About the only thing I did get done is adding Custom WordPress Meta Boxes for a Custom Post Type that I added to one of my sites recently. I found the most helpful and comprehensive Tutorial to be this one on Nettuts. I went through a few other tutorials first and that one was by far the best. It also is more secure as it implements the esc_attr() function which strips out any <> characters which lessons the chance of exploitation. I’ll especially need to be aware of this and study it more in the future as I would like to create a form on the front end which allows users to create posts for my new post type. Of course, I’ll update this as I figure all of that out.

About the only other thing I got done this week outside of working on the day to day issues that came up with my businesses was this: I did start working on my 3rd website this week though. I’m trying to take a more planned approach instead of just flying by the seat of my pants which is so easy to do on the web. I’d like to have this project be my BIG project of the year. It’ll be a WordPress site, but not just any WP site. God willing, it’ll be close to as advanced a WordPress site as Envato is built on. I’ll have to learn a whole heck of a lot, but that’s a good thing! I got a new domain yesterday for it that I think will work well. I was surprised that the domain was available, but God is good.

So that’s it for today. I hope to have some non-coding posts coming soon. We’ll see if I get the time and if I can pull away from uploading my 200+ coupons to ConnectOrange which will likely take up a good portion of my last week of no-job.

My buddy Shane turned me onto Titanium which makes coding life much easier than using my traditional FileZilla / Notepad++ combo for editing files on my servers. He also showed me the print_r command which is amazing for figuring out what is going on in your php arrays and using it eventually led to helping to solve the biggest coding challenge I’ve faced so far as I tried to build a new feature into ConnectOrange. As a side note, there is almost no better feeling than finally figuring out some coding issue that’s been eluding you for hours or even days at a time. It’s euphoria!

I had planned on signing up for a TutsPlus premium membership this week, but 1) it’s already Tuesday, and 2) I’ve just found about two dozen more tutorials I’d like to check out first on javascript, php, and css.

Below I’ve pasted some code snippets that I found helpful as I was figuring out that issue.

Code Snippets

<pre style="
 white-space: pre-wrap;       /* css-3 */
 white-space: -moz-pre-wrap;  /* Mozilla, since 1999 */
 white-space: -pre-wrap;      /* Opera 4-6 */
 white-space: -o-pre-wrap;    /* Opera 7 */
 word-wrap: break-word;       /* Internet Explorer 5.5+ */
 background:#ffffff;
 word-wrap: break-word;
 ">
    <?php print_r($yourArray); ?>
</pre>

This code will not only display your array, it will do so in a way that is nice and neat. The CSS there is to wrap the long lines of the output which would otherwise be cut off because of the <pre> tags.

I got the CSS from CSS Tricks .

I found this on CSS Tricks which continually proves to be a great source for finding answers to my problems.

So here’s the a generic version of the code I used:

<?php $terms_as_text = get_the_term_list( $post->ID,'my_taxonomy'); if (!empty($terms_as_text)) $check_img = strip_tags($terms_as_text); ?>
        <a href="<?php echo get_post_meta($post->ID, 'link_from_custom_field', true); ?>">            
            <?php if($check_img == 'Matches Term 1') { ;?>
                <img src="<?php bloginfo('stylesheet_directory'); ?>/images/img_of_term1.jpg" alt="<?php echo $check_img; ?>" title="<?php echo $check_img; ?>" />
            <?php } elseif ($check_img == 'Matches Term 2') { ;?>
                <img src="<?php bloginfo('stylesheet_directory'); ?>/images/img_of_term2.jpg" alt="<?php echo $check_img; ?>" title="<?php echo $check_img; ?>" />
            <?php } elseif ($check_img == 'Matches Term 3') { ;?>
                <img src="<?php bloginfo('stylesheet_directory'); ?>/images/img_of_term3.jpg" alt="<?php echo $check_img; ?>" title="<?php echo $check_img; ?>" />
            <?php } ?>
        </a>

get_the_term_list(); gets the taxonomy terms from my current post ($post->ID) and from a selected taxonomy (‘my_taxonomy’). After checking to make sure the taxonomy isn’t empty, it strips it of the anchor. Because I wanted to display a different image based on which taxonomy term was being used, I set the stripped taxonomy term to $check_img and then checked it against each of three different terms in order to display the appropriate image.

