What I Have Been Doing During My Mailing List Haitus

by Thu Nguyen · 79 comments

Surprisingly, I did more than I should have while I was working on the mailing list and that’s because my early blogging endeavor was a habit that helped me produced content on a consistent basis. So there was always ideas happening, written, organized and re-arranged even when I didn’t have to.

That’s really a bad thing because it will delay your plans further. So what happened?

I started 2 more blogs! One is the Blogger version of this site, which I want to experiment with to talk more about what’s happening around here. So there is going to be some linking back and forth. Thus, what you’re getting is a summary version of all the posts I will publish here and then some.

I’ve made it look like a twin without all the fancy plugins which makes WordPress shine.

Blogging For Blogger Version

This was made possible in part to their new Template Designer Wizard which was quite impressive. I’ll say that it is something which newbies might like as well if they’re totally at a loss for installing and/or coding. So on the FREE side, this new feature isn’t really that bad.

Blogger Template Designer

Moreover, I did start off with Blogger as a beginner. I think we all have. If you didn’t, well, good for you. It’s just been a long time that I’ve forgotten what’s it like to blog simple. I won’t lie, the service can be very easy and you don’t have to tinker with anything technical. That’s a change because the only thing I started missing was the SEO part. :P

I cannot find adjustments for permalinks, categories and their tags are called labels which you can add onto the sidebar just like our swirl of keywords. So the only way I can optimize my content is through the title and scattering the keywords within the article.

This is something interesting.

Blogger then is definitely for bloggers who aren’t interested in all things technical. They make it so easy that all you have to do is blog! You don’t have to think about search engine rankings for that part. And if you search onto their gadgets, the closest you’ll find to SEO is tips and services such as quotes and blogroll.

Thus, what we call here on WordPress widgets, they call gadgets. When you want to add one, just searching through the gadget list you can insert whatever you like from their list of 1300+. Furthermore, within the design portion of the Blogger dashboard, you can drag and drop the gadgets anywhere you want.

Blogger Design Panel

This is very much like what we see inside our widget section under Appearance. Furthermore, if have a theme like Headway, everything in WordPress may seem like point and click like above. Overall, Blogger really makes it easy to blog.

However, once you go WordPress, you don’t want to go back.

It’s almost like dumbing yourself down. Really. Nonetheless, it’s nice to leverage both platforms to see more ways on how blogging is effective as a whole and I’m all for research to help any blogger get closer to their goal!

Now the next site I created is actually self-hosted.

It’s called Already Used Info. I’ve had this domain for awhile because I wanted to make it something about weddings or clothes. Sort of like a niche site. In the end, I couldn’t find myself go deep into the topic nor did I had the time, so it’s been converted to my personal blog where I randomly talk and let loose on all things creative.

I’m thinking of repurposing content to make videos. What do you think?

Already Used Home

Furthermore, I decided to carry my SEO education over. Especially with setting permalinks, keyword tagging, picture tagging and all that good stuff. It’s a nice change from what’s happening here. Hence, I find it more appealing just to talk about what I’ve written.

Watch out! It’s news anchor time! :P

For this site, I installed On the Go theme from Elegant Themes. I thought it was beautiful, simple and just gets straight to the point. What’s also fantastic is the dashboard configuration which they call ePanel is where you set your specific needs on how the areas will be seen.

So basically everything is set for you. Just adjust and save!

Elegant Themes ePanel

And you know what. All of this blogging elsewhere has really helped a lot with making the e-course. I actually went back in time to remember what it’s like to not have a blog and started from scratch. So while it’s actually taking much longer than I expected, I rather do it slowly rather than rush into making something I’ll keep modifying.

Hence, it’s enough for me to give it a thumbs up to go soon. And that’s a hard thing about seeing your ideas in action. The deadline is actually delayed now and if this was a real-world situation, I’m losing lots of money. Really bad. However, nothing done in excess is regarded as a waste. A couple of product ideas were also conceived.

So now I have about 3 more projects in the works.

