It’s amazing how time flies. It’s already 2009 now. What started as a casual journal of my blogging journey has blossomed into a melting pot for beginners and experts alike to discuss, share and learn all there is to blogging.
Over the course of 8 months, I’ve written a total of 131 posts with a whopping 4,424 comments with a subscriber count of 500+ and still counting.
Still a Blog for Beginners?
It has always been my primary motivation that this blog will one day be a one-stop place for beginners to learn the basic of blogging. If my memory serves me well, never I wrote any topic that is beyond the grasp of newbies unless it’s necessary.
I believe this could probably be my “unique selling point” that allows me to co-exist with other bloggers in the same niche.
Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still – Chinese Proverb
With that said, however, there comes a point in time where it occurs to me that I do not want to be just a blogger who helps beginners to blog.
2009 is the Year of Internet Marketing
All new beginnings require that you unlock a new door – Rabbi Nachman
I resolve to be an internet marketer. I resolve to put what I’ve learned into practice and unlock a new door.
2009 will be the year of internet marketing for me.
I also realize that internet marketing success is very much measured by how much I could turn traffic into dollars and cents.
So my main focus will be to put into action what I’ve learned in 2008 and turning them into dollars and cents in 2009.
As a matter of facts, over the last 2 months or so, I’ve been working on other internet marketing projects to build a decent passive income in 2009; perfecting the knowledge that I’ve gained thus far and exploring other possibilities beyond just blogging.
And I have a solid game plan in hand..
So What’s My Game Plan for TSB in 2009?
I’ve been toying with the idea of taking this blog to the next level and in fact, I’ve put a lot of thought on what should be the next best option for TSB.
Should I write about advance tips or should I keep the focus on blogging tips for beginners?
There are hundreds, if not thousand, of people who are still unaware of the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. I receive email almost daily on what seems to be trivial questions such as how to FTP, can I install plugin on wordpress.com, just to name a few.
After much consideration, I’ve finally decided to keep it as a blog for beginners that focuses on blogging tips for newbies.
I figure there is still a gap to fill in this niche for beginners that caters to the newbies. Sure there are ton of resources available on the net but TSB has built a reputation as a blog for beginners,
and I need your help to keep that reputation…
Be An Associate Writer for TSB
And since I’ll be devoting my time on other projects in 2009, I’m now inviting any talented blogger to come on board and be a regular contributor to TSB.
“What’s in it for me?” you may ask. Well, that’s a fair question.
Here’s the deal. I’ve successfully created the community around the blog where you can use as a perfect platform to promote your blog and improve your credibility and authority as a blogger.
All I need is someone who is passionate enough to keep the reputation of TSB as a blog for beginners.
I’ll take care of the promotional aspect of it and of course, I’ll still write for TSB, albeit not as often as before. If you are game for it, drop me an email and we’ll talk.
Besides, I’m in the process of working out the possibility of sharing adsense earnings with the associate writers. The deal is that any earnings from clicks originated for the post written by the writer will be shared on equal basis or possibly more.
This could well be a wishful new year resolution on my part so any advise is well appreciated.
Oh, I wish you all have a successful and prosperous year in 2009.
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{ 106 comments }
Sounds like you got a busy year this year! Best of luck with your ventures and hope you find some more writers for TSB!
Tom – StandOutBlogger.com´s lastest post..10 Things Climbing A Mountain Taught Me About Goals
You bet it will, Tom and thanks for the good wish. I offer the same to you too.
these are some really good tips. I have been trying for the longest to make money online as a blogger. No matter how many times i bookmark or update my blog, I can never get any real page rank.
Wow. Its a huge feat to get over 4000 comments in 8 months. Great job.
Best of luck in the future and I hope you find your writers! Do you take guest posts at random times?
Yes, Trevor. I do accept guest post at random as long as it’s well written and adds value to the readers. Thanks for dropping by.
Wishing you good luck for 2009 Yan!
JuanDerPul PINOY´s lastest post..Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009! A JuanDerPul Thanksgiving
Your blog has grown pretty well in quite some time. Can you please list in detail the requirements you want from the guest writer?
