After a fair amount of thought, I decided to change up a little bit the way I am updating both my site content as well as my "subscriber list".  In theory, and in most markets that I play in, as well as in almost all of the consulting advice I offer, my first, foremost and unwaivering recommendation to ANYONE getting started online is to start collecting names.  Build a list.  Offer good, solid, actionable content and keep in touch with your subscribers often.

 Clearly, this isn’t big news.  Everyone does this - (some to the destructive detriment of both their reputation and their subscribers).  I have many different lists, in many different markets.  But – as those who are on mine for this particular site can probably attest – I RARELY send anything out at all.  Because 1) I’m busy – and 2) I just sort of feel like a smacked ass recommending you buy affiliate programs, products and services that so many other blowhards are doing a more than ample job in shilling to all of us.  So invariably – what has happened is – people have signed up for my list – I send out a short ( and woefully incomplete – it poops out on day 5 or 6 or something) primer on how to make more money online and a week or so in….nothing. 

For the most part – these are the VERY SAME strategies I am covering here – at far greater length - and with much deeper detail than I would visa vi an ordinary email sequence.  And considering I am literally – operating on a daily dose of about three hours a day of blissful unconciousness ( sleep! ) – and with a bit of upheaval upcoming in my own personal life – ( I’m heading to Key West for about a month of writing, contemplation, work and putting the finishing touches on a two handed backhand that for the most part, is unhittable on the amatuer side of the competitive tennis tour) I decided I am going to start using Feedburners VERY handy email notification service for new posts ( you sign up, and get notified every time there is new content on the site) – I am adding a new opt in form for signing up for my list ( see the traditional opt in box below the feedburner form up on the right) and lastly – and if you are on my list already you will get an email about this – I AM GOING TO SCRAP MY PREVIOUS LIST of names altogether – meaning – if you are subscribed to my list as of yesterday – ( December 10th 2007) you won’t get any further emails from me ( most of you haven’t gotten many for months anyway – although the people who recently signed up are still in that first weeks sequence) and you WILL have to re-subscribe to my NEW opt in list above ( this refers to the opt – in form – not the new content notification – if you are confused, but enjoy my work – just sign up for both – very easy..:-) 

For now – the opt in list - "special offers from Ian" – this is really only for people who WANT to be contacted about projects I’m working on, more advanced strategies, occasional product recommendations ( and I rarely recommend anything as I believe most will attest to!) and/or want to hire me for one on one work.  My consulting is not cheap – and not for everyone – and while in many ways I am largely an imbecile -I can’t parallel park even though I’ve lived in a city for 10 years, I’m occasionally sloppy, make bad lasagna and have intimacy issues – but when it comes to helping you make more money, right now – simply, easily, ethically and effectively – and writing copious amounts of killer copy -  I’ll put my mind ( and fisher space pen )up against anyone else out there.   I am selective with who I work with as well – so again, don’t opt in for this list unless you believe you would like more one on one personal attention from me.  If you just enjoy learning a few new things, getting an ( occasional..:-) laugh, or just taking a peek at what someone else ( me!) is doing, simply sign up for the email alert when a new post is live, or – just drop by at your own leisure.

Lastly – out of everything that I’m doing – workwise and otherwise – I get a special enjoyment out of helping other people – especially while so many of us swim out in the often seamy sea of trying to live out our dreams of doing good and doing well, and online – as I’m sure we can all agree – it is often a tricky and scary place to paddle out by yourself, especially when just getting started out.  There really is no better feeling ( other than a big bag of magic mushrooms and three swedish exotic dancers – which if you haven’t travelled abroad yet – I highly recommend trying) than helping someone else make a buck ( or two) and the self confidence, self reliance and personal empowerment that comes with it. ( for both of us)

Thanks, and I’m glad to have you here in any capacity you wish…:-)