2009, The Year It All Began…
So here we are coming towards the end of 2009, and it has been a great year for me… 
It was this time last year that I properly got interested in the whole make money online concept, but unlike in the past, this time I decided to take the plunge and get my very own website online.
Having my own website was something that I had been worried about doing in the past, it was the thought of all the technical stuff involved. But now that I’ve taken action and done it, using all the guides that are available these days, I found it was actually quite simple, and I now realise I should of done it sooner instead of putting it off.
My very first website was www.Online-Auction-Success.com , which I didn’t mention in my recent eBook Traffic Guide For Newbies because it wasn’t a very successful site, it was a project that I started with little knowledge or planning, and was somewhere that I was sending my eBay customers to at the time.
I worked on Online-Auction-Success.com right up to May/June, which was when I came across Mr Alex Jeffreys and his brand new coaching program, which after some thought I signed up for. It was at that point, following Alex’s advice, that I wound everything up that wasn’t making me any money in order to give all my concentration to the coaching. A few weeks later the coaching started and this blog, Paul-Lear.com was born.
Although Online-Auction-Success.com wasn’t a successful site, I believe that I wouldn’t have even considered signing up for a coaching program, had I not made that first step earlier in the year, and got a bit of experience with the technical side of things.
So if you are interested in making money on the internet, the best thing you can do, if you haven’t already, is dive in head first and get your own personal blog online, like I have here at Paul-Lear.com . Don’t waste time taking the route I took, with my unsuccessful niche blog. When you are starting out, personal blogs are the best way to go.
Referrring back to when I joined the Alex Jeffreys coaching program. Advised by Alex I started my own personal blog on a new domain name, and I can honestly say that my decision to have Alex as my mentor is the best decision I have made this year.
Here is what I have achieved since I joined Alex’s coaching program:
- I started this blog, which as been reasonably successful.
- I have met lots of great like minded people, and made many good friends through visiting peoples blogs regularly.
- I have learned a great deal about how to drive traffic to a website, and I am still learning more about this each day.
- I have learnt the importance of building a list of prospects and buyers.
- I signed up to Aweber and I am now building an email list of willing subscribers. (which was another thing I had once put off doing)
- I have built my email list to 215 subscribers, (bare in mind that I was neglecting my list building efforts until November)
- I now have 4 websites online, and I’m about to purchase another new domain for a new project in January.
- I made my first video and overcame my fear of speaking in front of the camera.
- I made my first tutorial video using the screen capture software, Camtasia Studio.
- I wrote my first eBook Traffic Guide For Newbies, and released it on 23rd November. It has now had 76 downloads on it’s own, and I also added it to a download package which has had 80 downloads.
- I attended my first Live Workshop which was hosted by Lee McIntyre, and I met some great people including Alex Jeffreys, John Thornhill, and of course Lee McIntyre himself. I also met some of my fellow Marketing With Alex students there too which was cool.
- I have started to develop a good marketing mindset, which makes it easier when it comes to creating squeeze pages and writing email copy for adswaps, and writing sales pages.
- I have developed a love of blogging and writing, which at the start of this year I never thought I would even begin to enjoy those things!
- I have driven many thousands of visitors to my websites.
- I’m now focused, dedicated and determined to succeed at Internet Marketing, and most importantly I’m enjoying it!
I’m sure you can see from all that I have listed, that compared to where I as at the start of the year, which was pretty much a newbie, that I’ve achieved quite a lot in the last six months, and it all stems back to that one simple action I took at the beginning of the year, to get a website online. That was what started me on this whole journey, and I am looking forward to next year, where in 2010 I am certain I will achieve much more!
So if there is something you have been thinking about doing, that you’ve been putting off, just take action NOW, stop thinking about doing it and just get it done!.. You never know what it might lead to, and if you aren’t prepared to take a little risk now and then, you will never achieve very much, and you will remain at the same stage you are at now.
