My accountant just called and asked me if I’d robbed a bank.
She just saw the figures from the last few months of blogging and, as I mentioned back in my December earnings update, we’ve had some very good months lately.
December was my biggest month ever, but January and February are shaping up to be great, too.
There are two main reasons for the improvement in revenue:
- Christmas Promotion: In December, I ran a 12 Days of Christmas promotion on my photography blog. This rolling series of promotions saw a massive spike in affiliate sales, but also a big increase in ebook sales over that two week period.
- Ebook Launches: Towards the end of January and into February I launched a new ebook on my photography blog. It was our biggest launch yet and the new ebook sold faster on launch than I’ve seen before. In fact, ebook sales for the last three months have totaled just under 13,000 units.
Today, when my accountant rang to check whether the reports I’d sent were real, I tried to explain what had happened. She understood the above two reasons, but dug a little deeper and wanted to know why.
Her reflection was that about 18-24 months ago something changed in my business that seemed to tip earnings up a notch. Understandably, she wanted to explore the cause of that change.
I struggled to answer her at first, but in the end I put it down to two things:
1. I made a mind shift
A couple of years back, I switched my business focus away from relying purely upon advertising and affiliate revenue and decided to get serious about creating some products of my own.
2. Invested in Learning
Two years ago was also the point at which I decided to get serious about learning how to market and launch these products that I’d begun to develop. I knew that simply deciding to have my own products wasn’t enough—I needed to invest in my knowledge of marketing them.
It was at this time that I started to do two things:
- I began to seek out others who had experience in online marketing. I began to be more intentional in developing relationships with, and collaborating with, smart marketers. These people have taught me a lot!
- I purchased a variety of online training programs to learn some good principles for marketing products online. I enrolled in the programs, the most helpful of which I’ll tell you about below.
Overnight success?
I wish I could say that this switch in thinking and gaining of knowledge flicked a switch and helped me gain overnight success—but of course it didn’t.
The increase in revenue didn’t happen straight away after making the mind shift or getting the training, although there have been some great spikes in revenue over the last two years. But that marked the beginning of something that seems to be snowballing for me now, some two years later.
Make the mind shift and get the training for yourself
Over the next couple of weeks, you’re going to hear a lot about Jeff Walker and his Product Launch Formula.
Can I suggest you take some notice of what Jeff’s got to say?
I know some will be put off by some of the hype surrounding this launch—sometimes the affiliates promoting these launches build them up into a frenzy. But Jeff’s one of the guys who has helped me make the mind shift I mention above. His course was the main one that worked for me, and is something I’ve come back to numerous times.
Some of the principles he teaches in PLF have really connected for me, and have been instrumental in skyrocketing my own product launches. I’ve also applied some of them in promoting other people’s products—the Christmas launch I mentioned above used the classic launch strategy that Jeff teaches, and led to my biggest month so far.
Jeff is currently releasing a series of videos in the lead up to re-opening the doors of PLF. While some people’s pre-launch strategy is simply to build buzz before a launch, the great thing about Jeff’s strategy is to provide value in the launch process. Whether you buy PLF in the end or not, his videos will help you make the transition I talk about above.
They’re both inspiring and educational. If you do buy PLF, you’ll get some great teaching, but do yourself a favor and at the least watch the videos over the coming days by getting on the list. You can register for the first video here; the second is here. Update: you can also download his full blueprint for launches here (it’s got amazing teaching).
Thanks Darren, I’m certainly going to check this Jeff guy out! I’m just starting this blogging experience (well, I’m in my fourth month now – how long do I keep to be a beginner anyway?) and so far I’ve learned so much (a lot from your blog, thanks!) and I’ve loved every single bit about it. I’m not ready for an ebook or product – just yet, that is! – but I will certainly come back to this when I feel a bit more accustomed to this great blogging experience.
I think the best thing we can do as bloggers trying to make a living is try new things and learn from each other. I really appreciate all the helpful insights you post all the time. As bloggers, we should work together more instead of against each other.
I agree. I have heard about group techniques where each member of the group takes a percentage of their time to legitimately promote each other’s sites and products with good results.
Congrats Darren, you deserve the success after all the hard work!
I too have began shifting my thinking and strategies for various blogs in 2011. Same for my freelance work too.
I will take a look at Jeff’s Formula for sure.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Regards,
Nate.
Loved this blog post title Darren. Your eBook sales are fantastic congrats and have given me hope for my upcoming launch.
Great to hear you’re heading towards creating more products of your own. It’s a lot of work but I really enjoying creating solutions to my communIty’s problems.
Have heard a lot about Jeff so will definitely check it out
Natalie
I love your articles.
You and your blog are my inspirations to make more money online and to be a better blogger.
Thank you Darren Rowse for honest and awesome articles and advice :)
I think my accountant wishes I could rob a bank! instead of spending all of our hard earned cash on design stuff!
But seriously focus is a good thing. I’ve also learnt that if you can surround with people who are better than you then you are off to a good start! Sounds like you are doing that Darren which is fantastic!
I started blogging just 6 weeks ago and my blog http://www.graphicdesignboss.com is going beserk with traffic thanks to reading your blog Darren and using the strategies you have suggested.
