Thirty Day Challenge - My experience so far

The Thirty Day Challenge - What is it all about?

The basic idea is to build an online business and within 30 days you should have made your first £, $ etc or 10. If I can make £1-10 in thirty days this will really help me out in my double your money challenge. By following the simple steps outlined each day, which is supported by a selection of media and recommended tools. The media includes daily emails which call you to action and link to the materials, videos which you can download or watch online and PDF transcripts of the video content, it's in bite size chunks and is aimed at the non-technical. The online business appears, from what I have seen so far targeted at people that will write blogs, which will make money through affiliate programmes. The videos cover a daily intro, some videos on what and how you are expected to achieve that day and a positive psychology video on moving forward.

What does this have to do with your DYMC?

I was looking at this as another income stream to add to my double your money challenge, so I don't want to spend any of my hard doubled dosh on anything at the moment that isn't going to directly return on the investment. So I have had to tweak my approach to the designed root through the 30DC programme. The initial supporting tools run on a free trial version for 40 days, and presumably by the time you get to that point you can see you have made some money, the wordpress version is wordpress direct, which is tied into the other recommended tools and the hosting is very cheap, not sure on the exact costs of these but it does appear to be minimal.

More about 30DC content

The Videos - which you can download via the thirty day challenge podcast without registering cover, internet tools and sites like twitter, facebook, google (samurai, traffic bug etc., see video names below:-

