You may be wondering where I’ve been lately – well, I’ve been diversifying my income streams and doing my best to focus my energies on one thing at a time. Every week, I have decided to focus on one idea and to stop trying to put all my energies into 5 different things at a time. I even completed a mini business plan this week and you know what, my business plan has given me direction and purpose. It keeps me grounded and focused and it is motivating.

Whenever I feel temped to drift away from my business plan, I simply pick it up, read it again and get back grounded. My plan includes my business model (freelancing, PLR creation, affiliate /bum marketing, niche websites, eBook production , and residual income sites. It also includes my long and short term income goals ($52,000 a year for 1^st year and $104,000 for the 2^nd year), and expenses ($500.00 a month). This equates to about 25% freelancing and 75% passive income streams.

My business plan is a 2 page document but is quite powerful indeed. I strongly suggest that ALL of you create a basic business plan right now.

If you’re like me, you’re probably bombarded with messages from internet gurus who want to share with us some get rich quick scheme. I used to be one of those “get rich quick types” junkies. Yes, I admit it. I used to buys a ton of internet marketing crap and then dream of hitting it big with the newest super IM technique. Then, I would get overwhelmed with too much information and do nothing because the newest and greatest method just didn’t work for me. Then, I would hear about something else and buy the next method and start the craziness all again.

It was ridiculous and this went on for way too long. Now, I don’t do that anymore. I set realistic daily income goals and I use the methods that I already know. My new motto is “If it isn’t broke then don’t fix it.” And, you know what? I am less stressed and I have miraculously realized that I don’t have to figure it all out at once.

I can take my time and go at my own pace. I can relish in my small successes and experience joy when I meet my daily goals and then be happy with that. After all, evidence has shown, over time that the “slow and steady” wins the race.

 So, my question to you today is, are you on the slow and steady course or the fast track? How is it working for you?

Photo: jscreationzs

Today I visited Associated Content and I noticed that one of the same writers that is featured on Associated Content’s content with over 1,000,000+ page views is the same writer that has also been featured on eHow and Triond in their featured content/writer section.

It made me wonder, how in the heck can a writer manage to write 3000+ quality articles within 2 years and still work full time at a demanding position (like a physician)? My only guess is that they must have excellent time management skills, be extremely dedicated and absolutely love writing and sharing their knowledge with others.

I mean, it takes a lot of dedication and time to produce 3000+ articles within 2 years. I know because I’ve written about 2000(under various aliases) and I have no idea  how many I’ve written for clients but I do know that it is ALOT.

My point is, if I realistically produced 8-10 articles a day and had little buddies working for me to promote my various niche sites and informational products, I could really change other people’s lives AND make some serious dough.

Hmmmm really makes you think, doesn’t it? I guess I better get off my fanny and write more and more articles. I’ll keep you posted.

If you’re considering blogging for today.com so that you can take advantage of the $1.00 per 100 word post deal, perhaps you should rethink your options. I have been blogging on today.com for over 2 months now and as a freelance writer and marketing consultant, I always keep my ears to the grapevine when it comes to my money.

Apparently, there are some major changes going on at today.com that could significantly impact my moola. Well, here’s what I found out. Not only does the owner expect you to bring in 1000 impressions a day to remain in good standing to receive the $1.00 paid per post per day deal but they are well in their rights to change the terms of agreement as they sit fit. In fact, they can change the payment structure midstream as you are only guaranteed the $1.00 per post for the first month only.

As a business owner myself, I understand the importance of making a profit but I also believe in treating your employees and contractors with respect and honor and not changing their payment streams midstream. In the forums, the owner has taken the attitude “if you don’t like it take your writing elsewhere attitude.” Apparently he doesn’t want to be a “gravy train” to writers.Hello Mr. Today.com owner, $31.00 a month is not a gravy train to us and most of us wouldn’t even write for that amount. I gave today.com a try simply because it takes me like 5 minutes to write 100 words and I love helping people and making a difference in their lives. But, the truth of the matter is that I could make more elsewhere and I’m going to prove it.

In fact, I’m even doing an experiment. The first one will evaluate my newly created today.com blog and compare it with a newly created blogger blog. I am going to write the same amount of articles (covering similar topics) and then see which one makes me the most money at the end of my experiment.

My hypothesis is that my niche blog site is going to kick some today.com butt. I say this becuase once I stop writing posts, it will keep making me moola whether I write 100+ word posts or not.  Plus, I can also capitalize it with affilate links, etc.

So, my advice is if you’re considering blogging at today.com to take advantage of the $1.00 a day post, make sure you’re a good writer and an expert at traffic generation and that your blog can bring in 28,000- 30,000 impressions a month. Otherwise, you might just log into your account for a not so good surprise notice that says  you’ve been demoted.

A few writers were chatting in a few forums about content revenues dropping for their niche websites and many of them were concerned about this drop in earnings. I have to be honest with you, my niche sites have dropped a bit but I make up for it by adding more sites. : )

My thought is this – many advertisers are cutting back as such there is less advertising available. The most common ones that are cutting back are real estate and some retail type shops (high priced items). On the same token, financial sites seem to be booming. I truly believe that if you’re considering starting or adding to your virtual real estate empire that you “do it now.”

Here’s why – our economic situation is going to improve and when it does, advertisers are going to increase their advertising revenue and sites will start making more money. People will start buying and the economy will improve. Therefore, now is the time to build up your niche sites, to cultivate them, and keep them going strong. Then, when advertising kicks into full gear, you will be ready to collect your cash.

I also believe that now is the time to get multiple streams of income going on with your niche sites. Do not rely solely on such sites like Google Adsense. Instead you should diversify by using various monetization methods including your own books or products, affiliate links to other people’s products, etc. By doing this, you will be better prepared to weather the storm. You’ll be in a better position to win the internet marketing game.

For those of you that need instant cash, try out Associated Content, Textbroker, Demand Studios, and Bright Hub. I know for a fact that they do pay and can help fill in the blanks when you need more money now.