My friend Melody (Cash for Tacos and The Winding Roadtripper blog) has recently been seeing awesome gains with her new travel site!
And considering I’m a newb when it comes to the travel niche…
How do I outrank Yelp and Trip Advisor?What are the SEO keywords & clusters I should even be looking for?Am I going to get TRAFFIC to this local travel stuff??
Melody generously came on the podcast to help me out!
(And even if you’re not in the travel niche–there
5 years ago, I spent the entire airplane ride home from FinCon17 writing a “my takeaways” blog post.
That 5-day experience felt LIFE-CHANGING. My mind was reeling with ideas after every dang conversation, and I couldn’t WAIT to write it up into a blog post to share.
This year? The opposite.
Last week I took the wife (her 1st FinCon, my 6th) down to sunny (humid) Orlando, FL, for FC22.
me and Mrs. DYEB next to the main stage
I got to speak on the main stage t
5 years ago, I spent the entire airplane ride home from FinCon17 writing a “my takeaways” blog post.
That 5-day experience felt LIFE-CHANGING. My mind was reeling with ideas after every dang conversation, and I couldn’t WAIT to write it up into a blog post to share.
This year? The opposite.
Last week I took the wife (her 1st FinCon, my 6th) down to sunny (humid) Orlando, FL, for FC22.
me and Mrs. DYEB next to the main stage
I got to speak on the main stage this year(!)
I went to 1-2 breakout sessions
I hung out with old friends
And now I’d like to share my kinda-sorta-unexpected takeaways from the conference.
1 – I didn’t actually have takeaways (in the traditional sense)
If you ask me “what I learned” from this year’s conference, the first thing that popped into my head was “nothing.”
Business ideas
Strategies to try
Clarity around my business/purpose
“How to do” something
I honestly can’t think of anything specific that I’m walking away with.
Maybe it’s because I don’t go to the conferences to learn any more? Maybe it’s because I already know all the things?
(Absolutely NOT true, of course, but I am experienced enough to know the beginner-to-intermediate level stuff that is taught and shared at FinCon. I’ve heard the ideas from the speakers before.)
I didn’t “learn” much, but that’s ok.
The older I get in online business—the less I feel compelled to learn new things, and the more I feel compelled to work on who I am and how I operate.
Speaking of which…
2 – I didn’t need/want FinCon to “change me.”
I have never attended a conference as confident as I did last week’s FinCon.
Over the last year, I have S T R U G G L E D with a lack of clarity in my business—but I’ve made surprising gains in that area just in the last month!
I have a plan now.
join my email list for more info
I’m confident it’s the right plan (for now, of course), and I went into FinCon KNOWING that I’d have the same plan when I got back.
This is the first time that’s happened lol.
In years past, I definitely went into FinCon unclear and desperately SEARCHING for a plan. Needing and hoping that something or someone would help me out at FinCon.
I also feel like I met many people who were intentionally seeking help and clarity with their plan.
This is ok!
Whether you have a clear plan for your business or not–what’s important is understanding what you need to move forward.
Re-read that
That might be seeking out others (at conferences or otherwise) for help–or it might be intentionally IGNORING everything around you to stay focused on your current plan.
3 – Achieving dreams doesn’t feel like I thought it would
If you clicked back to my 2017 FinCon takeaways post–you might’ve read about a terrifying conversation I had with my friend Rosemarie Groner.
Even back then, she saw something inside me that I didn’t know what there.
(she predicted I had what it takes to speak on the FinCon main stage, and told me so!).
(She also openly criticized me for a lack of focus and warned it could be my downfall. Right again lol).
But I did it.
I spoke on the main stage this year, and though I didn’t perform perfectly, I do think I landed the message I set out to land.
People congratulated me afterward, and that felt nice…
But then life went back to normal. I took the same Lyft rides to the airport as everyone else. I still have the same work in front of me.
The point?
I think it takes an ACTIVE EFFORT for some people (ahem, me) to recognize when they achieve a goal.
It’s super easy for me to move past an achievement. To play it down, not celebrate, and even ask “what’s next?” This can be unhealthy.
I find myself intentionally remembering that conversation with Rosemarie Groner from 2017, just so I can realize how far I’ve come and actually be proud of myself.
#mentalhealth, y’all.
Confidence and energy will take you far in this business.
4 – Don’t ignore the customers you already have.
Ok I lied…
I did have one “takeaway” from a session (but frankly I can’t remember where I heard it. Argh lol).
That takeaway was “don’t get so distracted trying to attract NEW customers all the time–that you neglect or forget about your existing customers.”
Existing customers
Existing email list
Existing network
Honestly, I’ve been neglecting my membership community, Online Impact, for a while now. There. I said it.
I’m going to do better with this, for 2 reasons:
I made promises to customers. I need to keep my word and deliver
It’s 2022, and word-of-mouth is easily, easily, EASILY the most powerful form of marketing
That’s always been the case, but in the age of 2,594 ads a DAY–we fall back to relying on the opinions of our peers more than ever.
Don’t forget your CURRENT customers & followers!
Treat them especially well, and they’ll treat you well.
5 – Having friends is good. Having friends that understand you is life-changing.
There’s a reason I continue to go to FinCon, and it has little to do with directly growing my business in some way.
we found an insanely great taco shop–attached to a gas station…
I mean, it’s cool if that’s why YOU go to conferences, but that’s not me.
