I'm not done for the year yet, but I thought I might share my thoughts on progress at MasonWorld for 2008 with you now (before I get stuffed with egg nog and fudge.)
It's hard for me to believe that it was just over a year ago that I really got serious about Internet Marketing as a night-time hobby, prompted by a love for computer technology and a 5 minute segment on NBC's Today Show. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since November of 2007, and I am proud to count myself as one of the small percentage of Internet Marketer that have not tried, failed, and quit.
In Internet Marketing, Failure Is Progress
Now, don't get me wrong. I have failed over and over again. I have lost money toying with PPC (that is a rite of passage, I think), I have posted blog posts that I later decided to take down, I have launched products that did not do very well, and I have spent time on lots of things that did not pan out. I even launched MasonWorld.com on the “wrong blogging platform” and had to migrate to WordPress.
But learning and progress require a certain amount of failure (ask Edison). So, one thing that I plan to do in 2009 is actually “fail faster.” Get out there, try stuff, and move on (keeping the stuff that works).
I also spent lots of time and money reading Internet Marketing stuff. I have a sub-directory on my hard drive in my “Internet Marketing” directory that is titled “Courses and eBooks.” As of this writing, that folder has 474 files (91 folders) containing 4.96 GB of Internet Marketing eBooks, audio and video that I have downloaded for free or purchased. Amazing.
With Failure Comes Success
Most important to me, I have learned a ton about Internet Marketing. I am really not interested in working on things that don't allow me to learn. The cool thing about Internet Marketing is that it is a nice mix of technology, marketing, small business, and people skills. Lots of varitey.
Of course, I have had more than my fair share of successes. I also have some profitable niche AdSesne sites, MasonWorld.com is growing, I have some affiliate products that are making money, I released a couple of profitable products, and I have a nice start on an email list.
My tip for you in 2009: Take action and don't be afraid to fail. The only path to success is through action. With action comes risk. So, take some risk in 2009 — you'll like the results.
So, The Bottom Line Is Thanks!
Most of all, I have been able to make some great friends on line (you know who you are), who have helped me get up to speed. And, I have a great following of MasonWorld.com regular readers. I really appreciate those relationships — so thanks to all of you.
I hope you have a great Holiday Season and get everything that you wish for in life in 2009.
Best regards,
Mark
Mark, I have to say the you and Josh are two of the most honest and open internet marketers that I have ever stumbled upon in my internet ventures. Thanks a bunch for sharing your thoughts and feelings. It’s guys like you who give credibility to the internet marketing field.
I know that you would never intentionally steer your potential customers in the wrong direction.
Best wishes and happy holidays!
PS: Keep up the good work!
Hey Mark,
It’s been a pleasure seiing you grow this year and I love your blog. I always tell anyone who asks about IM to come here and believe you are fast becoming someone to turn to for solid hinest advice…. I can’t wait for Mason in 09.
I’m going through a transformation and also hope that 09 will be a great year for the neglected Random Forest.
Cheers :), I really think you are going to become an authority in the next year…. Like Janet says you are honest about making bucks and you try and share the best info with us too.
All of you IM losers hiding behind your day job to support your ill directed dreams. Merely splattering words without definitive proven verifiable results.
Keep scratching each others backs and keep dreaming. None of you guys will make it big. No animosity. I just know.
Hey Chris;
I see that you are full of holiday cheer. Hope you are having a great holiday season.
Since I am the only person on this comment thread with a day job that I know of, I guess your comments are directed at me. (I am not actually sure about Janet Jones — maybe she has a day job).
Anyway, I am curious about your criteria for an “IM Loser”. I am not “hiding behind” my day job (although some times I am consumed by the coolness of it). Basically, I get to manage some interesting aspects of semiconductor manufacturing technology around the world for a great company. I am very open about the fact that IM is a hobby for me — a fact that I make no apologies for.
So, what kinds of “definitive proven verifiable results” are you looking for?
You say right on your blog:
In my article, I say:
Sounds pretty similar to me.
Thanks for stopping by,
Mark
Wow Chris…. You are a complete fool!! If you knew anything about Mark or what he does you would know he probably dwarfs you in intelligence and you could not meet a nicer guy!!
Put it this way, he is not a rocket scientist but his job is quite possibly on par!! Come back when you have something constructive to say!!
Excellent advice, Mark. I see a successful 2009 online for you in your future 😉 Talk to you soon.
Thanks Josh. I have big plans for 2009. Your support is very much appreciated.
Regards,
Mark
Wow, Janet. Thanks! I don’t usually compare myself to Josh. (Well, I am better looking. LOL). Your comment is very much appreciated. I like your squeeze page, by the way. I was actually tempted to opt-in, but if my wife saw wedding email in my inbox, she might get suspicious.
As for you, my favorite misplaced Brit (Forest) — thanks as well. I am really looking forward to you cranking up the RandomForest.
Hey Forest — thanks.
Actually, I studied a little rocket science in college. As long as your rocket does not travel near the speed of light, rocket science is not that big of a deal. Rocket engineering, on the other hand, it a really tough problem – mainly because you need crazy levels of reliability.
That’s basically what killed Challenger. The probability that any given thing would fail was very small. But, when you multiply all of those tiny probabilities together, your chance of failing is (was) pretty good.
(Oops — sorry. Engineering geek mode kicked in there for a second).
Chris is right about one thing — I do have lots of dreams. You can call them ideas or goals if you want (I actually prefer “goals”).
Have a great day,
Mark
@ Janet – Thanks, glad to help.
@ Chris – You got it buddy. We’re all pathetic. The truth is I have monkeys running my coaching forum, writing content to my blog and getting my sites ranked. The trick is in finding the right monkeys, while still holding down a day job lol It sounds like you have everything figured out and you’re on to great success… Happy Holidays 🙂
Chris went to sleep in 2007. Peddling Forex is the only way to go, right buddy? Thanks for your help this year Mark – and look forward to a great 2009.
Hey Mark,
Thank YOU for teaching us what you’ve learned this year. You’ve been quite an inspiration. I’m very much looking forward to what next year has in store for us all.
Edison is a great example of failure and success. True, the fear of failure can be so paralyzing at times, but they are indeed stepping stones to doing something the right way.
Hmmm, anyone know where I can get me a monkey or two to help out with my stuff in the coming year? 🙂
Morning Mark !!
Like my mom always said you only fail when you quit. So Never ever Quit. Thats my motto and always has been Good to hear about your successes mark. Faithful reader and will continue to be in the coming year. And I do agree with Forest looks like youre on the road the authority dom. E=mc2 (earning = Mark Mason squared times the speed of light) LOL ok enough silly-ness
Have a good one dude
Shane