2012 Is About Marketing MY Way
December 27th, 2011 | 
Author: Hi everyone! Christmas is over and the New Year is sneaking up on me. So I’m in Butt in Gear mode today. It’s all about organizing my thoughts, mapping out things in order of importance, and getting more prepared to lead those who need what guidance I have to offer.
One main thing I thought about when I was reflecting on what my 2012 will be is that I want to not only move myself forward to the next level of success, but I want to drag a lot of you along with me (kicking and screaming if I have to)!
You might not have a live in butt kicker or mentor to push you out of your comfort zone. That’s what the 365 Day Challenge is all about. I don’t want to hear whining about how you can’t make money online. You CAN and you WILL. No more completing tasks halfway and getting bored or tired before it turns profitable.
It’s time to really turn up the heat and get stuff done this year. Today I’m mapping out:
- One month’s worth of PLR packs I plan to release.
- A detailed outline for my first Info Product of 2012 to be released.
- A list of 31 products I plan to review for my Amazon affiliate site.
I’m not jumping on any trend ship or listening to get rich quick gurus who insist that if you’re not onboard with THIS certain strategy, you’re doomed. I don’t CARE about Google slaps or smacks or deaths of anything. What I care about is connecting to my audience, PERIOD.
I want my readers to learn one main thing from me this year:
Listen to YOUR gut.
A lot of what you succeed with is just what you feel good about. If you aren’t into “mobile marketing,” don’t do it! If you aren’t attracted to CPA marketing, pass it over.
Quit looking to everyone else to TELL you what to do to make money online. I see so many forum posts from people (and emails to me) from people wanting others to just TELL them what to do.
Wow, part of what I love about this career is nobody DOES tell me what to do! I get to decide. But it means you have to dip your toes into the pool and see how the water feels with a bunch of different business models.
Find out what all is available, try your hand at them, and see what makes YOUR heart go pitter pat. It’s as easy as that. Don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole, as they say. That’s what some marketing tasks are for me – and it’s why I steer clear.
And that’s WAY different from avoiding things out of FEAR, by the way. Fear isn’t a reasonable excuse. After you try something, if you hate it, THEN abandon it for something more enjoyable.
The year 2012 for me is going to be about indulging. I want to indulge in all the things I enjoy about marketing and do it MY way! If I have to Frankentiff something to make it better for me, then by God I’m going to DO it. Without guilt. Without apologies.
I might revive some of my reviews but not post them until they’re complete. That way no one’s let down if I quit mid-stream and I have no guilt because I quit. But if I want to quit, I’m gonna quit – if it’s not enjoyable, or if I find out something I feel is shady about the marketer.
In 2011, I didn’t want to continue one of my reviews when I thought the marketer was a turd, but I polled my audience, and out of commitment I continued on for awhile (until he showed his true colors a second time). So everything will be done my way for pure enjoyability.
Better get mapping now. We only have 5 days including today to get sorted out before the Challenge starts!
Tiff 
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Posted in Career
Tiffany you are a kindred spirit! I love everything you write and I feel as though you have a little window into my world to see exactly what I need to hear! I’m so excited about this challenge and I know it is going to really help me focus and get into the habit of following through on the things I need to in order to achieve the goals I have set!
Thanks for all you do and your awesome inspiration!
Hey Michelle! Kindred spirits is what it’s all about
Inspirational as always:) Happy New Year!
Thanks heather! let’s get revved up!
Yeah, I think I need some fire under my butt or something like that, however the saying goes. Hah.
will do Zoe!
Thanks Tiffany,
“Listen to your gut” – I am going with that right now and into 2012…I HEAR YOU!!
Thanks, that is exactly what I needed to hear, I have been chasing my tail and the shiny things for the past 18 months, it has only been in the last week that I have been thumped into a realisation that I love creating affiliate real product websites.
I am already making money from 4 real product websites that I created 18 months ago and for some reason, I can’t fathom to this day, I went off looking for something else….Doh…as Homer would put it!!
Completely back on track, unsubscribed to over 20 different ‘gurus’ email lists, not yours of course as you feel like ‘home’ and I know I am listening to a real person.
