Recently, I’ve been busy, but busy is better than boring, right?
In my old days, I’d wake up and not know what to do. These days, I wake up and have so many things I could be doing and I love it that way.
Lately, I’ve been putting my head down and focusing on my bigger goals for this year.
Today I’ll just talk about what’s been going on, and why I’m going to New York City next week. Sit back and grab your favorite beverage.
My First Webinar
I did my first ever webinar a couple weeks ago for readers who bought the Only72.com package through me. I’ve attended many webinars, but never given one.
I wanted to have a special bonus and since one of the products in the package was about outsourcing iPhone apps, I decided I could definitely share my knowledge and experience about it in a webinar.
I was nervous about how many would be interested, but I had a small but excited group!
It was a 90 minute class on how to develop your first iPhone app. Since it was my first webinar, I felt so nervous beforehand, but once I started going through the slides, the nervousness went away.
I had so much fun doing it. It was suppose to be an hour, but ended up being around 90 minutes. I could talk about this stuff for hours.
Instead of doing one and recording it for those who couldn’t attend, I did two webinars so everyone could attend live.
For the second webinar, I had the worst headache a couple hours before it after waking up from a nap. I took Advil, but it didn’t help. My head was throbbing. I still had to do my best and act like nothing was wrong.
Once it started, I really got into the material. When it was done, I realized my headache was completely gone! I had no idea when it went away, but I’m so glad it did. So do a webinar if you have a throbbing headache.
I got great feedback, so I’m glad everyone really enjoyed it.
I hope to be doing more webinars this year on topics I’m passionate about. Stay tuned!
Blog World New York
This time next week I’ll be in New York City for Blog World!
It’s been something I’ve been keeping my eye on since I started blogging last year. I read about the one last year in New York. I thought about going to the one in Los Angeles for about a second. Overall, I read great things about it.
This time I felt I should go and stop wondering if I should or not.
I have never been to a conference. Never had a great reason to go. So I’m a conference newbie.
I felt like this would be a great opportunity to learn more and get to meet some bloggers I have followed since the beginning.
Plus it’s in one of my favorite places, New York City. What a great excuse to go.
The conference is Tuesday-Thursday but I’m arriving Monday and leaving on Saturday. Eleanor is coming with me. So she’ll enjoy the city while I’m at the conference.
Like I said, I’ve never been to a conference. I’m not good at networking. I’m not comfortable at making small talk. So this will be definitely out of my comfort zone. That’s what I need.
I even got business cards printed. My first ever business card so I got excited to hold them in my hand. I went with a unique style. I didn’t want the boring kinda. Check out my business card and you’ll see it is definitely is for me.
I’ve been reading some old articles about how to best prepare for it. It’s three days and I know a lot goes on so I want to have an idea of how best to prepare.
Anyone have tips for a conference newbie?
I’m definitely excited, but will feel nervous. Look for a post afterwards about how it went.
If anyone is going to Blog World New York, let me know and it’d great to say hi in person!
How is Photo 365 doing?
Things have been pretty quiet with it. Nothing major has gone on since the last update on the blog.
I did get one of the best emails ever when a speech pathologist told me Photo 365 is helping his stroke patients in therapy. It’s helping his patient capture their lives and help with conversations. He even said he’s speaking at a conference in July and will be discussing my app!
It’s so amazing to hear that it’s being used in ways that I never imagined.
Sales have been steady. I had a plateau of about $50 a day for the majority of this year, but now it’s been around $25 a day. I haven’t done any marketing, so I can’t be too surprised by the decline.
I’m thankful it’s still bringing in money every single day.
From Jan 1 to May 28, it’s brought in $11,024.01. Still a really nice amount.
I did a podcast interview with Spencer Hawes at Niche Site Pursuit about Photo 365. He asked some great questions so check it out if you’re interested.
Still focusing on making little updates to it. My bigger goal is to make it the best app it can be by the end of 2012. Gotta get ready for the start of the new year when it’s a perfect time to start a 365 project.
Apps Apps Apps
That’s all I’ve been thinking about the last couple months and I’ll tell you why.
Like I just said, sales of Photo 365 have plateaued. I knew even when I was averaging $1,000 a day the first month, that one app alone wasn’t going to give me the financial freedom I seek. I knew that sales would not be like that forever.
I don’t want to be a one hit wonder either. I don’t want to be Screech from Saved by the Bell. That’s all he’s famous for even though it’s a great show. Since then it’s been all downhill for his career.
So the last two months I’ve put my head down and been really focused on developing more apps.