I go for Raina, Kevin, Jessica, Justin, Libby, J, Nate, Tae, Matthias, Nick, other Nick, Wendy, Lee.
About a dozen people who I RARELY get to see in person. Some of these people know me better than anyone outside my immediate family!
You could probably say “that’s sad, get some IRL friends, loser,” and you wouldn’t be far from the truth…
But I don’t give a shit.
They’re the friends I have and love, and I need to make an investment in them. That’s why I go to FinCon.
Friends are great….
But having friends in the online business world who get what you’re going through–can literally be the difference between success and failure. An actual “life-changing” thing.
Invest in those people.
*
The End: What about you?
Why do you go to conferences?
If you went to FinCon or any other conference recently, what were your main takeaways or lessons learned?
A year ago, I got burnt out on Do You Even Blog and decided to start other projects.
So–I started a niche site (aka “content site” aka “blog”).
And since I haven’t shared an income report for DYEB in 3+ years–I figured the 1-year anniversary of my niche site project deserves a little update!
Let’s dive in
Table of Contents
A year ago, I got burnt out on Do You Even Blog and decided to start other projects.
So–I started a niche site (aka “content site” aka “blog”).
And since I haven’t shared an income report for DYEB in 3+ years–I figured the 1-year anniversary of my niche site project deserves a little update!
Let’s dive in
Table of Contents
The Goal
I started a niche site with 3 things in mind:
Get a break from DYEB
Build a $1,000/month passive income asset
Prove to myself (and others) that I can DO what I TEACH
This was a part-time project, and I never meant for it to be my “main thing.”
The Method:
As somebody who likes to do ALL THE THINGS–I decided to launch a blog AND an accompanying YouTube channel (I’m good at YouTube, or at least the making videos part).
I chose mediums that sounded fun (important) and complemented my skill set (which I’m keenly aware of at this point).
The Blog Strategy:
Conduct thoughtful keyword research & site structure planning
Produce absurdly good & original content
That’s it. No backlink outreach. No social media (other than the YT channel), etc.
The YouTube strategy:
Figure out the types of videos I can make quickly & easily–that also result in VIEWS & subscriber counts
Leverage views for ad revenue
Leverage subscriber count for sponsorships and partnerships
Experiment with using the YT channel to increase blog SEO
The Backstory
If you’d like to know what prompted me to start the niche site–it was a SLLLLLOOOOW build-up of frustration with Do You Even Blog.
I have struggled for Y E A R S trying to grow this damn website, and I was constantly wondering “am I actually good enough?”
If I’m trying to HELP folks like you with online marketing–shouldn’t I be somewhat competent with this stuff?
I ranted more about that here:
In order to prove to MYSELF that I’m worthy (I know–sounds stupid, but it’s the truth), starting a side project was the very first thing that came to mind.
I’ve started 50+ blogs & online businesses since 2009 before “focusing” on Do You Even Blog exclusively in mid-2017…
But it was time to go back into the jungle.
I did a few things that very same week that I recorded the video above:
I choose a niche before doing ANY research (based on an existing hobby of mine. I figured that was probably wise to start with)
And after 2 weeks of additional set-up, planning (from the TASS program), etc, I put out this video with more details.
Enjoy!
The site “officially” launched on October 1, 2021.
But that was a year ago?? What happened?????????
Traffic, Revenue, & Other Stats
Here’s a quick summary of year 1
Pageviews
117,419
40k in the last month
Sessions
101,099
Revenue
$3,492
$1k in the last month
Expenses
$1,993
$800 was a failed agency experiment, see below
Total Articles on Site
72
Only 5 posts in first 3 months. 31 posts in the last 3 months
Total Words (Approx)
132,031
Probably more, but this is what WordPress thinks
Average Words/Post
1,693
Total Videos
62
Includes ~10 #shorts
Total YouTube Subscribers
2,142
Total Email Subscribers
1,339
# of Times I’ve emailed my list
0
Whoops >_<
Here’s a monthly breakdown:
Time / Hours Worked Breakdown
But what about how much time I spent on this?
Below is my best guestimate on how much time I spent on this project:
Quarter
Posts Published
Time worked
First 3 months (Oct-Dec)
5
MAYBE 2 hours a week. Site was up in less than a day, only wrote 5 posts in this time
Second 3 months (Jan-Mar)
12
7-10 hours a week. This is when I decided to ramp up. The posts were longer & more involved–and I was building up my systems during this phase!
Third 3 months (Apr-Jun)
21
7-10 hours a week. Includes many “brand swapping” posts and other highly-templatized content
Last 3 months (Jul-Sep)
31
5-7 hours a week. Includes a TON of templatized content that I can just crank out now.
This is what I’m most proud of.
This was a fun side project through and through, and I’m proud that I hit my goals while not spending 20+ hours a week on this.
Revenue Breakdown
YouTube Ads: $376
Blog Ads (enabled in Mid-September, so only 1.5 weeks worth of earnings here): $217
Affiliate Revenue: $2,896 (95% of that from Amazon)
All in all, I’m super happy with this site making money already, and can’t wait to see how the blog ads (Ezoic) ramp up.