Thanks for your ‘life sharing’ in 2011 Tiff, it has been a joy to be a ‘listening part’ in your game of life.
All the best,
Jax
Glad you reflected on it, Jackie! And also glad you stayed tuned in
I love being surrounded by people like you!
Hi Tiffany,
I agree that whatever you do needs to be enjoyable to you. I love the way you word things “Frankentiff” LOL. There are many ways to earn money online and we each have to find what that way is for us. No one size fits all.
Yes Alice! So many want it told to them and it shouldn’t be that way
Sounds like some mighty fine “resolutions” you’ve posted. Looking forward to another great year with you and your list of friends!
Me too Rita!
Tiffany, if you start a review project and find the marketer is a “turd”, as you say, then you absolutely should discard it. I know you try to give readers what they want but more than anything, they come for YOUR feelings and perceptions so be true to yourself. Now I’m off to check out your challenge thread!
Yes if the person is a turd, review needs to end. I really don’t want product owners onboard at all though. No more of that. they can butt out. Unless at the end, they need to respond to some of my criticism. But during the review it’s not good. Some get offended. If the product is hit or miss, I will finish it to the end because sometimes it ends up profitable when I was fighting against it. lol
Well I for one am glad that 2011 is over and a new beginning can be etched out.
My first commitment will be to purchase the Gather and Structure Ideas and take action from there.
Without learning how to write I can’t do anything, so first things First!
Thanks Tiff for the inspiration to keep going even if it is at a snails pace
I’ve heard people love it so I hope it helps! I plan on working more on my IM Writing Tips series this year, too!
Nikolnc,
you won’t be sorry when you get Gathering and Structuring, it is better that you even imagine in many different ways!
Good luck and happy New Year!
Fran
I highly recommend Gathering and Structuring!
Peggy
Yes, I can’t say enough good things about Gathering and Structuring. It got me back on the writing track again. Definitely get it. It’s worth every penny!
Hi Tiffany and here’s my early HAPPY NEW YEAR wishes …
May your every plan/decision/release/minor though be more AWESOME in 2012 than they were in 2011.
Make a diary entry for December 2012 – Remember to put the left-overs away! LOL
All the best to you and yours.
John in Australia
LOL! I need to do that – lots of waste because I just KNOW my cats got on the counter and got into it
Happy New Year John!
So why do you have to throw away the food. Remember cat spit is powerful!
Kater
eew lol!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [Jeremiah 29:11]
Tiffany, you’ve been in my prayers this holiday season…
…expect great things ahead!
Thank you C. I sure needed them and it looked like God heard those prayers because I’m doing fine
Love that verse, C. Thanks for sharing. I needed the reminder.
Miss Tiffany,
Just left my commitment statement and accepted the challenge at the WF.
I want to say thanks a bunch for your hard work and “butt-kicking” in 2011, and hope to see more in 2012.
Mel
Great! Thanks Mel
We’ll climb that ladder together!
Excellent advice Tiffany. Follow your heart, ignore the gurus and skip the business models that don’t turn you on. There are enough models to choose from and 1000s of niche markets. Find one that suits you, focus on it and try to shut out the distractions on the noisy web.
Yep I agree Jon!
Awww crikey Good for you Tiff … I am so in Butt Kicking mode – with plenty of inspiration, creative license and juices flowing and I am doing some of my best writing ever!
But I have to wait until my family imposed three week (no internet) holiday is over to really get into action ….. oh well, nothing like doing it the old way – with paper and pad by torchlight!
See ya
Rach
That’s fantastic Rach! Pad of paper and pen is what i use quite often anyway LOL
Hi, Tiffany,
This is a great challenge. I posted at WF. I have my plans, but I also have to make a living, so I have decided to do my best, and if my time spent ‘making a living’ cuts into my marketing time, so be it. No guilt unless I don’t do anything at all.
I have set out a plan I think is doable, but that depends entirely on the contracts that come my way. I am not at the point yet that I can turn away definite income in hopes that my marketing will make it up. I will get there, though.
