I always find the New Year a good time to reflect on how I did during the past year and make plans for what I plan on doing for the new one.
2010 was a mixed year, on one hand it was worse than 2009 because I lost about 2/3 of my Amazon sites (mini niche sites) so my income dropped significantly however I learnt so much more about SEO than I have at any other time because I tested out a lot of things for myself rather than just rely on what I had been told previously.
Mainly I learnt that the more you try and game the search engines the more you’ll hurt your own sites. The further I got into black hat techniques the worst I actually fared. That means that I’ll be going back to good old fashioned white hat (mostly) methods again.
Here are my plans for 2011:
Squidoo:
This year I plan on increasing the amount of Squidoo lenses I have, since over the past few months these have proved very profitable for me. My typical lens has an intro of about 150-200 words with a text link to Amazon (nofollowed) high up in the text. Followed by a squidutils amazon poster (very clickable) with some more text, a video, an amazon module and whatever else will bulk up the site. (Wikipedia/rss feeds/news/other etc)
Then I’ll point a handful of Build My Rank links at them to get them to rank well. I’ve been doing around 5-10 links to some of my lenses, but Dave has had very good results for sending around 20 links so I’ll be increasing the amount to my best lenses and trying to improve my worst lenses.
Real World Books:
Early in the year I won’t be able to do too much internet marketing work as I have to do a big update on one of my REAL books that I’ve got. (Publisher wants me to update it since it has been 5 years since it first came out). Yes I’m a real author folks for those that didn’t know. So most of my time will be spent on that – my deadline is April which is doable as long as the kids let me have some uninterrupted time at the computer so I can concentrate.
Email Marketing:
I have an old Aweber account that people still find and sign up to to get advice from me, but the truth is that it only has a few emails that were written to promote an old ebook I wrote early 2008 (back when I blindly followed what I was supposed to do by the ‘promote anything and everything’ crowd). The emails on that account are just part of an autoresponder series that have nothing to do with what I’m about now.
So I’m not sure what I plan on doing with this. My thoughts sway from just shutting down Aweber entirely and trying to find all my lead capture pages scattered around and delete them, to cleaning up the autoresponder emails to provide some true real value. I really am not sure what I plan on doing with this yet. Any suggestions would be valued.
Perhaps I’ll send an email to those on my list asking them what they want (even though many will have long forgotten who I even am).
Article Marketing:
I have been a bit lazy when it comes to writing articles for EZA but looking back over my account I realise they send me a lot of traffic. It’s very true that article marketing doesn’t provide strong backlinks anymore but they are still good for traffic generation (or at least they have been for me).
My plan for this year is to get back into writing around one article a week for the sites I’m working on. And ever since Griz mentioned that using just the URL and not worrying too much about the anchor text, I think I’ll just write shorter articles and put the url of the page I want it to link to (most probably an inner page) rather than use any anchor text at all. Obviously the articles will need to be decent to get the traffic to click through to your site.
At the moment I average around 500 views per article per year with a clickthrough of around 25%. That means that every article I write brings me roughly 125 visitors over a year. If I had 50 odd articles to the one site that’s an extra 6250 visitors to my site that I might not get. If we are talking an Amazon site my conversion is usually around 8-10% which means I’ll make around 600 extra sales. That’s worth it to me. Also I’ll get the benefit of some very white hat friendly backlinks which should help me a bit in the organic listings, not so much from EZA itself (article directories are not strong links) but hopefully if others pick up my articles to put on their blogs and keep the resource box intact.
Backlinking:
I’ll also continue to use Build My Rank because right now it works and even though it probably won’t last forever (these types of sites rarely do) because it’s one link for one original blog post it still looks quite natural. I probably will keep these links to only 2 or 3 per day per site though in the beginning and build up slowly.
I also want to start getting really good quality links too. That means analysing the top sites in the rankings for similar terms and seeing if they accept guest posts, blog comments, linking/resources pages etc. It’s also worth reverse engineering these sites to see where they get their links from as you can often uncover some gems of places you might not have thought about.
My Amazon Mini Sites:
I plan on deleting a lot of these. They were slapped bad this year and while I could wait it out and be patient, a lot of them have the product name in the domain and I think it would be best to just get rid of them and concentrate on building up a few really good authority sites instead.
For the short term I’ll use Squidoo and Hubpages for quick Amazon cash, but over time I’ll build up no more than five authority sites. It’s crazy that I currently have well over 60 different sites. Now I want to cut that right back and concentrate on quality rather than quantity.
Ebooks:
I want to write a few ebooks this year. Mini guides for newbs except they’ll be totally free and probably won’t even have an opt-in. I thought about just writing out some really great guides as blog posts but new marketers tend to trust ebooks more. Not sure why that is though. Plus ebooks have more longevity (usually). Or perhaps I’m still just an author at heart who likes the book format 
Well that’s it really, just more of the same except focusing more on good content, quality sites and very white hat backlinks. Hmm so I guess 2011 is going to be a QUALITY year then. Well I least I hope it is for me and for you all.
Tracey xx
32 Responses to 2011 Plans
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Tracey, I’m curious what BH methods you think hurt your sites?
