First lets get rid of all of your lame reasons why Google Adsense is awesome. Shoemoney, John Chow and that guy that runs plenty of fish make tons of money with Google Adsense. Yes some amazing web marketers are making good money with Google Adsense or other website monetization methods. However, compared to the number of people who are trying and those who are succeeding there is a vast disparity. You are not John Chow or Shoemoney.

Secondly, they make the large majority of all of there money through affiliate marketing.

So why isn’t Google Adsense a business model. It’s not offering a substantial product or service that is traded for cash. If your site is providing content or information and you place passive adsense ads on the page then you are not monetizing your site. You are hoping that by chance google will place a relevant ad that will possibly peak the users interest long enough for him to click the ad and you make an amazing .15 cents. This would take millions of transactions to equate to a substantial income.

So can you make money with Google Adsense? Sure. Will you make a lot of money with Google Adsense? Probably not. Relying solely on Google Adsense simply spits in the face of common sense.

1. You don’t rely solely on one thing for your source of income. It’s like putting all your eggs in one basket.
2. You are not able to inspire users / customers to act on your product. You are a passive by stander hoping that you generate enough visitors to your website that will just happen to click on one of your Adsense ads. 3. Users are becoming more and more web savvy and are beginning to ignore ads like Adsense.
4. You can make much more money with other methods of monetization. Example
- Notice that Affiliate sales are 1. and Adsense is 6. with a difference of $3,800. Now multiply that by 12. That would make an annual difference of $45,000.

I’ll follow this up with a some posts about how to monetize your efforts or develop business models for your website endeavors. Think of providing a service or a product and then outsourcing the actual implementation so that you are left to manage and promote your business. This is essentially what you were trying to achieve by creating a crap Adsense empire, being your own boss. Well find a niche and build a business model around it. Stick with the internet medium and just adapt services and products to be delivered by the wonderful internet. The internet is only going to grow and get bigger. Whether or not you are around to take advantage of it’s wonderful opportunities will depend on whether you are able to build a sustainable business model. To better understand what makes a business model check out the wikipedia entry.

Also, I’ve tried to do as much of the leg work as possible but there may be some small errors. If you notice anything just let me know. So have fun writing reviews and getting high PR and quality backlinks to your site or blog. I need to thank Travis, from YGG, for finding some of the sites and Rasyid for providing some other sites offering backlinks.

I’m throwing my hat into the free backlink offer game. See my previous post to get the details or see #15

1. Ades Blog Personal blog of Ades, full time Internet Entrepreneur and Creative Consultant. Blog covers latest Web Technologies, Web2.0, Online Tools, SEO, Making Money Online.

Site Stats
PR 7
Age 2005
Backlinks 20,900
RSS 180

Linkback Details
Link: www.adesdesign.net/php/products_color_picker.php
Anchor: “color picker”

Rules:
1. Review AdesClrPicker on your blog or site. Somewhere in your review link to www.adesdesign.net/php/products_color_picker.php using Color Picker as the anchor text.
2. Post at least one screenshot.
3. Link to http://www.AdesBlog.com
4. Contact: http://www.adesblog.com/about/contact/

Review AdesClrPicker on your blog or site. Somewhere in your review link to www.adesdesign.net/php/products_color_picker.php using Color Picker as the anchor text. (Example: Here is a nice color picker called AdesClrPicker). Post at least one screenshot.

2. John Chow The Miscellaneous Ramblings of a Dot Com Mogul

Site Stats
PR 6
Age 2000
Backlinks 170,000
RSS 6,900

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.johnchow.com
Anchor: “make money online”

Rules:
A review must link to this post and the blog home page using the anchor text “make money online.” Here’s an example of what I want.
John Chow dot Com is a blog that helps you make money online. He is offering to link to your blog if you review his blog.
1. Using anchor text “make money online”
2. Contact: http://www.johnchow.com/contact

3. Career Ramblings Your Professional Development

Site Stats
PR 6
Age 2007
Backlinks 12,500
RSS n/a

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.careerramblings.com
Anchor: “Career Development”

Rules:
1. The review should link to the home page using the anchor text ”Career Development“.
2. The review should be a minimum 200 words.
3. It must have a link to this rules post somewhere in the review.
4. You must give an honest review.
5. Leave Comment: http://www.careerramblings.com/2007/05/03/review-career-ramblings-for-a-backlink/
Here is an example -
Career Ramblings writes many new and unique articles for those interested in career development and entrepreneur advice. If you do a review of their site, they will link to your review and send their readers to browse around your site.

