2009 – The Year In Review
It’s December 14th, and I’ve decided that this is going to be my last blog post of 2009. I’ve got quite a lot of things to finish off before now and the end of the year, so I thought I’d get the blog post in early before I forget about it.
I’m afraid I’m going to do one of those corny “look back at the past year” posts, but I’ll try and sneak some useful information in there as well.
The year started off in January, and……okay, I don’t think this format is going to work. Can any of you actually remember what you did in January, because I don’t have a clue?!?
Instead of going month by month, and making things up. I’ll just write about everything that comes to mind, no matter what part of the year it happened in.
And the first thing I’m going to write about is the growth of D9 Hosting. I wont go into immense detail, but D9 Hosting was started back in 2007 by myself, and my business partner, Paula Brett. We started out with the intention of hosting a small number of our marketing friends and clients on a reseller hosting account, but since then things have snowballed.
2009 was certainly the year D9 Hosting came to the forefront, in previous years my main source of online income was from my other projects, and D9 Hosting was there as a nice little earner in the background. But in 2009 this changed, D9 Hosting has gone from a small 25 GB reseller account, to a multi server network (another server has just been added today!), responsible for hosting thousands of websites, for individuals and businesses all over the world.
In April of this year we formed D9 Solutions Ltd. which is the holding company for D9 Hosting, and other “secretive” D9 projects 😉
We are delighted that D9 has become a six figure business in 2009, and we couldn’t have done it without all of our clients. I know a lot of you reading this are customers, so I want to say a big, personal thank you, to each and every one of you for making it possible, we couldn’t have done it without you.
We look forward to working with you in 2010 and beyond!
So that’s D9 off the checklist, what next?
Next up, I’ll focus on some of the big launches that I worked on in 2009.
If memory serves me correctly, which it probably doesn’t, I think the first major launch I got on board with in 2009 was Resell Rights Fortune by Socrates Socratous.
This wasn’t just a product I was promoting as an affiliate, Socrates used my Boomerang List Builder software in the pre-launch. During the launch period you could get my BLB software for free, in return for an opt-in. So that clever piece of integration marketing grew my mailing list by thousands, and continues to get me new subscribers every day.
The actual launch was a big success, and I did quite well in the JV contest, winning plenty of prizes and bonus items.
The next big launch I covered was quite recent – Multi Profit Websites. (MPW)
This was created by John Thornhill and Dave Nicholson (who I met in person for the first time back in April), I first heard about MPW a couple of years ago, but since then it had morphed into the mother of all plug ‘n play websites, and it was finally ready to launch at the end of October.
The launch was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen, from memory I think it must have been the most successful launch I’ve been involved in as an affiliate from an earnings, and customer satisfaction point of view. I think a lot of my success with that one, and subsequent promotions, was due to the influx of subscribers I received from the Resell Rights Fortune pre-launch…thing.
I’d strongly urge any of you looking to build a mailing list to try something similar, it did wonders for me!
Come to think of it, I can’t actually remember any other “big” launches that I was involved in, that’s not to say there wasn’t any, just that I can’t remember them right now. Other products worth a mention include:
Internet Selling For Newbies
Guru Bypass
Auction Income Formula (Just released)
There were also some great little items from Aaron Danker that I can’t for the life of me remember the name of, sorry Aaron!
Apologies if I’ve missed anything off the list, but as you may have noticed. I have the memory of a goldfish….what happens if a goldfish suffers from short term memory loss?
Those (D9, affiliate marketing) were my 2 main sources of income for 2009. I did have my own product in the pipeline, and it still is, but D9 really has taken up almost all of my time over the past 12 months so my product has been put on the side for now, but one day, I’m sure it will be released….maybe 😉
Before I sign off for the year, I’m going to have a mini rant on something I’ve seen appearing more and more towards the end of this year – WordPress Spam Blogs!
For me as a web host, and a regular blog reader, I can’t stress how much these types of blogs get on my nerves, there are no redeeming factors for them!
The sort of “Spam blogs” I’m referring to are the “auto-content post” blogs. You can download/buy plugins that allow the blog owner to specify subjects that they’d like the posts to be on, how often they’d like new content posted, and they’ll then pull content from a number of other websites and stick it on the blog.
