This is our first weekend series of “What separate the men from the boys?” where each week we will feature one prominent blogger who has inspired us in one way or another.
This week we are bringing in Jim Regan who is known as the guy who operates The Net Fool – a blog on making money online by “turning time into cash“.
1. We know nothing about you. Give us some interesting and completely unheard facts that make you a great blogger.
Hey guys, this is Jim… also known as “the net fool” around the marketing-sphere. I’m actually, well, not that much of the marketer. It’s a bit funny that I own a successful “make money online” website and blog, eh?
I am currently a student of Finance in college (go Nittany Lions), and am very interested in the economy and the stock market system. As such, I am studying to be in an investing position over the next few years, and would love to manage money in any way, shape or form.
So here’s where theNetFool.com comes in… I write all about making money online because I am simply fascinated with helping other people create wealth through any means necessary! With a big background on the internet, I know about pretty much every scheme, technique and method that has ever been used to turn a profit on the net… and I’m going to tell you exactly how you can do it!
2. When & what compelled you to start blogging?
I originally started theNetFool.com in October of 2007, and this has blossomed into a full fledged online conglomerate that I have formed named JRR Enterprises LLC.
What is this corporation? Essentially, I wanted a controlling company to house all of my online activities under one roof. I am active in marketing, web design, blogging, hosting and am even starting up a new project which you will hear more about soon :)
I am compelled to blog basically by the belief that blogging is a stable income that I can grab simply by helping people make some extra money.
I like pumping as much money into the system as possible, and love the opportunity to teach other people the tricks of the trade that the professionals won’t! To put it another way, I’m a fighter for the “little guy” out there.
3. How has blogging changed your life?
Haha, changed my life? I wouldn’t say that it has. People around campus will shout out “The Net Fool!” as a joke every now and then (no… pretty much constantly), so I guess I have more of a chip on my shoulder.
Make no mistake about it, blogging has been a great way to make a few bucks here or there… but I like the fact that I own a popular blog more for the reputation on the internet than anything else.
4. To what do you attribute your blog success?
I don’t like to give up easily, and I have a pretty cut-throat and scrappy personality. What this means, is that when I see someone doing well, I want to always jump in and do an even better job! I have a competitive nature that I typically use to my advantage… one downside of this is that I try to do too much, haha.
My success would come from this fact that I am a competitor and I don’t like to give up… so if you keep plugging at it, you will be successful too!
5. If you could give one sentence of advice to blogger, what would that be?
You’ve got to win to play, but you’ve got to play to win. Now then, wasn’t that corny? Haha, okay I’m not a fan of one-sentence advice at all, so come to my blog and ask me a question and I’ll give you a nice paragraph, eh? :)
6. What is one biggest blogging mistake you’ve done and in similar situation, how would do differently today?
Answer to enemies… sometimes you just have to let things sit, eh? There have been a few people that have attacked me and my website just to try to get some publicity, and I really hate when that happens.
In one case, which I will not name, a guy made some threatening posts that made me sound like a wimp on his blog. Then, when I responded (BAD MOVE!), he immediately twisted my wording to sound like I was attacking him.
This is a no win situation, and only melted away when I just ignored him entirely… which I totally recommend if you run into this kind of situation.
7. What’s the best way for a blogger to make money, in your professional opinion?
Do something other than blogging! Blogging is a great tool to help you out and to build a network of interested companions that will help you out and support you financially… but in the end, you need something else to be actually successful in making money online.
8. Where do you think the blogosphere is headed over the next few years?
More popular, bigger, better,… need anymore? Blogging has been erupting over the past 2-3 years into a full-fledged industry. I would predict in 3-5 years that it will be just as common to have your own blog as it will be have a Facebook or MySpace account.
9. If you could write a guest post for any blog but were only allowed to write one guest post in your entire life, which blog would you write for and why?
I would write a guest post on ProBlogger.net. This is one of the best blogs around and actually has useful information despite its bloated reader fan base. What’s more? This is one of the only blogs that has ever shut me down when I requested a guest post! Haha, so I’d definitely like to rub it in Darren’s face that he missed a great opportunity.
10. Lastly, tell us one goal in life that you haven’t accomplished yet but are still determined to reach.
I’d like to own real estate, haha. Come on man, I’m just 19, I haven’t had enough time to accomplish a whole bunch of big ticket items. In this market though, I feel like I probably could own a few houses in Detroit, Michigan if I really wanted to, haha.