Affiliate Income: Blog vs YouTube: The first 6 months of aff income was 100% YouTube–but the rest of the gains are due to the website (views on YouTube have roughly remained steady in this time).
Revenue Takeaway: I technically hit my goal of building a $1,000/mo asset, but I’m also slightly worried about scaling much more than $2-4k in the next year.
As far as SEO tools go–I probably could’ve cut at LEAST 3-4 of usage (Ahrefs). But alas. I don’t regret that spend.
I DO regret spending $800 on a writing package from an SEO content agency–although it did teach me a few important lessons!
No, I didn’t approve of their content.
It needed HEAVY edits (including “why on Earth would you even structure an article like this??”)
I got zero ROI out of that spend, though I can’t fault myself completely.
At some point, I’mma have to figure out how to scale content production–and the more I can make these types of hiring experiments, the more I’ll learn and the better I’l get.
Right?
Right?????
Traffic Breakdown
Where do I get blog traffic from? SEO.
Like, 90% from SEO.
Here’s a % breakdown from my top-10 posts:
That’s pretty diverse, thankfully! (Also, that top post is older than several of the others).
Also, out of my top 25 posts from the past 6 months:
10 posts are affiliate-driven “best of” reviews
15 posts are info posts (question posts & guides)
Pretty even split. The top 10 posts are 5 and 5.
Lessons Learned
I wasn’t really sure how to format this section, so I’mma just wing it…
1 – I stand by my “no backlink outreach” strategy
I did try some HARO for a while (and got precisely one link!) and even asked a few friends for backlinks (none of which came through).
Other than that, I didn’t actively seek out guest posts or backlinks.
Ahrefs reports a few hundred links, but I created NONE of them.
It’s mostly garbage links that I might disavow (or just leave? Don’t really care…)
2 – Ranking is NOT a problem. Content quantity is my problem.
My measly little blog posts (WITH ZERO LINKS) currently outranks:
The New York Times (DR 90+)
Wirecutter (DR 90+)
PC Mag (DR 90+)
And several other sites with WAY more “domain rating” or “domain authority” than me. Massive sites with thousands of backlinks.
IN FACT, roughly 25% of my content is rank 1 in Google. 85% of my content is in the top 3 in Google.
Re-read that
While that SOUNDS awesome (ok yeah, it is) there’s also a downside: it means more traffic requires more content.
Yeah, there’s a little wiggle room for building links and driving content up a few spots in SERP, but that will be marginal for my effort.
I need more content, and possibly across more verticals/topics.
3 – My niche is HEAVILY “community & authority & respect” driven, and it’s how I outrank people
And how do I outrank the New York Times?
Most of my competitors in SERP actually have “good content” by normal standards.
Their content is technically accurate
They actually purchase and use the products (can’t say that about some of the blogs at the BOTTOM of SERP in my niche.)
Good writing.
Good images, custom graphics, etc
What gives?
I’m in a niche that is secretly governed by a community (of which I’m a part of). When somebody views my content next to the New York Times–it is ABUNDANTLY clear which website is actually a part of the community.
It’s an insider vs outsider thing.
I’m not the only “insider” who blogs in this niche of course–but we ALL have a small advantage over larger sites that aren’t in the community (or niche site builders who want to compete without joining this community.)
4 – Maybe my content is too good. (seriously)
“Good” content doesn’t mean a damn thing.
SEOs and blogging influencers throw that word around, and it drives me nuts.
“good” is subjective, first off
“good” is a scale
I’m totally biased, but I think I produce better content than most of the internet (and to be defensive, I’ve actually been told this by numerous creators that I respect).
I obsess over my content quality.
Every single post on my site will have…
A picture THAT I TOOK of any product I mention
100% accurate information.
Tables or infographics
LOTS of different formatting stuff (look at this page, for example)
If you wanna learn more about what I think is “good content,” watch this video
So ok great, we’ve learned that Pete is amazing & has an ego.
So what?
Remember my problem? I don’t struggle with ranking, I struggle with content quantity.
In order to scale traffic (and revenue) up, I’m going to have to produce more.
There’s a good chance that my content would rank EXACTLY where it is today–with 10-20% less quality.
And if I want to hire out for content–there’s going to be a sacrifice in quality (and I have to learn to deal with it…).
5 – After 13 years, blogging is still my passion
Truth is, I FORGOT this over the span of creating Do You Even Blog.
I got into…
podcasting
YouTube
webinars
creating courses
funnels
products, launches, copywriting, etc
I enjoy TALKING ABOUT those things, and helping people with those things…
But I don’t passionately enjoy DOING them.
(mayyyybe podcasting, YouTube, and webinars–I enjoy creating content, but products & marketing, not so much).
What would I do differently?
If I could head back in my time machine (insert Delorean emoji here) to a year ago, what would I do differently?
1 – I’d do less YouTube
I thought YouTube earnings would be SWEET, but my RPM (revenue per 1k views) is SO. DAMN. LOW.
ESPECIALLY compared to the DYEB YouTube channel.
But even then, I’m going to continue to do YouTube for this project.
(Honestly? So I can build connections with brands, get free products, and get sponsorships. This niche is still my hobby, and I’d do this even if I never made a dime!)
2 – I’d produce more content. Way, way more.
I’d sacrifice quality.
I’d try to hire out (again).