Make Money Online Tips´s lastest post..Happy New Year
I don’t have any specific requirement yet. If there is, it should be well written with beginners in mind. Send it yours and I’ll look into it.
Dude, you have done an amazing job here.
I mean 8 months work and you have a place that’s well known by most of the blogging community (atleast the one im a part of).
I want to say good luck in the future, and I hope the whole marketing thing works well for you.
As for finding writers, you could do what problogger does and get alot of guest writers :P
Blog for Bloggers´s lastest post..Getting Comments On Your New Blog: How I Do It
I’m thinking along the same line too. Let’s see what’s the response. I’ve received a couple of emails already and I hope things work out the way it should. Thanks for the input.
Yan
Impressive my friend, fantastic growth in only 8 months. :) As far as writers for TSB, like blog for bloggers said, you could try what problogger does with numerous guest writers. Let me know if there’s anything else I could do to help. Cheers,
-Mig
Miguel | Simply Blog´s lastest post..Happy New Year!
I wish you could be one of them, Mig as I’m pretty impressed of what you do at Simply Blog.
Yan
You’re a good man, let’s talk my friend. Who knows… anything can happen when great minds come together. :)
-Mig
Miguel | Simply Blog´s lastest post..Happy New Year!
When great minds come together, the possibility is endless…..
We’ll be in touch soon. I’m excited to have you on board. Mig.
Wow, that’s big news Yan. I see you everywhere and have wondered where you find the time to be everywhere at the same time :) so I’m not surprised you are moving onto other things.
TSB is one of the biggest success stories that I got to witness with my own eyes. It’s amazing that we started our Blogs around the same time and you’ve blown me out of the water. And that’s with the Ezine already having been established for five years. I have a lot of respect for you and your accomplishments.
I’m actually looking forward to seeing your progress in the Internet Marketing arena.
Brian D. Hawkins´s lastest post..A New A Year Of Vision And Focus
Yeah, it’s time to move beyond what I’ve always done and do something more remarkable and rewarding, so to speak.
Thanks, Brian for your great compliment and the same respect is due to you too. You know what? I don’t discount any possibility of working with you in the near future. Hey, we could exchange ideas, couldn’t we?
Yan
First of all,Happy new year .. hehe ..youve achieved quite good result i see .. nice stats ! keep it up man !
That is a big decision Yan and one that I believe you can turn to your best advantage because since I’ve know you I’ve come to realize that once you put your mind to something it’s only a matter of time before things start to happen. Good luck Yan on all your endeavors in 2009.
Sire´s lastest post..Happy New Year & Birth Of Link Love
Thanks, Sire. I wasn’t too sure if I’m doing the right thing. Fact is I received an email 2 days ago for someone who offered to buy my blog for $5K but I declined it. I didn’t shout it on the post it as I thought I shouldn’t “beat the grass to startle the snake” if you know what I mean.
Oh, good luck to you too in 2009. I can see that your hands are pretty full managing a couple online projects too.
I enjoyed your post. How we can tell 2009 is the year of internet marketing year. I wish to know how the financial problems affected internet marketing.
It really depends on how you look at it. No doubt spending power will shrink in times of economic downturn but more and more people will turn to internet to make make a decent living and that’s an opportunity in disguise if you ask me. In fact, the current economic crisis shouldn’t be seen in negative light.
I think it’s a good plan to move to Internet Marketing and look at other opportunities for you to monetize and drive that passive income. You have a nice blog and you can be proud of what you accomplished in ‘08. Now let’s KILL IT in 2009! ;)
Ben Tremblay´s lastest post..BenTremblay: @rajaie Do you see something like "search results customized with your web history?"
Well, Ben…I hope in 2010 we both are able to look back at 2009 with a smile of accomplishment. All the best to you too.
I think the theme of the blog is great. You have definitely done a great job of establishing TSB in the blogosphere. Well done my friend. ;-)
Gerald Weber´s lastest post..Is Your CAPTCHA Killing Your Business?
Appreciate your continued support, Gerald. I know you’ll always be there. Let’s do something for the community.