Happy New Year! I hope it is the best ever for you and your family.
No guilt is right Linda! If you need to revise your plan midway through, then do it!
Between witnessing poor honey trying to wrestle that giant Xmas bone into submission and hearing about how much the cats enjoyed the leftover turkey, I’m thinking my bag of Lays isn’t a good solution to Christmas dinner. Perhaps I should start paying more attention to what works.
All the best in 2012 Tiffany… may you reap the rewards due from your incredible work ethic.
cheers
Richard
LOL Richard cook a good Southern meal and you’ll be happy
Thanks for the well wishes and right back atcha!
Thanks for the encouragement!
I needed to read that! lol
I’ve always had this nagging feeling that I ‘needed’ to be a well rounded marketer and do CPA, AdWords, blah, blah, blah…
There are several areas that I want to expand into, but some that I have NO desire whatsoever to even try.
Now, I won’t let fear stand in my way, so may dip my toe in the pool to see what it’s all about.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!!
Happy New Year!
Nah just do what you love Carol! It’s good to see though. Sometimes I’ve found things I thought I’d hate, I love!
Okay, I’m in. What I seriously need is a way to stay very, very focused in a disciplined way. This should help quite a bit. I just signed on in the Warrior Forum (Chi-whiz).
Awesome Patricia! Glad you’re in
Thank you for your invitation and inspiration. I will post on WF to be part of your thread and would also like to wish you and everyone here all the best for 2012.I have been all over the place exploring online in 2011,and enjoy hearing from you and your “very real” guidance. Sharing your ups and downs is priceless-I appreciate not feeling isolated on life’s roller coaster ride!
Thank you Pamela
I appreciate y’all not having me be isolated, too!
Happy New Year Tiff!
Thanks for being the “kick in the butt” I need.
I will be ‘head down and bum up” as they say downunder and I will prove to myself more than anyone else that I can make money online!
Love that! Although bum up for me might scare people. LOL!
I am SO exciting about 2012. Aren’t you?!
Yes!! You have NO clue Peggy!
Oops, I meant to put “excited” not “exciting”. See? Total excitement makes you type things wrong!
Thanks tiffany, have just started doing my marketing plan for restaurants, your above project very timely as usual, I will email you about something I think you should have, which I am just implementing now, and could go with your branding series.
All the best for the new year and lets make it a big one…
kind regards
Dick
Love it Dick and I tried this once but never could come up with any graphic I liked. LOL!
Hi, I’m newbie in IM. I learn from those gurus with blue prints to execute daily. These tasks really stress me out. What a relieve after reading your blog. I will follow my heart and do what I enjoy the most. Thanks for your sharing. Have a blessed year ahead ;p
Thanks Serene! This shouldn’t be stressful at all – should be SO enjoyable!
Thanks Tiff!
I needed this. I’ve been sitting here staring at my “to-do” list and the top if the list is to set personal and business goals for 2012. This can help me put my goals into actionable steps
Go for it Jenny!
Hi Tiff,
I have only found you recently. I want to come and join you this coming year, 2012 and make some money online. Some direction and know-how is what’s missing, I know WHAT I want, just having trouble getting there. Looking forward to making friends as we go. Thanks
Tiff, what are you using to MindMap?
It’s odd, I wrote something in my Success Journal the other night about being honest with myself as well as others and not feel ashamed of what I’m doing with a project, even if others don’t agree and think I should abandon it! This is related to something I have to finish up and have been having trouble getting started because of my own attitude/mindset! My Success Journal entry was about creating a way to trick myself (by reasoning) to get started!
It made perfect sense when I wrote it, and I’ve decided that I MUST read it at least once a day to make it happen! Writing something in a weak moment (something that makes perfect sense) will not work IF we DO NOT take action ~especially when we know it is right and is best for us to do.
I know this must sound like a riddle, but it does make sense!
Roz
I don’t use online mind maps, Roz. Never could get into them. I use a good old legal pad and pen – probably the writer in me that loves to “feel” my words being put down on paper. What you say totally makes sense – and DO it – read it every day.