Also, here’s a reference that I made that helps explains the difference between the various term-related functions:

get_terms vs the_terms vs get_the_terms etc.

get_terms(); — Retrieve the terms in taxonomy or list of taxonomies.

<?php get_terms( $taxonomies, $args ) ?>

get_term_link(); — Returns permalink for a taxonomy term archive.

<?php get_term_link( $term, $taxonomy ); ?>

get_the_terms(); — Retrieve the terms of the taxonomy that are attached to the post.

 <?php get_the_terms( $id, $taxonomy ); ?>


get_the_term_list(); — Returns an HTML string of taxonomy terms associated with a post and given taxonomy. Terms are linked to their respective term listing pages.

 <?php get_the_term_list( $id, $taxonomy, $before, $sep, $after ) ?>

the_terms(); — Displays the terms of a custom taxonomy.

 <?php the_terms( $id, $taxonomy, $before, $sep, $after ); ?>


wp_get_object_terms(); — Retrieves the terms associated with the given object(s), in the supplied taxonomies.

<?php wp_get_object_terms( $object_ids, $taxonomies, $args ) ?>

And there are a ton more, but those are the ones I kept referencing, so hopefully that will be a help to you as well.

People often start things and don’t finish them. As King Solomon said, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning” (Ecc 7:8). But nevertheless, I’m starting something today. I’m starting to learn the skill of developing websites. While I have a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS, I’ll need to master them both and especially master the new web standards of HTML5 and CSS3.

I’ve found a host of videos available on NetTuts.com already, and I’ll be posting my progress as well as what I learn here on the blog so anyone that wants to can keep up. Instead of daily posts, which I’ve attempted before, I’m going to attempt to post every week in attempt to solidify what I’m learning through regurgitation and in case anyone else wants to learn the same things.

I’m starting with this set of videos: Diving into PHP Video Series since in working with WordPress, I need to have a solid grasp on PHP and since I know enough HTML and CSS that I won’t get lost. For anyone who doesn’t yet know HTML or CSS but would like to learn, TutsPlus is has a free course that you can watch/download right now to learn the basics.

Goals for Learning Coding

Overall though, my goal for the year is to have launched a handful of sites like ThereIsAPluginForThat.com and to have coded at least 3 of my own themes including a theme for churches that I can give away to churches who don’t have a site, a theme for internet marketers that makes it simple to create splash pages, membership sites, etc., and an app theme that’s as elegant and functional as the ones from AppThemes.com.

I want to have a solid handle on HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, and how these languages function inside and throughout WordPress specifically. I want to be able to create themes, add widgets, create plugins, and maybe even try my hand at some type of multi-site installation. Coding is a great skill to learn and looks as if it will be around for quite some time. Plus, I love it. I’d probably just do it for a hobby even if I wasn’t using it to pay the bills.

So with that, here we go. My goal for this week is to get through the PHP video series and then to probably purchase a premium subscription from TutsPlus and get through either one of their books or at least one set of tutorials.

Generally, I plan about a million things for myself to get accomplished for my New Year’s resolutions. I write out every book I want to read, other self-improvement tasks such as learning languages, attending seminars or trainings, vacations I want to take, the amount of money I’d like to make and how I’d like to make it. But this year, I’m taking a different approach. I’m keeping things simple. Here is my simple, short list of resolutions for the New Year.

Resolutions

• Abide in God – I’ve learned a lot over the last few years about doctrine and the law of God. This year as I continue to study, I want to also put an emphasis on getting to know God on a more personal level in the day to day moments of life.
• Esse Quam Videri – To be, rather than to appear to be. I want to be myself… all the time. I’ve grown much stronger in recent years, but there are still times when I get caught up in thinking about how I should act or could act to the neglect of the situation itself. I want to continue to work on this in 2012.
• Disciplined Work – God is good, and business is going well (as I’ll get to in a moment). This is no time to pull back or to cease being diligent. On the contrary, I need to persist in the disciplined attitude I’ve had in starting the year. I have a few big projects that I’m working and, God willing, if I am diligent and patient the projects will pay off.
• Keep Things Simple – Love God and obey His commands, work hard, be yourself, and enjoy life.