11. Any other insight or thoughts, you’d like to share?
The economy has been horrendous in 2008, and most (okay, EVERY) MMO blogger out there totally ignores the economy when they write.
If you want someone that understands how the markets work and will put that into educational and easy-to-understand posts every day… check out theNetFool.com! Heck, if you subscribe to my blog you will even get a free eBook on How To Create a Blog :)
Thanks, Jim for taking this interview. It’s a great pleasure to have you around. At the very least, we know you ain’t a fool.
Related posts
- Interview with Gyutae Park – Winning The Web This is our second edition of “What separate the men from the boys?” where each week we will feature...
- Interview with Alex Cristache – Blogsessive This is our third edition of “What separate the men from the boys?” where each week we will feature...
- Interview with Michael Dunlop – Retire at 21 This is our fourth edition of “What separate the men from the boys?” where each week we will feature...
- How To Become a Better Blogger This is a guest post by Jonathan Muller from How to Blog. He manages a Blogging Tips site, that...
- Timeless Blogging Tips for Bloggers This is a guest post from Dot Com Dud, a blogger who catalogues his journey towards earning a full-time...
Sponsor of The Month
- Keyword AcademyIf you are struggling to make money online, this is where you'll get the method, the support, and the tools you need to build a sustainable low-maintenance income online.
- Is Your Brand Here? Advertise with Us!
{ 69 comments }
Wow, what a great guy!
Haha, thanks for giving me the chance to interview Yan! :)
@ Jim
Investing is an area I’ve slowing been learning about. I’ll be honest, there’s plenty about it I don’t like, especially with a lot of unethical practices that are still ongoing. I’ll still come check you out. :)
Miguel | Simply Blog´s lastest post..Links of Interests
Haha! I’ve been following Jim for a while now and he constantly finds new ways to make his blog stand out. I loved his video blog spoofs!
Tom – StandOutBlogger.com´s lastest post..10 Things Climbing A Mountain Taught Me About Goals
Yeah no one does video blog spoof better than Jim. That was classic.
Hey Jim, I didn’t know you were so open to interview. By the way this is a great chance for readers to get to know the brighter side of you!
Ben
Make Money Online´s lastest post..Be A Top Commentator, Do The Right Thing
Yan
I like it my friend, way to ask solid questions- this is how an interview is done. I’ve never heard of this guy but I’ll definitely check him out, only 19 and all ready doing big things. Thanks for sharing. Lastly, I’m a fan of his advice on sticky situations when others attack you, sometimes it’s best to let it die.
-Mig
Miguel | Simply Blog´s lastest post..Links of Interests
Hey Mig
This is our first (you see I’m starting to use “us” and “ours”) attempt at getting a glimpse into the mind of great bloggers in the hope that our readers will learn a thing or two.
It’s going to be a great series as we’ll be featuring one blogger each week and part of the game plan for TSB.
Yan
Sweet interview Yan!!! I’m still waiting for the first day that I get to do an interview of some sort – but then again you’ve been in business longer than me!! :)
Taris Janitens´s lastest post..OnePoke.com Progress Update: Delayed Again
Solid interview Yan. I like that he said that you have to do more than blog to make the serious online money. I agree with that completely. Blogging is just one of the platforms to get things started.
I have not read his blog before but he sounds like someone I would like to check out. Thanks
Jen´s lastest post..How to Determine Your Posting Frequency
Really? That’s funny because you sound like someone that I’d really love to have come by and subscribe! :)
I have heard his name around the blogosphere but don’t think I have read his blog yet. he sounds like an interesting guy. I’ll be sure to stop by and check out his pots.
Gerald Weber´s lastest post..Is Your CAPTCHA Killing Your Business?
Yeah, tell Jim I send you over. I figure you’ll like this guy and everything he says…. don’t be fooled by his age too, he probably knows how to make more money online than the rest of us.
@Jim: You hear that, Jim?
Heard it, love it ;)
The Net Fool´s lastest post..Looking to Make Money on Your Blog? One Essential Plugin To Maximize Your Profits!
That was an interesting interview Yan. I’m very impressed to learn that Jim Regan is only 19 years old. My children are older yet he’s doing a much better job blogging. If he decides to get that property in Detroit have him look me up, we can get lunch. LOL
Brian D. Hawkins´s lastest post..A New A Year Of Vision And Focus
Yup, I wish I started that young too and God knows where would I be now. Oh gosh, WordPress wasn’t even around then.