Hi Carrie,
I think a lot of them fell under the ‘thin affiliate’ site banner since most of them had only 3 or 4 pages and the exact same template. And my Christmas site was ranking well until I hit it with over 2000 links in the one week all using the same anchor text
Tracey
Carrie’s BHing….
nanny nanny, boo boo!
I didn’t know you had a “real” book! Are you going to work on that while you continue working on websites, or will you just concentrate on updating that for a while?
I know what you mean about working with kids though – all four are home for Christmas break, but surprisingly, it’s a little easier to get things done since the oldest two play together! When there’s just three here, it’s a little more difficult…
My plan is to work on the book AND my websites, but of course all good plans don’t always happen! Book obviously has priority since I have a deadline though.
t
did you get your book done on time and is it published yet, if not – what is the title so we can look for it. I have an e-book and want to get it publish to hard copy this fall. It’s title is “Lost But Not Forgotten” by Constance Cupps It is available on Barnes and Noble and smashwords.
Hi Connie,
Yes it’s just finished being edited and is in layout & design now. The publisher has a publishing date of September which seems an eternity away but I guess that’s what happens with traditionally published books.
So you are self publishing – awesome! I think I’ll be going that route for any further books I write. It’s unfair that author’s get such a small percentage when they go through a traditional publisher.
Best of luck for your book.
So what are the books you have written? I am curious.
Good reminder about using Ezine for traffic. I have neglected it for so long but it does bring a lot of visitors even if the links are not worth much anymore.
“Shopping for Shares” and “0 to Rich”. http://0torich.com/mybooks.html – It’s Shopping for Shares that I’m updating. I’m a bestselling finance author here in Aus. If you are ever down under, come into Borders and find me (my books) in the finance section.
It sounds very interesting. I have just now started to look at penny stocks… and yes I would like to get rich – it is on my “Bucket List” haha
LOL, although I don’t think penny stocks will get you rich though – usually they are cheap for a reason!
That’s cool Tracey, nice one. You learn something new every day.
No kidding – I found that tidbit rather impressive.
Tracey wears more hats than mannequins in a hat shop.
That is pretty cool.
BTW, are HubPages out of the game now? Any comments on hubs Dave?
Hi Anna,
Hubs still work. They are a bit paranoid with how many links you send to them, but they still rank great. I’ve found that lenses have a better clickthrough rate though (they are less strict than hubs). But definately use both- you want as many spots on page 1 as possible !!
After taking the advice of Tracey and doing some lenses I totally agree with her, lenses get more clicks and convert waaaaaaaay better too. They have a much cleaner layout.
But do as Tracey says and go for both, you need all ten spots on page 1
Tracey –
Very interesting news about your book – and congrats! No wonder you rock online, you’re a writer / writer.
Bestselling, no less! Fantastic. Great, now I need an autographed copy or I’ll throw a fit and whine…
It’s interesting about Lenses Vs. Hubs, too – I’ve found Hubpages rank easier on their own, but lenses have sold more due to their lack of restrictions.
There are a few things they don’t like at Squidoo, like PayDotCom links don’t seem to work, but whatever. Most links work well.
Regarding the ebook thing – weirdly, I have the same goal. I only want one though, at least – because I keep answering the same questions from family members.
Pointing them to a book with links to helpful posts online would probably be easier than repeating myself. They’re fun to put together, anyway.
That way, I feel like I’m not just take-take-taking, but give something in return.
Re: your thoughts on backlinks and Grizz…I think he’s simply getting out of the MMO deal.
MMO but with being a consultant / SEO. I’m not going the route of avoiding anchors myself, since they’re still working, but will include more URL-type links…
(Then again, he makes 100 times what I do – it’s just, I dunno – his recent post seems to say, “I’m getting more into consulting vs. IM stuff.”)
Just my 2 cents…I definitely enjoy his unique perspective (and he has this weird knack of being 10 years ahead of most). Will be interesting to see how this all pans out (you’re not the only one taking his advice on this one).
Hi James,
Interesting that Squidoo doesn’t seem to like paydotcom links – will have to remember that. I’m going to fix up some of the best and worst performers there this month to see what a difference it makes using Dave’s method of sending them over 20 BMR links each. Previously I’ve only done a handful so I’ll ramp that up to see if they improve.
So we both want to write ebooks,
see you ARE a writer too. It’s in our blood. Have to keep typing typing .. or we’ll go mad.
I agree that Grizz is moving out of MMO, but he still does have a lot of other niches online. Seems lots of bloggers are moving towards offline consulting. Its not something I want to do though – as I like being independent. Having to answer to someone else, even if it’s as a consultant, seems too much like a job to me. We will see what his lessons talk about when they start (which should be soon). But I trust what he says and if he says to reduce the anchor text that’s exactly what I’ll do.
t
I’m of the mind that Grizz is pretty much in the know (ya think?) and I’m inclined to see that as a safe bet…but I’ll need to test it for myself.