I am soooooo motivated after this post! 2012 is going to be my year.
Mine too Leonard! I have no doubt we’re all going to be smiling after this work we put in
Thanks Tiff, but I have a very large butt that needs a good kick occasionally. Probably more than occasionally!
I have worked my general plan for 2012 so I know which direction I want to go in – my own PLR store and Amazon sites. Plus keeping my other websites up to date.
Now I’m off to do my detailed plan – what PLR I will write for the first two months, which products I will promote for the Amazon sites and my content strategy for my current sites.
I’m also going through all my files and culling anything too old and refiling everything else as per David Allen’s Getting Things Done. I’m doing the same thing to my computer! So far I’ve been able to discard 5 Lever Arch files worth of rubbish that’s not even been looked at for years. Feels sooo good.
I haven’t finished the computer culling but I think I’ll have a whole big space on my hard drive to play with.
Sounds refreshing Kathy! I love getting organized. Makes me feel like I can tackle anything!
Wow Tiff, reading that it sounded like you’re in my head LOL!
Lately I’ve been all over the place because I don’t know for sure what exactly I want to do, so 2012 will be the year I find that out. And I won’t let myself get distracted by the newest marketing flavour of the week. I’ll pick a few strategies I’d really like to try and see those through!
2012 is going to kick butt! Heading over to the challenge thread now to sign up!
Great Lisa! If you need distractions, just schedule it into your time – give yourself time to go play and see what interests you, but don’t abandon the original stuff
Allrighty then!
My honey and I were just given a 3 day suspension from work for not calling in every day by 10am, even though we’re under a load every other day so they already know we’re working! We’re supposed to be home “thinking about it”. Right. He’s job-hunting, I’m emailing his resume, and I’m working on my 2012 challenge planning so I don’t have to go back there on Tuesday…my mom’s dead, I haven’t spoken to my dad in years, & I’m WAY to old to have some lady at work in a glorified secretarial position who’s NEVER driven a semi-truck in her life telling ME how to get that side of the job done or sending me to my room to “think about it”!!! (End of Rant)
So, having said that…
I’ve got the review I did of your PLRMiniMart posted & I have a list of PLR Providers to do reviews on put together…pretty sure I have at least 30 and should have no issues finding 52 (that way I can do one review per week).
I’m going back thru a training course on building PLR Sites so I can see how long it takes to put one together (minus the learning curve of the software and themes) so I can start with 3-5 of those per week. (I already have enough keyword research done that I did during your A100k review to get through a month quickly with just some double-checking data to make sure it’s still good). I’m working solid on that for the next 3 days to see how fast I can make it happen. The man & I are discussing whether to take all of January off or at least 3 weeks before considering another outside source of income (ie. a job).
Will also be creating one PLR page per day (5 days per week) so I can add a new PLR pack to my PLR site each week along with the PLR Site.
Those are my 3 main goals to begin creating income this year so I never have to be told again that my “beaten into me” work ethic that doesn’t exist on most earthly planes nowadays isn’t good enough!!!
Where you go, I will be committed..
Happy New Year gal!!
Debi
Those are my
Well poo on them, Debi! I so hope you can get out of that job so you’l be happier. I know we’ve chatted about it personally via email quite a bit and I know living on the road is hard (my dad was a traveling insurance salesman). So yeah, I hear you on having her scold you. Let’s climb the ladder, girl! I’m here to help however I can.
Sounds a plan, for 2012 I’m going to try to follow ye olde P.A.R.R. system. Plan it, Act on the plan, Review it and Redo it… think it might be a good way to move ahead with small affiliate sites and help them evolve and (hopefully) rise to the top.
I like that! Something you made up? Write a course on it!
Happy New Year!
Wow! I’m ready to have my butt kicked when necessary. LOL I hope it won’t be necessary too often, but I love having you as my stimulus and mentor.
Just going to pop over to the WF and committttt myself.
I’m looking forward to this even though I have to launch myself out of my comfort zone (I guess I can still remain a hermit at heart).
