Summary of methods?

[Supergeek]

I'm trying to organize the various IM/AM methods in my mind and would appreciate your input.


INPUT: Methods of getting traffic
To make money, first you have to get their attention...

1. SERP results
(Google or Yahoo etc thinks your URL is worth indexing.)

2. SERP ads
(you paid Google or Yahoo etc to list your URL)

3. Free link posting
(you posted your URL on a third-party site like Blogger, a Tweet, a forum post, in a WordPress template you gave away, or a free web directory, etc)

4. Paid link posting
(you paid Facebook or MySpace or any other third-party site like a paid web directory to list your URL)

5. E-mail
(you sent them e-mail and they clicked a link, or even viewed an image so you know the e-mail reached a valid Inbox)


OUTPUT: Events that make you money
Once you have their attention, they have to do something for you...

1. Ad views
(Google etc has an ad visible on your site, and they pay per X views, price depending on many factors; lowest potential income per user)

2. Ad clicks
(Google etc has an ad visible on your site, and a user clicks it and goes to a third-party destination URL; price paid per click depending on many factors.)

3. Click and followup action with an associated entity
a. Account creation (dating sites)
b. Product purchase (eBay, Amazon, Fleshlight, Clickbank)
c. Download or software installation (Firefox, Zwinky toolbar, screensavers)
d. Subscription (weight loss, colon explosion, etc)

4. Direct sales
a. Affiliated (CafePress, drop shipper; almost the same as "3b" but the user never leaves your site)
b. Product you create (physical product like t-shirts, or electronic products like articles and ebooks)

5. Selling user data
a. E-mail addresses
b. Zip codes
c. Other

6. Give blowjobs in the alley (go back to your day job)


I know there are a lot more specifics and examples I could have listed, but are the categories solid? Have I missed any categories?

I've been an off and on reader here for a long time, but I haven't really done much in the way of action. I created a couple web sites that were totally organic, no spending, and I made a few bucks. I've never had any spare money to sink into IM/AM and I'm very easily distracted by other ideas and work, so I've just been a tinkerer on the sidelines.

I'd like to change that, I just need to pick something I can do with no seed cash and follow through; I have writing, graphic, web design and programming skills I can employ to do this.

(I would appreciate any recommendations, but I know there are lots of helpful posts already on the site in this regard... that's the problem for me, too many options.)
:hollering:

 

[nathanjacobs]

Based upon the skills you listed this is my opinion:

I think the problem with guys like You and I is that we've been around so long that we have too wide of an array of skills.

There are so many different things that we can do we are torn in all different directions when a new idea pops in our head.

What we should probably do is focus solely on one thing, like IM and use the skills we have already acquired to make it a success.

The problem is that we have to throw everything out the window as far as what we think will work, and what we think won't work. We've been around long enough to see every method fail when not applied correctly, or when the stars don't align and it scares us to even try anything.

Or maybe that's just me...

 

[lemons884]

Nathan,

In my opinion some things just fail and some things just don't convert. Affiliate Marketing is like poker sometimes. Its risk vs reward; but you can get better at it and improve your odds of winning.

I'm still learning stuff everyday. For example, yesterday I discovered Yahoo Site Explorer. What I could do with this nifty tool is use Google and search my keywords and then check out all my competition and see how many backlinks they have and what sites there getting theres on.

 

[nathanjacobs]

You're right lemons.

I did find a nearly untapped niche just the other day that pays 200-250/sale and has a lot of search terms with only 48, 250, or so allintitle competing on google.

I feel like i could go in and dominate it. I am definitely going to give it a try. It won't be the first time I made money in IM, but it'll be the first time ive tried since over a decade ago.

Your journal inspires me for sure, maybe ill make up a journal too. I can call it the "a newbie again after 18 years" journal.

 

[steverox]

You're right lemons.

I did find a nearly untapped niche just the other day that pays 200-250/sale and has a lot of search terms with only 48, 250, or so allintitle competing on google.

I feel like i could go in and dominate it. I am definitely going to give it a try. It won't be the first time I made money in IM, but it'll be the first time ive tried since over a decade ago.

Your journal inspires me for sure, maybe ill make up a journal too. I can call it the "a newbie again after 18 years" journal.

hey that was inspiring man! thanx