As most of you know, last week I celebrated my one year anniversary here at Tumblemoose. That important marker seems to be a good spot to reflect on where I’ve been and more importantly where I’m headed. As I surveyed my – ahem, *vast* empire, I decided that some changes were in order.
You see, early last year I decided to set up a couple of niche blogs to monetize as an additional source of income. I made a list of topics that held interest for me and then I used the Google Keyword tool to determine which topics had the best CPM payout and were the least saturated. I ended up with two that I thought could be winners. One of them was related to flight training and the other was about travel to Alaska.
I did some domain name searches and came back with clearblueflight.com and allalaskatravels.com. Since January I have put a bit of effort into clearblueflight, posting on a regular basis and making the site look purty. Allalaskatravels was on the back burner but I figured I’d get to it soon enough.
In addition to those, I had a site with GDI – Global Domains International. truthrocket.ws has been a site full of frustration for me because of the way GDI limits and structures the hosting. I was never really happy with the site or the MLM system there.
The Flagship
Tumblemoose Writing Services has always been my baby, my pride and joy. In thinking about it, there are a few things I want to make happen here but darned if I’m able to find the time.
I had to reflect on what it was I was really trying to accomplish.
I decided it wasn’t so much about making money online (although that would have been nice). It was much more about having a website to blog about writing in a way that would inspire other writers and attract some freelance writing clients.
Once that was clear in my mind again, it became obvious to me what I needed to do. I needed to get back to the basics, get back to what brought me online in the first place.
So over the weekend I went to HostDaddy and laid clearblueflight and allaalaskatravels to rest. GDI requires a call in so I’m doing that this morning.
I’ll miss clearblue a bit. It was kind of a fun outlet, but when its presence affected the ability to get things done at Tumblemoose it was time for it to go.
I’m excited to enter this new phase and it feels great to be laser focused again.
In other news
Many of you have asked how I’ve been doing the images placed on the site recently. Well, I found a neat site called FunPhotoBox.com . It’s a free service that has a few dozen backdrops with an image holder. It’s silly easy – you select the backdrop, upload your photo and save the image. I’ve really had a lot of fun with it.
The September Newsletter is on its way folks. I’ve been waiting for peak fall foliage and it looks like this weekend will be perfect. This will be another video newsletter.
Another New Blog of the Week will be posted on Thursday.
Thanks for hanging in there, everyone.
Glad to hear that you’ll be spending more time here, George. It’s always good to try new things, but it’s also useful to reassess from time to time and see what works and what doesn’t.
.-= Sharon Hurley Hall´s last blog ..Free Ebooks From Get Paid To Write Online =-.
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for the tweet and the thoughts. It feels good to be back on track and I feel like a weight is off my shoulders!
George
I see you are really focus on this blog. Too bad you couldn’t sale the others. At least you would have made some money. Maybe it will work out next time.
.-= Deneil Merritt´s last blog ..What Will Make You Happy =-.
Thanks, Deneil. It could work out at some point. I considered selling clear blue, but the subscriber count wasn’t there and the PR was 1
George
You know, I think starting a business is a lot like writing, you have to ruthlessly edit as you go along.
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..My ear itches on the inside =-.
Hey Tracy,
That’s right. I thought of it as culling the herd. Like I said, big weight off my shoulders
George
Hi George,
As always, your wisdom is expressed clearly and with good humor. I’ve been doing a similar laser process and it feels good.
I signed up for free biz organizing software (http://backpackit.com, web-based) so I could set my goals out in a visual, accessible fashion. The free version only has five “Pages” (there are other functions, but I’m purposely using only one to keep it simple) so I can only do goal-setting for five areas of my life. This has been great for paring down to the most important and doable.
I’m already more productive and earning more money, plus feeling great about my purpose in life! Of course, it takes more than just a little goal-setting, but making it visual/writing it down all in once place has been refreshing for both the spirit and the will.
– Milli
Milli,
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll have to check out ye old backpack – yours is the second recommendation in as many days!
Glad to see your getting refreshed, too.
George
Awesome about the fun photo site!
Yeah, I totally understand spreading yourself to thin. It can get to be crazy! I decided to put a lot more of my focus in to my health blog and I’m so glad I did!
*smiles*
Michele
.-= Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl´s last blog ..Sunday Takes the Cake =-.
Michele,
I’m glad that you did as well. I love learning about all of the great and healthy things you’ve got going on.
George
Thanks, George! I LOVE reading all your fantabulous stuff here, too. I adore your sense of humor and passion for writing. Your personality truly shines through in each post–you keep me coming back for more!
.-= Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl´s last blog ..Sunday Takes the Cake =-.
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Hi George,
Seems like we both completed the same task. I too did a little bit of soul searching and reassessing during the last few weeks of the summer and realised that my visions and aspirations for my blog had taken a very serious U turn. I am glad to say that I have reverted to my original course and loving every minute of it. I think you too have made the right decision and sometimes we have to reground ourselves. Money is not everything after all. Passion and purpose are so much more important. You have a great blog here and you really do help and inspire a lot of people. I think you made the right decision and in doing this the money will come.
All the best,
Amanda
I did notice that our awakenings seemed to coincide. I’m really enjoying your stuff hitting my inbox Amanda.
I think good things are in store for us!
George
Hi George!
I commend you for your decision.
I have always subscribed to the “Less is More” philosophy. At first it might look like taking a step backwards, but in the long run, you will be way farther ahead.
Remember that subject I keep bringing up? What is one’s MOTIVE?
Well, if your motive is to serve your readership, I am here to tell you that that unselfish motive will ultimately bring you deserved income (and maybe in amounts you never dreamed possible!).
That’s the power of pure motives.
I am happy that you took the time to listen for that “still small voice.”
Your friend,
Wayne C. Long
Writer/Editor/Internet Publisher
http://www.LongShortStories.com
Where the Short Story LIVES!
Wayne,
You are just the stinkin’ best, buddy.
We are so on the same wavelength, Wayne. Can’t tell you enough how happy I am we’ve met.
George
George, thanks for tip (FunPhotoBox) its really great!
Tab
Virtual Assistant
.-= Tab´s last blog ..Top 14 Websites To Create A Blog For Free =-.
Hi George,
I hear what you’re saying. Although I have several blogs, BWAB is my baby. It’s where I get the most enjoyment as I can communicate with other bloggers and we get to discuss all things blogging.
I don’t know about you, but I’m also finding being spread too thin eats into my creativity, hence I don’t Twitter as much, nor do I go on Facebook very often. I’m putting my priorities in order.
Thank you for sharing the link to FunPhotoBox. I’m off to check it out. I love how you have been so creative with your images. It adds such a personal touch.
I’ll be back to check out the NBOTW.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Tapping Into A Larger Audience =-.
Hi Barbara,
I’ll be looking forward to your fun photos!
I’m in priority shift mode as well.
George
Congratulations!
May you have many more successful years in business.
Always remember that in the end your business is your own and it is up to you to decide how to run it.
.-= Laura Spencer´s last blog ..An End to the Feast or Famine Cycle? (Demand Studios review) =-.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for coming by. That is a good point to remember and sometimes easy to forget. I appreciate the words of encouragement!
George
Oh my, this post really echoed lots of familiar feelings. I seem to have too many “babies” at the moment (none of them requiring nappies, thank goodness). It’s hard to face the reality that one or more of them may not be worth the effort. I’m glad you’ve managed to cross that hump and focus next on what’s really important to you. Congratulations!
.-= Monica Shaw´s last blog ..Your Website as a “Calling Card” =-.
Thanks Monica,
And it is SO great to see you back in circulation.
I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders immediately!
George