You can also get plugins that add posts based on the keywords visitors used when finding your blog. So if someone found my blog on Google by searching for “Dan Thompson’s magical circus of dancing bananas”, the script would automatically make a number of posts about Bananas – it’s pointless!
Not only is it pointless, but it puts a massive strain on the server load with all the crazy auto-posting going on, but that’s my problem, not yours, so I wont go into that aspect of them 🙂
Think of it as if you were the visitor, what would you do when you landed on a blog with content that you can clearly see is spam – you’ll leave. If you want people to visit, and most importantly, read the content on your site – give them good content! Don’t be lazy and rely on some script to post crap to your blog, you’re wasting your time, if you are really that bad at writing, hire a ghost writer.
End of rant 🙂
Also before I go, a special thanks to all the following people who’ve helped me, or worked with me in some way in 2009:
Paula Brett, John Thornhill, Dave Nicholson, Dan Sumner, Omar Martin, Dan Howard, Socrates Socratous, Aaron Danker, Pat Graham, Collete Jones, My Dog, Alex the designer, Bach the programmer, Elmer Hurlston, and many, many more!
I’d also like to say a big “No Thanks” to Natwest/Streamline who have been beyond useless in the past year, no Christmas gifts for them!
And i think that brings to an end my reflections on 2009, do feel free to share any of your own experiences/achievements/annoyances about things that have happened over the past year in the comments section!
And I wish each and every one of you, a very, very, happy festive season and new year, and I’ll back back in 2010!
Regards,
Dan
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Hey Dan,
Excellent post there that brought back some fond memories of 2009!
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year mate!
Dave.
Cheers Dave,
Take it easy over Xmas, I don’t want to see any more Elvis impressions 😉
Dan
Love the post.
Have a great Christmas & New year!
Best wishes
Alex
Thanks Alex, you too!
And seasons greetings right back at ya Dan 🙂
Plus many congrats on the growth of D9.
Although we had only just got Paula actually doing some stuff online and starting to mail her list… and now you’ve ruined that by keeping her far too busy with D9 (and her facebook meanderings of course….lol)
As a matter of interest – I note the ‘not happy’ with NatWest, and wondered who you’ve switched to for payment collections now?… perhaps it would be of interest to others how you collect your monthly payments? (as another option besides paypal and clickbank etc.)
Keep up the great work with D9, and I look forward to whatever else you’re working on, and the ones you seem to have forgotten or just not had time for that you’ve mentioned briefly in the past.
Was that this year?? – who knows, it seems to have flown by even quicker than usual!!
Have a great Holiday season 🙂
Warm Regards
Randy
http://www.Wizardresponder.com
Hi Randy,
We still use Streamline as our merchant bank, but the problem was this it took them the best part of 8 months to get us the right account numbers sent for USD and GBP, and even now we are still waiting on 1 more to come through for the continuous authority, talk about a pain in the arse!
Merry Xmas to you and Rachel…and Pete, is he an extended member of your family now? LOL!
Hi Dan
Sounds like it’s been a very busy year and congratulations on the success of D9.
As a D9 customer I would like to say a big thank you to you and Paula for providing me with such good customer service and I hope you have a really good christmas.
Dawn Kay
No problem Dawn, good luck with the SSL cert! 😉
Hi Dan…
Loved your post. I too would like to thank you and Paula for outstanding service with D9. I simply would not host with anyone else.
I sleep at night knowing I am in good hands!
EnJOY the holidays with your family and friends and may 2010 be your best year ever!
Kathy
Thanks for the kind words Kathy, a merry xmas to you and your family.
Gawd! Thanks for your thanks, Dan. I might have a little weep – but I know you’ll go all `Yorkshire’ on me and say “pull yourself together woman” 😉
Randy, we’re still with Natwest/Streamline – seems to be working OK now, just took them months to get their act together 🙁
Happy Crimbo, everyone!
Px
Hi Dan,
A god post as usual. Ever since I signed up yo your newsletter, I always looked forward to the next, always an excellent read. As a member of D9 you have worked wonders.2009 has not been a very good year for me, for a number of reasons, but I am going to change that for 2010. You know I moaned a lot, but hey, sh.. happens.
I also got to know guys like John thornhill, Dan Nicholson since I got to know you. Two other guys that you can learn from.
As for the Fantasy League, we won’t say too much about that, need to sack the manager.