#002 - Keeping Up To Date Using Twit.mp4
#003 - Twitter, Signing Up and Getti.mp4
#004 - Setting Up Your Twitter Profi.mp4
#005 - Introducing Seesmic Desktop.mp4
#006 - Using Seesmic Desktop.mp4
#010 - An Optional Firefox Plugin.mp4
#011 - Getting A Google Account.mp4
#012 - How To Use YouTube.mp4
#013 - Installing And Using iTunes.mp4
#014 - Kiva And The Thirty Day Chall.mp4
#015 - Facebook and the 30DC - Part.mp4
#016 - Facebook and the 30DC - Part.mp4
#017 - Facebook and the 30DC - Part.mp4
#018 - Using Google Analytics.mp4
#019 - Using Google Alerts In The 30.mp4
#020 - Using Google Docs In The 30DC.mp4
#021 - Using Skype For 30DC Teams.mp4
#022 - Building Links For Our Sites.mp4
#023 - Downloading Files From 30DC.mp4
#024 - Using Google Groups For Teams.mp4
#025 - The 30DC Forum.mp4
#026 - Google Reader Part One.mp4
#027 - Google Reader Part Two.mp4
#028 - Google Reader Part Three.mp4
#029 - The 30DC Facebook App.mp4
#030 - 30DC Meetups.mp4
#031 - Using Jing For Screenshots.mp4
#032 - Installing Market Samurai.mp4
#033 - Market Samurai Overview.mp4
#034 - Mindset and Introducing Karl.mp4
#035 - Setting Expectations For The.mp4
#036 - 30DC Day 01 Introduction.mp4
#037 - 30DC - Symphony Of Four Parts.mp4
#038 - Mindset Series - Procrastinat.mp4
#039 - Findng a Niche Part 1.mp4
#040 - Findng a Niche Part 2.mp4
#041 - Findng a Niche Part 3.mp4
#042 - 30DC Day 02 Introduction.mp4
#043 - 30DC Day 02 - What Is A Marke.mp4
#044 - 30DC Day 02 - Intro To Market.mp4
#045 - 30DC Day 02 - Theme Keywords.mp4
#046 - 30DC Day 02 - Category Keywor.mp4
#047 - 30DC Day 02 - Phrase Vs Broad.mp4
#048 - 30DC Mindset - Embracing Chan.mp4
#049 - 30DC Day 03 Introduction.mp4
#050 - 30DC Day 03 - Introduction To.mp4
#051 - 30DC Day 03 - The SEO Matrix.mp4
#052 - 30DC Mindset - Limiting Thoug.mp4
#053 - 30DC Day 04 - Introduction.mp4
#054 - 30DC Day 04 - The Monetizatio.mp4
#055 - 30DC Day 04 - Finding Affilia.mp4
#056 - 30DC Day 04 - Adwords Adverti.mp4
#057 - 30DC Day 04 - Affiliate Progr.mp4
#058 - 30DC Mindset - Money Programs.mp4
#059 - 30DC Day 05 - Introduction.mp4
#060 - 30DC Day 05 - The Find Conten.mp4
#061 - 30DC Day 05 - Researching Con.mp4
#062 - 30DC Day 05 - Writing Unique.mp4
#063 - 30DC Day 05 - Find A Unique D.mp4
#064 - 30DC Day 05 - Acquire A Domai.mp4
#065 - 30DC Mindset - Say Yes More.mp4
#066 - 30DC Day 06 - Introduction.mp4
#067 - 30DC Day 06 - Introduction To.mp4
#068 - 30DC Day 06 - Install A Wordp.mp4
#069 - 30DC Day 06 - Your First Word.mp4
#070 - 30DC Day 06 - Upgrade Your Wo.mp4
#071 - 30DC Mindset - Intention Sets.mp4
#072 - 30DC Day 07 - Introduction.mp4
#073 - 30DC Day 07 - Installing Goog.mp4
#074 - 30DC Day 07 - Creating An Ad.mp4
#075 - 30DC Day 07 - WPD Pretty Link.mp4
#076 - 30DC Day 07 - Add A Pretty Li.mp4
#077 - 30DC Mindset - Fear.mp4
#078 - 30DC Day 08 - Introduction.mp4
#079 - 30DC Day 08 - Indexing And Ra.mp4
#080 - 30DC Day 08 - Introducing Tra.mp4
#081 - 30DC Day 08 - Using Traffic B.mp4
#082 - 30DC Day 09 - Introduction.mp4
#083 - 30DC Day 09 - Introducing Ran.mp4
#084 - 30DC Day 09 - Using Rank Trac.mp4
#085 - 30DC Day 10 - Introduction.mp4
#086 - 30DC Day 10 - Ezine Articles.mp4
#087 - 30DC Day 10 - Scribd.mp4
#088 - 30DC Day 11 - Introduction.mp4
#089 - 30DC Day 11 - Squidoo.mp4
#090 - 30DC Day 11 - HubPages.mp4
#091 - 30DC Day 12 - Introduction.mp4
#092 - 30DC Day 12 - Assessing Your.mp4
#093 - 30DC Day 12 - Publish Content.mp4
#094 - 30DC Day 12 - Using The Publi.mp4
#095 - 30DC Mindset - Self Pity.mp4
#096 - 30DC Day 13 - Introduction.mp4
#097 - 30DC Day 13 - Wordpress.com.mp4
#098 - 30DC Day 13 - Blogger Part 1.mp4
#099 - 30DC Day 13 - Blogger Part 2.mp4
#100 - 30DC Day 14 - Introduction.mp4
#101 - 30DC Day 14 - Weebly.mp4
#102 - 30DC Day 14 - Facebook Fan Pa.mp4
#103 - 30DC Day 15 - Introduction.mp4
#104 - 30DC Day 15 - Propeller.mp4
#105 - 30DC Day 15 - Micro Blogging.mp4
#106 - 30DC Day 15 - Micro Blogging.mp4
#107 - 30DC Day 15 - Micro Blogging.mp4
#108 - 30DC Day 15 - Google Reader A.mp4
#109 - 30DC Day 16 - Introduction.mp4
#110 - 30DC Day 16 - Kiva.mp4
#111 - 30DC Mindset - Boosting Your.mp4
#112 - 30DC Day 17 - Introduction.mp4
#113 - 30DC Day 17 - Assessing Traff.mp4
#114 - 30DC Day 18 - Introduction.mp4
#115 - 30DC Day 18 - Getting More Tr.mp4
#116 - 30DC Day 18 - The Pareto Prin.mp4
#117 - 30DC Day 19 - Introduction.mp4
#118 - 30DC Day 19 - Introducing Goo.mp4
#119 - 30DC Day 19 - Setting Up Goog.mp4
#120 - 30DC Day 19 - Google Adwords.mp4
#121 - 30DC Day 20 - Introduction.mp4
#122 - 30DC Day 20 - Split Testing A.mp4
#123 - 30DC Day 20 - Adding Keywords.mp4
#124 - 30DC Day 21 - Introduction.mp4
#124 - 30DC Day 32 - Webinar Recordi.mp4
#125 - 30DC Day 21 - Google's Qualit.mp4
#125 - 30DC Day 32 - 30DC Plus Intro.mp4
#126 - 30DC Day 21 - Adwords Managem.mp4
#127 - 30DC Day 22 - Introduction.mp4
#128 - 30DC Day 22 - Content Network.mp4
#129 - 30DC Day 22 - Yahoo Bing And.mp4
#130 - 30DC Day 22 - Adwords Calcula.mp4
#131 - 30DC Day 23 - Introduction.mp4
#132 - 30DC Day 23 - Ed And Michelle.mp3
#133 - 30DC Day 23 - What Would They.mp4
#134 - 30DC Day 24 - Introduction.mp4
#135 - 30DC Day 24 - Go, No Go_.mp3
#136 - 30DC Day 25 - Introduction.mp4
#137 - 30DC Day 25 - Google Adsense.mp4
#138 - 30DC Day 25 - Dynamic Ads 1.mp4
#138 - 30DC Day 25 - Dynamic Ads.mp4
#139 - 30DC Day 25 - Sell Your Blog.mp4
#140 - 30DC Day 25 - Manage Your Blo.mp4
#141 - 30DC Day 26 - Introduction.mp4
#142 - 30DC Day 26 - Google Analytic.mp4
#143 - 30DC Day 26 - Market Samurai.mp4
#144 - 30DC Day 27 - Introduction.mp4
#145 - 30DC Day 27 - Market Samurai.mp4
#146 - 30DC Day 27 - Backlink Opport.mp4
#147 - 30DC Day 27 - Pingbacks.mp4
#148 - 30DC Day 27 - Competitor Back.mp4
#149 - 30DC Day 28 - Introduction.mp4
#150 - 30DC Day 28 - Authority Backl.mp4
#151 - 30DC Day 29 - Introduction.mp4
#152 - 30DC Day 29 - Mistakes Market.mp3
#153 - 30DC Day 29 - The Ultimate Tr.mp4
#154 - 30DC Day 30 - Introduction.mp4
#155 - 30DC Day 30 - Where To From H.mp4
#156 - 30DC Day 30 - Leveraging The.mp4
#157 - 30DC Day 31 - Introduction.mp4
#158 - 30DC Day 31 - The End Of The.mp4