I guess surrounding myself with better bloggers than myself like you in this case helps!
thanks
Hey Darren, I think the mindshift is key. I’ve done some of my own products lately using tactics taught by these types of internet marketers that most people get turned off by (at first).
But thankfully I did make the mindshift because doing my own products (coupled with the other stuff I do in my business) I had my best year ever last year after getting fired from my day job in Oct 2009.
In any case, congrats again on all the success from your two blogs and I agree the stuff Jeff teaches is well worth listening to.
As an internet marketer I just thought I’d share my perspective on “using tactics taught by these types of internet marketers”.
Being one of these types, more in application that education and program delivery, I’ve found that there is nothing wrong with listening keeping in mind that in a lot of cases what’s taught is con-artistry not marketing. But you still follow, then apply only what your confortable with.
You might learn 10 new techniques, 5 are crossing a line you don’t want to go beyond, but the other 5 can make a real difference. Even if it’s 9 bad, 1 good, it’s still upside for your blog whilst keeping your inner conflict to a minimum.
I’m curious, have you ever calculated your cost per acquisition? Would share that number with us? :)
There seems to be a growing trend toward building your own products as opposed to relying on Adsense and other advertising revenue models. Incidentally, The Product Launch Formula is also advocated by Yaro Starak, who I have written about extensively on my blog.
I am still trying to find better ways to bring in traffic and readership without spending gobs of money on promotion.
Just like selling offline, they have promoting program for lift reveneu. Thank’s for this post.
Thank you Darren for sharing about this upcoming launch. And even for those of us who maybe can’t afford the program, for giving us the opportunity to glean what we can ahead of time. I am preparing to launch my first e-book, and to be honest, I know I am going to make major mistakes. I plan for this to be the first of many launches, so I hope to learn something each time and get better at it!
Thanks again!
Bernice
In pursuit of happiness, or joy?
Very very encouraging Darren! I’m looking forward to my accountant calling me someday to ask me if I robbed a bank too.
What you said about the mind shift is so true. Most people are out looking for a certain technique or detailed plan to follow, but people that are just 100% convinced they can figure it out and have success just end up having success.
Working on my inner game and getting rid of limiting beliefs helped me out way more than my period of buying IM training products.
Darren, you are such an inspiration. You’ve just challenged me to expand my thinking capacity. Thanks.
Love when I come here after you post to facebook or twitter and the post is actually by you and not a guest. There is a big difference in quality. After doing the 31 day blog thing last summer (never finished) I actually went and bought your ebook (printed at staples office store) and went back and order your problogger book because you helped me and I felt I should pay back some small amount (until I have 5 figure income) by supporting your efforts in putting out the material.
I am glad you are become so successful financially yet hope you don’t become a marketeer in the process. Your humble and honest approach is the attraction to your material instead of in your face marketing of over priced information for the new comers.
I truly enjoy the quality of your posts and your material.
Eileen
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Wish you all the success for this Month too. Do share your February Earnings too.
btw I like the title of the post. Nicely crafted post too.
I think it’s brilliant. And you know what – I think it is especially brilliant cause you are doing what you love (I hope that’s not a huge assumption!). I really need to get my act together and start following you and others leads.
Offering your own products – especially when they’re virtual – can be such a tremendous asset to your bottom line! It’s very freeing because you have control over every aspect of the product – pricing, presentation, promotion . . . the list goes on. And there are no worries about whether you’re following the “letter of the law” when it comes to promoting an affiliate’s product.
And of course, establishing your credibility BEFORE offering your own product will help you along that yellow brick road.
My first venture into Internet marketing was with my own software product. That did really well, considering the Uber Niche I was in.
But since those days major companies have incorporated my, then, unique ideas into their own mass-market products, so my business in that area has dried up.
Many believe all you have to do is create an ebook, and you have your own product. That may be true, but it better be very unique and jaw droppingly good at this late stage of the game. 10 years ago things were a lot more wide open to small entrepreneurs. Today that might seem to be the case, but only because it’s so very easy for anyone to jump into the fray.
Back then we had to code our own HTML. There was no WordPress, or the cool authoring tools of today. No Twitter or Facebook.
Today it can still be done, but with the huge increase in competition, you can’t do it by the seat of your pants. It will take a lot more strategic thinking.
I have heard of Jeff’s product, but have not yet checked it out. I will today.
Rick
Hi Darren,
Some awesome figures, I listened to a review of Jeff Walker’s tips on a podcast recently. Top advice!…
I’m working on my own product launch for a low price e-guide. Hopefully it should be a success…
I was going to ask if the “Las Vegas” event is on this year?.
Thanks
David Edwards
Super glad I caught this article! Good to hear a success story and that you are doing better than ever before! Just downloaded Jeff’s PLF blueprint and signed up for the videos. Hoping this will help with ALL my future product launches.
Darren,
I love the title of the blog post. A great eye catcher.
Cheers,
David
I want to buy the product of Jeff, but cant find out where. It always redirect me to the videos.
Dforce – PLF is not launched yet, these videos are part of the pre-launch. I suspect it’ll go live in the next week or so.
