For those of you who can recall April started off with me setting an obscene goal for myself: to flip 20 websites in 30 days. Almost all of you crazy people responded with genuine encouragement and rooted me on via emails and comments on my Sitepoint auctions – and it was much appreciated! All in all, April proved to be many things, and a overall success is definitely one of them!
So without further delay, let’s get right into the stats, the screen shots and the challenges I faced throughout the month – as well as the many lessons I learned. You guys and gals know I’m not a fan of bullshit people with bullshit screen shots and claims, so be assured that all earnings and screen shots are legit and no figures have been tampered with in any way shape or form.
Total Earnings Minus Paypal Fees
As you can see in the screen shot to the left, I had a total of $3566.79 in earnings, minus the Paypal fees. Note**this total does not include a few Hostgator sign ups I had via my site flips. This total is also in US dollars, which is irrelevant to me.
After subtracting my expenses from my earnings above, my new total of net earnings for April comes in at $2990.15 USD. That equates to a total of $576.54 in expenses. This includes domain name purchases, content outsourcing, listing fees etc…
Another contributing factor to my massive success was due to a list building element I’ve incorporated into my niche website business. I gained 26 new subscribers in April, all of which signed up via a link at the end of my auction copy – this brought repeat business. This was pretty sweet!
Here’s a little tidbit of information I thought you guys might like to know: At the beginning of each month, and April in particular, I absolutely freak-the-fuck-out thinking to myself, “what the hell am I doing?” “what if this doesn’t work” “what if people don’t want my websites or services?” “what if it all ends today?” and at the ending of each month I come to realize that I earned more than I did the previously.
I’m sure I can compile several logical reasons as to why I go through this each month, but the reality of it is that I actually do know what I’m doing, and that there is a demand and huge market of webmasters, both experienced and flowering, who find my website packages and services very useful and economical. Will realizing this prevent me from freaking out in the first week of May? Probably not, lol.
Anyways – Here are the totals for the month regarding the actual amount of websites I built and sold:
- 15 sites developed/sold
- 5 sites developed privately
- 10 sites sold on Sitepoint
- 2 sites re-listed which didn’t sell initially
- 5 more private site builds for May (sweet!)
- $3546.02 in profit (Canadian Dollars)
So all in all, it looks like my site flip madness was a success! Truthfully, I can only see this business model becoming more efficient and cost-effective. Think about it… I sold my first website back in September, when I was broke and we had no money for groceries. Now, 8 months later, I am making more money monthly then I did as an insurance broker, I am working from the comfort of my home – and I have more time for myself and my relationship with Veronica, my friends and family.
So I ask you this: What is holding you back? Is it time? Is it money? Is it your own apprehension?
Whatever it is, I encourage you to sit back and evaluate your situation. I encourage you to really shoot for the stars, stick with one business model and work it until it is a fine-tuned machine. Will I be flipping websites forever? Probably not. Will I continue to kick ass online and take names? Fuck yeah.
Whatever is holding you back, you need to identify it and come up with a sound plan to work around it and start to take the necessary leaps required to work from home and make money online.
Cheers,
Elijah
Dude –
GREAT results Elijah! I want your content provider man… LOL Sounds like you kept them pretty busy last month for sure.
Congrats on a successful JUMP!
@Mark – Many thanks my friend! You gave me a great foundation many moons ago with your articles and insight – it’s only fair that I pay you back by actually doing something with what I’ve learned over the last 12 months!
Impressive results you have here Elijah. Congratulations!.
Salwas last blog post..Why Would You Want to Give Something Away Free on your blog?
Kicking ass and taking names…that’s how we roll in the hood!
I remember when you were broke with no money for groceries and I am sure that you are well aware that some people bust their ass all month in cubicle land and come home with less than that.
It has been a privilege to have seen your rapid rise to this level of success, and not only that, but to have been a part of it. I think you set the standard for what can be done with hard work and clear vision.
Awesome job, Eli.
Neal – Nota Bene Consultings last blog post..PPC Classroom
Rock on, ‘Lijah! Also, Veronica has awesome eyes. (was just viewing your Flickr box)
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@Salwa – Hey! Thanks for the support!
@Neal – Dude, you already know what it’s all about man! There is no fucking secret, just determination, focus and more importantly – having a dream! I notice the older people get, the less they dream.. and if they do, they dream fairly small.
I always say if you dream big you fall big. But if you fall big, you eventually accomplish big things!
Sure, I’m working more hours in a day than I was at my old cubicle job.. BUT, I’m working for ME. I’m more tired now.. BUT I’m more tired for ME.
lol… it’s a beautiful thing and I’m glad to have you around bro!
@WordVixen – Thanks hun! She does have awesome eyes.. they’re really green. You have nice eyes too!
Hey, well done Elijah, those are some fantastic results and some great profit. Also, as you say the fact that you are building your list also means that you are going to get repeat business going forward, so in fact these results are even better than how they appear on paper.
Keep going and think of the freaking out at the beginning of the month as proof that this really means something to you….something that working as an insurance broker never could.
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Awwwww… Thanks. 🙂
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I had several sites I created with the intentions of selling…and then they started bringing me good earnings or got good pagerank that I thought would be useful for promoting more sites…
And so it ends up being that I just can’t let them go, even though I should. The other thing that concerns me is I have absolutely no clue as to how to transfer a site to someone else’s hosting & domains. I’m sure I could figure it out though, that’s more of an excuse 🙂 .
