 days
July 28, 2006 Posted by Tyler Cruz- PublisherForums Skin Up!
- $18,000 in 28 days
- Hiring a Web Designer for 10 Sites
- Lethargy Strikes Again
PublisherForums Skin Up!
While it took a while to get up, it actually got up sooner than I had expected.
It’s not 100% done, there is still icon imagry to go, and a few things I’m not happy with yet, but those things should be done by tomorrow. I thought I’d post it up now, early, anyway. It’d say it’s about 94% complete though. Tomorrow it should be 100% complete if everything goes on schedule. How do you like it?
How do I plan on marketing it now? Well, my next step, once it’s finished being skinned is to get some banner creatives commissioned for it. I’ve had to wait for the skin to be completed so that the banner designer has a proper theme to go with.
I’ll then probably look around and find relatively cheap webmaster-related sites to advertise on and just do a bit of advertising. Nothing major or anything, just to get the word out and to establish a bit of branding in the community.
I stated before that I didn’t plan on holding a posting contest for this one, unlike Lee’s EarnersForum and Jon’s WickedFire. I have two reasons of rationale for this:
1. I’m aiming for a decent level of quality on PublisherForums. Ideally it’d have very high-quality discussion, but for it to be successful it’s not realistic to have such high expectations; most people just don’t post like that and it quickly becomes more of a burden to post long well-written posts than it does not to. By holding a posting contest, even if you stress awards would be given to the best posters and not necessarily posters with the highest post count, the very nature of it all will inevitably bring forth a lower quality of posts, even if you try to limit this.
2. I’m trying something a bit different. Lee and Jon aren’t the first ones to come up with a forum contest; I did it before with DomainForums, and I’m sure many people did it long before me. Right now both Lee and Jon are holding large contests, and since I don’t make nearly as much as them, I can’t really compete against them.
I’m also trying to go on the hope that people will come to PublisherForums not just to win a contest, but to go for the quality content. There is quality content on both of those other forums, but there is also a lot of useless information as well. By not holding a contest, people that do decide to post on PublisherForums will not have an alterior incentive to post (ex. money).
Now, this isn’t to say that I won’t hold a contest later on. Lee’s contest ends in a couple of days, and while I’m sure he’ll launch another one, the competition in both Lee’s and Jon’s forums is tough since there are many members there already competing for a prize. And I’ve always believed in contests – they are great. I’m just not sure I want to hold one for PublisherForums.
$18,000 in 28 days
Just over a week ago I had mentioned how I made $11,000 in 20 days. Now I’m proud to report that I’ve made $18,000 in 28 days! That’s an average of $642 a day!
Okay, well, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. Or am I? How would you guys do this in accounting?:
My recent big advertiser decided to renew for a month and paid me another $4500 today via bank wire. This payment is for a renewal of their current campaign which is set to expire August 10th, and set to renew until September 10th. So, I’ve been paid today, in July, but it’s actually for a campaign which will run August-September. Would you put that in your accountings under July, when it was paid? Or in August, when the campaign starts? I have the same thing for another advertiser; they paid me two weeks ago but I’m awaiting on their creatives still.
If you count them for this month then I’ll have made over $18,000 this month. If you don’t, then it’d be closer to around $12,000. What do you guys think?
Anyhow, I apologize if this just sounds like one long annoying bragging post. I’m not trying to brag… I’m just happy and excited. That’s a lot of money and it’s always great to beat your best-month-ever record. And obviously this is just a really really good month. This is nowhere near my average of course, lol.
The money is definitely needed. It helps pay for the disaster Replayer.org site where my developer ran off with my money, and gives me seed money to help launch my other sites.
Hiring a Web Designer for 10 Sites
If you watched the video in my last blog update you’ll know that I’m planning on trying out the PPC Arbitrage arena. I plan on jumping into 10 different niches simultaneously, and will therefore require 10 sites for each.
Thus, I’m in need for a web designer to design (and code) these 10 sites for me. Those that know me will know that I have very high expectations when it comes to design work and programming. Well, these projects are a bit different as quality isn’t my main concern here. However, I’m still looking for a designer that can deliver a decent site with short turnaround time and low costs. Especially since I’ll be paying for 10.
So, if you’re a web designer, here are some of the things I’m looking for:
1. Online most of the time and available via MSN
2. Able to provide the PSD source
3. Proficient in CSS
4. Clean and oraganized code and commented.
5. Good integration of AdSense, to be inserted via SSI
6. Quality designer that can also have fast turnaround times
Now, that being said, I’m not looking for the next eBay or YouTube. I’m planning on having around 10 pages per site which would just work off the same template with minor modification of the front. Each site will need it’s own unique and creative design.