Does it make you feel older, Brian?
Not as much as the pain in my knees when I stand or the gray hair. :) I still tell everyone the gray is highlights lol
Brian D. Hawkins´s lastest post..A New A Year Of Vision And Focus
LOL….that was a good one, Brian. Do they have a white highlight too?
Lol! I think all the ‘older’ people in the blogging game wish they started earlier!!
Its a young mans game…!
Donace´s lastest post..How to drive while stoned
btw good luck with the SEO contest
forgot to ask if you would be updating your PR list due to the latest PR changes? and if you are I wouldnt mind being added :p
Donace´s lastest post..How to drive while stoned
You aren’t talking about me, are you? Brian, are you listening? ;-)
Yup, added yours already…. Congrats on your PR4.
Cheers! the PR4 was from actually an update ago! hopefully I’ll hit PR5 soon
Donace´s lastest post..How to drive while stoned
Oh, oh … no you didn’t Donace!!!
“Its a young mans game…!”
You know what … it was a comment like that that motivated me to compete and win Blogging Idol! Some guy in the first season was saying, “Oh, please tell me one of these mommy bloggers isn’t going to win this thing.” Game on baby boy … LOL
*SmiLes* Suzanne (43 year old woman!)
Suzanne Franco´s lastest post..Holidays Stressing You Out? This Will Make You Laugh … I Promise!
Great I could motivate :D but that was a sarcastic remark :p
Btw good luck with SEO contest and get some new posts up! its been a week at least :p
Donace´s lastest post..Spam Attack
Nice to see you to have started taking interviews. Will check the net fool site.
It was a nice interview!!!
Nihar´s lastest post..December 2008 Blog Traffic & Income statistics
My Nihar,
Happy New Year to you. I believe I do owe you one, right? How’s Japan this time of the year?
Yan
Always nice to hear what’s on the mind of other successful bloggers. Nice interview Jim.
Matt
Matt | Small Biz Bee´s lastest post..The One Word Many Business Owners Don’t Understand
Good to see you, Matt. How’s thing at your end? Gosh, I’m guilty of not showing up at your door lately. You know? busy, busy……and busy.
Answering the comments here at TSB takes up quite a bit of my time too. We’ll talk soon.
Yan
I have read this post. This is very much true. I run a part time internet marketing business
I have been collecting many material on internet marketing and checking out Jeff Paul’s
internet marketing tactics. I hope that we can keep each other’s contacts so I can
discuss my problems Even I own a blog account. I will mention your post in my blog.
Great interview! I love learning about other blogs/bloggers and I am definitely going to check his out (never heard of it!)
Carla´s lastest post..Tagged!
Good to see ya, Carla. Happy New Year to you too. Tell Jim Yan sends you over, will ya?
You’ve never heard of the Net Fool?!
I’m not doing my job right… :(
The Net Fool´s lastest post..Looking to Make Money on Your Blog? One Essential Plugin To Maximize Your Profits!
Nice interview and number 7:
‘Do something other than blogging!’ is so important to actually making real money online.
You can sell from a blog (or many blogs…), sure, and via affiliate links (plain or redirected), or adsense, etc, but a much better idea when it comes to selling as an affiliate is to have some sites and landing pages of your own to do the real selling.
But maybe that works best for my particular niches….
Wow, I was going over to all your blogs yesterday but none of them was updated so I guess you are making real money off those blogs right now.
You are dead on right, Zania. It took me 6 months to realize that and that’s one of the reasons 2009 is going to a different ball game for me.
Happy New Year, gal. We miss you here. How are you?
Yan
Hi Yan,
and Happy New Year to you too!
And looks like it’s full speed ahead for you in 2009. You should do really well.
But you won’t find the blogs I’m working on at the moment (at least, I hope you don’t, lol!)
I know the rules of the game or trying to know it better – at least the part where you are being discreet.
Good luck, gal. Keep the smallest part of the pie for your friend here…. ;)
Yan
What really shocked me was that he was only 19. I reckon I will have to go and see what he can teach me as far as blogging goes. At least I can say that I have dabbled in the things he is interested in including real estate and the share market. I see great potential for the young man.
Sire´s lastest post..Allowing Commentators To Edit Their Comments
Young bloggers are no longer a novelty, eh? It’s a trend that’s hard to resist.