4. Connected Internet The latest tech, mobile and gaming news

Site Stats
PR 6
Age 2005
Backlinks 152,000
RSS 1,578

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.connectedinternet.co.uk
Anchor: not defined

Rules:
All you have to do to get your site listed is write a brief post or review on your site Linking to Connected Internet’s homepage, saying why you read Connected Internet e.g. ‘I love Connected Internet because it’s a great source of Tech News‘.
1. Link to homepage
2. Contact: list@connectedinternet.co.uk *include review link

5. Jason Neuman Personal blog of Jason Neuman

Site Stats
PR 5
Age2007
Backlinks 30,000
RSS n/a

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.jakeldaily.com
Anchor: not defined

Rules:
The rules I will do a review with a link to your site in exchange for the same in return. The blog review batch will consist of 10 reviews with link with up to thirty words. The blog review will be posted starting with the first review and then updated until reaching the 10th review then a new batch will be created. The decision is then up to you on how you would like to return the review link exchange favor on your site.
1. Link to homepage
2. Contact: http://jakeldaily.com/contact/

6. Jon Waraas Make money at home with Jon Waraas

Site Stats
PR 5
Age2006
Backlinks 22,700
RSS 341

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.jonwaraas.com
Anchor: “make money at home”

Rules:
All you need to do is link www.jonwaraas.com with the anchor text “make money at home”. Here is an example.
Simple huh? I think so..So as soon as you review my blog, send me an email to jonwaraas@gmail.com. I will do a mini review of your blog and give ya a free back link.
1. Link to homepage using anchor text
2. Contact: jonwaraas@gmail.com

7. Blogging Secret My name is Louis Lim and this is a blogging secret blog.

Site Stats
PR 5 - I was not able to verify this PR rank
Age2006
Backlinks 850
RSS 289

Linkback Details
Link: www.bloggingsecret.net & http://bloggingsecret.net/2007/03/review-my-blogpr5-get-free-linkback.html
Anchor: “make easy money online”

Rules:
Every review must link to this post and the blog home page using the anchor text “make easy money online.” Here’s an example of what I want. Blogging Secret is a blog that helps you make easy money online. He is offering to link to your blog if you review his blog.
1. Link to homepage using anchor text
2. Contact: http://www.contactify.com/9935

8. Ghacks Ghacks tech news

Site Stats
PR 5
Age2005
Backlinks 82,000
RSS 3,500

Linkback Details
Link: www.ghacks.net
Anchor: not defined

www.netbusinessblog.com Making a living online
*This offer is listed on the site but the site has since been bought. I have tried multiple times to contact the new owner but have not received a response. Review at your own risk.

Site Stats
PR 5
Age 2007
Backlinks 16,500
RSS 1,500

Linkback Details
Link: www.netbusinessblog.com
Anchor: not defined

http://www.netbusinessblog.com/2007/03/07/a-page-from-the-john-chow-playbook/>Rules:
1. Write a review of netbusinessblog. No length requirements
2. Link to homepage
3. Contact: www.netbusinessblog.com/contact

10. www.techlivez.com Irresistible Technology updates.

Site Stats
PR 5
Age 2007
Backlinks 30,400
RSS 106

Linkback Details
Link: www.techlivez.com
Anchor: not defined

Rules:
1. You must have a blog with atleast 10 quality post and more than one month old.
2. Blogs related to technology,gadgets,mobiles are preferred.
3. The content of the blog must be in your own language ..no plagiarism please.
4. Contact: http://www.techlivez.com/contact-us/

11. www.blog.perfectspace.com Nate Ritter’s blog about community, entrepreneurship and business strategy.