If I hadn’t of made the decision to finally start a website this time last year, I would most likely still be doing the same thing I had been doing for the past couple of years, which was very little other than playing computer games and wasting time watching far too much television. Now don’t get me wrong, I still make sure I take time out to relax and do those things today, I just plan my time better to fit everything in that I want to do.
I hope you have got something out of this post, and I will be following on from this in my next post, with my plans for 2010.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers and everyone who has supported me throughout 2009, a very Happy & Profitable New Year!

Best Wishes For 2010
Paul
Images courtesy of Francesco Marino and Dan
Tagged with: alex jeffreys • alex jeffreys students • aweber • camtasia • domain names • fears • focus • free traffic ebook • free traffic tactics • goals • internet marketing • john thornhill • lee mcintyre • mailing list • my progress • opt-in form • Paul Lear • personal plan • plan • squeeze page • subscriber list • traffic methods • video
Filed under: Marketing With Alex 2.0 Coaching Program • Paul's Recent Activity
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Hey Paul,
You have come a long way in 2009 that’s for sure.
I have seen your blog and following grow since you started it and I have to say I think 2010 will be even better for you.
You have made the important steps of getting going and now the momentum (with a bit of hard work) will take you on a great path.
I hope we will be meeting at an event or two in 2010 as we have been in contact so much it feels as if we have met already.
Have a great new year,
James
James Howard´s last blog ..Alex Jeffreys Coaching Update How I Have Done So Far
Hey James,
Cheers mate, I’ve got some good stuff planned for 2010 which I will talk about in my next post, so yes I do hope 2010 will be even better, and everything works out as I plan.
I’m sure we will meet at some point, and I know what you mean, I feel we’ve known each other for ages.
All the best mate.
Paul
Man. You really have accomplished a lot this year. I’ve seen a lot of people come a long way. That is amazing.
You know what though… 2010 is going to be so much better. We are all really going to start making names for ourselves next year. We have a good community going and we are all going to help each other rise to the top.
I love the recap post. I love to see progress.
Keep up the great work and here’s to an amazing 2010!
Matt Wolfe
Matt Wolfe´s last blog ..2009 In Review / 2010 Goals
Hey Matt,
I totally agree, we have a great community which is growing even bigger now the new students are coming in, and helping each other rise to the top is what it’s all about.
Thanks for your comments mate.
All the best for 2010!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Great post and great summary of your years achievements. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. I will have to write a post about my last 12 months. I don’t think I would know where to begin, but great idea!!
It sounds like 2010 is going to be a big year for you and I look forward to watching you succeed.
Have a great new year and see you in 2010!!
Jacinta
Hi Jacinta,
I hadn’t realised just how far I have come until I sat down and looked at my notes to write this post, it’s great to see it all laid out in front of me.
I got the idea for this post after I read John Thornhill’s latest post.
I have a lot planned for 2010, as I’m sure you do too, and i can’t wait to get cracking on it all.
All the best for 2010!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Just thought I would pop past. Have you been very busy creating your new guide?
See you back here soon
Jacinta
Yeah I’ve been pretty busy with things lately, meant to do another blog post last week and just getting around to it now.
I’ll speak to you soon.
Paul
Hey Paul,
I always really enjoy reading progress posts. You should be very proud of what you have achieved and optimistic of what the future will bring thanks to the hard work you have put in and continue to do so. 2010 can and will be a terrific year for us.
I’d also like to say thank you for your kind comments at my blog and last time you were over you mentioned you were going to get into adswaps. So please contact me by email or skype and lets do a swap a soon as possible. I’ve got spaces available now and I’m not bothered what size your list is, just get in touch.
Speak soon mate.
Andy.
P.s I like the new blog theme but I miss the picture at the top. Does that make me strange??
Andy Michaels´s last blog ..Holiday Greetings, The Hard Work Starts Here!
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your comments mate!
We’ve already spoken on Skype now, and I’ll be in touch about the adswap soon, thanks!