In my first month of blogging, there were a handful of bloggers who inspired me and Jim Regan was one of them.
Thanks again Yan! Didn’t know I had that much of an impact on yeh, haha
The Net Fool´s lastest post..Looking to Make Money on Your Blog? One Essential Plugin To Maximize Your Profits!
Yes, you did, Jim. Though I wasn’t really active in your community (I have a different set of commenting styles), yours were the first to land on my RSS reader.
And yours made it into my first weekend interview, for the obvious reason….
Check out who is being featured later today…..
I am not so young anymore Yan, and haven’t been for a long time now. Things that the young take for granted, we oldies have to struggle with, but it is still an interesting experience and it does help to exercise the brain cells, which in itself helps to keep us oldies young.
Sire´s lastest post..Blog No Evil,The Fourth Wise Monkey
LOL, you are sounding as if you’re the grand daddy of all the bloggers. Didn’t they say ginger tastes better when it’s ripe?
Perhaps in Age Yan, definitely not in experience. Like a lot of people here I am still learning.
Sire´s lastest post..Allowing Commentators To Edit Their Comments
Great interview Yan. I’m going over to The Net Fool right now to see first hand ‘what separates the men from the boys’. lol.
And great questions. I agree with his answer to #7. Blogging is great, but you do need to find a way to separate yourself from the masses to actually profit whether its a special gimmick, or an additional service, or an eBook…
Shirley´s lastest post..Velvet Blues Is Now Comment Friendly!
Yeah, probably you’ll see first hand ‘what separates the men from the girls’.
Yan
Great review Jim Regan runs a great blog over at thenetfool. I couldn’t believe when I first heard how young he is. He always sounded so much older on chat and in his blog posts. I doubt the blogosopher will be come that popular… Definitely more so, but that would be a little much I think. Though if it’s true, were in for a lot of new readers!
How to Blog´s lastest post..Mastersofseo’s Blogging Goals for 2009
Jonathan
I beg to differ. Not only the whole community will grow bigger, it will explode. Just watch out…..my friend. Fortunately, you are in early….
Yan
Well i’m not going to argue. If that’s the case then we win, so I wouldn’t complain. Let’s hope I can build enough of a following to not be flushed away when the tide waters come.
How to Blog´s lastest post..6 Critical Errors you can make when you Post
Great interview. The Net Fool has literally made it to the top of the charts by providing his readers with excellent content and a lot of hard work and dedication put forth in his part. Hopefully Yan will one day ask me to do one of these interviews.
Donny Gamble´s lastest post..Taking Article Marketing to the Next Level
Yeah, we are almost in the same league – at least the part where hard work and total dedication are concerned…. ;)
The day will come Donny and I’m sure it will….
Wow,
So great to read you both together.
Yan, you were excellent as you asked the very important questions which I was hoping for.
I must thank Jim for his thoughts by making a simple comment on his blog.
Yan, can I take a small interview of yours here itself? Can you tell us how it made it through and how much you had to struggle.
Waiting for your precious reply.
Regards
Laksh
http://makemoneyonline-withme.blogspot.com/
You know what? I’m still struggling. It takes a high dose of patience and passion to see it through the ups and downs of blogging.
OK. It really depends on how you measure your own success but what’s more important is to set realistic goals for yourself and have the belief and commitment to follow them through. If you don’t have one, what’s there to measure, is it not?
Yes, I’m still struggling but that’s because I set the bar pretty high for myself. More so in 2009.
You have a great day ahead, Laksh. Keep blogging and keep believing.
Yan
Really great guy, at least that’s what I have learned from his blog. I always like interviews, they kinda tend to show the people from another side.
Great interview Yan, hoping to see more in the run.
Cheers,
The Moneyac
The Moneyac´s lastest post..What I have learned in 2008.
Great interview Yan. I really like your interviews and I still remember that last one with Garry Conn.
Jim is a great guy, I am not a regular reader, but I do visit once in a while to see what he has to offer! ;) I loved the spoofs videos he made a while ago hehe.
Ben Tremblay´s lastest post..PR update: and the magic number is 3
I visit Frogstr every day… multiple times a day in fact… this makes me very sad :(
The Net Fool´s lastest post..Looking to Make Money on Your Blog? One Essential Plugin To Maximize Your Profits!