Angel cuddles and many blessings to one and all,
Sarah
That’s what i do – hermit at heart (and in real life), loud and bold online. lol
I do love a brand new year! Happy New Year, Tiffany! I appreciate your honest, “real” approach to internet marketing. Thank you!
Thanks Joan! And I appreciate those who appreciate it. LOL! Otherwise I’d be screwed
Tiffany,
You exemplify the true definition of “Internet Marketing Professional”. Reading your posts, emails, and other writings is like undergrad and grad school wrapped into one. You always provide something for everyone. More importantly, it is real, reliable and honest. I think you laid out an excellent 2012 foundation for everyone to follow. I will be reading your every word as always.
How funny Paul. Someone just commented on another post about how unprofessional I am. I took their scolding as a compliment because she wasn’t the kind of person I wanted to teach anyway
Thanks for the kick in the butt. Got me motivated to finish my plan for January products and services. Looking forward to a very enjoyable and profitable 2012!
I will be following you through this challenge and may everyone who plans, focuses, and takes action reap everything they desire.
C.
Glad you got it wrapped up Carol! I am still working up to the last minute of 2011. lol
Thanks Tiff for lighting the fire !! I’ve finally gotten around to registering at WF and getting going on my PLR website. Got DL Guard loaded (thanks to Sam !!) and ready to rock ‘n roll the new year in
Ah Sam just helped me out this week too. LOL He’s great!
Hi Tiff…Love your message. Make connecting to my audience a priority and do what I enjoy. 2012 is looking great already. Thanks Loads. Kim
You’ll do it Kim – it’s so rewarding, too!
I definitely need to get focused this year. I’m one of those who project jump too. It has to stop.
It’s not humanly possible to do all the things I’d like to do online, well not until I rake in mega bucks and can outsource at least 90% of it. LOL
My focus, as you’ll see in the WF, is to keep it simple and focused. I may need huge prayers, lots of candle lighting and angel hugs too.
I used to write this statement as a joke…
“Focus. Focus. Fo….Now what was I doing?”
I think I should stop that as it’s actually set into my brain. Oops!
I’m also glad that the branding challenge is going a bit slow. I’ve completely redirected and starting to reinvent things from the time it began until now.
Let’s kick some butt this year. Best wishes to everyone.
Patti
P.S. Just occurred to me that my plan may not look all that simple written out, but it does all tie into the 3 main projects I want to focus on.
And then I wonder if it’s as fun to hop around, if it’s outsourced, Patti! LOL
Probably not, I enjoy hopping too much. LOL
I would like to get to where I can outsource some things that I don’t particularly like doing and maybe hire some writers to build up the PLR store.
It’s in the future plan anyway.
When you first brought up this idea I started tweaking my own plans for 2012. 2011 was year of the “shiny things”. 2012 is the year of wearing really dark shades and not looking. : )
2012 game plan is practical:
1) Work 5 days a week.
2) Write 1 plr page a day.
3) 1 section on a report a day.
4) 2 product reviews a week for my blog.
This leaves me time for learning Torah, keeping up with housework, and gaming. : )
Sounds like a strong plan, Yochana!
Yochana,
2011 had too many shiny objects for me as well.
I don’t suppose you have an extra set of those dark shades? I may need them. LOL.
It’s going to be hard to “not look” but I plan on not looking either.
You continue to be an inspiration and speak my language Tiff – with you all the way on this!
Well I welcome it Paul! You’re good company to keep
One of my favorite blog posts from Chris Guillebeau is all about doing what works for YOU and not what others tell you:
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/an-important-thing-no-one-will-tell-you/
Deb
Be sure to click on the link inside the blog post to Derek Sivers’s “hell, yeah test.”
Great blog post! Thanks for sharing it
Thanks Tiff for pulling this challenge together for us. You are always there for us, no matter what is happening in your life.
You are a shining example to us all.
Thanks
Andy
Thanks Andy
Go ahead Tiff, KICK me in the butt! This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear! I’m such a procrastinator. GOD Bless!