Payment would be sent via PayPal after each project is completed (If you can’t trust me to pay you, then I don’t trust you.) Prices are definitely negotiable, but I’d expect some decent bulk discount since I’d be purchasing 10! I’m not looking to spend more than $300 tops for each design, so don’t bother contacting me if it’s above that. Also don’t just quote me $300. For $300 I’d want something really nice, so quote me something realistic like $100.
The hired designer would need to promise to an honorary NDA as to not leak out what sites they are making. This means it could not appear in their portfolio either.
If you’re interested, e-mail me at tylercruz @ gmail.com (so much spam lately). Do NOT IM or PM me please. Provide your MSN name, your quote, turnaround time, portfolio, and anything else you deem useful.
*I’m also looking for a good banner designer, capable of quality animated banners in various sizes such as 468×60, 88×31, 120×60, etc. Would want very fast turnaround on these. Interested parties can e-mail me at the e-mail above as well.
Lethargy Strikes Again
Sigh….
How many times have I talked about this? Too many. Guys, I’m so lethargic and distracted. I have been for probably the past year. I’m not sure if it’s from moving out and having a lot more things to do and get used to or what. I think it’s a combination of the following:
1. Lack of exercise
2. Poor diet
3. Too many things to do (as in recreation; Computer Games, GF, XBox360, Movies, TV, Books, etc.)
4. No driving force (rent is easily paid for now; nothing to be scared about)
It is extremely frustrating because I have a million ideas, enough sites to work on as it is (20, with 10 about to be added!) and lots of work I could and should be doing… I just have no energy or focus most of the time.
I honestly feel that if I had a decent amount of energy and focus that I could get so much accomplished that it’d be scary.
I do so little work these days. I’ll check my e-mail, hire a couple people to do a few things, update my blog, sign up advertisers, etc. but not really any real work. “Real” work I’ll spent maybe an average of an hour a day doing if that, which is stupid. See, it’s not about ‘having’ to work, it’s about being able to. I’m not able to work when I want to, and when I am able to work, it isn’t often or for long periods of time.
Now, I’ve done something about this. Well, I’ve been trying.
1. Lack of exercise and Poor Diet
The past couple months, every day I’ve made sure to do 20 pushups, 22 crunches, drink 3 glasses of water a day, and eat 2 fruits or vegetables. These quotas started lower but throughout the weeks I’ve gradually increased them. I also started to do a bit of fast-walking on a trail that circumnagivigates a lake here which is 6.7 Km, although I haven’t done that in a few weeks. Maybe I should again.
I haven’t noticed any energy changes. Physically I’ve noticed a few small things, but it’s energy that I care about.
A week or two ago I noticed I had a bit more energy and concentration and was able to get a bit more work done, but this week I’ve been sluggish as hell again.
What’s worse, even though I’ve been on this, not missing a day, consistently for around 7 weeks or so now, my little workout never seems to get easier.
Now, I hope if/when I increase those quotas to have my fruit/vegetables at 3 or even 4, that that will then show a difference, but for now, I’m not noticing anything.
3. Too many things to do
There’s not much I can do about this one. I’ve considered getting rid of my cable, but the problem there is that I do enjoy watching the news when something is going on, I watch a bit before I go to sleep as it helps put me to sleep, and it’s useful for guests/visitors.
I simply need to organize my time better. I’ve been going on the computer less and less, which does help me get a lot done.. maybe I should try doing that again. I’d still be on most of the time, don’t worry (hehe), but taking long periods of time from the computer can help me get a lot done.
4. No driving force
When I was around 16/17, I got so much done compared to what I get done now it’s scary. I could work 3-4 hours straight reading programming books and writing a fairly complex Perl application, and I could work for the majority of the day being focused. This was probably because this was all new to me back then and it was new, exciting, and I enjoyed the challenge.
At 19-20 I worked very hard as well, however a large part of this was a driving force stemmed from the fact that I needed to make money to pay my parents rent, as I only had a couple of part time jobs (Internet Access Centre supervisor, Web Developer for a local real estate company, and I had a little local Photo Restoration business.) and working on building my sites to generate more revenue became more of a real-life importance.
Now I’m making enough money without having to put any effort in that I have no driving force anymore. Am I motivated? HECK YA! I’m motivated as hell, which makes this all the more frustrated. I know that if I had more energy and concentration that I could be making mid 5-digit figures each month with a year or two, but I just can’t put myself to work. But not having any ‘threat’ to push me seems to have made me too relaxed in a sense.
Anyhow, I believe that eating better and getting more exercise is probably the biggest key here. We’ll see if I can work my way up to 3 fruits/veggies a day and if that does anything for me.
Wish me luck, and energy.
