Some pigs I saw in the forest this weekend
It’s about time to dissect September and move onto October! The month has started off with weather hotter than summer here, so it’s been hard for me to accept that the end of the year is nigh! But it is, and that means I’ve got a lot of work to do to get my business into a manageable state before I go away. (Edit: Since I wrote this draft, it’s turned cold again and feels like winter!)
September 2011 – Continued Success
I posted in July and August that I had continued to beat my monthly earnings each month. September was around the same as August, just slightly less, so I am happy with the results. That said, I need to work hard to bring in a boost in the next few months. I have some plans up my sleeve to do that – namely, seasonal sites, motivating my PLR affiliates, and working out some very good PLR deals for customers. These things alone will pretty much take up all my time (more about my plans below).
Reflecting On My Business
Although the income was going well, I had a bit of a blip in September when I got overwhelmed. That’s largely why I wrote my post about fear. I started to worry whether my business can survive for a long time, whether the things I do won’t be profitable in future, whether I’ll be able to keep up while I’m away and so on.
One thing that really hit me, however, is that I really need to do something I’m more passionate about. So what I’m going to do is try to give up some niche sites (not completely, and I will of course keep them up for the passive earnings). While I travel, I’m planning to spend time writing more creatively, and seeing whether I can turn one of my blogs into something I’m truly proud of. I am also working on a book to accompany that site.
I think it’ll be a while before I’m comfortable enough to move on from my niche sites, but I have gotten over the fear just by knowing I do have plans to move ahead with more passionate projects.
Plans For October
The number one goal has to be to build my savings. I have enough saved now that I know I’ll be safe if I can’t work as much as I hope when I travel, but it won’t hurt to save more and get systems in place now so that they work for me while I’m away. With that in mind, here are my plans.
1) Narrow Down My Focus
If I’m going to keep things under control when I travel, I can’t keep going the way I am. Things have to go. First on my list, I think, will be PLR Deal Guide. I get sales from it but it’s just not worth the time, and I can’t keep up with near-daily blog posts when I’m away.
Next, I need to come up with a strategy for that one blog I want to put my passion and creativity into improving. For months now I’ve been putting it off, just because the money isn’t instant and I’ve got other things to do. But if I want to do what I really love, I have to make the time for that.
Lastly, I am going to try to plan a few months of PLR releases in advance, and get working on them early. I’ll be coming out with a lot of content from now until Christmas to give me a good financial buffer when I start my travels late December/ early January.
2) Work On Tiffany Dow’s Branding Challenge
When Tiffany first shared the idea of her branding challenge I thought it was an excellent one. It was only a dollar to sign up, so I did, but I did question whether I could justify the time when I have so much on my plate. But what she’s sent out so far is excellent, and it’ll actually help me to figure out what I want in my business, and which areas to cut out. I didn’t expect it to go into that area so much, but now it has I know it’s well worth me following through. I will be blogging about it, too.
3) Book The Flights
Skip this if you’re not interested in my personal plans 
Last month I mentioned I’d have to give notice to my landlady. That’s been done! We’re moving out on December 13 (or thereabouts). Next, I need to book the flights. I imagine this will be done very soon. I’m currently researching – prices in December are probably the worst all year, but that’s just the way it’s worked out. If all else fails, I’ll take advantage of cheap flights on New Year’s Eve and start the new year somewhere new!
What about you? How was your September and what have you got planned for October?
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Hi Ruth,
Your plans for this month sound great. Glad to hear that it is all coming together for you.
Tiff’s branding challenge has definitely opened my eyes to what it is I really want to do and where my passions lie. This will most definitely lead to a reduction of some of my niche sites too.
Have a great October.:)
Tiptopcat @ My Daily Cuppa´s last [type] ..25 Things About Me
Twitter: webcareergirl
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Tiptopcat – I love that the branding challenge is doing that
Twitter: affking
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Where will your first destination be? We’re debating whether to fly home forChrimbo or not.
I tried to stop doing niche sites a while ago but am back at it now as the lure of quick money drew me away from my bigger, slower projects.