In the first 3 months, I only published 5 articles!!
If I could go back, I’d try to produce 50-75 in that time.
3 – I’d “templatize” sooner
Pre-made templates = good.
Template YOU make specific to YOUR content = a lot better.
Over the course of 30-40 blog posts, I started creating reusable chunks of content that formed into templates specific to this site:
My own image/graphic stock library (with named images so I can easily search and reuse them)
More generic content that I frequently copy/paste verbatim in new posts (saves SO much time)
Google Doc templates (especially for brand-swapping content)
It took me a long time to create these templates & systems. I wish I had started this process right from the beginning.
4 – I would focus MORE on higher-volume keywords
When I first started, this was my plan:
Produce the “core content” (10 articles-ish) that fills out my site and shows readers I know what I’m doing–even though I’m NEVER going to rank for this stuff (think: “how to start a blog” type of keywords)
Transition into lower-volume and less competitive keywords to start building traffic, and momentum, maybe even pick up a few links. Stuff I can rank for in year 1
Then a funny thing happened…
I started RANKING for those bigger keywords that I thought would take me 3-4 years to rank for…
Soooooo it turns out…
Write for high-volume KWs: I rank, and get traffic
Write for low-volume KWs: I rank, and get lower traffic
It took me 9 months to see what was going on!
I wish I would’ve focused on the bigger, more lucrative keywords. I’m still figuring out this one to this day :/
What’s next?
To be frank, I don’t really know. I don’t have a plan, per se…
But here’s what I’ve been thinking:
1 – Keep growing this niche site to 50k sessions/month
That’s the level needed to apply for Mediavine (and though Ezoic seems ok thus far—this seems like a good metric to focus on anyways).
Once I hit 50k/mo, I’ll re-evaluate
Should I switch to Mediavine? It will depend largely on ad rates (EMPV) and if I feel like making the switch
Should I focus on a different project—or keep growing this first site?
Do I keep doing what I’ve been doing, or try a new strategy (outsourcing?)
We’ll see.
2 – Buy the Niche Site Profits course from Jon Dykstra
Last year I bought the TASS Program to re-ignite my niche site journey (and I 1000% recommend that course).
But I’m feeling the need for some “re-learning” and fresh perspectives.
I just purchased the program yesterday, as I’ve heard decent things about Jon’s stuff.
We’ll see.
3 – Experiment with worse content
I have a really difficult time hitting ‘publish’ on something that’s just mediocre.
I have a FEELING that I need to be pushing myself to actually publish ”good enough” content in an effort to pump out more posts.
I might be getting 41k pageviews from 70ish posts—but I think 100ish posts would be yielding more traffic, even if a few of those have slightly lower rankings.
We’ll see.
4 – Keep going on YouTube
I’m a tiny bit uncertain about my decision to KEEP doing YouTube, because it doesn’t directly bring me much right now.
Viewers & subscribers seem to like my content (I get a fair share of awesome comments every day), and I DO want to continue to make contacts with brands/communities in my niche.
I can’t predict the future, but I have a gut feeling that the YouTube channel can lead to some ”X-factor” stuff later down the road.
5 – Figure out if my site has a ”cap” on traffic
This is a weird one.
I’m curious to see if there’s a ”cap” on the amount of traffic & revenue that this particular website can achieve…
Based on niche
Based on advertising rates
Based on keywords & search volume
I have a hunch that there will be a cap (though of course, I’m still nowhere near it).
I truly do NOT believe this can be a 7-figure blog/business—but I feel the urge to figure out what this cap may be—so I can NOT waste time trying to get above it.
We’ll see.
6 – Start a new niche site
Ok, so I already have 2-3 launched (that I’m not currently focusing on though).
I might actually start a new niche site alongside the Niche Site Profits course (to test all of Jon’s strategies and report back).
However, I’ll need to be smart here…
I do NOT want to abandon this first site too soon—and leave easy opportunities on the table. It’s so hard to KNOW when to do something different!
We’ll see
RESOURCES:
If you’re reading this like ”dang I want a niche site…”
I’ve been in the SEO world for 13 years…
…and this conversation with Allison Seboldt (Twitter here, creator of PageFactory) BLEW MY MIND.
I’ve heard of “programmatic SEO” for years–but only recently started diving in.
And when I asked Twitter for “who should I learn programmatic SEO from,” Allison’s name was at the top of everybody’s recommendations!
In this chat
What is Programmatic SEO?How do we find the d
Programmatic SEO is a specific style of publishing content for Google search, and mostly involves using content templates to dynamically create content (in bulk) based on a dataset.
Have interesting data
Create content templates
Use a tool (like PageFactory) to transform that data into blog posts at scale (thousands at a time, even!)
ALL BASED ON Google search queries and user intent, as always!
Instead of creating each blog post individually, you’re creating BULK content “programmatically” using data.
Think “mail merge.”
What are some real-world examples of programmatic SEO?
Want to know the latest price of FILL_IN_THE_BLANK currency? Or stock?
Constantly updating data is PERFECT for programmatic SEO (since you wouldn’t want to individually update stock price blog posts every minute/hour/day!)
Sites like CoinDesk are built using powerful code though–probably not accessible to most of us.
This is Allison’s example programmatic site, and it’s really well done!