For me this is a short list. And in the spirit of keeping things simple, I’ll be brief in this next section:

What I Expect in 2012:

I have a couple of projects that I’m working on which are growing more and more exciting. One of them is ConnectOrange.com which is still in Beta but is live and may very well be the best looking site in Lansing thanks our lead graphic designer Eric. I’m working on a few more features that will hopefully be rolled out by the end of February at the latest. There is much more to tell with the network of other Lansing-based sites that I plan on rolling out, but it’s too much for this post. I’ll probably be doing a press release and another post on ConnectOrange as things progress.

I’m also fortunate to have the opportunity with working with some friends on other projects as well including selling some stuff on Amazon, a website exclusively for car dealers, and a magazine. In addition to these projects, I have simplified the offerings of my company to include only things that 1) we are good at and 2) that I enjoy doing. We are removing many of our marketing services and transitioning to use ConnectOrange and the rest of our Lansing-based network of sites as our primary marketing offerings rather than link building and social media. This will definitely be a win-win for everyone!

Outside of business, things are looking promising as well. I’ve been thinking and praying about where I can get more involved with a church community around town and a few options have presented themselves. I’m excited about these possibilities as well even though I’m not entirely sure what I’ll be doing yet. I know that I want to work towards building a genuine community of Christians who work together to solve community problems. I have a few ideas, but for now I’m in a holding pattern as I explore the options before me.

Lastly, I should mention that I’m changing up the course of this blog. I’m taking a more simple approach to it as well. I’m just going to write about all the things that are me. The name will still be MarketerMatt.com, but it will come to be a place where my voice can be heard on a multitude of issues, not just marketing. I’ve been considering jumping back into writing about Church related issues, theology, and politics among other things. So while this blog has been aimed at mostly marketing related topics, you can expect a shift as I subject you to whatever thoughts are rolling around in my head as the year goes on.

So with that, I wish you a great 2012, and I’ll catch you on the flipside.

So here’s my question…

Why in the world haven’t more internet marketers gone into the network marketing arena?!? Seriously though, think about this for a second.

Affiliate marketers are already doing the same thing as network marketers, only they are almost exclusively focused on online marketing whereas most network marketers are still stuck in traditional word-of-mouth advertising. Affiliate marketers therefore actually have a huge advantage!

Even if they only sold a network marketing product like this one, they could probably do fine. And then what happens when they get a few other affiliate marketers to do the same thing underneath them? Wouldn’t they increase their income drastically? Why would any affiliate marketer NOT go for something like that?

The only reasons I can think of are 1) They don’t know how effective or profitable network marketing companies can be, 2) They have the same feelings about network marketing companies as the rest of Americans, or 3) They can’t see beyond doing what they’ve always done.

In my opinion, internet marketers could absolutely CRUSH IT when it comes to network marketing companies because of the skills they already posses. I just wonder why they don’t use them in that arena.

But whatever. I guess it just leaves more market share for people like me

Article by Marketer Matt – King of the internet

As successful as I have been with this method, I do not have quite enough control as I would like. I have started to learn how to add simple functionality such as additional page templates for my themes, additional style sheets that can be selected from a theme options page, and stuff like that. And now I’m diving all the way in!

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve started learning PHP and have already put together my very own theme from scratch with the help of some of these tutorials. I also managed to add a Theme Options page to a theme following this tutorial. So needless to say, I’m pretty excited. Learning WordPress will help me with marketing, give me a new source of income, and give me more stuff to blog about

And it just so happens that the TUTS PLUS network just launched WP TUTS in the last few weeks. I think they did it just for me Especially because the first tutorial they are starting is how to develop your own wordpress theme.

So here I go.

So what’s the solution? Well, eventually I’ll probably get an office, but for now, I just need to organize my stuff… as should be evident by these photos

As you can see, it’s about time to organize my office again. Here are the steps that I usually take to get myself organized. It makes work flow smoother and I’m sure it’ll help you too. Feel free to suggest more.

1. Clean everything you can off your desk and dust it!! don’t want to be breathing in dust bunnies while you’re trying to work!
2. Get the recycle bin, trash can, and a few file folders
3. Turn on GrooveShark and start going through the pile o’ crap and either recycle / trash it, file it away, or put it in another pile which is your “to do” pile
4. When you’re done, take a break to reward yourself and get a chilled coffee
5. Come back and enjoy your new, clean work environment!