Absolutely!
BTW did you get my email Yan?
Gerald Weber´s lastest post..Is Your CAPTCHA Killing Your Business?
Nice proverbs for this year. I have saved it in my diary. It gives good motivation when the mood is down.
Atniz´s lastest post..Happy New Year with Page Rank Update 12/31/2008
This blog has been amazing Yan. I admire your dedication to provide newbies some starting tips. Do hope you all the best and success as well as for this blog
Melvin´s lastest post..Spam Spam Go Away
Thanks, Melvin and hope you have a prosperous 2009 too.
Yan-
Your blog is great. Being a newbie at blogging itself I find that I learn new things on a daily basis and you are right- things that other more experienced bloggers take for granted are certainly questions in new bloggers minds.
Good luck on your journey into internet marketing.
….things that other more experienced bloggers take for granted are certainly questions in new bloggers minds.
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Jen. I look forward to your contribution as I love your writing style which suits this blog very well.
You know there are a handful people I love to have writing for TSB and you are one of them.
Yan
Thanks Yan- that means a lot coming from you as I really admire your writing style as well. Been out of the loop for about a week but back in full force. You will be hearing from me soon.
Jen´s lastest post..Network Marketing Income- Generating Your Prospects 4 Different Ways
Knock at my door when you’re ready, Jen. Take care of your priorities first and have fun.
And… I would love to contribute if I feel I have something that would help other new bloggers.
I believe you should indeed write about more advanced tips, the audience you now have also grows because of your guidance, and should no longer be considered absolute beginners.
Happy new year!
Wesley´s lastest post..My First Wordpress Plugin: Improved Plugin Installation
Thanks for your input, Wesley. You do make sense obviously. Fact is I’m getting close to 100 new subscribers now every month who are new to the game of blogging.
I can’t possibly be talking about PPC when they don’t even understand the term FTP. I believe they follow because they know this is a blog for beginners.
Wow, this looks really tough.
But I think you know what’s the best for you and your blog. All I can say is I wish you luck in the ‘09, and keep this blog as it used to be – great source of information.
All the best in ‘09,
The Moneyac
The Moneyac´s lastest post..What I have learned in 2008.
Good to see you again, buddy and thanks for dropping by. All the best in 2009 and best of luck to you too. Oh, don’t worry… I’ll keep the blog as it used to be…
There’s every possible reason that you are right about your presumption. Just finished reading a post on Garry Conn on much the same topic. Biggies like Joel Com are pouring in more ideas (may not be as big a hit as his AdSense secrets) and time into internet marketing.
Good luck with your 2009 goals and I hope you get a co-writer here :)
Ajith Edassery | DollarShower´s lastest post..DollarShower SEO Challenge ‘09: Participate and Win over $1500 in Prizes!
You bet internet marketing is the way to go. It took me almost 6 months to realize why blogging alone isn’t going to put food on the table.
Good luck to you too, Ajith and glad you come by.
Wow, great stats. That comment count is staggering. Haha.
You’ve done a great job over here at TSB, especially with creating the community around your blog. Good luck in ‘09!
Shirley´s lastest post..What’s Up With The Wikipedia Plea for Donations?
Thanks, Shirley. I’m grateful of your active participation in the community too and I hope I could be active in yours too. Give me sometime to sort things out.
Yan
Great stats there for just 8 months of hard work. I think you should provide a few advanced tip and keep along the blogging tips for beginners too.
I am sure you will even excel further in 2009.
Bruno Auger´s lastest post..Brand Identity = Corporate Identity
I hope we can excel together, Bruno and I wish you all the best in 2009 too. Any specific game plan?
would you like to wish me too? kerja Bagus Teman,, you had inspired so many blogger belong me,
i wish you’ll get everything you had plan in this year..
Barock´s lastest post..Manage Your email with ThunderBird
I think adding advanced tips is a good idea – as long as you keep beginner tips in the mix of things, with an archive to older posts, beginners will still continue to come to your blog, and then beginners will be able to come advanced bloggers, and still visit your site!