This is a MUCH better example of an accessible topic that any of us could create.
How to find niches for programmatic SEO
It’s not quite as simple as “choosing a topic I’m interested in” or even “choosing a topic based on keyword research.”
Finding a niche for a programmatic site boils down to a few things:
What’s a question that people ask about a RANGE of different things?
I.e. finding patterns
Is there suitable and/or interesting data I can use to answer those questions?
Here’s an example niche:
Baseball stats.
There are a ton of baseball teams, their related cities, players, etc.
People might be asking the same questions for DIFFERENT teams:
If you can find a great dataset (spreadsheet) for baseball stats, you could possibly whip up several hundreds blog posts with the following:
When did the Braves win the world series?
When did the Mets win the world series?
etc
Or the following…
When did the Braves move to Atlanta?
When did the Pirates move to Pittsburgh?
When did the Marlins move to Florida?
I didn’t actually research those last ones, but it was just a quick idea I had. You’ll always want to check to make sure people are searching for these!
Niche Selection Pro Tip: Long-tail is king.
Rather than doing keyword research to find 100 articles you could create, you’d be looking to create 1,000+.
Search volume is much less important for each individual keyword!
If you only see 10-100 searches a month for a KW, that’s ok in programmatic SEO.
Where to find datasets for Programmatic SEO
There are a few places that are just BUILT for data:
Kaggle.com
Datahub.io
Data.gov
You can search these sites easily enough, but there are also several communities on Reddit to find interesting data.
I’ll be frank, I really wanted to make the most CLICKBAIT title I could think of for this one…
I found Scott DeLong’s content only recently, and he’s been blowing me away with what he’s doing (and what he’s done for years).
And right now?
Scott’s deep in a challenge: start a new business from scratch, and grow it to a $500k valuation in one year (while only working 2ish hours a day).
#ClickBait writes itself, am I right??
Oh, and he&
At this point, Anne Moss (yeys.com) has a budding empire. A team of writers, multiple sites, loads of $$$$$ revenue, etc.But it wasn’t always this way of course!In this chat, we’ll discuss how Anne went from casual blogging to niche site empire.
Hiring writersChoosing a nicheKW researchWhat makes “good” SEO contentand more
Also, follow her on Twitter! She shares a ton of goodness there, as well.
e
Listen to my episode with Anne Moss from Yeys.com
Out of allll the different content channels available to us to grow an audience…
I kinda sorta feel like YouTube might be the most reliable for 2024+.
But…
It’s YouTube.
Video.
Cameras and makeup and having to set up and having to actually know wtf you’re talking about…
YouTube is still a challenge.
But there are some people (*cough my friend Tae from Financial Tortoise) who have risen to the challenge…and crushed it.
In to
I met Tiff in person at this year’s FinCon, and LOVED her story.
Quits job to start bizGoes back to jobQuits job againGrows brandPivots during the pandemicGrows brand, gets speaking gigs, working on PhD, is awesome
I initially wanted to have Tiff on the podcast to talk about ‘focus,’ (whatever that means), but we ended up talking about something much more vital.
Numbers.
Wanna quit your job? Or just make your business more sustainable & profitable?
Numbers.
This past year has been a WILD ride.
ChatGPTGoogle’s Helpful Content Updateetc
It reminds me of a quote…
“The blogs, they are a-changin.”-Bob Dylan, probably
Is blogging dead?
(or will it die within the next year or two??)
In this week’s chat, I’m joined by long-time internet entrepreneur, blogger, podcaster, and YouTuber Doug Cunnington!
Find Doug here:
Niche Site Project: http://nichesiteproject.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Whether you approve of the AI revolution or NOT…you can’t deny its power.
Today, Casey Botticello (Blogging Guide) joins Pete to discuss the two AI sites he started in early 2023.
Specifically, Pete wants to know about how Casey chooses the niches (SUPER important), as well as a deep-dive on keyword research + topic mapping.
Enjoy!
Listen to my episode with Casey here:
or listen on Apple Podcasts \ Google Podcasts \ Spotify
Handy resources from the episode
On today’s show, my good friend and personal finance guru (the good kind) Nick True drops by for a cozy chat.
He’s not just a wizard with numbers; he’s a master of mapping out the future too.
We dive into Nick’s “Life Vision Template” – a brilliant tool he crafted to help folks get crystal clear on what they really want from life and work. It’s all about setting your sights on the big picture and making it happen.
Nick shares some gol
On today’s show, my good friend and personal finance guru (the good kind)Nick True drops by for a cozy chat.
He’s not just a wizard with numbers; he’s a master of mapping out the future too.
We dive into Nick’s “Life Vision Template” – a brilliant tool he crafted to help folks get crystal clear on what they really want from life and work. It’s all about setting your sights on the big picture and making it happen.
Nick shares some golden nuggets on how to use this template to sketch out your dreams and turn them into actionable goals. It’s a laid-back convo, but trust me, the insights are anything but casual.
Ready to start crafting your best life? Tune in and let Nick show you how it’s done.
These are the things that help you make the biggest decisions in your life like who you marry, where you live, what you do for work, and how you prioritize everything else.
Step 2: Create your ideal day and ideal weekend menu.
