Well Happy New Year everyone! I know your saying, “Hey Anthony, its February. Where have you been?” I have a good answer! I’ve been working on a ton of new projects and got sidetracked. When I sat down tonight to start writing, I thought about the one thing I needed to change in 2010, any thought’s?

Be more calm

That’s it! I really need to calm myself and get into finishing mode. It really easy to begin project and get them going, but it’s another thing to finish. Here’s my calming recipe:

Begin my day with a few minutes to myself. Just a few minutes of quiet time to organize the upcoming day.

Breakfast with my family. The most important meal of the day will also become my interfamily communication time.

Spouse updates. Scheduling the day and calendar. Very important!

Get out for lunch, whether it be to eat well or exercise.

Let go what I can’t control. This will be tough cause I always feel better figuring things out, but not at the cost of getting things done.

Yoga. I need to lose some weight this year, and this will help me immensely!

I’d love to hear from anyone that’s been having focus problems and needing to calm down. This is our year, the year of the blogger. Now lets make make money and help others!

May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wish you lots of love, joy and happiness. MERRY CHRISTMAS from my family to yours!

For the past few years I’ve been training my brain on exactly what I thought it took to have a blog with money potential. As you know, I do a ton of reading on many different subjects pertaining to blogging, but I’ve come to find that the web is scattered. By this I mean everyone has there own idea of how to blog, how to generate traffic, how to SEO, how to monetize, and to tell you the truth is gets overwhelming.

This past weekend, I really thought about steps I could take to help with content for the blog, and share with you as we learn together. Here’s what I came up with to help train my brain for the long run!

Blog Hard

Create a tempo of work that is comfortable for you to maintain (It’s not a race). Fast (nothing) post’s won’t strengthen your blogging brain. Soldiering through difficult writers block will fortify your confidents and willingness to write the good content!

Break It Up

Don’t go for all your posts in one full swoop, your reader can tell your not into your writing, so divide it into days, have a strategy or focus on the topic your looking to write about. Remember your readers are your customers, so intrigue them!

Talk To Yourself

Make a positive “Trigger Phrase” like “I am Blogger”, or “I love to write” to pump you up and get you through the tough times. If this doesn’t work, you may need to rethink why you’re blogging.

My favorite is “Suzanne will kill me”

Bribe Yourself

Don’t want to write that post today? Promise yourself some banana bread, or something you’re really wanting. Bribing yourself won’t make blogging feel like it such a chore.

Do you struggle with your blog? What’s your biggest mental struggle?

I’d love to hear your comments!

I lost a bet with Suzanne Franco suzannefranco.com and here’s the video I promised to make for her! I should have done what I was supposed to do and this would’ve never happened. Anyway, I had to come through for her, so watch me make a fool of myself!

See that beautiful ad to the left? The trusted, approved and used by Anthony ad? Well, I’d like to introduce you to my hosting company. These are the people that bring my blog to you without interruption.

HostMonster is found on top of most web hosting reviews, and one of the most frequently used hosting services around. While they may have some similar features and benefits as others, HostMonster provides me some very distinct differences that should help you choose a service that’s right for your blog.

Pricing
The price is always on the mind of us bloggers looking for hosting services, Right now you can get a 24-month contract with HostMonster for $3.95 a month. The service has outperformed my expectations and always delivers.

Features
Many features of the two web hosting are comparable. One big difference I like a lot is that HostMonster uses cPanel when a lot of other companies don’t. This was a big selling point for me, as I didn’t want to have to be a techie to figure this out. Even if I were to run into a situation, HostMonster support is always there and willig to help offering unlimited domain names and email accounts and, have shopping cart capabilities, spam filters, streaming audio/video options, and MySQL databases are all a plus. Simple Scripts make it very easy to set up my WordPress application without any trouble. HostMoster is literally telling you they provide unlimited bandwidth and disk space, so take advantage of that!

Security
HostMonster pride themselves in excellent security, using SSL and encryption to secure any information exchanged between your customers and your website. HostMonster also gives you SSH or Secure Shell Access, meaning you have a very secure channel when making changes to your blog.

Customer Support
Customer Service is the best way to make your decision when choosing a hosting company. HostMonster provides 24/7 phone support and live chat (which I love!). HostMonster also guarantees a wait time of less than two minutes for phone support, and all HostMonster phone support is handled within the United States (Outstanding). HostMonster does also off tutorials if your feeling confident about your tech skills!