The shift in gears came from reading Chris Guillebeau’s $100 Startup. I know I’ve mentioned it often recently, but I don’t do it cause I really like to misspell his last name every time.
The book is great.
There’s so many things we could be doing every day. I know I can be busy, but not actually get anything done.
One piece of advice really changed my attitude. He talks about focusing more on what will make us money. Ultimately in business, we want to make money. So it should be a priority. But it’s so easy to get distracted or not put in enough time.
When I looked at areas where I could make more money, developing more apps is the one area I should be focusing on. That has the biggest potential. That’s what I know. That’s what I enjoy. That’s what I should be focusing the majority of my time.
I’ve put other potential projects aside.
I went from working on no apps to developing two at the same time and a third right behind it.
Developing two apps at the same time must feel like having twins. When they’re both great, it’s wonderful. When both aren’t, it’s stressful.
Developing Photo 365 was much smoother. For one app, I’ve intentionally taken a different approach. With my first app, I worked with a team. It’s easier because you have your designer and programmer on the same team. They can communicate with each other and take you out as the middle man. It saves you so much time as well. If you’re outsourcing your first ever app, I’d highly recommend working with a team.
However I wanted to experience what it was like to hire the designer and programmer separately.
It has been a challenge to find a designer up to my standards. For my first designer, I made the mistake of hiring someone who was just by the book. Meaning she did whatever I told her. You might think that’s great, however, I wanted a designer to use their creativitiy and bring ideas to the project as well. I should have been more thorough in my interviewing process. I liked her portfolio and communication, but she wasn’t the type of designer I wanted. I’ve learned.
Now I’m on my second designer and I’m hoping he’ll be better. His portfolio looked great. Good reviews. His first two attempts at a resdesign haven’t been good though. The second one, I can’t even believe he designed it and thought it was good. I’m giving him one last chance. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll move on.
A quick lesson: slow to hire and quick to fire.
I’ve had to remind myself that no matter what challegenges I’ve faced, it’s not really that hard. In the overall picture, I get to develop iPhone apps. How cool is that?
What kind of apps am I creating? I’ll wait to reveal them. Not cause it’s a huge secret. I just don’t want to jinx anything. I want to make sure they’re closer to being finished before I do.
I’m soon starting another app with a new developer I found on Elance.com. This one will be different because it’ll primarily be a free app. It’s definitely targeted to a certain niche. I think it’ll be cool little app.
Can’t wait to tell you about the apps!
That’s It for Now
I’m hoping all this hard work pays off in the long run. It’s certainly made me really think how bad do I want it, because I can easily be doing other things, but they won’t have the type of impact I’m looking for.
Take a moment to assess if your goals. Are you on the right track? Are you spending enough time on them?
You’d be surprised how much you can get done before the end of 2012.
Hey Benny,
Really excited about hearing more on your new apps! It’s really cool that not only is Photo365 still making you some money but actually making a big difference in the lives of people!
Will you be going to Pat’s SPI meetup? If so I hope to see you there and meet you in person!
Thomas
Thanks Thomas! First I just want to say I saw the title of your latest post and immediately went over there to read it. Fantastic interview! That’s the kind of stuff I love. Great job.
I’m excited about my new apps. I’m just ready to get them out there and see how the market will respond to them.
Are you going to Blog World? I’ll contact you via your page and we’ll talk!
Really good stuff. By the way love the biz card you came up with. Make sure to take a bunch with you to Blog World. I hope to go to the Blog World in Las Vegas in January. I really like the book Chris put out and read it in one sitting. Man that guy can write. Have a great week brother
Thanks Paul! I can’t take credit for the design. I found the template online. Paid $6 for it and then customized it with my info. I’ll definitely bring them to BWNY. I might go to the one in January too. It’s in Vegas so that’s gotta be fun. 🙂
Chris is awesome. I know this book will be a valuable resource for a long time.
Great post Benny! Enjoyed doing the podcast recently with you and definitely look forward to the 2 new apps you have coming.
Also, just got the $100 Startup book yesterday in the mail…read the first chapter and I’m hooked!
Thanks again for having me! I hope your app is doing well. I really enjoyed the book too. Can’t recommend it enough!
Now this is some great information here Benny. Congrats on everything that’s going on with you and your business. I know that you’re going to have some great apps that’s coming out and I’m excited to download them. I’m going to have my first webinar in a week too and pretty nervous about the entire thing but also excited too.
