So, here’s my entry to win the ShoeMoney Contest that he is promoting:
http://www.shoemoney.com/2009/12/09/affiliate-summit-gambler-or-not-contest/
Pretty much this is what I have to do to win it:
“How do you enter?
Write a blog post explaining why you should win this amazing opportunity and submit the url to your page in the comments below. Also make sure you tell us your decision to walk away with the cash or gamble… and if you gamble on what?”
OK! I started my journey into the Affiliate Marketing world in very late 2008 by first reading about domainers and a guy name Yun Ye making obscene amounts of money with them and shortly after, I read about and saw a video of Markus Frind (Plenty of Fish) and then I stumbled upon John Chow making money from his blog and then from John Chow’s blog, I found out about Shoemoney, whom lives in Lincoln, NE not far from me (I live in Omaha, NE). Somehow, seeing a pic of him showing off a check - I gots excited (no homo). Inthurrrnet moniez, hurr I come…
Markus Frind inspired me for a bit, then I began reading John Chow’s blog, I then went on to Shoemoney’s blog trying to find some valuable intel to make money online. I even bought his tool ala Shoemoney Tools. As a Noob, I didn’t know how to work it properly and I reached out for help and also asked for mentorship, Shoemoney said he was too busy to offer any mentorship. He was kind enough to reply, so I appreciated it. I even reached out to one of the judges Neil Patel (SHOUT-OUT), he didn’t reply back right away - but when he did, he was positive in his reply.
I had $1500 from doing a medical study and started buying domains, random stuff offered by John Chow, many and various making money online bullshit (don’t even remember what I bought), and paying bills - then my med money became nil. Somehow my focus was on domains/blogs and didn’t really see, nor understand Affiliate Marketing to its full potential. I was like a week late for Affiliate Summit West January 2009 - but it wouldn’t have mattered, as I didn’t know what it was because of all the massive information that I just came into.
Rest of the year, for money I was to get temp work, and I focused on my domains and selling my screenplay (I’m a screenwriter) then in late-July 2009, after almost a successful sale of my domains, I happened upon Wikipedia’s page about Affiliate Marketing and finally it clicked and AM made sense to me. I gave up domaining and AM became a clear focus and I found and signed up for PPC-Coach (Triple HELL NO to the link) and I learned how to make polls. I made like $5 and the site owner is fucking clueless, as he doesn’t know what-the-hell is going on and actual advice was not given by him. The majority of the members and some of the moderators are really genuine and I appreciate that.
Then in September, I found out about a meet-up in Atlanta, courtesy of Meetup202, I figure I would go and hoped to make a connection of some kind that I pulled out my $1000 I managed to save up. It was a chance to meet Dr. Ngo after seeing him here or run my campaigns. *I chose Atlanta and I was hoping to make something happen.* Prior going to the trip, I was routinely pulled over by a cop and promptly arrested on a warrant of a bounced check from 2008 that my bank never informed me of (there was money in my checking account). I had to pay $500 bond to get out (-10%, it later went back to the court when I saw the judge in late November). So, I had $500 to make the trip and I drove my ass 16 long hours to get to this meet-up. I went and met with the infamous Dr. Ngo. I tried to connect with Dr. Ngo - but he was too busy. Though, I understand. Nevertheless, a great and smart guy that is doing it big. RESPECT. At the meet-up, Dr. Ngo championed a network by the name of, Azoogle (SHOUT-OUT), fortunately I was accepted prior going to the meet-up. Acknowledgment by Dr. Ngo, so-to-speak.
While in ATL - I set-up a Twitter account to connect with people in the industry and Barman (SHOUT-OUT) was cool enough to return the follow. After the ATL trip, I came home and tried to make shit happen in Affiliate Marketing - but I had limited funds to run anything substantial. During this time, I met with a movie producer, I came close to selling my screenplay. Though, no deal happened. There is some possible interests from other parties. Though, I can’t wait forever.
So there you have it, my Affiliate Marketing story in a nutshell. I hope to fucking win this contest with an absolute vengeance! To go to Las Vegas for the first-time, and to meet, mingle and most importantly network with smart money-making Affiliates, so that I may become a success and I shall return the favor when I do become a major success. As for the $1K or $2K, I’ll take that $2K and put it all on the line on one hand of blackjack. I’m not afraid to lose. Then afterwards, I’ll walk away with $4K (maybe more if I hit 21) instead of $1K to run my Inthurrrnet campaigns.
*Going to ATL and not making a connection may have been considered a loss. Nonetheless, I took the necessary chances.*
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Judges:
Shoemoney: Chocolate pizza pie, you say? Only if its in Vegas… VIVA!
David Dellanave: ??? - Again… ???
NickyCakes (almost reformed blackhat): Your Newbie Guide is awesome. RESPECT.
Erin Hughes (AzoogleAds AM): You have beautiful eyes. May I have the honor of buying you a drink with the money your company provided and in which I doubled.
George Avery (Get Ads): Sound-effect intro to spinning globe FTW.
Neil Patel: Smile… One, Two & Best of the Web - Since 1994
Barman (the one and only): YTCracker – Hogg Theme Song - GAME OVER! Pffft. Fucking earthlings.
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Of Note/Straight-talk:
I debated about putting myself out here, as I intended to be under the radar and keep myself low-key, so-to-speak (though I can’t sit back and expect good things to happen unless I act on them, such as this contest) - but this is a grand opportunity for me to win and to speed-up my learning curve by going to ASW on January 17-19 2010 to network with successful Affiliates that are making it happen. Fuck it… The chance to win is worth it. No retreat… No surrender… Phoenix from the flames… It’s time to rise!
All In with a Vengeance Twitter