Here’s are the ideas behind them:

  • Extended Premium Lessons – that’s an extra 7 more weeks of blog unleashing
  • Article Marketing Challenge Part Deux – a revamp of the 1000 Articles Challenge
  • How to Make Your Own E-course – lessons or ebook, kind of unsure

So I’m curious, would you be interested in extended lessons for another 7 weeks after the first 7 lessons I give out? These would be not be free. Instead, it will be something premium. In addition, I figured that by the time someone completes these 14 lessons and perhaps surprisingly more, which I find that there’s always room for improvement, they would be well into their 5th month. This is enough to make a decision to carry on with blogging or dump it.

The premium 7 lessons will go more into depth on:

  • recommended plugins and their usage
  • site design and basic SEO
  • tracking and analyzing your progress
  • finding FREE ways to grow your blogging experience
  • article marketing and how to spread your influence
  • intro to product development and creating a continuity plan
  • building a mailing list – everything you know VIP style

Keep in mind, you should finish the whole course in 14 weeks or more. A blogger who can withstand blogging that long can do anything! However, if you choose to not continue, the article marketing challenge will be something to look forward to. It’s an alternative route which I find will help us grow to communicate on a community level.

What do you think?

Finally, the e-course product is something which came out of the blue. I thought, hey, you might want to know how to create your own e-course as well. I’ve already put together a resource sheet on whom I’ve studied from, what they provided and how they worked their list. I’m sure as time carries on, e-courses will be making a comeback into the blogosphere too.

The sweet thing about it is, it’s absolutely catered to your style and no one else’s.

Furthermore, the sheet I’ve created was very insightful. I’ve learned so many things which I didn’t use for my own e-course, and it sure would go to waste if I don’t put into the hands of those who are interested in it. Thus, these ideas can really help a new blogger who is focused on providing awesome value in building their mailing list down the line.

Some of the topics include:

  • How to see the big picture to teach
  • Doing the research and tools to help you aggregate the information
  • How to understand your process and create structure
  • Deciding on monetization
  • How to promote the course
  • Learning from your actions to extend more lessons (or not)

Once again, what do you think?

Thanks to everyone who has voted and has supported the blog so far in it’s slow launch. I will be seeing you on the 200th post and official launch of the mailing list with the new e-course!

Related posts:

  1. 7 Tips For Starting Your Own Mailing List
  2. 50 Things I Didn’t Know About Starting A Mailing List (But Do Now After Studying Others)
  3. Make Money Online Work with ListZEN – Do MORE For Your Mailing List to Keep Your Subscribers Happy
  4. What Your Personal Relationship Can Teach You About Building Your Online Blog Subscription List
  5. Content May Be King But List Building is the Intention

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

This site uses KeywordLuv. Enter YourName@YourKeywords in the Name field to take advantage.

{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }

Jass from Mix Twist September 3, 2011 at 4:41 am

I Liked “However, once you go WordPress, you don’t want to go back” As I was doing on blogspot since the starting of my blogging but now added my self to the list of wordpress self hosted blogs. Thanks for the great article
Jass @ Mix Twist´s last [type] ..Sony Ericsson w8 Walkman Android Smart Phone

Reply

Jason from Infrared Heaters September 5, 2011 at 9:07 am

Personally I have a particular CMS that I like to use for all my sites. Recently on a fast-launch blog, however, I used Wordpress. It’s hard to define exactly why, but Wordpress is just a pleasure to use. I actually look forward to writing and editing my blog posts, largely because of its very slick interface. I wish my CMS of choice would be more like this…

Reply

Murray from PLR Articles September 7, 2011 at 11:49 pm

It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come Thu.

It’s been a while and I’m really glad to see that you’re still at it even when a lot of people have dipped out and quit the game.

Just wanted to swing by and say hey again. Keep at it!

Reply

Jake from ID Supply September 22, 2011 at 4:25 pm

I have gotten away from buying email lists and started building my own HIGH QUALITY lists… works wonders

Reply

Jake from ID Supply September 22, 2011 at 4:26 pm

I also would like to emphasize in HIGH QUALITY… not low quality subscribers!!!

Reply

Fisayo from Iroy.in September 26, 2011 at 4:56 am

Great post. I’ve learnt something new today. Thanks for sharing.