Step 3: Identify the core categories for your life vision
Being
Spiritual
Intellectual/Mental/Emotional
Physical
Relationships
Marital
Parental
Social
Doing
Vocational / Career
Avocational / Hobbies / Travel / Fun
Financial / Wealth
Step 4: Make a bulleted list of things you want to achieve or what you want that area of your life to look like in each of your core categories for 1, 3, and 5 years from now.
Step 5: List any other future dreams beyond 5 years at the bottom. Include a few bullets of what you want retirement to look like.
Step 6: Based on your core values and the 1, 3, 5 year timeline, what is your main focus for this quarter? Choose 2-3 areas of your life you want to focus on growing this quarter and put the rest on maintenance mode.
SUMMARY: To make sure your Amazon Influencer videos get approved, focus on 3 things: First, follow Amazon’s best practices & rules, including avoid mentioning price, promotions, external URLs, or reviews, etc. In the video, be sure to show the product in action while discussing its key features. For the setup, focus on creating a clean background, using a tripod, ensuring good lighting, and improving audio quality (important!). Edit your videos by trimming the beginning and end, and
SUMMARY: To make sure your Amazon Influencer videos get approved, focus on 3 things: First, follow Amazon’s best practices & rules, including avoid mentioning price, promotions, external URLs, or reviews, etc. In the video, be sure to show the product in action while discussing its key features. For the setup, focus on creating a clean background, using a tripod, ensuring good lighting, and improving audio quality (important!). Edit your videos by trimming the beginning and end, and enhance the audio with EQ adjustments. Lastly, spending a minute or two creating eye-catching thumbnails that showcase the product, and consider adding small edits like brightness, contrast, and saturation tweaks.
Despite creating hundreds of videos over the years…
I got rejected TWICE for the Amazon Influencer program.
But if you’re anything like me, passive income is a great motivator!
Last week, I gave it one last shot and uploaded my 3 videos, and GOT APPROVED!
took me 3 tries and 6 months >_<
In this post, I’ll be breaking down how to get your videos approved for the Amazon Influencer program.
Let’s dive in.
What are Amazon Influencer videos?
First, I’m not talking about the Amazon Associates program (i.e. just getting Amazon affiliate links).
If you’ve ever seen little videos on the product pages across Amazon, chances are they were created by Amazon Influencers.
So approved Amazon Influencers can upload video reviews or demonstrations of products available on Amazon.
Once approved for “product placement,” your videos can start earning income passively!
What is the overall process of approval?
Here’s the overall process:
First, apply to the Amazon Influencer program. Submit your social media profiles showcasing engaged followers. (see below for more info)
Once accepted into the program, you can start uploading videos to your storefront!
Shoot, edit, and upload 3 videos ONLY.
Wait for approval of your sample videos to achieve official Amazon Influencer status.
Once approved, start uploading lots of videos and scale that passive income
Best Practices
Let’s talk about what the videos should be like.
Creating compelling Amazon Influencer videos requires following certain best practices to ensure your content meets Amazon’s guidelines and resonates with your audience.
Amazon’s Rules
It’s SUPER IMPORTANT to adhere to Amazon’s rules and regulations to avoid any potential issues. Here are some of the crucial rules that you should be aware of:
Do not talk about price, promotions, offers, or deals: Amazon wants influencers to focus on showcasing the product’s features and benefits rather than highlighting any discounts or price-related information.
Do not ask for likes, subscribes, or engagement: Amazon wants authentic engagement, so avoid requesting any form of interaction from your viewers.
Do not mention external URLs: Don’t talk about your site! Amazon does not allow influencers to include any external website links or promote competing platforms.
Do not mention reviews or ask for reviews: ONLY talk about the product.
Hide barcodes, pricing labels, and boxes: Amazon prefers clean and professional-looking videos, so make sure to remove any distracting elements like barcodes, pricing labels, or product packaging.
Avoid medical advice: Period. Avoid anything controversial at all, actually
Steer clear of alcohol and kids in videos: Amazon has restrictions on featuring alcohol, as well as children under the legal age.
In a nutshell–don’t talk about (or show) anything EXCEPT for the specific product, including it’s details and features.
So here’s EXACTLY how to make your videos good, so they’ll be approved.
Show the product in action or use: One of the most impactful ways to engage your audience is by showcasing the product in action. Demonstrate how it works and highlight its key features.
Talk about and show the key features: Discuss the product’s standout features and demonstrate how they provide value to the user. Show how the product solves a problem or enhances the user’s life.
Address common user questions: Research common questions users have about the product on Amazon and address them in your video. Providing valuable insights and answering potential queries will build trust with your audience.
Highlight the pros and cons: While it’s important to emphasize the positives of the product, it’s equally vital to provide an honest assessment. Mention any drawbacks or limitations, but ensure that the overall impression remains positive.
NOTE: You used to simply see a list of product questions, but now you have to start typing something in the “questions area” near the reviews–and you should start to see common questions pop up.
finding product questions on Amazon
If you can’t find common questions–maybe try Googling the product to get ideas!
Video & Setup
Creating high-quality Amazon Influencer videos DOES NOT require fancy equipment or a professional production setup.
Do I really need fancy videos and a fancy camera?
NO. You do NOT have to do a fancy video, in fact, I think most people shopping on Amazon do not WANT to see a fancy influencer. They want to see a REAL person demonstrating the products.