Thanks Justice. I definitely didn’t know if I could talk for an hour, but I ended up talking for much longer. I really loved talking apps so that made me less nervous. Good luck on your first webinar! Make sure you use the bathroom before you start and have a cup of water on hand. 🙂
haha yeah I heard about using the bathroom before you start and have water too!
Love your business card! Excited to see what the next apps will be 🙂
Congrats on everything you’ve done so far!
Thanks so much Sandy! I’m ready to get the apps out there. The waiting is the hardest part. Hope your product is doing well!
Hi Benny, Its really great when you can do a job that you love isn’t it! A high five for stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on new challenges like doing webcasts and attending conferences. Like the webcasts, I’m sure you’ll feel comfortable once you start talking about the things that you love and do well, and it will be another achievement! Well done!
Thanks so much Michelle. The webinar definitely was out of my comfort zone. The conference will be even more so. I’ll do a recap the following week so I hope you’ll be back to hear if I survived! 🙂
Hi, great post Benny. I’ve learned many new things from this article. I know that you’re going to have some great apps that’s coming out and I’m excited to download them.
Hey Benny,
can’t wait to see more posts about your new apps! I wish you success. When do you plan to release them?
PS. Awesome business card:D
Hey Marcin,
I’m hoping they’ll be done before the end of the June. It should be. I can’t wait to get them out and hear what everyone thinks. Glad you like the business card!
Cool! I forgot to ask: do you work simultaneously with your graphic designer and coder or you first create graphics and then send it to programmer so he has a better knowledge about your idea? What’s your agenda?
Great question. The way I’ve been doing it is do the graphics first and then send it to the programmer. So that way the programmer will know how to code it.
Benny,
Love your cards and can’t wait to hear how Blog World goes for you. Really excited. Keep us posted.
Also excited about your new apps. Can’t wait to share them with my networks once they’re launched.
Thanks Steve! I think one of the apps will definitely be something your audience would like. Will let you know when it’s ready!
Benny,
Good stuff! Sounds like you have had a great first half of the year, can’t wait to see how you rock the 2nd half!
Hope to see you at BlogWorld…!
Thanks Craig! Yes hope we can meet up during BlogWorld!
Thanks for the update, Benny! It definitely sounds like you’ve been the good kind of busy and I wish you continued good busyness and success in all you do!
Good luck attending Blog World! I am an introvert and just a few short years ago I wasn’t very comfortable networking. Now I have a handful of conferences under my belt and I look forward to the next conference. It’s certainly an experience that continues to push me outside my comfort zone and that’s a good thing!
I actually wrote a conference prep post earlier this year before attending a blog conference. I’ll link to the post, if that’s all right and give you the main points here:
1. Network before the conference.
2. Practice your elevator speech.
3. Order business cards. (Done!)
4. Set your goals for the conference.
5. Be prepared to take copious notes (either via paper & pen or phone/tablet/laptop)
6. Sit by someone new every session.
7. Make progress on your goals.
8. Talk to people you don’t know.
9. Smile!
10. Take care of yourself, i.e. get enough sleep, eat well, etc.
11. Leave home at home and enjoy the conference!
12. Have fun!
Here’s a link to my conference prep post: http://www.liveandlovework.com/2012/01/20/have-an-awesome-conference-experience/
Enjoy the conference! I look forward to reading how it went!
Chrysta
Thank you so much for the main points! I’ll definitely be checking out your conference prep post. Thanks so much for sharing that with me! Just what I needed.
Hey Benny,
I smiled reading your comments about conference nerves. I can relate completely. I’ve been to so many corporate events over the years, and now I’m just starting to register for the blogging type conferences (as a new blogger). The difference is huge – everyone who will be there has a similar passion to you, and is excited to be there! That changes the whole mix. The audience will be mixed with newbies and various levels of experience, and they’ll want to know what you do. My advice is to approach someone else who is there on their own, smile and introduce yourself (near the food station or coffee areas is a great spot!). Just be totally you, no need to complicate it. After you meet one buddy, welcome another person who is on their own. Soon you’ll have heaps of new contacts! Remember even if you are very shy, so many others are feeling the same. Have the most amazing time!
Congrats on everything that’s going on with you and your business. Really excited about hearing more on your new apps and also excited to download them.
Thanks Sarah! Appreciate that!
Very excited for you! Sounds like you have been a very busy body, but I completely agree; I’d rather be busy than bored. I’m in a similar boat with so many things to do I feel my days are simply not long enough to accomplish what I want. Another reason to love the weekends; more time to do get things done! Look forward to your apps!
