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Making Money with Free Sites: Planning For Success (Part One of Five)
Posted On 20 Nov 2003
So you have been to YNOT, read the articles, listened to others saying how they make money with free sites, and you are going to jump on the bandwagon. First let me say welcome to a very fast paced, rewarding and complex industry.So you have been to YNOT, read the articles, listened to others saying how they make money with free sites, and you are going to jump on the bandwagon. First let me say welcome to a very fast paced, rewarding and complex industry. It is my hope that over the next five installments I will have enlightened you to the do’s and don’ts of this industry and all that goes with it.
Dispelling the Myth
If you came to the conclusion that you can make money with free sites as a means of getting rich with no investment and no work, please run; don’t walk but run to your old boss and beg for your job back. It will not happen, nor will any other get-rich-quick scheme, by the way. You will only get out of this industry what you put into it. The adult industry is no different than any other, you will have to work and you will have to put a lot into it in order to get a lot out of it. With that said, those who are still reading this are the ones that want to make it work and know that it will take a serious commitment and effort, so let me arm you with the knowledge and understanding you need to make it all happen.
Lots of people have come to me for help with free sites. I get them going and the next thing I know they are building a TGP (Thumbnail Gallery Post) site. Though a TGP is a free site I do not recommend starting in this business with one. They require constant care and promotion and you are just not ready to be there. The free site you need to start with has a theme, has content and has banners to affiliates (sponsors) that you will be selling to make money. I will go into greater detail about this in future installments.
Getting Started
Okay myths and definitions out of the way for now, let’s get started. As with any business, in order for it to be a success you must properly plan it. If you just start by building sites with no plan you will be wasting time and money. Though in this industry there is some trial and error that occurs as well as experimentation, it all should be towards a clearly defined goal and plan.
Questions that you need to answer include:
1. What markets are you going to target (straight, gay or both)?
2. Do you understand the market you are choosing?
If you are straight, for example, do you know what gay people will want to look at or do you at least know where to go to get the answers? (Hint: If you are just starting out, stick to what you know – you have enough to learn already without trying to learn a lifestyle that you are not the least bit aware of.)
3. How much do you wish to make a month or year doing free sites?
4. How much money are you willing to invest in starting your business?
5. How much time are you willing to invest to make your new business a success?
6. What timetable are you planning to have for different phases of your business and what are those different phases?
7. What sponsors will you be using and what programs will you utilize with those sponsors?
I know that the common thought by most is to just jump in and build sites and worry about all the theories and planning later. Start making the money, then sit back and think about it. Unfortunately that wastes a lot of time, resources and most importantly, money. Take the time to stop and plan it out. Do the research and write down the goals and plans. Review them constantly to assure that you are not straying from them and if the plan needs to be modified (and be assured that it will), take the time to do it.
I saw somewhere a quote that I wish I knew the author of so I could give credit but it goes something like this… “Plan your work then work your plan.” Whoever said that is right. It is called working smart and in this very fast paced, ever changing and evolving business it is imperative that you work smart and stay organized.
I look forward to our next installment where I will discuss the how’s and why’s of securing domains, hosts and affiliates and what you should be looking for when doing so.
Until then, grab the notebook and pencil (use pencil, it erases easier) and start planning for a very successful and rewarding career.
(Stay tuned for part two next week!)
Tony is the owner of Exxxtreme Adult Designs, a design company offering custom free site, AVS site and TGP gallery designs. He also designs banners and logos.
He is currently offering a package which includes 1 hub, 5 free sites and 4 TGP galleries for only $200.00. A great way to get your plans rolling! He can be contacted at tntdesign@charterinternet.com, via ICQ# 166558226 or you can call him at 802-479-0053.
