Well, anyone that’s begun Ed Dale‘s Challenge knows that we’re now done with the first module or week of the challenge. Ed changed things up a bit this year. Instead of blasting through all of the learning and then applying it in 30 days Ed’s decided to take a markedly more laid back approach and I think it was a great idea.
Be Challenged
This year each module is 7 days with a week off in between each of the seven modules. You can work your way through the first week/module each day as it comes out and (if you’re busy, like many people) you can either use the seven day break to catch up or to apply what you’ve learned so far. In this early stage though, it’s more about learning to use the suggested tools for doing your keyword research and finding viable and profitable markets, niches and micro-niches.
The most essential tool that Ed uses and suggests is Market Samurai (<<<< FREE trial link). It’s an amazing and robust tool that will save you hours of switching between online keyword research tools and manually gathering your data. We all need excellent tools in order to produce excellent products and Market Samurai is that tool. It gets my highest recommendation. (I had bought the paid version even before Ed’s Challenge…it’s THAT GOOD!)
Without giving away the whole basket of eggs, let me just say that the first week of The Challenge was a great lesson in how to properly do keyword research in a way that will reveal profitable markets to you. The other side of the coin to finding a profitable market is to ensure that you can adequately compete in that market with your chosen keywords. Sometimes your market will be ripe with buyers. If you choose the right keywords within that market it can make the difference between a site earning $100/month and a site earning $5000/month.
Using the “week off” constructively, I’ll be drilling down in some niches that I’ve always had an interest in but haven’t taken the time to do the research to find the if/what/how/why and profitability of them.
Ed’s choice to use Market Samurai in The Challenge is brilliant. There is no better utility available to do the type of research that’s necessary to successfully launch, promote and succeed with your websites and blogs. In fact, once you’ve finished your keyword research there are modules that will automatically find products for you to promote and content to share…but those are for another module.
It’s NOT too late! Run over to The Challenge and sign yourself up. Use this week to catch up and then follow through by completing the whole challenge. Ed’s got forums and a blog to help support you through your journey and LOTS of helpful folks that are right there in the trenches with you slugging it out in their own niches.
Take the Challenge…You’ll be Glad You Did!
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Aug 07, 2010 @ 07:43:30
hey John
interesting to hear that you do Ed Dale’s challenge once a year.
I guess we all tend to get a bit blase about things so a timely reminder that we should always be re-visiting and refreshing.
How many years have you been doing the challenge I wonder.
keep on keeping on
allan
Aug 14, 2010 @ 23:19:44
Hi John
You and I share the same passion – trying to help but I must admit I do have to have time for myself and family sometimes. It gives me joy to help. I haven’t got time to do the challenge this year but I did it last year and loved it.
A little about me – My name is Sue McDonald and I am a student of Mark Terrell and I am actually going through the course a second time – by invitation. I love it and know if I do all he says, I will be successful. I am Australian but the US is my second home as I have family there and visit quite often. This is why I started Internet Marketing so I can travel whenever I want and have the money to do what I want.
Well I hope you are doing well and you become very successful. I would love you to come visit my blog and leave a comment.
Kind regards
Sue
Aug 16, 2010 @ 21:34:20
Hey John
I have just come for a visit to your site. How are you going?
Yes it’s Mark and I am following my students as they post on other peoples blogs. They don’t know that I am always checking to see they are getting results. I am passionate about helping them achieve and then they are able to make some money online exactly the same as I am doing. It is not really difficult as long as they are willing to put in the effort.
Always pleasing if I can see some of my students have posted comments. Keep up the good work.
Regards
Mark
Aug 17, 2010 @ 01:57:00
Mark,
You’re more than welcome to stop by anytime! Your students always have positive comments and they make sure that they’re “on-topic” and relevant.
Keep doing what you’re doing, the comments and exchanges are something that I look forward to. I’ve been lax in my posting and you’re students are inspiring me to keep my content even fresher.
Thanks again,
~John
Aug 17, 2010 @ 18:47:56
Hi John!
I’m one of Mark’s students but I’m also participating the “The Challenge” this year. Talk about being busy!
I had also purchased the Market Samurai prior to starting The Challenge. I absolutely cannot imagine my life without it. I plan to build multiple niche sites and MS not only makes it easy, it makes it FUN!
My goal is to have my (very boring) site in the top ten this week. As soon as I understand the process from beginning to end I’ll be starting on the next one.
Good luck to you in all you do!
Lesley
Aug 17, 2010 @ 19:15:03
Wes,
Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, the challenge has been a bit different this year, better in my opinion. You’re absolutely right about Market Samurai and not knowing how we survived without it for so long. It’s been a godsend for sure.
Best of luck with reaching top 10 for your KW’s this week. If you’ve been following both Mark and “The Challenge”, you’re a shoe-in for good results.
Stop back and let me know how you made out.
~John