Hang out with this Lazy, Procrastinating,
A.D.D.-Afflicted, Can't-Stick-With-Anything,
Want-Something-For-Nothing Opportunity Junkie
as he ditches the money making schemes
and learns how to
Do Business Online
THE RIGHT WAY!
Is it even possible for the average working stiff to earn
a decent income on the Internet? Let's find out
together!
I'm fed up and ready to spill the beans. It's time for me to
come
clean and stop hiding behind this "financial freedom" website...
Mauder.com has been online since 1997 but I've been searching for ways to
make money since at least 1991.
Let's see... There's been MLM's, network marketing plans, affiliate marketing, associate programs,
bulk vending, online auctions (eBay), home parties, envelope stuffing,
chain letters, home assembly work, online surveys, mystery shopping, freelance writing, selling drugs,
porn...
OK, I was kidding on those last two, but you get the idea.
You name it, I've tried
it. Making money is almost all I think about. Of course, that's
completely backwards and doesn't work as I'm finally starting to
realize...but that's another discussion.
So, am I rich? Hell no. Am I doing OK? Yes, but only because I make decent
money as a computer tech and I've managed to save and invest a good percentage of
my income over the years.
If I had kept better track of my online money making ventures I'm
quite
sure the figures would be pretty depressing. I'd have been better off
using the money to buy lottery tickets and sitting in front of the TV
waiting for my numbers to come up.
Here's my trail of past money making attempts to give you some perspective:
- 1991: Introduced to Charles J. Givens and the Share the
Wealth business. Received a great financial education from the
membership materials and set the stage for my interest in
matters of money. The business involved home demonstration parties
and seminars. I didn't do very well at it, and also
didn't make much money.
From what I've heard,
Charles Givens got verbally attacked and sued by several greedy people that
claim he gave bad advice. Personally, I think those greedy people
just didn't follow his advice. I'm not sure where he is or what he's
doing now, but I have to credit him for literally saving my
marriage. Our first year together was nothing but one fight after
another over money.
Charles got us on the same page (financially) and taught us how to work together.
Wherever you are... THANKS CHARLES!
- 1992-1994: Amway. Yes, I said the "A" word. Shortly after
I joined, they created Quixtar which of course isn't associated with
Amway at all. Uh yea, right... <cough><cough> ...BULLS**T!
I won't go into the gory details, but suffice it to say my Amway/Quixtar
undertaking was a dismal failure. I ended up alienating family and
friends and permanently stopped talking to one of my best friends
who was hopelessly brainwashed by Amway, uh Quixtar...whatever.
Unfortunately, he felt the need to lie to everyone about his success
in the business and things got ugly when I called him out on it. I also
found out some pretty ugly things about some people in the higher
paying positions and how they really make their money (books,
tapes, seminars). Don't believe me?
Read
this! 'Nuff said.
- Also 1994: Started a side business as a computer
consultant. Not much worth mentioning here. Didn't make any money
since face-to-face selling makes me feel pukey. Closed the
business. I still do side computer work from time to time, but only
when someone asks and I can charge a decent hourly rate.
- 1995-1998: Financial Independence Network Limited (FINL).
This was a my first real venture into online marketing and it was
another great financial education as well. Charles Givens
lured me in to the personal finance get-out-of-debt pond, and then
FINL set the hooks deep in my skin!
Long story short... FINL went out of business and I lost everything
I had built. I wrote more about my FINL
experience just in
case you're bored or want to cure a bad case of insomnia.
- 1998-1999: Searched for something to take the place of
FINL and found Retire Quickly (RQ). That was cool, but it just
wasn't my cup of tea. The ebook they sell is well done, but the rest
of the online "financial freedom" tools just aren't worth the
monthly cost (in my humble opinion, of course). They've since
changed their name to Financial Freedom Society, but it
doesn't seem like much else has changed behind the scenes.
- 1996-Today: Bulk Vending. My wife and I always wanted to
have a bunch of machines sitting around town collecting quarters for
us. We started simply and cheaply, and grew it slowly. At one point
we had over 20 machines placed, but today it's down to around seven
since we're both too busy with full time jobs and raising a family. Each machine makes
around $100 per month and takes only 10 minutes to service. Yes,
we're crazy for not growing this into a full time venture. But it
was mainly to fund our kids college educations, which it has done
nicely.
If vending sounds interesting to you, I invite you to
read the first three
chapters from Vending Success Secrets for free (link will open
in a new window). We didn't have this book when we first started, but it
would have saved us a lot of time and money. Maybe someday I'll
write an eBook about our vending experience!
- 1997: Mauder.com was registered and came online! Prior to
'97 I did some cheesy online marketing of FINL using free webspace through
my ISP and Hypermart. It was nothing special and not worth telling
about here.
