I’m going to do everything I can to make sure your online business succeeds in 2012.
I’m going to be posting a lot of new content to this blog. I’m going to be releasing new products and new training. And I’ll be recommending some sensational products from other marketers, too.
Starting with this blog post, I’m going to reveal five principles that if you stick to, will make sure 2012 is your most successful year ever.
Principle #1
Focus On ONE Business Model
The number one problem most marketers face is that they jump from one business model to another. They may start building affiliate review sites, and then get bored and switch to product creation, and then after a few weeks with that, they switch to list building, or blogging, or offline marketing, or any of the other 100+ ways to make money online.
This year you need to pick ONE business model and invest all your time, energy and resources into building that business.
Principle #2
Invest In Your Education
I often hear horror stories of new marketers investing $10,000+ in their education before they even know what their business model is. They buy eBooks, software, coaching, PLR products and resale rights products.
I don’t suggest you do this, but I do feel it necessary to continually invest in your education. For example, a few weeks ago I purchased a report for $5 that revealed a list building method I’d never heard of that has since added hundreds of new subscribers to my email list.
Not every product you buy is going to produce the same results, so ask yourself these questions before you buy another training product.
1. Can I afford it?
If you don’t have the disposable cash to buy a product AND spare cash on top of that for emergencies – or simply to implement the training in the product, then don’t buy it.
2. Is it related to your chosen business model?
If you’ve decided on the affiliate review site business model and you’re getting the urge to buy a training product revealing a new list building strategy, don’t buy it.
It’s not relevant to your business and will only serve to distract you.
3. Will I really act on the training?
Sometimes I buy training because I simply want something to read. I buy it more for entertainment purposes than for education. Before you buy a product, make sure you really are going to act on the advice.
4. Is the seller reputable?
There are some marketers who’s products I will always buy WITHOUT even reading the salespage because I know, like or trust them and I’ve had positive experiences with them before.
Sometimes I buy products from people I’ve never heard of before, but I usually do a bit of research first. Google their name, find out about them and then make a more informed decision.
5. Can I get a refund?
If the product offers a guarantee then take a chance on it. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, then politely request a refund.
Principle #3
Get A Coach Or Get Support
I’ve never had a coach, but if I was starting all over I would probably invest in someone.
It’s sometimes hard to see what direction to take, what step to take next, or simply to get the motivation needed to take action.
A coach, mentor or mastermind group where progress is shared and where there are others to guide you and JUDGE you if you aren’t working hard enough will be worth your investment.
Principle #4
Set Goals & Give Deadlines
Set specific actionable goals and give realistic deadlines to make sure you remain motivated and continue to progress in your business.
If you decide that blogging is the direction you want to take, then goals like these would be ideal.
“I want to reach 500 total visitors by February 1st” (Avg. 16 per day)
“I want to reach 2,500 total visitors by March 1st” (Avg. 42 per day)
“I want to reach 10,000 total visitors by April 1st” (Avg. 110 per day)
…
…
“I want to reach 250,000 total visitors by the end of 2012” (Avg. 683 per day)
And then once you’ve set your goals you need to formulate a plan to achieve them.
Principle #5
Do “Something” Every Day
Some days you’ll wake up and you just really can’t be bothered to do any work. I get days like this occasionally – but I ALWAYS make sure I do at least ONE thing per day (excluding weekends and holidays [vacations]).
It doesn’t have to be a huge thing but if I can write just one article and post it to my blog, or write one guest post for another blog, or post a few comments on relevant forums – then every single day my business is growing and I keep the forward momentum.
2012 can be your year if you want it to be – and I’m going to be right here beside you helping you along the way.
If you have any questions, need any help, or just want to share what you are up to this year, leave a comment below or send me an email using the Contact link at the top of this page.
And if you think this blog post will help anyone you know, please share it with them using the social buttons below. I would really appreciate it 
Thanks for reading and I’ll be back with more great stuff really soon.
James Penn
Leave a Reply
01/03/2012
Happy New Year James and thanks for the update. It’s nice hearing what others are up to and planning for 2012.
I like what you say about sticking to ONE business plan, looking back that’s probably been my biggest regret. I’d like to add (for anyone who has multiple plans on the go) that you should focus on the one that’s already getting results and making you the most money so you can scale it.
Nice work James and HNY to you too!
Great advice here as usual and we are all full of new resolutions which is a very healthy thing but the trick is sticking to them!
Good luck to all of us in this respect
Cheers – Rob
I agree with your advice. If I were starting over, I’d certainly focus on a single business model and follow through accordingly. To leap from one activity to another is just pure folly and foolishness, not to mention a waste of time. I suspect that a lot of newbies feel a need to “try” different models because they lack direction and an experienced IM’er to guide them along.
Happy New Year!
Hi James and Happy New Year!
I really like your 2 ideas of setting goals and deadlines and I’d like to add to that: I never do this without first feeling all fired up about whatever it is (usually by attaching a reward to it such as if I get 500 subscribers this next fortnight I will go bowling) and having some clear decisions about how I want to achieve this, say I will advertise on 2 blogs and run 3 solo ads, and write 5 guest posts, and 10 new ezine articles. I have to feel fired up or nothing gets done. So I remind myself strongly of the lasting effects of these 500 subscribers: increased income and a cool holiday!
Then I like your idea of doing something every day – constant activity. Now I’m not personally an every day person but I have resolved to add more value to my blogs this year so I do need to post every 2-3 days and do a weekly review to see what I did, what worked, and what’s next. Fun! Activity is the key!
Hi James…
Happy New Year to you and your family, James!
Wish you good luck in 2012.
Happy New Year James~!
Great post~! I like the idea of setting specific goals and take actions daily towards it.
The way I do it is to come up with a ultimate goal and break it down into smaller bite-sized goals! In that way, the sense of achievements encourage me to go further down the path!
Rather than just celebrate when you reach the final goal….I celebrate when I achieve each and every of those minor goals which lead to the ultimate!
Success is build on minor successes!!
Wish you all the best in 2012 and make it your year to shine!!!
Good tips James.Happy new year.