Chelles last blog post..Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites
Elijah,
You never cease to amaze, astound and inspire me. So, so happy to find how much progress you’ve made in such a short time. Congratulations and encouragement to you!
The link from my name goes to my wife’s relatively new blog about our ‘life on the farm’. She really puts us all ‘out there’ and leaves no doubts about who we are. I’m very proud of her efforts there. In fact, we could probably use some ‘counseling’ from you about how to move it to the next level concerning monetization, etc.
As always, I look forward to seeing a new post from you in my RSS reader.
Go forward boldly,
Quinn
What a difference a year makes huh? It’s great to see you are succeeding Elijah! I know the hard work and effort you have put into this! The Skies the limit for you bud!
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@Alison – Yeah, the list building is crucial, and also something I’m very new to! And you’re right, if I didn’t stress each month that would simply translate to me not caring. I’m slowly starting to figure that out!
@WordVixen – You’re Welcome!
@Chelle – On the opposite side of things, I’ve sold a handful of sites that have gone and kicked ass for my clients; getting top ranking and killer adsense income. There are definitely a few I wish I would have kept! If I figured out how to transfer websites, not to mention building them, you can figure it out too – drop me an email if you get stuck anywhere.
@Quinn – Duuude! Aww… Miss you man! Thanks for the kind words and I’m pumped to hear you guys are starting to get out there – and yes, I can definitely give you a hand. Drop me a line sometime and we’ll take a look.
@Jake – I didn’t know realize we had limits in this game? 😉
Good stuff! Now you can buy some cheetos like the rest of us work from home type characters.
Will get back to you shortly about planning May.
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What an inspirational post! I especially love the bit about where you were just a few months ago. I always need to remember that I am extremely lucky to be earning money from home, with more free time, too!
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@Chris – Yeah, I’ve been hearing about the cheeto protocol regarding officially working at home.. better get down to the gas station and grab me some!
Hey Elijah!
I’m super impressed $3546.02 profit is amazing news! If you keep making more money every month, then by the end of the year you could be making 10k + a month. That would be wicked!
Just goes to show that in the internet world, hard work, determination and talent does pay off!
Since you’re so busy making loads of cash I can forgive you for the lack of posting on this here blog. 😉
Marks last blog post..Life begins at thirty
@Mark – It’s nice to know that I’ve been forgiven! I really do miss posting on the blog – It’s always been a great outlet of mine and I don’t want to lose sight of that! More great things to come!! 10k a month and Veronica and I are flying down to pay you a visit with a bottle of wine and some of my award winning chili 🙂
Elijahs last blog post..Strawberry Smoothie Recipes
I noticed that some of the websites you have sold are being re-sold as cheaper template packages by the person who owns: http://domainingdiva.com/
It says on her site that she’s in the business of flipping and creating websites, yet some of the sites she is listing aren’t exactly her creations. Just wanted to give you a heads up about that. Just seems a bit odd.
@Daniel – First off, I really appreciate you feeling the need to let me know about this. It really says a lot about your character and the type of person you are. Second, I am aware of this and she is a repeat customer of mine – what she does with the sites she buys from me is completely her business as the site is sold on an exclusive basis – which means everything in entirety belongs to her.
It’s actually quite clever what she is doing – a little shifty if you ask me, but quite clever!
Thanks again Daniel – I really appreciate you looking out for me!
Cool, it is quite clever from a “making money” perspective. Just wasn’t sure if she was the rightful owner or not. Thanks for clarifying.
Yo..E great accomplishment & hope you continue yo hustle & grind & get that paper boi. Anyways, get @ me I replied to your email you sent me–waiting for your thoughts. Peace.
So what kind of sites were you developing? Just anything you could come up with?
@Alex – Hey Alex! Well, it really depends on the medium the sites are being developed for. If I’m building sites for the public (Sitepoint) then I’m going to build sites in niche markets that are profitable with reasonable competition. If I’m doing private sites – it is completely depending on the choice of the clients. I’ve done everything from tennis drills to eco gardening.
Elijahs last blog post..Crazy Super Flip-tastic Follow Up
Really great job!! $3000 in a month is amazing.
Can you explain “Hostgator sign ups I had via my site flips. ”
You mean you got signup conversions from your sites made for flipping??
Thanks.
I hope to be one of the clients who buys a site from you and goes on to make killer affiliate income!
Yo…Eli! Wha Gwaan? I would not believe you if you said you had nothing to say this month, so where you at?
Dying to hear about your trip to the other side!!!
Haha – yo dude, things are going great! Heading back to t.o. on Sunday. I’ll definitely be putting up a post when I get back – SuiteJ and I caused some mayhem!
Elijahs last blog post..Crazy Super Flip-tastic Follow Up
Damn E, I haven’t been following or on the Internet land for a while, but you have been killing it!
I am holding me back and now is the time that I get out of my way!
.-= Freddie Taylor´s last blog ..I’m Thinking: Customer Service, Bailouts, & Gay Marriage =-.
@Freddie – I miss you round here man! Don’t let your punk ass self get in the way of your successful, future-millionaire self. If he comes by, snuff him in the nose!
Congrats on the flip success…Ive been MIA for a while (floating in the ocean) but im back now…will be checking back for updates.
Desmond
.-= Desmond ´s last blog ..Back from….no where =-.