I think the picture at the top you are referring to was that smiley face header I had up for a while, I just had that up for a laugh until I had chance to knock something up on Photoshop.
But it doesn’t make you strange that you miss it, I quite liked it myself cos it made me smile when I saw it.
Speak soon!
Paul
Wow Paul,
When you lay it all out in black and white, what a journey you have been on
It certainly shows what you have achieved this year, and no doubt you will achieve MUCH more in 2010!
Happy New Year mate, and we’ll catch up soon!
Take care,
Paul
Paul Wilson´s last blog ..Is Video REALLY What You Want?
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your comments, and what a journey you’ve been on too mate!
Happy New Year, and speak to you soon!
Paul
Hi Paul,
There seems to be a common thread going on
and every one reviewing there years and planning for the next one, which is simply amazing. You should be proud of your acheivements Paul in 2009, you have come so far, but the key for all of us is to just keep going!
Reading yours review Paul is inspirational , and after meeting you in Manchester back in October, you are really are destined for great acheivments next year Paul.
Happy New Year!
Talk real soon
Sean
Hi Sean,
Yeah I got the idea from a few others who have been reviewing their year, so decided to put something together before the year end too.
You’re right about the key is to just keep going, keep on improving and moving forwards!
It was good to meet you in Manchester mate, and I wish all the best for 2010!
Happy New Year!
Speak soon,
Paul
Hi Paul,
I really enjoy visiting your blog to read your posts because they are so inspirational for other people who are just starting out.
You have done well so far and I know you now have the knowledge and motivation to push on in 2010.
My one tip for you for the next 12 months is build. your. list!
You have a great free product in your traffic report and it contains the sort of info people NEED to succeed online so make that a priority for the New Year and beyond.
I look forward to meeting you again in 2010!
David
David Walker´s last blog ..New Year’s Resolutions 2010
Hi David,
Thanks for your comment mate, and thanks for the tip, it finally sunk in at the end of October, and I’ll be fully focused on list building in 2010!
I look forward to meeting you again this year, if I make it to any more events this year!
Happy New Year!
Paul
Hi paul happy New year and
wow you have come along way
hope to meet up with you at one of the UK events in 2010
sadly I can’t make vegas also congratulations on you ebook
well done
Mick
michaelfallon´s last blog ..Start your own internet business as your New Year resolution for 2010 by Mick Fallon
Hi Mick,
Thanks for your comments mate!
I look forward to meeting up with you again if I make it to any more events this year!
Unfortunately I can’t make Vegas either, maybe we’ll make it there next year eh!
Happy New Year!
Paul
Hey Paul,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
You’re absolutely right when you say you must take that first step and take action. Even if you don’t have success at first you still will learn from it which will allow you to improve on it the next time.
I look back now at 2009 and I see many things that I did wrong, or just didn’t do at all, and now I plan on using that as motivation to do much better in 2010.
I’ve been following your blog since you started it and I can definitely see how far you’ve come since the beginning. Keep working hard Paul and you will reap the benefits in 2010.
Later,
Jeff Sargent
Jeff Sargent´s last blog ..Awarding One Way Backlinks For Blog Comments
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for your comments mate, I know you’ve been following my blog since the beginning, and I’m glad that you find it’s clear to see the progress I have made!
I’m sure were all the same in having things we wish we had done sooner, and looking back and realizing you did this or that wrong, it’s all part of the learning the process, and every mistake makes you stronger and wiser for the future.
Happy New Year!
Paul
Hey there, loving the post, it’s good to hear how much you have achieved! Love the point where if you have something to do, you really should just do it! I’ve got my list of things to do right now and doing them one after another.
Hope you have a great day Paul,
Steven Male.
PS. Read your eBook traffic for newbies, and it was good, lots of great information! Thank you for it!
Steven Male´s last blog ..The Power of the Touch
Hi Steven,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments, and it’s good to hear you have a ‘To Do’ list and you’re achieving what you set out to do.