Taris Janitens´s lastest post..How to Sell on Ebay: Picking a Product
I think you are right, Taris. A mix of both isn’t a bad idea after all. Let’s see how it goes.
Hi Yan,
I have been a bit of a lurker here for awhile, but I wanted to comment to let you know that I am glad to hear you are taking your blog to the next level. Also, since I am no longer a newbie blogger I would love to give a bit back and help you out as an associate writer. I am sure we will catch up here soon! ;-)
Cheers,
Jeremy
Jeremy Day´s lastest post..Best of 2008
Hey Jeremy
It’s been a while, eh? I’m glad you’re giving back to the community and I do appreciate your help. So am I counting you in?
Yan
In 8 short months you have done amazing!! I really like your writing style and this is the year for me to take my blog and IM more seriously….. Hopefully I can reach new heights and actually start earning the money I need too :)
Looking forward to what you bring to this blog in 09.
Forest´s lastest post..Greetings For The New Year
Wow! What a nice surprise! Really good to see you coming over for a visit, Forest.
You know what? It doesn’t appear to me that you are not taking IM seriously. What more when you won the PJ contest with Neal. I did vote for you guys. Congrats!
Thanks a million :), I spend a lot of my time doing graphics stuff for clients and often put my websites last…. this year I want to bring my sites to the forefront…. thanks for the vote, it meant a lot.
Forest´s lastest post..Greetings For The New Year
Glad to see you are going to continue giving tips to beginners. I have just started doing this the last few months and I have found several of your older posts useful and fun to read. I am sure there are a lot of people out there with good information for new writers, but there can never be enough.
Tom Brincefield´s lastest post..Helping to bring the Merry to Christmas
Excellent thought provoking post and I know you can do what you set out to do!
How many posts makes one an “associate” versus the random guest article?
Dennis Edell´s lastest post..Top Commenter Contest – January – Is On!
Dennis
An associate writer is someone who is committed to the future development of this blog as if it’s his or her blog while guest writers come and go.
Does that answer your question?
Yan
I see, so basically commitment in the form of X posts every week/month until further notice….that sound about right?
Dennis Edell´s lastest post..UPDATE: Changes Made To The Permanent BackLink Page
Commitment can be in any kind of way, shape and form. Writing a post each week does count as one.
I’d give it all if I have the opportunity to write for Problogger.net but that’s one of the toughest barrier of entry.
I’m now knocking on someone else’s door but I’m sure not too long, the opposite will become a reality. We have 4 associate writers coming on board now and a landing page is going to be up pretty soon.
Maybe a little press conference. Who knows?
Hey there Yan.
I am so glad I came to your site. Lots of great info and writings. Thanks for coming by my site as well. I am so looking forward to this year. I have set goals for growing my sites and growing my knowledge as well. I also have put you on my bookmarks so I can keep checking back here to your site to see what you have posted next!
Happy New Year!
GP
Bookmark is a thing of the past. If you aren’t yet subscribed by email, I urge you to do so. That way you can get the update almost instantly…. ;)
I kid…I kid….. bookmark is fine. Subscription is a better option though….
Thanks for dropping by and I’m just as glad as you….;)
Yan
Wow, that’s quite an accomplishment in only 8 months.
I wish you even more success in 2009. That’s a very good idea, to keep it focused on beginners. Surely, even intermediate-to-advanced bloggers can always find something of value here as well.
Green Investments´s lastest post..Biodiesel Stock: Investing in Renewable Fuel Stocks
Yan you have done a great job with TSB and keeping it as a blog for beginners is definitely the right decision. I know your link building lists have helped me grow my own sites.
Best of luck in 2009
Steve
Steve@weightlossweapons.com´s lastest post..Stop Counting Calories
Thanks, Steve. I look forward to seeing you more here at TSB. Which link building list you refer to?
thanks for this lovely post.it has been really educative and inspiring.
Music Man´s lastest post..Beats365 Hip Hop Beats
yes sir, I’m in! let’s talk on email or IM when we both get the chance. ;-)
jeremy
Jeremy Day´s lastest post..Best of 2008
Like just about everyone else so far has said, your stats after just 8 months are very impressive! Congrats! This blog is one of the ones I read most often; I’ve found the content to be so valuable.