I’ll be interested to see any follow up results you’re seeing on that note – if it works/doesn’t, or if it’s more like a “you have a brand, therefore natural links only” type of thing. It seemed from his post that he was speaking for the client sites he’s been making…
Anyhow, I’ll never come out against Grizz (or even imply it) since he’s just an amazing guy all around, and has done what I want to do and has left a positive mark on most that read him.
(Except if you have an illegitimate spammy site and he’s making fun of you…ha)
Will definitely be staying tuned, and re: writing – YES I love this stuff.
Love to write, and before the internet thing I was in the middle of writing a fictional novel but put it down. I figured, “Who in the world is going to read my drivel?”
I didn’t want to take the chance on it, so I stopped. The kids keep begging me to finish, now it’s just a matter of timing. Not “if” but “when,” hopefully will get it done in 2012.
Thanks for the chat, and if Grizz ever reads this, I deny ever debating his methods. I was clearly hacked.
I wanted to add: I’m with you on the consultancy thing….I don’t want another job.
It’s also nerve-wracking in that – who’s to say who will rank or not? We’ve no control over the SERPs, so it would be 3 x as difficult (for me) to take someone’s money knowing Google could just be Google about it…
Then what? You have clients who are on page 10 wondering when they get the refund…but even more than that: I don’t want the hassle and the mess of it.
But I know some consultants making $4-8k a month. Those figures make me drool…until I hear the 4 letter word.
W
O
R
K
(Pardon me, I just vomited a bit.)
James, your comments always make me laugh. But I do agree with the client thing – I’d be nervous I’d stuff something up. Imagine that! No thanks – too much pressure.
I do try, Tracey.
I wanted to ask you about BMR – they allow 1-5 domains a month at $59/mo – so does that mean 1-5 domains period?
As in: if you had 10 lenses…or 7 websites to link…etc…how does that work out?
Are you linking just the 1-5 domains?
When I signed up, they had unlimited domains for $59, so that’s the package I’m on.
As I understand it now, you only get up to 5 domains (and if you are linking to hubpages which would be ONE domain – but you can link to unlimited hubs etc as well as 4 other domains) for $59. And then if you want more, you can upgrade your account for up to 10, up to 20, up to 50 domains etc. You can upgrade at any time from your accounts page.
I don’t know the pricing of the different packages though. Maybe someone else does?
t
Hi Tracey,
It’s a pity that Build My Rank is currently closed… Do you know any alternative link-building system, preferably providing links of the same quality as with BMR?
Regards,
Trevor
I have heard that the postrunner system that The Keyword Academy members get is similar, but there are not as many high PR blogs there, and you need to write 300+ words for a link instead of just 150. I’m not a member though so haven’t used it personally.
I would wait though, as BMR have said that they plan on opening the doors again soon.
I heard the same thing about BMR straight from John, and the word “soon” was included in the e-mail. I would sign up now (through the affiliate link of an MMO blogger who has given you helpful advice on their blog) and grab a spot in line. You won’t have to pay until they open up again.
This is the pricing from the BMR email.
* 1-5 domains ($59/mo)
* 6-10 domains ($79/mo)
* 11-20 domains ($99/mo)
* 21-50 domains ($159/mo)
* Anything above 50 domains will be custom pricing
There is also an option to ‘archive’ your domains. E.g. in January your active domains are Domains A, B, C, D, and E. Then you can ‘archive’ them and build links to new set of domains next month.
oh that’s handy that you can archive domains. That makes things a lot better for new signups.
Thanks, Janis! Dave chased me down on my blog to clarify (I keep forgetting to subscribe to comments and forget where I’ve been).
Anyway – that actually sounds about my speed. The cost, I mean…
If one domain is Blogger…
Another Squidoo…
Another HubPages, etc…
That’s a lot of possible $ makers. Makes sense (even if not – it’s still good know re: the archive feature).
Much appreciated.
Deuces.
Why would you say Build My Rank probably won’t last?
PostRunner still works, doesn’t it? If Daddy G wanted to map out and slap PR, they would’ve already done it.
PR is constantly expanding. New sites are added all the time. Daddy G can’t possibly keep up with newly added sites in real time.
Same goes for BMR. It has expanded 40% from its 750 sites that it had a few months ago.
Did you know that even UAW still works? (UAW is by many considered to be very spammy and low in link quality)
A friend of mine has used nothing but UAW on a site of this for a few months in a row. He did 1 UAW article every week.
He’s ranking high and pulling in $3500 monthly with his site. All because of UAW.
I’m guessing it’s because UAW is also expanding with new sites constantly. Don’t know for sure, but expansion would be a major contribution to UAW’s longevity.
Continuous expansion is where the magic is at for any article distribution service.
And the smart ones know it.
[...] The Tracey Project status: [...]
I like The Best Spinner for getting natural looking backlinks. I don’t use synonyms but instead for every sentence I write another two to spin. In your links you can then use three or four different anchor texts(or more) to spin each time someone uses your article.
When you’re article is approved and included in their database other Best Spinner users can then use your article in a spun version and each one will be different (to a degree).
Each time I submit one of these articles to an article directory myself I change it up a bit manually so it looks even more natural.
Just read Griz’s post, very cool. Funnily enough I make one of my spun links just a direct link without any keywords.