Site Stats
PR 5
Age2004
Backlinks 4,000
RSS n/a

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.zuport.com
Anchor: “luxury handbags”, “handbags and accessories”, or “designer handbags”

Rules
1. Write a post in the area of 500 words.
2. Link to zuport.com in the post with the text I mentioned above (or some good variation thereof).
3. Tell me where your article is at.
4. I will post batches of links to everyone who participates until this post is updated and I wish to stop the project.
5. Contact: http://blog.perfectspace.com/contact/

12. Marc Eilbeck Make money online with Marc Eilbeck

Site Stats
PR unverifiable
Age2007
Backlinks 200
RSS n/a

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.marceilbeck.com
Anchor: “make money online”

Rules:
1. Write a 150 word review of site
2. Link to home page using keywords “make money online”
3. marc@marceilbeck.com

13. Young Entrepreneur Young Entrepreneur site

Site Stats
PR 5
Age2000
Backlinks 16,000
RSS 100

Linkback Details
Link: http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog
Anchor: not defined

Rules:
1. Write a 150 word review
2. Link to YE blog
3. Email: evan@evancarmichael.com

14. Tyler Cruz An internet entrepreneur’s journey

Site Stats
PR 5
Age2005
Backlinks 23,000
RSS 680

Linkback Details
Link: www.tylercruz.com / www.publisherspot.com
Anchor: “internet entrepreneur” / “ad network reviews”

Rules:
1. Write a 200 word review.
2. Link to either homepage using the defined anchor text for each.
3. Email: tylercruz@gmail.com

15. Le Tutor Language or BlackRock Translations Foreign Language business sites

Return link from this blog: http://www.blackrockideas.com

Site Stats
PR 3 - will be 4 or 5 next update
Age2007
Backlinks 685
RSS 20

Linkback Details
Link: www.letutor.com / www.blackrocktranslations.com
Anchor: learn English Arizona / Spanish translation Arizona

Rules:
1. Write 2 sentences about either site
2. Link to the homepage of either site
3. Use anchor text
4. You get 2 backlinks to your site from this blog. This eliminates reciprocal linking and you get 2 backlinks.
5. Contact me with a link to your post with my link: aaron @ blackrockideas.com

Details:

Review one of my business sites: http://www.letutor.com (foreign language lessons) / http://www.blackrocktranslations.com (language translation and interpreting services)
Anchor text:
www.letutor.com - learn Spanish, learn French, learn English and Arizona
example: learn English Arizona

www.blackrocktranslations.com - Spanish translation, Spanish translation Arizona or Arizona translation
example: Spanish translation Arizona

You’ll receive a 2 - 3 sentence review of your site containing 2 backlinks from this blog. Site reviews will be posted in groups of 5 as they are completed. My blog is currently a PR 3 but should jump to PR 4 or 5 with the next update. Once you’ve completed your post just send me an email with a link to the page.

aaron @ blackrockideas.com

Happy Linking.

So basically it’s working with people to earn a profit.  Because we are working with people and money there are a lot of questions about what is ethical behavior or practices.  I think it is our responsibilities. as business owners, entrepreneurs and members of society to not always go for the quick buck if it’s not right.  This is in the consumers best interest but ours as well.  It is very tempting to say well it’s not that bad and I’ll make really good money which will allow me to grow my business and do a lot of good.  That quick buck can do a lot of bad for that customer and for your reputation.  It’s in your best interest as well to do the right thing.

I’m not here to try and tell you what’s right but simply offer some advice and my opinion.  To do so I’ll use some famous quotes that say it a lot better than I could

“Do unto others as you would have done unto you”

“Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
Expediency asks the question - is it politic?
But conscience asks the question - is it right?

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, popular, or political: but because it is Right. 

Dr. Martin Luther King

So I’m not telling you what is right or wrong but when making big and even small decisions stop and ask yourself: Is it right?  You will benefit in the long run and your business will do much better. 

Keyword rich and brandable domains for sale. If you are interested in one of the domains just send me an email. aaron @ blackrockideas.com

Aaron Kuroiwa

Go Daddy and Name Cheap domain coupons:

Godaddy
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Coupon: JUNEBUGZ
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Happy Domaining

Here’s there most recent press release.

Marchex Launches More Than 100,000 Local Web Sites, Providing More Than One Billion Pages of Local Content, Features and Functionality

SEATTLE, WA - June 27, 2007 - In the largest-scale Web site launch of its kind, Marchex, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHX, MCHXP) today announced that it has launched more than 100,000 of its local and vertical Web sites, publishing more than one billion Web pages of content, features and functionality for consumers looking for local services and information online, along with highly targeted local advertising inventory.

The newly launched sites now feature more than 15 million business listings across all major yellow pages categories, a deep refinement system, user-generated reviews and ratings, and third-party expert reviews aggregated by Marchex’s Open List local content publishing engine. The sites in today’s launch include tens of thousands of vertical, local and local-vertical Web sites, such as www.cuisine.com, www.locksmiths.com, and www.remodeling.com; www.bayareahotels.com, www.newyorkdoctors.com, and www.denverautorepair.com; and Marchex’s ZIP Code Web sites, which cover 96% of all ZIP Code areas nationwide, such as www.90210.com. A more comprehensive listing of additional Web site examples is listed at the end of this press release.

