Hope and Change

I am currently in a holding pattern as I continue to research my newest project and hope for better results. Since I am convinced that little gets accomplished simply by hoping, I am using this time to find better ways in order to get better results. But in summary this is my plan.

I have found a company that I think is going to work for me. Upon signing up with that company I will get a cookie-cutter website. In anticipation of that I have bought 2 domains which I will redirect to the cookie-cutter website, keeping my domain visible throughout the session. In that way, it will be less obvious that my site is similare to everyone else who works with this product.

Then I will have to learn how to market it. Currently I am learning about how to hold teleseminars as a marketing strategy. Stay tuned while I figure all of this out.

Decisions Update

I've decided not to go ahead with the cookie-cutter website. This particular e-commerce venture is not for me. It isn't that I'm opposing cookie-cutter websites, its that I have decided against this particular one. I'm already considering another.

This pausing in the development process while I consider my next website has caused me to reflect. My websites are still not generating any traffic. So far I've only made $27.21 and I've spent much more than that. If I were on the right track I should have done better. So what am I doing wrong? I don't know but I am certain of one thing - to quit is wrong. So I'm just going to have to work through this thing to figure out the key to making money on the Internet. My family needs me to figure this out.

Trying Something New

As you know I have been creating websites designed to be interesting, nontechnical (despite the technical nature of the content), with the hope that it will generate an income that I can use to get out of debt and start my new career. So far a little money has been made, less than $100, but it looks promising. Today I am trying something new.

My first website was a canned website that has done nothing for me at all. I can't even edit it yet, although I expect to be able to do that as soon as I put in the time to learn WordPress. Nevertheless it has been a net loss so far. My own websites and blogs are starting to generate some traffic and even a little income. So the quick fix has failed me so far, the slow, methodical way is showing some promise.

Just to mix it up I decided to take a shot at what appears to be a reputable business that is offering another canned approach that appears to show more promise. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes. So far its cost me $10 and eventually will cost $50. So even if I'm wrong, the investment should teach me something worthwhile.

Update

To date my web sites have been very basic. The one that I purchased from Niche Power Group is the hardest one to edit and I haven't quite figured out how to do it yet. The rest of the web sites are relatively simple to do. Netscape is my editor of choice and I simply edit templates found at my hosting company.

Although I have a technical background (I work in network security) I have no love of programming. For readers who work in IT you know that it isn't uncommon for the network team, or the security team, to be in conflict with the programmers/developers. We come from different worlds, with different mentalities, and different levels of discipline. Developers tend to be liberal, creative, and undisiciplined. Network and security professionals (I work in both) tend to be the opposite - conservative, disciplined, and structured. Creativity is essential for programming. Our creativity is limited to problem-solving. Naturally such generalizations do not always apply, but they are nonetheless accurate in a general sense.

Finding a method that minimized the programming was essential for the reasons cited above. I just don't fit into the programmer's model.

Update

There are now four sites up and running in the Rauma Enterprises attempt to develop 25-35 quality websites. They are as follows:

• Rauma Enterprises
• How to Make Income Online
• Rookie Internet Entrepreneur Blog
• Rookie Political Commentator Blog