Well, it’s been a while since I’ve written anything here, because quite frankly, I’ve been busy/sick/on holidays.
So, how’s my excellent quest to escape cubicle nation going?
Slowly.
Over here, you can read what I was aiming for. Independence from cubicle nation within 24 months. Of course, I didn’t write a plan, because I don’t believe in them – they limit you. Plus I constantly self adjust course, so, beyond some high level goals, I don’t do detailed plans. I find they also get in the way of implementation and execution. Any great idea is worth nothing without good execution.
My key objectives were to:
- Stop doing anything that wasn’t providing a return on my input. This led to the shutting down after 8 years of my first company, Heresy Snowboarding. This was hard, but I was spending too much money and time for no return.
- Focus on developing one or two things that helped people.
- Derive sources of passive income.
So far, I am on track, having launched an information product and website that help people (read more below), closed Heresy, and started a couple of sites to help people and feed the web in general.
As usual, the best ideas as the ones that help solve your own problem. This led to me concentrating on two projects.
Wherespresso – a site that allows ANYONE to put a coffee review on the site, and tdftips.com (with sister sitecyclinginfranceguide.com – a site with tips, tricks, pitfalls to watch out for and inside information on cycling in France (particularly for following the Tour de France).
Tdftips.com/Cyclinginfranceguide.com
After I went to France in 2009 for Le Tour and L’Etape du Tour, I was struck by the lack of a single point of information, or guide, covering all aspects of planning and executing a trip to France, for leisure, or for Le Tour and L’Etape.
So, on the plane on the way home, I started writing a comprehensive guide covering tips, tricks, pitfalls and other information. This resulted in a 70+ page ebook that sells for $19.
So, that is one source of passive income.
I focussed on it for about 3 months from conception to launch, at the expense of pretty much all-else, including Wherespresso.
Wherespresso.com
Unlike many coffee review sites, which are only updated by a few people, this lets everyone have a say.
This idea sprouted when Mike and I were faffing about at Dinner Plain one snowy morning not knowing what was open (at 10AM, most places in DP had stopped serving breakfast. I know, right? WTF!), when I said “Faaaark, I wish there was a site that had a database of rad coffee places everywhere.” And so wherespresso.com was born.
It’s not quite there yet, but as you can see, there’s a terrific redesign taking place (nearly done), and a BIG, BIG improvement to the submission form that will make it waaaay easier for people to submit reviews.
So, you’re pretty sure how I’m going to monetise the site now, right? I don’t think so. I didn’t start Wherespresso to derive an income. It was started to feed the web and help people find great coffee. Nothing more. However, it’s obvious to me there is an income stream there – not large – but it’s there nonetheless. As I get things rolling, I’ll keep you informed. It seems I have a competitor in this game, so for now, I’d like to keep my cards pretty close to my chest.
CyclingMelbourne.com
I didn’t really start CyclingMelbourne.com for any other reason than to help beginner cyclists in Melbourne find their way through the noise to buy a new bike and get started.
Many people at work ask me beginner cyclist questions, so I thought I’d put my knowledge and expertise down on a website.
The site is predominantly for beginners who just want to lose weight and get fitter, so I included my own personal story of how I dropped about 30kg (from an 88kg frame) and turned from a miserable, flabby muffin man, into a lean cycling racer.
The site has a long way to go, but as a start, has tips on losing weight, beginner cycling info, and a cycle planner (which shows calories/Big Macs burnt for each ride!).
There will be plenty of opportunities to monetise this via straight up advertising but also some cool stuff around LIS stuff on planned rides.
Should be fun, as I crank it up.
Other Stuff
As I was working on CyclingMelbourne.com, I had a brainwave (which I don’t want to reveal yet), which is going to lead to some very cool information products. I can’t wait to get started on that, but it won’t happen until I’ve nailed down Wherespresso.com and CyclingMelbourne.com.
Stay tuned, 2010 should prove to be very fun.
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