How do you make money?
HostMonster gives you $175 in free search engine advertising credits, as well as one free domain name for life, free set up (with two-year or longer plan), and free domain privacy service. Offering a no-questions-asked 30-day money back guarantee was the clincher for me. HostMonster affiliates are generously paid $65.00 per paid referral.

Conclusion
Currently I’ve just renewed my two year contract with HostMonster and very happy. If you have any questions about HostMonster of services they provide please feel free to contact me.
Are you looking for hosting Services? Or Do you already use a service? I’d love to hear about it!

Have you ever really thought about what your passion in life might be? I can tell you I have many, but last night I was almost sleeping and it came to me. No, not the one passion I can count on for years to come, because I have plenty of those, LOL

The best way to describe how I feel when sitting down to develop a blog is this: I love wine (passion) and I really like to explore different varieties and match them with food (another passion). When I go to my favorite store Total Wine here in Florida, I walk in and it always over whelms me to see all the selections possible. I have over the past few years learned to really drill down to a type of grape instead of saying reds, or whites. Now day’s I walk into the store and look for “Sangiovese” wines which I now concentrate on, because they are my favorite grape varietal. So, believe me, I understand when you tell me you have a hard time understanding what you passion might be. If you really drill down to a niche of your passion, you’re likely to do much better when writing your blog, why? Because you’ll love it!

Do you believe in yourself?

You should because that’s where most of your magic will come from when writing

Here’s your lesson for tonight! Sit back with a nice glass of your favorite wine, beer, or liquor, preferably somewhere quiet and answer of the following questions:

What do you love to do every day without thinking its work?

What is your motivation for this love?

What is this love inviting you to do with it?

What obstacles stand in your way of accomplishing this love?

What are a few small steps you can take today to move you forward and begin working your love?

Once you can answer these questions, I’m certain you will be that much closer to finding your passion! The cool part of this is once you find your passion you’re ready to begin the best times of your life! Now let’s look at the equation we just came up with and repeat it every day.

Love = Passion

Now, that we’ve handled the hard part, it’s time to “embrace your passion” that’s right, you heard me. Most people will tell you to “follow your passion”. Why in the heck would we do that, when we can give it a big fat hug and say I Love You!

It’s time for you to take responsibility and know that you’re the only limit to you success. Stop making excuses about why you can’t embrace your passion, because anything is possible. Be open to living your passion and toward the goals you’ve created.

I can’t wait for you to comment and tell me you’ve found what you’ve been looking for (no U2 pun intended).

Being a reader of my blog, not only will you get awesome content, but real pictures and video of me showing the life of a blogger. At times it may not be glamorous, but at least you get to see me in true form! This is a tribute picture of my Black Friday!

What are you doing to celebrate Black Friday?

Comment or send me a picture to post!

Wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours! Today we’ll be staying at home and enjoying our family time filled with movie’s and the nice cool weather. I’ll probably sneak away for a bit to make sure my fantasy football team is doing well, and that Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) is getting smacked around. My big day this weekend will come on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 When the Florida State Seminoles (my alma mater) visit the University of Florida Gators which I hope becomes a major upset

My Vegas Lock Pick: FSU 35 – Florida 31

Seminoles vs Gators
Day: Saturday
Date: Nov. 28, 2009
Location: Gainesville, FL
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Coverage TV: CBS

Would love to know how your Thanksgiving went this year. Please comment!

I have secret for my readers that you’re not going to believe! In fact what I’m going to tell you will probably pour hundred’s, if not thousands of dollars into you PayPal account’s without you doing any work. Unscramble the words below for your secret answer:

THEREISNOSECRET! (Answer below)

LOL, I know you were expect some exciting new software, DIY Kit, or even a wealth pill.

NEWS FLASH……Forget it!

The day you started your blog was the day you began setting yourself up to profit. You heard me right. Before you can even begin to make money you have to have good content with rich keywords, and a passion to win! The biggest mistake people make when starting a blog or website is to think that “If you build it, they will come”. Ok, this is not 1989 Field of Dreams, and Kevin Costner is not going to save you! Unless of course he is your passion, and decide to blog about him, but that’s another post!

