2009 Goals & Resolutions
Here they are… my 2009 goals. While I probably should be more concrete with them, it’s a good start. I just have to remember to keep revisiting this list to make sure I’m on track.
Affiliate Marketing
- Continue building sites that are related to my niche – it’s taking me way too long to build a site. And as I make improvements on the latest one I’m working on, the older ones get ignored.
- Build a site that takes advantage of a holiday – I completely ignored Christmas in 2008, but was shocked at my Amazon sales. Where were these people coming from? I still don’t know. Back in July I thought Doko was going to be big at Christmas, but I was wrong (hence I never developed that site). I should’ve looked at Bakugan – those things were sold out in all the stores around here, yet somehow my son (who lost all of his right before Christmas) ended up with 17 of them by the time Christmas was over. Talk about a big seller.
- Figure out how to make Twitter work for affiliate marketing – I talked about this before, and actually relaunched my syndicator on Give2Students. Since I turned the DonorsChoose account over, I still managed to raise $5,495.41 for classrooms across the US. Not bad for 3 weeks.
- Build a site that has a viral effect to it, where people market the site for me – I actually have a plan for this one, and hope to launch it in the summer of ’09. Lots of planning for it, though. I’ll be amazed if I get this one done this year.
- Network more – Affiliate Summit in Boston was great; I have a feeling Vegas is going to be even better. I’m also looking forward to making it to a 202 meetup in Toronto but not until March (January I’ll just be getting back from Vegas, and February I’ll be down in Florida).
- Incorporate – LLC or S-Corp? I still don’t know.
Fitness
- Keep on track, run more often, workout heavily (just showing up isn’t enough anymore).
- Eat better, including small, sensible meals and protein supplements.
- Get the full cashback allowed from our healthcare program – that’s $1,000 in 2009. They pay us for doing things, like going to the gym, eating right, and getting an annual physical.
Finance
- Max out IRA
- Continue to pay down debt.
- Open (and fund) 529 savings accounts for my kids
- Transfer car payments into a savings account for the next car: our family van will be paid off in a few weeks; instead of spending that money, I want to save it for repairs & maintenance or a down payment on our next car. (of course, I have a $750 repair to pay for today. ugh.)
Other
- In 2009, Christmas falls on a Friday; I want to take off from Dec-24 through Jan-3. Real time off, without worrying about work stuff.
- Ideally by September of 2009, I’d like to only be working while the kids are in school or in bed. I know there are some people who work 14-18 hours a day and make boatloads of money; I’d rather spend more time with my family, but still make good money.
- Stay off IM all day long: it’s really distracting. Even if I set my status to DND, I’m still disturbed.
- Read more… whatever. Related to marketing or pleasure reading, it keeps the mind sharp and helps me relax. I should also do some sort of puzzle regularly… like Suduko.
- Be more organized. My desk (and my PC desktop) is a huge mess. I’m going to get help for this… that’s where Laura comes in. I should take before & after pics
I’ve got more goals this year versus last – here’s hoping I’ll achieve them all! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year. I noticed your donorschoice. Is that for just schools or can you put in a non profit. HINT.
Incorporate – Not sure what a LLC is but I know before I applied for my non profit status I had to incorporate my organization with the state I live in.
What is the best way to go with Amazon sales. I have a Amazon affiliate program for the KDT website and was never really sure what to put on it. Since the website update I need to get the Amazon sales back up on there.
Looking forward to more information you have. Take care.
Sorry, DonorsChoose is only for schools. I’m sure there’s something out there for other non-profits. Just have to find it.
For your site, I’d make up an Amazon wish-list of the things your organization could use. Make sure when you link to them, you use your affiliate link. Then not only do you get what your organization needs, but you get 4% of the sale, too.
Eric
Thanks Eric. I appreciate it.
As far as being more organised is concerned, have you heard of the Getting Things Done methodology? I’m pretty into that right now, and is great for productivity.
Dave,
Yeah, I’ve heard of that method. In fact, I even have the book. Hasn’t left my bookshelf
I have a good method of getting things done, but I feel like I have a lot going on, so I don’t really finish something before moving onto the next thing. To me, truly finishing a project means putting away all of the tools used and filing all of the appropriate paperwork.
So I have tons of manuals, wires, electronics, books, papers, etc. all over my desk. Maybe I’ll bring that book with me to ASW in Vegas next week.
You should do, it’s a damn good book. But… it’s a bit heavy on the eyes at first. It’s taken me a good few months to actually put it all into practice, and it involves a complete workaround of the thoughts in your head – messy stuff.
Still I’d recommend it. I’d like to say I’ll see you in Vegas, but I won’t. Maybe next time