Thanks Freddie! I’m with you. I wish the days were long so I could do more! If I didn’t love sleep, I’d stay up late and wake up early. Can’t wait to reveal my apps! Stay tuned.
Hey Benny,
can’t wait to see more posts about your new apps! I wish you success. When do you plan to release them?
Indeed, busy is better than boring. When you have lots of things to do, you know you can look forward to somethings great in the future like money or something. But sometimes, busy can be boring right? 😀
Thanks for the great post. I dig it a lot.
-Karl
Great to hear that you’ve got 2 new apps coming out. If your current designer still doesn’t work out, you might want to consider looking at Dribble. I got my designer there after having one or 2 not so pleasant experiences on Elance.
Oh, and thanks for the previous tip on twitter @anywhere plus. I’ve just implemented the plugin and it freakin rocks!
I love that plugin too. Glad you got it set up.
I did look at Dribbble cause I’ve seen some really great work there but I’ve never hired anyone. Might try it out next time. Thanks!
OMG Benny,
i hang low for a couple of weeks and come back and find out all this stuff your doing. Love these updates. It’s amazing to see all your progress.. I’m so nervous for you, going to NY and your first conference.
I have a friend who is on one of the panels his name is Rob Ludlow. We used to work together at an online advertising company together when i lived in the Bay Area. Look him up and tell him Annie from Turn sent you.
ps
Here’s the panel he’s on. http://www.blogworldexpo.com/2012-nyc/conference/speakers/rob-ludlow/ good luck and have fun..
Hey Benny, since 2011.
I’m following your site, since 2011 helping me, thank you!
Hi, Benny
Sounds like all wonderful, new beginnings – webinars, conferences… That’s great news. I’m glad your headache finally went away. Maybe it was just nerves.
I love the fact that the Photo 365 app is being used in more ways that one.
It’s great hearing about your goals for current and future projects.
You’re absolutely right. Hiring someone for a job is harder than it sounds (as I found out recently). Someone may be perfect on paper, not not perfect for a particular project. I’m sure you’ll find the right person though, and am excited for you.
Keep up the great work!
Allyson
Hi Allyson, yes done some new things so it’s exciting. Definitely helps me grow and try new experiences. Hope you’re doing well!
Hi Benny,
just wanted to say “Hi” to you. I have read some of your blog entries on your Photo365 App, bought it, played with it for awhile and I was truly inspired. I had been sitting on my butt, waiting to develop my own iPhone App but never got to doing it. I had wanted to start a blog years ago, and that thought also languished into the deepest abyss. Then through this blog, I have also come to read and hear about Pat Flynn. Now, I can say BOTH of you are truly inspiring me. I have started and published my first blog “Fat Albert Running” on WordPress.com just a couple of days back. I am heading over to Odesk to hire some help to kick-start my iPhone App. I really want to do this. I wanted to walk the journey like you and Pat did. Even if I don’t earn a single dime at the end of it, I truly believe that I would have been richer from the experience.
Cheers, Albert.
Hey Albert! Glad to hear you’re taking action and getting started. I was like you. I had no blog and no app. I finally took action and now my life has changed for the better. Make sure when you hire you do your research. It’ll save you a lot of stress. If you don’t find a good one with your first job posting, post another ad. Odesk doesn’t mind.
Good luck to you and let me know if I can answer any questions along the way!
Congrats on getting out of your comfort zone and heading over the Blog World NY, I’m sure it was just awesome! (I’ve never been to one yet, so am definitely envious!)
The webinar sounds a little too much like public speaking for my liking! LOL
Sounds like you’re keeping super busy though, and I’m sure it will pay off big time in the long run!
Wishing you all the best!
Thanks Warren! Was great to go to Blog World, learn and meet other bloggers. Webinar is definitely a lot easier than public speaking in my opinion. LOL. I’m keeping busy, but doing things I enjoy which is so important. Thanks for your comment!
Yep, I went and read your post about it, sounds like it was pretty cool, and I’m definitely going to have to try and make one soon.
Haha, it’s funny you mention that. I just wrote out a list today of the ten things that are THE most important in my life to try and make sure the things I’m doing on a daily basis are actually the things I love to do. 🙂
You’re welcome for the comment. Glad I found your site, some great stuff here.
I love the fact that the Photo 365 app is being used in more ways that one.It’s great hearing about your goals for current and future projects my Swing .You’re absolutely right. Hiring someone for a job is harder than it sounds (as I found out recently). Someone may be perfect on paper, not not perfect for a particular project. I’m sure you’ll find the right person though, and am excited for you.
Keep up the great work!