Now it’s my turn

Everyone knows coffee is a HUGE industry. Even if you don’t drink coffee, you can’t help but notice there is a Starbucks or other coffee shop on practically every street corner these days. Aside from the projections of it quickly becoming a 100 billion dollar industry (currently it’s around 70), coffee is the most widely traded commodity after oil.

So if you add these facts to the idea of a coffee that doesn’t make you store fat (which traditional coffee does) but instead actually helps burn fat, than you get a pretty darn good business idea. Who wouldn’t want to loose weight drinking stuff they are already drinking everyday anyway? Oh, and by the way, an average of over 1 billion cups of coffee are served daily worldwide.

So why the heck do I care about Boresha and their skinny coffee? Because Boresha is a coffee based MLM. This essentially means that I can become an affiliate for Boresha and not only get paid to sell their coffee, but I can get paid on the sales of other affiliates that I get to sign up under me. It’s basically affiliate marketing on steroids!

There are some affiliate plans that are “two tier” or even “three tier” systems where they allow you go get paid based on the commissions of other affiliates you sign up. Boresha, being a network marketing company, essentially allows you to get paid on as many affiliates as you (and they) can sign up!

So again, take a product that everyone already uses (coffee) and make it health conscious (skinny coffee) and then give me and other marketers the ability to sign up hundreds of other affiliates that can all sell this coffee. And what do you get? Give it three to five years and you’ll probably have a billion dollar company. The only question left is “how much of the money pie to do you want?” With less than 24,000 affiliates in the system, there is so much room for growth that it’s not even funny.

Yes, I’m excited about Boresha, and yes, I’ve already signed up as an affiliate, and yes, I’m pretty much the only internet marketer who knows about this opportunity right now, and yes, I’m going to dominate. If you want to join me follow the link below and check us out:

Boresha

The company, started last year (2010) by a good friend of mine named Jeremy Jones, is a video based social media website like YouTube, but which pays users for their content. I’m excited about the idea, because I think it has a lot of merit. Having known Jones for a long time, we met up last week to talk about me coming on board to help with the marketing side of things, since, after all, that is my expertise

I will admit though, marketing a social network is a different animal entirely than marketing small businesses which is what my company focuses on. It is even different than marketing a normal website where SEO is can usually make a huge difference. I’m having to rack my brain and go back to the drawing board in order to come up with ideas that will help make this site go viral rather than to the top Google. But of course, like any good entrepreneur, I’m up for the challenge!

So how do you market a social network? Here are my thoughts as I begin to dive into this project. (Of course I can’t go into great depth because of contracts and of conflict of interest, but for my internet marketing comrades out there, I wanted to give a brief outline that might be helpful.)

• Twitter – In my mind, Twitter is by far the fastest way of communicating with the world outside of commandeering control of every major news nation simultaneously. This makes it a vital part of my strategy when it comes to promoting another social network since people need to find out about it, and quickly. Several months ago I was privileged to watch a webinar from StomperNet featuring Perry Belcher on social media. The guy had something like 100,000 followers within six months and was one of the most influential tweeters at the time before he bowed out of the scene. I plan to put his tactics to use here.
• Market Leaders – Though I didn’t read the whole book, I think this was the idea behind The Purple Cow. Basically, the idea is this, finding and convincing leaders is generally easier than convincing the masses. Convert the leaders and let them do the work for you. Of course, this tactic will likely take some time, but I think it’ll be highly effective if carried out. Social networks like Facebook will be key in getting in touch with these leaders.
• SEO – Even though the nature of the website almost makes SEO irrelevant, I’ve found a handful of keywords that may help to jump the traffic. The idea here is to help people solve problems through the use of the website. For example, internet marketers like myself want more exposure for our companies and Advid is another place to get that exposure both by videos and through buying targeted ads. So the goal here would be to create content around solving people’s issues and then to use the linking structure of the ever growing site to direct “link juice” the appropriate pages in order to get them ranked. Right now I’m trying to find the problems or issues that people are having that are most related to YouTube or other video providers. Figured that’d be a good place to start.
• Email Marketing – Hopefully, I’ll apply the traditional no-brainer email marketing tactics as well. I’m toying with a few ideas: Video of the Day, Top # List, Admin Favorites, etc. – And of course forwarding and social media share buttons are a must! Not too much flashy stuff here but just the stuff that has proven to work over and over again.

So there are some of the ideas that I have here as I’m just getting started on this project. Let me know what you think good or bad. Anything you would do differently?

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