Alright Hilda! We’ll all get in a circle and kick each others’ butts! lol
Inspirational as always Tiff – I have been offline for a few days and have really enjoyed the break – read a whole book yesterday! So five days to go until I am back at work but I so want to make this my last few months of paid employment! When you are doing something that you really love, it definitely does not feel like work.
Hope you and your family have a great New Year and look forward to your emails and posts in 2012. Let’s hope that we all find the success that we are looking for next year.
Jan that sounds Heavenly – right now I’m reading These Is My Words. Great book! I love diary type books that read as novels. I have Julie and Julia on right now as I work. I’m in a slightly lazy mood, but I want to get things done. Just sleepy I guess
Crikey – if this is what you get done when you are in a lazy mood (after your just sent email), what happens when you are really on fire???
LOL Yes that’s me being lazy. I can brainstorm all day but action taking is where I burn out sometimes.
Heyhey, I’ve been waiting for this challenge.
I must say last year was a huge success and I owe much of it to your releases from 2010.
It’s started off great with PLR MiniMart, but I let my poor PLR site go stale. I got sidetracked by about, ummm, 8,000 articles and website pages thanks to your Ghostwriting Cash.
That’s not the EXACT count, but close enough. No,no, no spinning. A few other GW Cash students pitched in to help me out on those.
Tiff, thanks to your releases, Craig’s mentoring and a great team of writers I am eternally grateful for the gifts I received all year long.
These two products helped me build the confidence to step into 2012.
2012
I’m not real good at building year long plans, so I’ve got 2012 broken out into quarters and sort of have the first month planned. LOL. Always have been kind of a cowboy, shooting from the hip. Ok, I’ll work on February soon.
So off I go… got rustle up some kitties resuscitate my old PLR horse, then there’s that Funnel thing I need to polish.
Kater
Aww thanks Kater! That makes me feel good to hear! I’m so glad the products helped you.
Thanks for sharing! looking forward to “2012″
Me too Hilary!
What a great kick in the pants Tiff. Love your thinking and your motivation. With any luck I’ll be right beside you.
Thanks
Gma Soup
(Sue, first grand-baby’s mother had an accent. She thought my name was soup instead of Sue. Grandma Soup stuck and all the babies call me that)
PS
I never know which name I’ve used, Marilynn, GmaSoup or Sue so going forward its “Gma Soup” since it feels like family in here. Name is Marilynn Sue
Love it Gma Soup!
Tiffany,
I am amazed at your ability to inspire and move your readers and off course myself.
Thanks Tony!
Hi Tiffany,
I’ve been a reader of yours for a while now. I’ve always enjoyed and been motivated to do the work after spending a few minutes with you and reading your visitor’s comments.
I came to a cross road over the New Year’s weekend and made some hard decisions that I’ve been putting off. Nothing earth shattering, really, just things that needed to be addressed. One of those decisions was to follow the 365 day challenge – I could use some butt kicking and some encouraging words as well. I’d like to dive in and commit to:
1 page of plr a day (seems to be universal)
1 article a day (pick a blog and just do it)
work on cleaning up / updating older blogs
and a promise to myself that when the writing is flowing just right – to not stop at the goal and continue on until the “flow” has eased off for the day.
Thank you for all you do – I was close to the “I Quit” mind frame when I first learned of the challenge.. I’m glad to take another step toward “I’ve Succeed” instead.
Marsha
I’m glad it motivates you Marsha! And that you decided to stick it out. I was JUST commenting to someone the other day about these types of crossroads and how I was so glad my friend stuck it out (now she’s profitable) because she had once felt the same as you.
I am late to this party, but apparently I am on track anyway. I went through a recent “dark night of the soul” around the Clickbank/Warriors Forum/Affiliate thing, and made a decision that they are not for me. (My link is the confession and resolution instead of my Squidoo bio page today.)
2012 is the year I’m just going to do things my way, too … and I came to that conclusion without knowing that your mind was also turning in that direction.
Off to read what I’ve been missing; I think I’m about … oh, maybe 20 blog posts behind?
Here’s to a wonderful year for all of us!
Cheer Janelle! I hope it’s very fulfilling for you, my friend.