While having high-resolution videos can enhance the overall experience, the content and value you provide matter the most. Many successful influencers start with basic setups and gradually upgrade as they grow their channel.
Honestly, just use your smartphone.
As long as you have good lighting, clear audio, and a well-executed video script, you can create compelling content that resonates with your audience.
Audio (most important)
Quality audio is a crucial element in the production of Amazon Influencer videos.
Your footage can be visually stunning, but poor audio quality can tarnish the overall viewing experience. Viewers are generally more forgiving of visual imperfections, but they quickly lose interest if they struggle to hear or comprehend the content being presented.
One effective way to elevate the audio quality of your videos is by investing in a high-quality microphone. A simple and cheap lavalier makes a WORLD of difference.
By using these microphones, you ensure that your audience is fully immersed in your content without any distracting background noise or unclear dialogue.
Also, proper microphone placement is essential to guarantee optimal audio quality. Pput it close to you (or the product)!
Remember, great audio quality not only improves the overall viewing experience for your audience but also conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail.
THIS IS WHAT AMAZON WANTS.
Clean background
Creating a clean and visually appealing background is vital to ensure that the focus remains on the product and your presentation. A cluttered or messy background can be distracting and take away from the quality of your video.
Yes, I cleaned my kitchen a bit before recording
Find a space with a neutral and uncluttered background or create a dedicated area for shooting your videos. Consider using a solid-colored backdrop, bookshelves, or other simple backgrounds to create a professional and clean aesthetic.
Tripod
Using a tripod is highly recommended to stabilize your camera and ensure smooth footage. Shaky videos can be disorienting and detract from the professional look of your content.
Honestly–you can also just set your iPhone against something.
No wobble = what we want.
Or, grab a tripod that is compatible with your camera or smartphone. This will allow you to set up your camera at the desired angle and maintain a steady frame throughout your video. A tripod is especially crucial if you plan to demonstrate the product in action, as it helps capture smooth and controlled movements.
Lighting
Good lighting is essential for creating visually appealing and well-lit videos. Proper lighting helps enhance the visibility of the product and your presentation, ensuring that viewers can see every detail clearly.
BUT, before you go purchasing lighting, remember this: all that matters is making sure the product is visible and clear.
turn on lights
open window shades
position the product (and/or you) where the light is shining on it
The goal is to showcase the product effectively, and proper lighting plays a significant role in achieving that.
Editing
Editing your Amazon Influencer videos is an important step in refining your content and ensuring a polished final product. While the extent of editing depends on your personal style and preferences, there are some key editing practices that can elevate the quality of your videos.
How much do you really need to edit?
Good news! You do NOT have to spend hours editing video footage.
The level of editing required varies from person to person and video to video. Some influencers prefer a more raw and unedited style, while others opt for a more polished and refined approach.
In my opinion, you can get by with the following:
You probably SHOULD do at least 2 editing things
To enhance the overall quality of your videos, consider implementing a minimum of two editing techniques:
Audio: As mentioned earlier, audio quality is crucial. Use editing software to fine-tune your audio, such as adjusting EQ settings to optimize clarity. Lowering the mids and increasing the treble can be a good starting point to make your voice sound crisper and more professional.
Chop off the beginning and end of the video: Removing any unnecessary footage from the start and end of your video is a common practice. This helps eliminate any awkward transitions or moments before you start speaking or after you finish your main content.
Audio (most important)
Simply put–make the audio easy to hear.
Improve audio quality with EQ
Enhance the listening experience by using EQ to reduce room noise and boost high frequencies in your Amazon Influencer videos. This simple adjustment can make a significant difference in audio clarity.
Apply compression and limiting
(optional)
Achieve consistent volume levels and prevent audio distortion by implementing compression and limiting techniques. Ensure that your audio is clear and audible throughout your video.
Amp up audio levels
(pretty important
Make sure your audio is loud enough to be easily heard by boosting the audio levels. Keep your audience engaged by ensuring clear and impactful sound in your videos.
This step removes any unnecessary footage and ensures a clean and concise start and finish. By doing so, you can capture your viewers’ attention from the moment they press play and leave a lasting impression as they reach the end of the video.
Don’t spend money on editing software, by the way.
Use what you have available!
Final Cut Pro (Mac only?)
iMovie?
DaVinci Resolve (free but huge learning curve)
Any number of free mobile editing apps–there’s a TON of these
Remember, the goal of editing is to enhance your content, captivate your audience, and present your message in the most engaging and professional manner.
Video Thumbnails
Video thumbnails play a crucial role in attracting viewers and enticing them to click on your Amazon Influencer videos. A compelling and visually appealing thumbnail can significantly increase your video’s click-through rate. Let’s explore some best practices for creating eye-catching video thumbnails that grab attention.
Here’s an example of one of my thumbnails (for my approval videos):
a thumbnail for my Amazon Influencer videos
Take a separate picture or grab a screenshot from your video–showing the product
When it comes to choosing a thumbnail, it’s essential to showcase the product prominently. This helps viewers quickly identify the subject of your video and generates interest in what you have to say about it. Ensure that the thumbnail clearly represents the product being reviewed or demonstrated.
You can capture a separate picture specifically for the thumbnail or select an engaging frame from your video. The key is to highlight the product in a visually appealing and attention-grabbing way.