Joe´s last [type] ..Get 1000 Free Backlinks
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Joe – Yes that is the thing about niche sites. Plus I do find it fun in many ways, too. Especially when you see the money
As for travel, I am thinking Thailand. I am flexible around the South East Asia area, but it seems Bangkok is the best place to go for price.
Twitter: affking
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Yeah Bangkok is great: cheap, modern, can fly to most places in Asia. Bit wet at the moment though!
Joe´s last [type] ..Get 1000 Free Backlinks
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Joe – Hopefully it won’t be so wet when I arrive – Anything is better than English weather though!
Twitter: lissie45
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Wet but warm, definitely not like England! Good central spot to start, just remember to take it easy the first few days, the jet lag plus climate change will knock you!
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Lissie – Will definitely be taking it easy. Jet lag will be a pain, I think it’s 7 hours ahead that time of year. Also think it’ll be a massive culture shock!
Sounds like a good plan. Hopefully the Christmas run will bring in some extra money also.
Pigs in the forest? Wild?
Carrie´s last [type] ..My Summer Recap
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Carrie – The pigs are random I know! I thought they were wild but since found out they let them out to roam around for while every year to eat the acorns that would harm the ponies there.
Sounds like you have a good plan here. I was going to do Tiff’s branding challenge but I never got around to it. Now, I wish I would have signed up for it. Good luck with your goals!
Tiffany´s last [type] ..If You Think Can’t… A Post on Mindset
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Tiffany – I think she is releasing it at the end but may be charging, not sure.
Twitter: DebiJTweets
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I’m SO excited for you! I love going to new places. It’ll be exciting and a bit scary all in one!
I’m in Tiff’s branding challenge too & you’re right in that it’s assisting in providing focus.
My plans for October right now are getting clear on 2012 goals, work thru the branding challenge, get my Christmas sites loaded, and add a freebie to my blog to start getting my list built.
That should keep me busy.
Debi J
Debi J´s last [type] ..Branded, Labeled, Redefined…Who Exactly IS Debi J?
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Debi – Going over to read the branding post you have linked to from your comment now. Good luck with your goals!
I’m so looking forward to your travels! I’m so excited for you.
You deserve it!
Don’t beat yourself up too much about how your business will hold up while you’re away. You’ll do just fine. It’s great that you can work from anywhere in the world – so many people would be envious about that. It’s such a positive thing – don’t get doubting it!
I agree that Tiff’s branding challenge is great for redirecting and providing focus because it’s making me look at everything as a whole. I had already cut out some niche sites a while back and have just a couple going right now. I think it’s always going to be the case that you favor some over others. I know I do. It’s better to do what you love instead of spreading yourself to thin.
I seem to be on a PLR-writing binge at the the moment. I don’t know what came over me. I’m usually so lazy!
Twitter: webcareergirl
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Nathan – Your PLR writing binge is fab! Sounds like it’s definitely a good thing for you.
Twitter: EdieDykeman
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Ruth, I’m so excited for you as you get ready to travel. What great experiences you will have – and hopefully be able to share at least some of your travels with us.
Much of this week, especially yesterday and today, I’ve been working on narrowing my focus and deciding which niche sites must go. I’m sure this is because of what we have already worked on with the branding challenge, but it is also much needed to clear out my bookcase(s) that are filled with notebooks and other material re everything I’m doing online.
As I finish out the year, I’m aiming for simplicity in every area of my life.
Nathan – can you somehow pass on the PLR-writing binge desire? Definitely need a writing boost.
Great post, Ruth. It’s always a pleasure to see that you are doing well.
Edie Dykeman´s last [type] ..Stay Focused Challenge and Aweber
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Edie – I think I should aim for the same goal as you, I will go through the branding challenge PDFs again and try and get tough with myself
Hi Ruth,
Yeah, I’ve recently let go of a few niche sites that I just don’t have time for anymore. I’m really focusing on my most successful niche and “going big” in it.
Good luck with everything. Looks like you’ve got about 2 more months before you’re out of your current apartment
Twitter: webcareergirl
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Clayton – I think focusing on less is definitely the way to do (at least until you have more resources to focus on others)