"With today’s launch of more than 100,000 locally focused, content-rich Web sites, Marchex has taken a meaningful step forward in executing on our vision of owning and operating one of the Internet’s largest and most robust local networks. In addition, this launch significantly expands Marchex’s ability to offer unique and compelling targeted local inventory to our tens of thousands of advertisers," said Russell C. Horowitz, Marchex Chairman and CEO. "We believe that as we continue to extend Open List’s content and functionality across our Web sites, they will increasingly become rich sources of useful, local content, benefiting consumers and, over time, will drive an increased amount of traffic for our network."

"Marchex now effectively has one of the Internet’s largest local networks," said Greg Sterling, principal of Sterling Market Intelligence. "Using its Open List technology and tools, the company has transformed basic landing pages with advertising into thousands of functional and content-rich sites."

The features and functionality of the Web sites include:

• Comprehensive, nationwide coverage. Information about more than 15 million business, product and service listings across more than 20,000 categories.
• Deep refinement. Consumers can easily drill down on their local searches based on a wide range of criteria. For example, a user of www.bayareahotels.com can make lodging decisions on the site based on neighborhood, ambiance, ratings, and numerous other refinement criteria.
• Aggregated reviews. The Marchex local Web sites offer millions of relevant reviews, organized from user-generated feedback on the Web sites themselves and dozens of trusted sources on the Web.
• User ratings and review capabilities. In addition to enabling traditional user- generated reviews about millions of local businesses, the Marchex sites feature a new one-click rating system called "I Like It" that makes it easy for consumers to rate businesses, products and services, quickly determine how others have rated them, and sort businesses based on rating.
• Open View. In selected categories such as hotels and restaurants, Marchex’s sites make it easy for consumers to get concise summaries of all relevant reviews and rankings via Marchex’s Open View technology. A dynamically generated summary about local businesses, Open View is an easy-to-read paragraph that includes at-a- glance information on ratings, features, locations, and more.
• Intuitive site navigation. New site designs make it easy for users to quickly discover the information they need to make better decisions about local businesses and services.
• Regular data and content updates. Marchex will regularly update the data and content on all of its sites, in parallel with continuous and ongoing site development and improvement.

Since Marchex acquired Open List in May 2006, the categories covered by its content publishing engine have been expanded from the initial three categories of hotels, restaurants and attractions to feature enhanced and detailed information on more than 15 million businesses in more than 20,000 categories. The additional categories include such areas as auto (e.g., auto rental, auto repair), employment services, professional services (e.g., contractors, doctors, insurance, lawyers), and personal services (e.g., baby sitters, beauty salons, spas).

In the coming months, Marchex plans to deepen and expand the Open List content integrations across more of its vertical and local Web sites. Additionally, Marchex plans to launch an expanded version of Open List (www.openlist.com) by September 30, 2007, as a standalone consumer destination that will contain a superset of the local information and functionality found on the Web sites.

In aggregate, Marchex’s Web sites attracted approximately 31 million unique visitors for the month of March 2007. Unique visitor statistics are based on internal traffic logs, which calculate unique IP (Internet protocol) addresses on an unduplicated basis during a given month. Advertisers can sign up to advertise on a pay-per-click basis across all of Marchex’s 200,000 sites, including the Web sites launched today, at www.marchex.com/network.

Web Site Samples:

Samples of the more than 100,000 local Web sites launched today include:

Vertical

www.cuisine.com
www.delis.com
www.exterminator.com
www.locksmiths.com
www.podiatrist.com
www.remodeling.com
www.videocameras.com
www.yardcleaning.com
www.museumguide.com
www.plumbersonline.com

Local/Vertical Combinations

www.aspenresort.com
www.austinjewelers.com
www.bayareahotels.com
www.bostonmortgage.com
www.bostonveterinarian.com
www.chicagodoctors.com
www.chicagoluxuryhotels.com
www.dallasdoctors.com
www.denverautorepair.com
www.lasvegaslandscapers.com
www.newyorkbeautysalons.com
www.newyorkdining.com
www.newyorkdoctors.com
www.sanfranciscochiropractors.com
www.sanfranciscoveterinarians.com
www.seattleinsurance.com
www.seattlepestcontrol.com
www.seattlestorageunit.com
www.seattleveterinarian.com
www.sonomarestaurants.com

ZIP Code

www.21202.com (Baltimore)
www.90210.com (Beverly Hills)
www.60614.com (Chicago)
www.10003.com (New York)
www.10013.com (New York)
www.94102.com (San Francisco)
www.94123.com (San Francisco)
www.98109.com (Seattle)

About Marchex, Inc.