@ Donace – A young mans game…..from experience the young have a lot they could learn from an older person. How ‘young’ do you thing Darren Rowse is anyway? Certainly more than 19.
It may take us a bit longer but in the end we will get there ;)
Happy blogging mate.
Sire´s lastest post..Allowing Commentators To Edit Their Comments
Yea Darren looks about my age early twenties :p
Ofc the learning is both ways though, the young because they got in it before us and then the slightly older who got in it before them :p
Though you always learn; my nephews teach me new thing as to my teachers. :D
Donace´s lastest post..OIOPublisher ONLY $27!
He’s actually about 39 which puts him closer to my age, and yes I agree that we can also learn from the young, although it is my experience that a lot of the time the young don’t want to listen until it is too late.
Sire´s lastest post..Blog No Evil,The Fourth Wise Monkey
Yan , its a great move to interview bloggers every week ..I look forward for the interview next week…..its good to know the mindset of an entrepreneur
ZK@Internet Marketing Blog´s lastest post..Wish You a Happy & Prosperous 2009
Awesome interview dude! Jim’s got a great blog and It was nice to read a little bit about him that I didn’t know.
Elijah´s lastest post..In The Blink Of An Eye
Great interview! I too enjoyed the spoof videos … and Jim has a lot of great information on his blog. It’s fun to read and get to “know” fellow bloggers. *SmiLes* Suzanne
Suzanne Franco´s lastest post..Holidays Stressing You Out? This Will Make You Laugh … I Promise!
Hi Yan,
Any chance I can get interviewed in the future when my new blog is up and running fully?
Why not, Danny?
Don’t you think you’re always playing the ‘asking’ role but seldom the ‘giving’ one. Sometimes, it’s good to balance the two if you know what I mean. Remember, giving is receiving.
Yan
Jim gave some excellent advice in terms of making money online. Just look at one of his latest post on calculating ads cost, we know that he ain’t a small kid to trifle with. He knows how to maximize profit and what is best for him.
Running a successful blog at a young age is never an easy feat and I am pretty curious on how much time did Jim devote to his blog in a weekly basis since he is taking on a few other projects.
Another well formatted interview Yan. You never fail to ask the questions that we want to know regarding the interviewee. Cheers.
Wei Liang
Wei Liang | Earn Money Online´s lastest post..Lesson 23: Earn Money Online With Email Marketing
Haha. lol. I quite enjoyed the questions and the humor from Jim. I realized what a funny dude Jim is when i ran across a video of his, can’t remember which.
I also remember a rumble in the jungle between him and a friend of mine (wont mention names) that is how i learned of Jim. For such a young dude, he is doing pretty awesome.
Great interview, Yan. When are you going to interview some ladies? This series surely has to include the ladies, Yan. C~mon.
Bring it, Yan.
Missy (from G34 Media)´s lastest post..I Won An iPod Nano!!!
You’ve got it, Missy. I’ll send you one soon. Why didn’t I think of that?
Oh, his video spoofs are simply classic. I suppose it’s the first of its kind.
Do something better than blogging wasn’t quite the response I expected.
I remember once reading a thread On DP Forum where someone said ppl should use blogging to support eccomerce NOT make the blog your eccommerce spot…hmmm?
Caleb´s lastest post..Keeping Your Site’s Lights On
I never know he is a student. I’m a new subscriber to the net fool now.
Atniz´s lastest post..Message To Work At Home Bloggers
Yan, bonjour from France. An interesting post and lots to be learned. One of the things that I have learnt recently is that it is better to be amongst the later commentors on a blog than amongst the first.
Generally speaking, people only read the first 2 or 3 comments and then the last. Also, many of the previous commentors will receive an email advising them that someone has just posted a comment. So at this time, possibly some 60 people will receive notice that I have commented on your blog.
Some of those people may well visit my blog to find out what I blog about (I bet you can’t guess?)
Comments are welcome ;)
Kevin Phoenix´s lastest post..Tour de France
Yan, bonjour from France. An interesting interview form which there is a lot to be learned.
One of the things that I have recently learnt is that there is some benefit in being amongst the latest commentors on a blog. Most people will read the first couple of comments and then the very last one. Meanwhile, a lot of other people who have commented will receive notification via email that a recent comment has been made… in this instance some 60 people.
Some of those people will want to know what it is that I blog about… I bet you can’t guess.
Comments are welcome ;)
Kevin Phoenix´s lastest post..Tour de France