Reply

kent from Online Póker Játékok October 7, 2011 at 3:57 am

Which of your blogs performs best, I hear that Google love WordPress?
kent@ Online Póker Játékok´s last [type] ..Októberi Póker Promóciók

Reply

manchester magazine October 8, 2011 at 8:20 am

I recently came across your blog and have been reading posts. I thought I would leave a comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Reply

Arun San October 8, 2011 at 10:06 am

For my SEO experience, fresh/unique content along with good SEO technique will help a page rank better. Then there are these back links, that will automatically come along with good content.
Arun San´s last [type] ..How to delete Facebook

Reply

Scott from Make A Website To Make Money October 10, 2011 at 2:15 pm

You’ve got a great blog here. I just recently got into internet marketing, and list building. I am interested in the course you suggested above. It is important to learn from someone who has had some success. Good Luck!!

Reply

Parminder Singh October 22, 2011 at 3:27 am

great share nguyen keep it up……….

Reply

Rob Benwell October 25, 2011 at 3:01 am

I also like Wordpress because of its security rules and awesome features. You’re really in good hand with Wordpress.
Rob Benwell´s last [type] ..Rob Benwell updated Thu May 5 2011 3:03 pm CDT

Reply

Shy from quartz infrared heater
Twitter:
November 23, 2011 at 9:40 pm

Hi, Thu! I really liked it when you said that since blogging has become a habit of yours, you are able to write even if you don’t have to for the moment. Blogging has certainly become a great part of you :) .

I really like WordPress because aside from having a better security feature, the designs (even the free ones) are really simple and elegant. The designs are easy on the eyes.

Reply

Talha from Translation Services London
Twitter:
December 2, 2011 at 6:11 am

Wordpress is the best blogging platform the internet has to offer.

it is also excellent from an SEO perspective.
Talha @ Translation Services London´s last [type] ..[15.11.2011] Introduction to Multilingual SEO: International SEO Campaigns

Reply

Ryan December 6, 2011 at 1:42 pm

Hello Thu,
Looks like you are on your way and really got your roadmap mapped out. Elegant themes sure has a lot of great templates but I have found the Standard theme and Genesis framework to be excellent in terms of customization, SEO, and user-friendly. It’s all about simplicity!
Until next time, all the best and adieu!
Ryan´s last [type] ..Genius Savant and Bestseller Who Lives with Asperger’s Syndrome, John Robison

Reply

Frank Zweegers December 19, 2011 at 3:44 pm

You a very busy ldy :) I like your blog, very interesting.

Reply

Facetodo December 23, 2011 at 9:01 pm

Wordpress is the best blogging platform the internet has to offer.

Reply

Dan Keller from promote blog
Twitter:
December 28, 2011 at 12:53 pm

very good to hear that you have been keeping busy. I really like the theme you are using. I am using Elegant Themes on many of my blogs. In fact just this week I started using eList, which is their theme for running a directory on WordPress.
Dan Keller@promote blog´s last [type] ..Are you part of the Do Follow Movement?

Reply

Afinador Online January 7, 2012 at 1:45 pm

Congratulations for the Blogger Edition and Already Used Info websites.

Happy New Year!!

Reply

Adrian from Panoramic Universal Ltd. January 20, 2012 at 4:52 am

Hi thu.. it’s great to be an extreme blogger because there are many adavntages of it. first of all, being a blogger itself is enough to generate new ideas , new thoughts and last not but the least being an author. It’s good that You have been experimenting out with your two more versions of your blogs. One thing which I have observed since my 7 years is the development in the Blogger, earlier 3 years ago, i did not like to make my blog on blogger because of the bogus and dull themes but this time the new themes and the New user interface has changed my blogging experience over blogger. By the way did you use the domain forwarding feature of the blogger for your any of extra domains, it adds more advantage to your blog’s Reputation.

Reply

Jack February 20, 2012 at 12:37 pm

Thanks for the information on Blogger blogs. I will have to look into them for my own needs and check out your blogger blog.
Jack´s last [type] ..Forex Trading

Reply

Curt from Get In Shape Fast February 20, 2012 at 9:34 pm

Wow, two more blogs? That must take up a lot of time! I only have one blog and I can hardly ever find time to add new posts, I really admire your commitment.
Curt@Get In Shape Fast´s last [type] ..Visual Impact Cardio Review – Rusty Moore’s Cardio Program

Reply

{ 3 trackbacks }