I agree with you that internet marketing is the place to be. My blog focuses on social media marketing, and it’s an exciting topic to write about. Good luck with your new projects!
Diana Freedman´s lastest post..Brand Your Site With a FavIcon
Hey Diana
This blog will not be what it is today without the support of my loyal readers and you are one of them. I thank you for that. I hope ‘u stand out’ brighter in 2009.
Yan
I have only been blogging for a couple of weeks now and I don’t know what I would have done without your blog. You really are in touch with your “beginner blogger” self, which allows you to write the posts you probably wish someone else had written for you when you first started. :-) I understand why you feel the need to move on, but I hope TSB can stay active in some capacity, even if it means that you’re writing only once in a while. Your archives alone are worth a million bucks! Maybe you have a book waiting to happen…
Thansk for all your hard work.
Wow, this is one of the best comments I have in 2009. Your compliment is worth more than anything else to me. I’m even more motivated to do better. Though, writing a book is far off my mind yet. Thanks, Maureen.
Yan,
Congratulations on your huge success in 2008 and here’s wishing you greater success on your 2009 goals and challenges. Your blog and you have been quite an inspiration to me.
Peter Lee
passive income ideas´s lastest post..Who Else Wants Free Backlinks To Their Home Business Blogs
Thanks, Peter. You have always been very supportive of TSB and this is what I need most. I wish you the same in 2009. All the best.
I agree with you Yan. Also, the fact that lots of people might find themselves at home without a job, they will be forced to start taking Internet Marketing seriously. And for the current Internet marketers, making money this time is all about “putting into action what you have learnt last year”, instead of learning more and NOT taking action, :) . Well said, Yan.
Thanks for coming back and leaving a comment. I guess fear of failure often leads to inaction and eventually, it becomes a habit – a habit of NOT taking action.
Yan
Hmm probably I will have my take here for a guest post! Beginners prefer “how-to” tips right?
Ben
Make Money Online´s lastest post..Make Money Case Study: FREE Stuff Model Part 2/5
Ben
You are welcome to send your best writing my way and if I like what I see, it’ll be published. Thanks for the interest.
Yan
8 month and your blog is growing pretty well here, well done, i hope my blog can archive well this year.
I bet you will. All you need is a mix of passion and patience. All the best in 2009.
Hum. I see no problem in having more advanced tips in this blog, but perhaps you could do a spinoff of this blog for more advanced uses ;)
Hugo Santos´s lastest post..Merry Christmas!!!
You have your point, Hugo. A spinoff isn’t a bad idea after all. Thanks for your input. A nice of you to drop by. How’s everything on your side?
Yan
You’re a good guy Yan, I wish you nothing but success in your new endeavors. I’ll be interested in seeing you progress…I hope you keep us all posted.
Mike Collins´s lastest post..What Are Your Goals For 2009?
Thanks for coming by, Mike. It seems like you are back into action. I wish you the same. Let’s make 2009 a better year for all of us.
I’m finally back from my month-long holiday. I see you’ve grown so busy, you don’t even have time to post on this blog. Glad to see you to see you doing so well Yan!
Andre Thomas´s lastest post..Stealth Marketing 101 – Reviews
Good to see you back to the community, Andre. Not having enough time to keep this blog is just a small part of the problem, not be able to go it alone is another.
I figure the best option is to enlist bloggers with different styles of writing and that should do wonder to the blog. We all need a breath of fresh air, don’t we?
Sniff, our Yan is ready to grow up and leave the household; I miss him already. LOL
Actually, I think it’s a great plan, although, knowing how I am, I don’t know why you can’t have both on the same blog, or even just keep this blog as it is and still talk about all the new things you’re going to do on the internet. In a way, it’s all related; oh wait, that’s what I said I was going to do.
Either way, your internet buddies will support you, and any successes you have we’ll be ready to steal them so we can be successful also.