My productivity has gone up massively since I started writing out a ‘To Do’ list for each day.
Also thanks for the comments on my eBook, I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it and got something from it, you are welcome.
Happy New Year!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Happy New Year to you too!
You can certainly be proud of your achievements in 2009. They’re an excellent platform for your projects in 2010. I’m still learning from your e-book, thank you for a great gift!
Jose
Hi Jose,
Thanks for your comments mate, glad to hear you have found my ebook useful and that you are using the information to your advantage.
It’s really great to hear you are still using my eBook to learn from today, it make the 2 months I spent writing it all the more worth while!
And when I hear things like this, it spurs me on to want to write another on a different subject in the hope it will help more people!
Happy New Year!
Paul
You seem to be taking the right steps from what I read.
It’s funny to me that a lot of what you are talking about sounds just like me, especially this note:
8# I made my first video and overcame my fear of speaking in front of the camera.
I was scare SH*tless my first screen capture video. It didn’t take long until now I am completely comfortable with it.
My next step is face video.
That scares me to death for some reason. but I’m sure it will be just like screen capture video – a little rough at first but after a few ties it’ll be easy stuff.
Good post – I’ll keep an eye out on your blog for sure.
-Dan Brock
AKA Dan the Internet Man
Daniel Brock´s last blog ..“You Can’t Take Google Page Rank Or Alexa Rank to the Bank”
Hi Dan,
Well done for TAKING ACTION and getting your first screen capture video online, I need to do some more of those myself, and I will be doing very soon.
Face-to camera videos are a bit tougher than screen capture, at least for me anyway. I would advise you take some practice takes to get used to it before posting your first vid online.
But if you are happy with one of your practice takes, then don’t be afraid to upload it and get it out there!
I’ll be over to check your blog out when I get a moment, so I look forward to seeing what you’ve been up to.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, and Happy New year!
Paul
Hi Paul
Its warming to read about your journey over the year of 2009. And your ebook is great! Many thanks.
Anthony
Anthony Smits´s last blog ..Starting at the End
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for stopping by and downloading my ebook, I’m glad you have enjoyed reading about my achievements of 2009…
I hope it has given you some inspiration and helped to give you some ideas for your own planning and goals.
I’ll be over to visit your blog real soon.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Do you like my new blog post title???
Thought I would get some attention and see if traffic increases because of a strategic word.
Hope all is great. See you in the forum!
Jacinta

Jacinta Dean´s last blog ..X Stripper And John Thornhill!
Hi Jacinta,
Yes it definitely got my attention, I’ll be back over to your blog soon to see what you’re up to, and also to everyone else’s blogs who have commented on this post.
Speak soon
Paul
Hi there Paul!
Just stopping by to say fantastic progress you made. Consistency really is the key to anyone’s success and is far better than attempting to do too many things in one day.
Thanks for the posts. This is truly showing positive thinking at it’s best.
Dev
Hi Dev,
Thanks for you kind comments, I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I will try and pop over to your blog soon the next time I’m doing some blog commenting!
Paul
Hi Paul,
I am being cheeky and writing a comment on your blog to test my comluv sign up. I have been trying to sign up to the comluv site but my feed has been playing up. Tried to test on my own blog but got my feed banned accidentally. Hopefully it will work now. So thought I would say hello!
Hope all is great.
Jacinta

Jacinta Dean´s last blog ..January’s Daily Tasks!
Hi Jacinta,
Yeah everything is good thanks, your feed seems to be working now.
But have you filled in your info on Comluv by registereing with them?… For instance go to the first comment on the post and hover over the heart, you will notice it shows you some of his other posts that he has made in the past.
Thanks for stopping by to say hello!.. I’ll stop by your blog soon.
Paul
Hi. I wanted to drop you a quick note to express my thanks. I’ve been following your blog for a month or so and have picked up a ton of good information as well as enjoyed the way you’ve structured your site.