Zoom in on product (or crop the outside)
For maximum impact, consider zooming in on the product in your thumbnail. This technique helps create focus and emphasizes the product’s details. By providing a closer look, viewers can get a clearer idea of what the video is about and develop a desire to learn more.
If the product is small in the frame or surrounded by distractions, cropping the outside elements can also be an effective approach. This ensures that the product takes center stage, eliminating any potential clutter or distractions in the thumbnail.
Edits (optional)
While optional, you can make certain edits to your thumbnail to make it more visually appealing and engaging. Here are some edits you can consider:
Exposure/brightness: Increasing the exposure or brightness slightly can help make the thumbnail more vibrant and eye-catching.
Contrast: Adding a touch of contrast can make the product stand out and create a more dynamic thumbnail.
Saturation: Adjusting the saturation slightly can enhance the colors and make the thumbnail more visually appealing.
Adding graphics: In some cases, adding simple graphics like arrows or icons can draw attention and add a touch of creativity to your thumbnail.
Remember, the purpose of a thumbnail is to capture the viewer’s attention and entice them to click on your video. Experiment with different thumbnail designs and monitor which ones perform best for your content.
Conclusion
Create engaging Amazon Influencer videos that comply with Amazon’s guidelines and focus on showcasing the product in action. Prioritize audio quality, professional background, stability, and good lighting for maximum impact. Keep your editing concise and impactful, paying attention to audio and visual elements. With these tips, craft effective videos that engage your audience and drive conversions.
FAQs
Do I have to show my face in Amazon Influencer videos?
No, showing your face in Amazon Influencer videos is not mandatory. While some influencers choose to appear on camera to establish a personal connection with their audience, others prefer to focus solely on showcasing the product. The decision to show your face or not depends on your personal preference and the type of content you wish to create. Either way, it’s important to deliver valuable and engaging information to your viewers.
Do I have to talk in Amazon Influencer videos?
While some influencers may opt for non-verbal content or video montages, it is highly encouraged to include verbal communication in your Amazon Influencer videos. Speaking about the product can provide valuable insights, showcase detailed demonstrations, and offer personalized recommendations to your audience. By incorporating your voice, you can establish a stronger connection with viewers, enhance the effectiveness of your content, and increase the likelihood of video approval. Experiment with different speaking styles and approaches to find the best method that resonates with your audience and aligns with your content goals.
How do I get approved for Amazon influencer?
To get approved for the Amazon Influencer program, you first need to apply to the program directly. During the application process, you will be required to provide links to your social media profiles that demonstrate an existing following and engagement with your audience. Amazon wants to ensure that you have the necessary reach and influence to effectively promote products. Once accepted into the program, you can then apply separately for “product placement” videos by submitting three sample videos. Once these videos are approved, you can start creating Amazon Influencer videos and earning passively.
How many followers do you need to join the Amazon influencer program?
Amazon does not specify a specific number of followers required to join the Amazon Influencer program. However, having a substantial and engaged following is important to increase your chances of being accepted into the program. Quality of followers and engagement rate are typically more important than sheer numbers. Focus on building an authentic and engaged audience by consistently creating valuable content and interacting with your followers. This will enhance your chances of getting approved for the program.
How long does it take Amazon to approve videos?
The duration for Amazon to approve videos can vary. Typically, it takes a few days to a couple of weeks for Amazon to review and approve videos submitted for the Amazon Influencer program. The approval process includes assessing the quality of your content, adherence to guidelines, and overall suitability for the program. It’s important to note that the duration may vary based on factors such as workload and seasonal fluctuations. Patience is key, and it’s always a good idea to follow up with Amazon if there are any significant delays.
LinkedIn–it’s for boring job stuff, right?
Wrong.
It’s for growth. Building meaningful connections. Growing your audience.
The bad news = I, Pete McPherson, know NOTHING about LinkedIn.
The good news = Louise Brogan knows enough for all of us.
In today’s episode, we chat:
Meeting King Charles (really)
Who is LinkedIn for, and how can we benefit?
How to optimize your profile
Content Strategies for LinkedIn
Enjoy!
Listen to my episode wi
Today’s guest is the one and only Sadie Smiley! This blogger-turned-boss lady overcame thyroid cancer and a serious case of hustler burnout to build her online empire.
She’s also just super kind, chill, and smart.
My type of podcast guest.
We dive into…
Modern SEO (and horror stories about algorithm and AI word-vomit.
Sadie keeps it real on whether blogging is still a viable career option in 2024 or just a hobby for masochists.
MEMBERSHIPS
We
Today’s guest is the one and only Sadie Smiley! This blogger-turned-boss lady overcame thyroid cancer and a serious case of hustler burnout to build her online empire.
She’s also just super kind, chill, and smart.
My type of podcast guest.
We dive into…
Modern SEO (and horror stories about algorithm and AI word-vomit.
Sadie keeps it real on whether blogging is still a viable career option in 2024 or just a hobby for masochists.
MEMBERSHIPS
We talk about creating profitable memberships, and I’m a huge fan of her approach here…
Learn more about Sadie’s Membership Formula here https://dyeb.link/pip (that’s my affiliate link, of course)
AND–she built a discount code for my audience! Use code ‘DYEB‘ for a nice discount
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