Let me set the record straight here and now. There are tons of ways to make money on your blog, or website as long as you start the correct way.Trust me when I tell you that my blog will review, advise, and comment about ways you can profit without getting caught up in scams and losing your hard earned money. We’ll discuss every possible strength and weakness once you decide to take on the project of blogging. I want you all to know that I’m not afraid to call people out and tell you that their software, tricks, tips, and ebooks “SUCK” if they really do. I will tell you however, if it helps me, it will help you and I’ll stand behind it!

Now what does profiting from a blog get us Anthony?

Well let me be the first to tell you what you won’t like:

Hard work
Long hours
Endless searches for good content
Thoughts of giving up before you ever see a penny

For the entrepreneur’s still reading, here’s the great news!

Being your own boss
controlling your own destiny.
More family time
Living your passion
Vacation when you want (you can work anywhere)

If you thinking of building your passion into a profit blog, I suggest you do three things first:

1. Register a domain name
2. Purchase a hosting plan
3. Install WordPress

You may or may not be a technical person by trade, but there are many lessons to be learned about the three main steps. Please check out www.suzannefranco.com. She is by far the best teacher the internet has seen in sometime! Your blog should be about a topic you really love talking about (passion) because the your content will flow much easier for you everyday. This will be the biggest benefit your readers, and gives them a sense of who you are, and exactly how passionate the topic is for you.

1. Establish yourself as an expert. Don’t be shy to let your readers know how much you love something.

2. Know your target audience, teach them, and learn from them. They will be your greatest resource

3. Provide solutions, if your can’t find someone who will.

4. Deliver outstanding service to your readers, and subscribers. Listen to what they’re telling you.

5. Ask for Referrals, testimonials for your services and use them.

6. Make sure your marketing plan is sound. Become part of forums, chat rooms, and your community

7. Embrace social media (Facebook, Twitter, Ustream, etc.) and use it to communicate. Learn it!, Live it!, Love it!

Some ideas to ponder when thinking blog profit:

Ebooks
Blogs with Adsense or Affiliate Programs
Sell Advertising
Become a Contract Blogger

In my next post, we’ll discover some of the ideas that will and won’t help your blog!

Readers: What ideas do you have? I’d love to hear what you have to say!

Scramble Answer: THERE IS NO SECRET!

In the past few years many people have lost jobs due to a rough economy. Banks, corporations, and even small businesses are failing to keep up with the world. I myself have been a victim of such downturn in recent years, but I have good news! Blogging could be the one job that provides you with the income you need to succeed.

Have you ever thought about starting your own blog? If so, this article is for you! Over the past few years, blogging has taken off for people looking to add or replace lost income due to the downturn in our economy. Just by taking the time to read this post, you’re already ahead of most people when it comes to your turning your passion into money.

Let me start by telling you this won’t be easy, but I truly believe you can do it!

Are you ready? I knew you’d say “YES”!

Now, repeat after me: “This is my job”, “I am the product”, and “I will be the salesperson!”

When I decided to blog for a living, I was already overwhelmed by certain individuals already in the game. It seemed like a daunting task, to even start the basics. Now that I’ve begun to understand the game, I find that all you have to do it try. My intentions are to provide content from a beginner’s point of view, and helping you step by step through the process. Let’s begin.

Don’t Assume – I don’t care what anyone has told you, or even what you heard in the past about blogging. It’s really meaningless unless you’ve researched, and studied everything you can about getting your passion out to the world.

Don’t Procrastinate – This is one area I’m very familiar with, LOL. I struggled for quite awhile as I gathered information, and learned how to use my knowledge in order to succeed. My partner, and mentor, Suzanne Franco (Suzannefranco.com) has worked with me over the past year really getting me motivated to speak about blogging for profit.

Know your passion – This is one area that I’ll demand you make a priority. You must be thoroughly knowledgeable about your passion, or products attributes. If you can’t talk about your passion, you can’t sell it to your readers.

Believe in your passion 100%? – “BELIEVE” if you don’t, there’s no way you can accomplish what you’re setting out to do, nor will you sell it to your readers.

Meet your reader’s needs – Your readers will flock to your blog based on the content your readers expect from you. Work harder and longer on what you have to say, and readers will appreciate your efforts.

From this point onward you will watch as build my blog and help you build yours. Eventually you will become more comfortable with the content I provide for you. The satisfaction I get is watching you become motivated to build a successful money making, passion filled blog!

Don’t fall for the get rich quick scam, together we’ll make money one day at a time.

I’d love to hear your questions and comments!