Blog update to start 2011

Last year turned out to be a difficult year in many ways both online and offline but a lot of valuable information was gained for building on in 2011.  I have learned that we must not dwell on past problems but be very positive and stay focused on what we are doing at the present time and also plan for the future.

I have decided that one priority this year is to see Dave Nicholson’s Coaching Programme through to the end even though I am only half way through and all the other original starters have probably finished and have products to show for it.

After seeing the quality of some of the completed products it puts my effort to shame but the content will be usable to a number of people who are less experienced than myself and it will be offered for free with no upsell, but not sure whether to include some affiliate links for certain recommended products/programmes.

To save cost on graphics for my ebook I decided to have a go at doing them myself using a programme called RealDraw Pro (30 days free trial, then $55 to purchase) and a set of training videos that I purchased from another source for $27.  After going through the videos twice I was ready to give it a try and found it very easy and addictive. The only problem is that the programme will only do hard back covers and not the thin soft back type with a curve at the top.

The book is not complete but I will show the cover as it stands at the moment.  I could make many improvements by working more on the graphics and  text but for the moment it is going to remain as shown.

A few months ago I decided that I was going to change Autoresponders so cancelled with Aweber but then found that the one I was going to change to was no longer available.  It was not a major problem but I had to make some quick changes to my online sites including this blog.  At the moment I am testing out a programme called Infinite Responder which installs on my hosting and does not have any separate monthly charges which is a good cost saving.  It is obviously not as powerful as Aweber but seems to be adequate as a starter.  I need to spend more time testing before deciding to stay with it or start looking for something more established.

That’s it for today.

Mike