Status update

OK, so I am running a day or two behind in the thirty day challenge videos http://www. thirtydaychallenge.com, caught right up at one point through the week but have fallen behind again. Think I should be on day 10 today, but I am still around day 7-8.

So far, I have used the Market Samurai to pick my micro-niche, starting from the market of gambling, investigating keywords, finding a niche - gambling strategy and the further niche of horse racing betting systems which came up with a reasonable level of search traffic and not massive competition (largely green in the below image). MS also provides you a way of sourcing content from around the web which is a great asset for bloggers

Here is what I have so far:-

http://horseracingbettingsystems.wordpress.com/

I decided to go with a free hosted blog which I will have to work around some things (like copy and paste) but more seriously, SEO and other integration points will potentially be impacted by not using wordpressdirect, but I feel I have to take this hit to make it a no cost stream. Also I may want to go wider than the recommended affiliate schemes; the ones from the bookmaker sites, from what I have seen, are sometimes very attractive.

Thirty Day Challenge

Last week I signed up for the Thirty Day Challenge !

There is no charge for awesomeness! haha! Great strap line...

Getting the daily emails, need to try to keep up with them, downloaded all the podcast video's over the weekend - hopefully you catch up quickly by watching them on the train

Another resource from Erica

These are 20 real ideas on how to make money online, they are possibly a bit too job'y for the challenge, bit if you are allowed to use your free time to contribute some of these might be a good way to go!

http://www.erica.biz/2009/make-money-online-fast/

Good Luck!

Inspirational Resources??

Just discovered a few articles that may be of interest to the doublers in all of us

how to start a business with no money

and

entrepreneurs is extreme frugality a waste of time

both by "Erica Douglass. After selling my online business at age 26 for $1,100,000.00" - might be worth a read...

A Musical Interlude

I was thinking a 'mix tape idea' for a site, then found most music video's are on youtube anyway and you can create and share 'playlists', here is my first attempt at a ut video 'mix tape' - hope you like it!



Does a mix tape have to be made for someone in particular? hmm

Where has month two gone, going ???

OK so this month of the challenge appears to be rapidly disappearing!

We are already a couple of days past the halfway mark and I still don't feel as though I have contributed much this month and without hearing too much from the other participants I am left wondering is it just me or has some of the buzz of month 1 starting to wane?

I hope people are still with me.

Make me think of one of my favourite Winston Church quotes

"Success is going from failure to failure with no loss enthusiasm."

I have recently sold some items that I had around the house, and had my first real attempt at selling stuff on ebay, I was thinking about some or all of the proceeds towards the challenge, but that doesn't really make any sense as it doesn't involve the previous seed money at all and isn't any of my creative effort - although an interesting experience in itself - I'm not going to include the funds from these sales in the challenge. One thing it did make me realise is for some items I have no concept of value or the interest that will be produced for particular items - we sold a dolls pram and some real prams, and the toy version drew significantly more interest and a higher price - I was completely clueless about its value.

I have setup a number of products on zazzle and submitted my store to google and uploaded the products to google base so they are appearing on google shopping in the UK. Much to my amusement appearing top for a little while on google organic search for the phrase 'spank me big boy'! Thou my product descriptions weren't particularly well thought through and are glib at best.

Last time I checked I hadn't made any sales as of yet, but it's another stream that I can add products to every now and then without too much effort and see if it produces any sales over the coming year. Makes me wonder how many of zazzle shop's purchases are from the designers?

Think tomorrow I'll pop in with another round of shortbread to sell. Hopefully will be just as successful as last time!

The only other thing I have planned for this month was another gambling test. I was thinking from lasts months experiment with gambling leaving me reflecting on the saying - the house always wins - which is really the side of the equation I want to be on, what if I used a site like betfair where you can play both sides and mimic odds provided on a single event for eventualities that a big successful bookies would offer, shouldn't I always win to the same extent?