Registering Mauder.com was the big milestone that meant I was supposedly "getting serious" about
doing business online. But since FINL went under, my online
money-making life has
been somewhat of a downhill spiral that makes me nauseous just thinking
about it.
- 1998-2006: Too many schemes, scams and half-hearted
business attempts to mention. Suffice it to say, I was always
looking for a way to make a buck and nothing worked.
I even stooped
low enough in June of 2005 to try eCurrency trading through DXGold.
Needless to say, after about a year it eventually came to a
screeching halt and I was no longer able to get any money out of my
"portfolio".
Oh, and one other thing... If you're thinking of doing online surveys and/or
mystery shopping, contact me first so I
can tell you what a waste of time that was too!
Over the years, the focus and look of this website has gone through
more changes than Michael Jackson's face!
I've now spent several
years (since FINL in '98) trying to find something else that makes me want to
"get up early
and stay up late" if you know what I mean.
Honestly, I feel like I've had one foot nailed to the floor since
1991 and I've just been going in circles. I've wasted YEARS jumping around
from one "opportunity" to the next and not focusing or committing long enough to find real
success in any single business.
So, why do I keep trying (and failing) to make money online?
For one, my
brain is all screwed up
(but I'm working on
the mental issues
 ). I'm lazy, I procrastinate, I expect
something for nothing, and I'm convinced there is some magical business
system
out there that will make me rich overnight with no effort involved. Of course, if such a program
did exist (which it doesn't), I probably wouldn't stick with it long
enough to find out.
Second, I'm downright stubborn and pig-headed. I KNOW it's possible to
make a full time income online, and I won't give up until I figure it
out.
Oh sure, I continue to make a little money each month from
affiliate referral
sales, and I've had several good months on eBay, but it's nothing to write
home about. My best month on eBay could have bought me a nice used car.
And my typical monthly affiliate income is enough to take my wife out
for a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant.
Just think what could have happened over the years if I had
picked ONE THING and put all my time and energy into it! But after
I worked so hard on the FINL gig and it fell apart, it's hard for me to
think about that happening again. I just won't allow myself to get in
the position again where I'm dependent on a single company for my
income - and that's usually what happens with most network marketing and MLM businesses.
In today's online world, I've learned that it's all about developing multiple streams of
income. But that's easier said that done, and it has to be done in
the right way or it will never work.
The sad thing is that I KNOW what to do. I KNOW how to make
money online! I've read countless books, studied countless courses, and
visited a gazillion websites and blogs about the very topic.
There's definitely no
shortage of information and advice on how to make money online.
But here's a little secret...
Most people, I would guess 97% (yea, me included), do not do what they are
supposed to do!
Shocking, eh? Unfortunately, not really.
But this is exactly why we typically fail at dieting,
exercising, relationships, jobs, managing money, business and
anything else we try. We
can't blame it on all the information out there -- it all works,
assuming it's from a credible source.
The whole success thing breaks down when you factor human nature (i.e.
ME) into
the equation.
But it's not our fault. This is just how our brains are wired up. With the
ever increasing pace of society, the constant bombardment of sales
pitches
from companies that want our money, and the information overload we
experience every time we open a web browser, it's no wonder we can't
stick with anything for more than a few days or weeks.
The few really successful people you hear about are the other 3% who
actually take what they learn and APPLY it with LASER LIKE FOCUS
until
they succeed. They somehow have the ability to tune everything else out
and fix their attention on a goal until it is achieved.
You've probably heard the saying...
"A successful person is willing
to do that which an unsuccessful person is not willing to do"
Truer
words were never spoken.
Now, do you want to hear something really nuts?
Recently, I got the crazy idea that I could be a freelance copywriter.
Of course, that was after reading a high-powered sales letter from AWAI.
The letter was so good, I was absolutely convinced that for only $39 per
month, I could take AWAI's copywriting course and start earning
six-figures per year as a freelancer.
I talked to my wife about it and she reluctantly agreed after a
predictable role of the eyes. I ordered the course.
NOTE: There's one fatal flaw in this plan that I obviously didn't
realize
while I was still giddy at the thought of earning a six-figure income...
I don't want to be a freelance copywriter!
Anyway, my course arrived a few days later and I assembled the lovely
binder with all the materials. I read the first few pages and then put
the binder on my headboard where it sat, untouched, for several days.
In the mean time, I signed up for a 7 day free trial of some MLM
business opportunity and even went so far as to register a new domain
name, tell a bunch of people about it, print up some drop-cards, and
start formulating my marketing plan.
While all that was going on, I was also talking to several people (and
my wife) about two other business opportunities that just looked too good to
pass up.