Well, that’s it for now. I’m going on a little vacation (vacation Tyler? From what?!) with Lisa up island for a few days on Monday in case anyone tries to get in contact with me during that time and can’t. I’ll be bringing my laptop along though and probably making video entires related to my blog then anyways.
Good luck and good earnings!
Hey,
I am really interested in designing/coding some sites for you, but I don’t have a good portfolio (I actually deleted all of it to start fresh), and I can be very unreliable. I hope you can find a good designer that can help you out, it sounds like a great opportunity.
As for exercising and getting more energy, I just recommend eating 3 well rounded meals a day with some milk, water, and maybe a “pleasure” drink about once a day, and then you may notice some changes.
Regards,
Andrew.
(Have fun on your vacation!)
For your accounting question it depends if you are using the cash or accural method, both are acceptable.
Under the cash method all money received is counted the day it was received, so you would count it.
The accural method you apply the money during the period when the services are rendered, so you would only count money for advertising for this month.
For your taxes you can use either method, but you can’t switch back and fourth depending on which one you like.
Tyler,
I really like the skin on Publisherforums.com, its “simple” yet very professional.
Regarding your accounting question, you earned the money this month and I should count it for this month to make it easier.
// Andreas Bard
With regards to motivation and exercise, staying in the same space, i.e. you house, won’t help. You need to get out and go to a gym where you are surrounded by like-minded motivate d people.
We walk everywhere, so your 6.5km walk won’t feel too taxing, perhaps get on a treadmill and make yourself sweat! That’ll certainly get the blood flowing and refresh your body.
Fruit & Veg – 2 per day! Tyler come on, minimum 5! Eating the right foods with compliment your workouts.
Pressups & Situps – Do them twice a day and add on 1 of each every day. I started out with 10 pressups, and last time I checked, I could do 80. Once pressups get easy, do knuckle pressups.
Earnings – congrats, I read your blog daily to give me inspiration.
Holiday – have a good one, take loads of photos and make us jealous!
Khalid.
It’s all in the mindset. 🙂 The mind controls your decisions in life. If you feel exercise to be difficult then you will learn to hate it. Make exercise fun. Find a running partner, eat healthy, listen to good music, buy flowers (for the girlfriend)… Be proactive!
I can tell you *running* those 6.7K 4x a week and going to the gym 3x a week does wonders for the body. I am on that plan and will continue to be on it for the rest of my life.
Wait, so you say $1000 is realistic for 10 coded designs :/. Thats very cheap espicially if they are all coded as well.
btw love publisher forum skin, will be signing up and maybe buying advertising.
Sign up for a time management seminar. They work wonders.
It’s all about setting your daily goals each morning and prioritizing them.
And on a side note, PublisherForums looks great. I love that skin.
Wow, I’ve been having the same lethargic/fatigue thing as well and yet I’ve been doing more regular exercise and eating a healthier diet than I have been in years.
A book my older sister recently lent me was on Candida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida_%28genus%29
I forget the exact name of the book atm and only read a little bit of it, but the symptoms seemed spot-on with me. I think the “cure” suggested was a strict diet avoiding certain things.
Had a chat with my mum about it and she said that Candida was something only women got, but from what I read in this book the majority of symptoms seemed to relate (e.g. an increased want for alcohol etc lol)
I haven’t given the diet suggested a go yet as I’m living on campus at uni/college and being fed, but will probably give it a go when I move.
cheers
nathan
http://www.nathanwaters.com
Tyler,
Have you had a medical check-up lately? It might be a good idea to rule out an underlying medical condition. Things like anemia and hypothyroidism could cause lethargy.
If you’re making as much cake as you say you are, then you should probably be hiring an accountant.
As for your ‘accounting practicies’, you most likely want to do the accrual method especially since your overhead is probably pretty small and you can streamline that over duration periods of time just like the revenue.
keep up the great work.
dgl
Hi Zane,
Yes, I think $1,000 is very realistic for 10 coded designs. I feel web designers these days are a dime a dozen when you’re looking for something basic, simple, and boring.
Real talented web designers are very rare now, and I’m not afraid that there’ll be any shortage of designers looking for work of lesser calibre.
I also think web designers charge too much for what they give you these days. Therefore, I think $100 per site will definitely work. Especially when I’m going to order 10.
nado – Thanks for the information. Yeah, I sure hope it’s not something medical-related. But then again.. if it is, then I may be able to fix it with a pill or something.
I did have a checkup about 6-8 months ago when I was checking to see if my heart could handle MMA, but it wasn’t a complete check-up..
bebop – Thanks. I just asked my gf about your post and she doesn’t think I have either.. says it’s highly unlikely (she’s a nurse student), and I Googled anemia, and while I am tired all the time, I don’t fit any of the other things I read about it. Thanks though!
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