Marchex (www.marchex.com) is a technology driven search and media company focused on vertical and local online traffic. Specifically, the company is focused on search marketing, local search, and direct navigation. Marchex’s platform of integrated performance-based advertising and search marketing services enables merchants to efficiently market and sell their products and services across multiple online distribution channels, including search engines, product shopping engines, directories and selected Web sites.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, certain statements and expectations regarding the asset acquisition, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward- looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward- looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. There are a number of important factors that could cause Marchex’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements which are described in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent periodic report and registration statement filed with the SEC. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

For further information, contact:

Marchex Press:
Mark S. Peterson
Vice President of Public Relations
Telephone: 206.331.3344
Email: mark@marchex.com

Marchex Investor Relations:
Trevor Caldwell
Vice President of Investor Relations & Strategic Initiatives
Telephone: 206.331.3600
Email: tcaldwell@marchex.com

    The second dimension of calling a spade a spade has to do with self development but touches on basic leadership and human relationship principals.  Be honest with yourself about yourself.  It’s easy to hold others accountable for their actions because they are at fault.  Calling a spade a spade also means calling yourself a spade.  I remember being told as a child that lying only gets you deeper in trouble.  I’ve found that to be true in life.  Usually if you just come out with the truth or accept fault readily, accept responsability, apologize and make it right things go over pretty well.  This is true in life and business.  Your clients, partners and employees will respect and trust you when you admit your wrong and quickly make it right or at least do your best. 

    Last, calling a spade a spade can help in making decisions.  Often times people present things in ways that cast a favorable light on what they are selling.  I personally appreciate and always choose the straight forward salesman that doesn’t pull punches or at least pulls the least.  Make sure you do your homework and don’t be afraid to questions "facts" in order to make sure your spade is a spade.  Otherwise you may get burned.

    In short call a spade a spade at all times.  Including yourself and you’ll be more successful.

"When you make a mistake, admit it. If you don’t, you only make matters worse."

Ward Cleaver

Are you thinking about starting a business? Is this your first business? Do you have a lot of financial responsibilities that worry you? Then you need to start small. Even if you have a degree in business or have done freelance work on the side there is a lot to learn about running your own business. Not only that even though you have a great idea it may take a while for others to catch wind of what you are doing. So you need to do some life planning and think about the worst case scenario.

I have, relatively, very few financial responsibilities: No kids, no mortgage, no car payment, no loans. I do have a little bit of credit card debt but nothing substantial and I allow it to exist simply to build credit. Even with all of that said I started small with my businesses. I worked part time until I was earning enough income to at least survive and grow my business. Obviously this isn’t the most desirable method as I would like to grow my business quickly and have immediate success but currently that’s not possible. Even if it were possible I would grow my business more quickly than I am now but I think that I would still start small and here are the reasons why.

The advantages to starting small and growing are many but here are a few of the ones that stand out to me.

1. Get to Know Your Customers: Personally get to know your customers and understand why they choose you over your competitors. This will give you a huge advantage in the long run. You will understand why you are successful and will be able to continue to take advantage of that strength. Many businesses are missing opportunities simply because they are not even aware of their own strengths.

2. Get to Know Your Product: Be an expert in what you do. If you understand your customers but don’t know your product you are missing another important opportunity to become more successful. You have to know how your product helps your customers and build your product to meet their needs. This will help you in all aspects: sales, marketing, customer service, and the implementation of your product or service.

3. Understand Your Process: Something that’s very important to having a great business is being organized and efficient. It’s very difficult to predict all of the things you will need to track, organize, record, process and generally do in order to properly manage your business. Starting small allows you to gain the experience and insight you need. Then before you are ready to take your business to the next level you can evaluate everything and refine your process so that it is a lean processing machine and ready to take on the huge increase in business you are about to sustain.

I’ll be writing more in the near future about starting your business. So stay tuned and let me know what you think.