Thanks Darren… will have to wait jeje
Thanks for the info on PLF – just wanted the first video. I admit, when I realized how long it was going to be almost cut it off, but I’m glad I hung in there. Great information and I’m looking forward to learning more.
Firstly, may I just say congratulations on the success :)
My only question though after reading this would be are you completly changing your business model to products, or will you still remain elements of the prior business model of 18-24 months ago ?
This is great information, particularly on Product Launch Formula. Checking that out right now to help with our own relaunch a a new site as well! Thanks…
I’m glad you focused on the mind shift in this post, Darren, because I bought Jeff’s Product Launch Formula back when it first came out, and it so did NOT work for me. It was too hypey and made me feel all inauthentic and yucky. Since then, I have rethought some of my initial reactions, and I’ve had some perspective shifts that have made me realize I can take the essence of what he teaches, which for sure works, and do it in a way that feels right to me. I think that’s the key to any new knowledge. We have to fit it into our own unique way of being.
Thanks for inspiring me to revisit PLF. :)
I am always inspired by your messages – keep up the great work and may you continue to receive an overabundance of all good things!
Thanks Darren,
Just started a new blog (not even finished building the site yet) and have been keeping an eye out for help with product launch.
Seems very timely indeed.
Cheers,
Karl
I am not anywhere near the place in my internet marketing, to attempt developing my own product. The thought actually scares me, but I guess this is a stage all new marketers go through, I certainly hope so. I am concentrating on learning all I can and slowly putting the advise and tips I pick up from yourself and others into practice. Thank for your wonderful and encouraging posts. I have downloaded Jeff’s video and blueprint, with the plan to continue my education with the hope that one day soon I will have the confidence to put his information into practice.
Cheers
Joy
This is a great achievement for you. I’ll try and do somethings that would make the CEO of my bank call and wanting to meet me in person. Thanks for sharing Darren! I’ve gained.
Hi Darren, thanks for sharing Jeff’s info. Very interesting approach. I’m glad to hear it’s working well for you.
I think we all need an occasional “mind shift” to keep from going stale.
all the best,
Joey Sargent @brandsprouts
Darren, that story is funny as hell.
I once had a family member think I was selling drugs from home. She was older and couldn’t understand how I was making money from home.
A most interesting read … for so long now I have planned to do my own ebooks but alas it is still yet to happen
one day fair maiden one day
Bob
Great Image!… :]
Wow, Darren! Looks like you had a pretty successful few years!
I’m going to go ahead and check out Jeff Walker’s course. I wasn’t even expecting it to be free! Hopefully I can get just as much use from it as you did.
I love the theme and title of this post by the way. ;)
Christina
Congrats, it’s an inspiration to us all. I never knew there was so many streams to make money from online.
Hi Darren,
Although your tips are excellent, and many people have learnt a lot from you, I just find that this post is bragging a little bit.
We all know that you make millions of dollars every year, but you don’t have to promote this post consistently bragging on how “you just got a whole heap of money”. There are people in the world who are struggling with money.
Instead of taking money from your readers, why not give back to those who give you your affiliate sales, those who buy your eBooks.
Darren,
How would you contrast Jeff Walker with Dave Navarro, another highly touted Internet marketer? Navarro seems very inclined toward the very long sales landing page, while Walker’s advice is, literally, to turn that landing page on it’s side and turn it into a timeline over which to launch and pre – launch the product.
Seems like a different approach in strategy altogether?
so true Darren, creating your own products takes you to a different level altogether.. which is what u have done and proved..btw, good image of urself.. pretty unique
Congrats on your sales. Definitely checking Jeff Walker’s product. Blogging is an active approach. Sometimes I just wish that it could be easier and a bit more laid back but your post motivates me (:
though i have a blog just 2 months,but i have a lack of confidence,
blogging wants lots of hardwork,after two moths i think it is very hard to go throuth blogging
alone.it wants group work,it wants lots of time to study ,exmine, professional relationship,
and many more.Even at this time i can not able to only one post a day.Google disable my adsense account.,your work inspirig me.Now i can understand
gradually ,what a great hardwork done by you.Your earnings is fruts of your labour.
Thans for helping beginers…..
I found your site by doing a google search and boy was I suprised when I came here. I’m always looking for ways to improve not only myself, but my business, too. I the information that I have gleaned from your site is excellent. Congrats on the increase in sells.
Hahaha! I like the way you took your picture. Very funny. I will definitely check out Jeff’s Product Launch Formula.
You are spot on our business is also up 49% on 2010
Hi Darren,
Congratulations on your success. I would agree that your focus to offer proprietary products rather than just advertising is they key driver to your recent increases. Unfortunately, that’s where all the risk comes in and it takes an incredible amount of ingenuity (as I’m sure you know) to see this kind of outcome. I don’t see this working for the average blogger out there, as the amount of energy that needs to be invested and expended here is tremendous.
Congrats on doing so well and the big lesson to heed for everybody in this is that it doesn’t happen overnight, far from it! People want it to and think there is a quick formula but it just doesn’t exist! On a side not super blog post title and pic. Impossible not to click on :)
great work darren, i love this article, keep up the great work :)