Mitch´s lastest post..My Online Goals For 2009
No, I’m not leaving, Mitch. Don’t miss me yet. I’m going to talk about other things on another blog and as far as TSB is concerned, I figure I’m walking the road less traveled by inviting new writers with new ideas and fresh perspectives. I’ll still for TSB though….
At the end of the day, I or we aim to make it a premier place for all beginners to learn there is to blogging and exists alongside Problogger.
Yan
By the way Yan, I think continuing to focus on beginners is a smart move. There’s going to be a lot more newbies stepping into blogging/IM trying to supplement their income and they’re going to need knowledgeable folks like you to teach them the ropes.
Mike Collins´s lastest post..Sharing My Game Plan For 2009
Thanks, Mike. I wasn’t too sure about it initially but heck, what do I have to lose? This blog will keep its status quo at all cost
And you’re absolutely right. There will be more newbies jumping on board than we could have ever thought possible and the whole blogging community will become bigger and more crowded.
Yan
Yup it’s 2009, my blog age is 4 months with PR 3 and still making small amount of money, yet I have to work hard to get more traffic and improvement on PR, perhaps somebody in this forums can give me inputs on how to improve traffic, but don’t give me advice using social bookmarking I have done that and only works temporarily and slope down again after having thousands visitors per day, what I need is steady traffic to build and last long enough….please advice…beside blog comments on blog that have high PR starting from PR 3, what else is it out there? is making blog dummy a good way to do it?
Ari Lestariono´s lastest post..New Year’s Resolution: Best Natural Foods for Longevity
Hey Ari
Traffic does not necessarily equate to sales unless you’re able to convert them into customers. That’s the delicate skill most marketers wouldn’t teach. Trust me. If I knew it, I’d the first to teach as I don’t hold back.
But one thing is certain, when you have a certain degree of authority, you could even ask a monkey to pay peanuts for your product. Hope that answer your question.
And with the kind of niche you are in, the best viable route to take to build that ‘authority’ is to use article marketing, bearing in mind that it takes time and patience to build upon it.
Commenting on unrelated niche is fine for link building if it’s dofollow but there is a fine line between generic traffic and targeted visitors. Ask yourself which one is more important to you……
Yan
@Yan thanks for replying, I think in this line I need strong links outside my niche, with the assumption will attract the unique visitors, and or I will do blog comments on same niche if otherwise?
Ari Lestariono´s lastest post..New Year’s Resolution: Best Natural Foods for Longevity
Awesome stats yan, I hope thoushallblog continues to grow this new year. I’d love to see what your goals are for this upcoming year, if you want to do a post on it. I’ll guest post as much as a I can, whenever I get a good idea i’ll email you, thanks for this opportunity.
How to Blog´s lastest post..11 Ways to Get Inspiration to Write
Thanks, Jonathan. It will grow and it will surely explode…. *BOOM*……. just like the firework on the new year day and it’s more colorful as new talented writers are coming on board TSB.
Hi Yan, how are you? I wish more success to your blog income, if you want me to make comments regularly I will be glad to do so.All the best Yan
Ari Lestariono´s lastest post..New Year’s Resolution: Best Natural Foods for Longevity
Keep Up the good work Yan, I see your count has soared since the last time I was here. Keep doing what you are doing. Success is on the way!
Larry´s lastest post..Getting Prepared for Tax Time
Thanks, Larry. Cheers to a better 2009 to you too.
Yan
Yan-
It’d been great watching your blog grow over the last few months of 2008 (when I first found it), may 2009 be a prosperous year for you!
Jason
Listen To Me Bitch´s lastest post..Foto Friday #1
Your post is indeed very informative. These days not only amateur webmasters are doing internet marketing but also young grad students are promoting their less professional sites as their practice and projects. Articles on starting an internet marketing business are available on the internet easily.
Yes, and Internet Marketing is getting fierce than ever, the game is who will survive till end.
Ari Lestariono´s lastest post..How to Stay Healthy During Recession
Selecting a successful home based business on the Internet is a bit of a challenge. The best thing to do is arm yourself with some good selection factors and begin your research. You will find the eight tips in this article a helpful guide for you as you search for the perfect Internet business that meets your success expectations.