HOLD ON, STOP THE PRESSES!!!
This whole business opportunity thing has been WAY out of control
for FAR too long and really need to get a grip!
Sure, I like writing, but I'm no freelance copywriter! Writing has to
be on my terms and my schedule
(i.e. my blog).
And I'm not getting involved in another MLM that sells overpriced
products nobody in their right mind would buy if there wasn't a money
making "system" attached.
After deciding to return my copywriting course for a refund, and cancelling my
7-day trial membership with that fancy new MLM, I stepped back, inhaled
deeply, and took a long hard look at everything.
I analyzed all my past attempts to make money online and really
looked hard at what did and did not work. There were definitely some things I had
done in the past that produced consistent income, month after month, even if it was just
a small amount.
Of course, I didn't stick with any of those methods long enough to
develop a really BIG income, but they produced money nonetheless.
I put together a page of my top
online money makers so you can learn what definitely does work. I've
also begun the process of distilling these few
money making methods, ideas, and knowledge I've gained over the years
into something I can use to create a real online business.
(OK, here comes my new commitment to myself... Are ya'
ready?)
I've now decided to scrap every past failed money making scheme I've
ever tried and focus 100% on learning how to make money online the
RIGHT way.
But I'm not going to just throw a bunch of affiliate links and
banners on a website and hope
someone clicks them. No siree!
I'm going to work smart this time by following the advice and
guidance of Ken Evoy and his new Affiliate Program
Manager, Lisa, over at
SiteSell.com.
In my opinion, based on my several YEARS of trial and error, Ken is
THE AUTHORITY on how to make money online. The business resources and training
materials he has created, many of which are free, are the absolute best
I've seen - both online and offline!
Of course, I've been a member of SiteSell's
5-Pillar affiliate program for
several years, but true to form, never followed through and did anything
with it. (Gee, does that surprise anyone??)
That's all going to change as I circle back and begin to really study
the training SiteSell provides on how
to build a profitable online business. I'm going to follow their
advice to the letter
and do exactly what they tell me to do.
Part of this new project of mine will include a brand new website (soon
to be revealed through my blog) and I'll be using SiteSell's
Site
Build It! (SBI!) tool to make it all happen. Believe it or not, the
new website will have NOTHING whatsoever to do with personal finance,
getting out of debt, making money online, or anything remotely close to
that! Crazy, huh??
If you've never heard of SBI! and have no clue what it is or what it
does, then watch this
new SBI
Video Tour and all your curiosities will be satisfied. I almost
couldn't believe how professional the presentation was when I first
watched it. It's very cool!
So, through my Money Matters
Blog, I'll record my entire journey from washed-up opportunity
junkie, to successful online business owner.
I invite you to hang out with me and see how everything shakes out.
Read my "Make Money Online Project" kick-off post to get you
started.
Your best bet would be to
subscribe to my blog via the RSS feed so you don't miss any updates.
Be sure to visit all the links under the "Link Menu" on the
left side of the page (back up at the top). That should give you a
pretty good tour around the site.
Enjoy your stay and let me know if you have
any comments or suggestions!
Now let's see if we can make
some money online!
Your Friend and Partner in Success,
(click the words above for 322 page of pure
inspiration!)
Top Online Money Makers
Here's a great place to start if you'd like to learn about the few
things I've done in the past that have actually generated some income.
Free Articles
Free how-to lessons about money, debt reduction, investing, affiliate
marketing, personal &
business success, and more.
Mauder.com Blog
My journal of trials and tribulations as I attempt to build a successful
online business and eventually have it provide me with a full time
income.
Free Affiliate Marketing
Masters Course
Learn how to "do affiliate marketing" the right way. This
free downloadable
eBook course from SiteSell offers the best training and support I've
ever seen online (seriously!).
SiteSell 5-Pillar Club
2-Tier Affiliate Program
Bar none, this is the best affiliate program on the 'net
(in my humble opinion, of course). The training and support SiteSell
provides is top notch, and you just won't find a better affiliate
marketing education. See why I
rated it my #1 affiliate pick.
Ask Dave!
Yes, you can ask me absolutely anything related to money, affiliate
marketing, home business. I'll answer personally and honestly, and might even use your question in
an upcoming blog post or newsletter edition.
Recommended Tools & Resources
Personal recommendations for tools and resources I have found to be
helpful in my personal and/or business life.
ThinkRight Now! Accelerated Success Conditioning
Installing the right mental thought patterns is essential to setting and
achieving goals, and discovering real success. Read my review of the products.
Review of Jim Daniels' ezWebBusinessBuilder
Jim Daniels of JDD Publishing has done it again! His latest product,
ezWebBusinessBuilder, makes building an online business as simple as...View It and Do It!
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