ahh need some advice/help

Well, I've been apart of the internet business for over 3 years and I've pretty much haven't gotten anywhere. I'm a programmer and design. I've made some money from designs and programming but not enough. It seems like all the sites I make seem to fall apart and not get anywhere in the internet world. Any tips advice anything would be awesome.

Btw my areas that I'm most intnerested in is music

 

I think it is extremely difficult to make money from just advertising. In my case, I started with a newsletter and converted that into a website. Because of the nature of the content, I can sell subscriptions. Advertising is a recent addition and unimportant financially.

That is the first thing I would looking at. Producing a product which can be sold. Since you are a programmer, you may be able to sell some of the software you create. If that does not work, try selling upgrades to existing software and even free software.

If you are quick designer, you could always try selling template sets to people. Right now, AdSense ready templates are all the rage. They do not sell for much each, but you might be able to get a little volume out of it. You could then offer premium templates and consulting services. You might try tiering your service -- a free template of the week.month; low cost template sets; higher cost, limited edition template sets; premium one off templates; and ultra premium designer templates created in consultation with the client.

The hardest part is sticking with it through the tough time and staying motivated when sales suck. The next hardest part of recognizing when something does not work and dumping it. Over the years I have folded one business and several business ventures because they were not working.

Remember, overnight successes are only known for their latest project which worked, not prior ones which failed.

 

Great advice.

It is true. It take quite some time for people to reach that target.

 

First off, you're going to need to get a good strong start. This'll require time & dedication. If you do not have this, then don't plan on going anywhere.

Develop a website that interests you...focus it on one subject (ie: music). Now, you like music, so I'm sure you can write up news for the latest music headlines, reviews for bands, and of course have a forum. What gets a website kickin' and get a large audience of users is its content: you will need to write up quality lengthy content, but please KEEP IT INTERESTING.

As a programmer you can do a lot of things with your site: have a comment module where people can comment on your articles...let their voices be heard. It'll give you some interaction between your site and them, and allow other visitors to see that they're not the only ones that have seen your site or article.

Finally then exchange links and put some ads up. Don't focus on money right away - it WILL come as long as there is content up. Keep your site updated with content too so that bots will visit it and update your sites rankings regularly. Remember, the more visitors have the higher the probablity of advertisement clicks you will have.

If you need to make investments into your site, get money first off by being a freelance designer or programmer. There are tons of good sites out there where you can find individuals who are interested in your services and who will pay you good. There is TalkFreeLance.com and yaXay.com for designers. There is ScriptLance.com for programmers. And there is SitePoint.com for both. Just offer up your services, build a portfolio and show it off: you'll get a job and you will be paid for it.

Successful websites really depend on one thing, and that is primarily dedication. The second is time as stated above...you need to be dedicated, as write daily or show that your website is alive and that you are there. You need the time to do that...and if you need to spend money to build your site, do some freelance work.

Those are my only suggestions. Please utilize them. I think they will help you out.

 

Hey, Thanks alot for all of your comments very helpful!

 

No problem; am glad you found it helpful.
(And remember what I told you on AIM, please!)

 

Set a goal- an achievable goal! (or goals)

Do whatever it takes to reach that first goal. Then set the bar a little higher and then a little higher....

But don't rest after you have some successes and don't pat yourself on the back (too much). You should be excited about what you're doing but you need to stay focused....keep moving and continue to learn new strategies and techniques.