Anyway, to one and all have a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year. Don’t overload on the turkey.
Awra Best
Donald
Hi Don,
I don’t think you are bottom of the league anymore, I’ve had a bad couple of weeks, I blame Robbie Keane, time for some transfers I think!
Have a good Xmas and new year 🙂
Hi Dan,
One more. I was not quite bottom. I didn’t think I would be second bottom but he caught up. Saying that I haven’t checked the site this week. Oh NO!! I might be bottom.Anyway, it’s been fun, just as well am nota pro manager.
Look forward to your first blog of the new decade. Take care and God Bless.
Donald
Hi Dan And Paula
Thanks for the thanks in the post, it has been a pleasure working with you… And thanks for all your support that you have given us.
Hope everyone has a brilliant Christmas, and hope everyone has a few festive beers as well.
Danny
Wow, Dan! Thank you for putting me in the same sentence with
some powerful marketers. Made me smile before I had my coffee, which is not an easy task.
You and Paula have inspired me to get off my butt and put up some websites that have been burning holes in my mind for quite a while.
The New Year holds a lot of promise for me if I can get my ideas online without strangling on obscure details that make no logical sense to me. If that happens, you know who I will be whining to, don’t you?
You and Paula have the most amazing customer service ethic I’ve ever seen. That alone will make your current 6-figure income pocket change in the future.
Coffee’s ready…I outta here!
Pat
Merry Christmas and all the best for 2010, Dan
I must echo the other comments about your customer service ethic, it’s what sets you apart, and it’s very reassuring to know that when I get confused (happens often!) you are only an email away!
Good luck!
Hi Dan,
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks for the mention. I’m pleased I was able to play a small role in your online endeavors over the year.
As to your “minirant” on the auto-blogging technique all I can say is, “AMEN”!
May 2010 be an even better year for us all…
Warm regards,
Elmer
Hi Dan,
I’d like to say a big thank you to Paula who does a wonderful job at D9 (apparently she does most of the work and she’s much better looking than you). D9’s Support is the best ever and I’ve never waited more than an hour for help, simply brilliant.
This by the way is ‘auto content’ because I know how much you love it Dan 😉
Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to both of you,
Ken.
http://www.123moneymakingwebsite.com (get as many links in as possible 😉 )
Hi Dan – always enjoy reading your blog posts.
I joined GVO as they were promising the biggest MLM payment plan for affiliates of their web hosting and marketing tools but after receiving little or no support from my upline and sending a ton of traffic to my pages I had only earned a residual commission of $17 in a few months but I had no list I suppose so perhaps am hasty to pull it, but I found their autoresponder EResponderPro also a bit clunky and got the feeling that they cobbled together all the new services there a bit quickly and server reliability has been a big problem for them as have WordPress spammers
I am seriously thinking of using D9 Hosting again should I need web hosting as a) you are British and speak the same language b) I know your server uptime is super reliable and c) your customer service and affiliate marketing knowhow is first class so we have things in common and yourself and Paula can probably advise me on the art of blogging. I am experimenting wit TypePad Micro blogging so would welcome your thoughts on that service compared to WordPress…which is better?
Anyways keep up the good work and it’s great to see D9 Hosting profits and customer database soaring so hope 2010 takes your business to even greater heights.
Not sure where I am placed in the D9 Hosting Fantasy League rankings so will have to check but like that fun feature of your site…..also are you offering any festve hosting deals Dan?
Hi Mike,
I always stay clear of the MLM stuff, I tried it waaaaay back in 2005 but soon got fed up of it. I think the problem with GVO, and other similar MLM schemes, is that people aren’t bothered about the actual products, all they want is to get people in their down line.
It’s like they want to start an MLM program, and then pick a random product out of the hat and decide that’s what they are going to sell, I’d quit whilst you are ahead to be honest.
I’ve never used Typepad Micro, but you can’t go wrong with WordPress – it’s great! But, at the end of the day, both are only tools that allow you to distribute content, it’s the content that’s important, not the platform you publish it using….if that makes sense, I need sleep, LOL!
We do have a few festive special over at D9, you can check them out here:
http://d9hosting.com/promotions.php
You (or anyone else reading!) can also get a 10% discount on the unlimited hosting plan by using the following code:
danspecial
*Coupon applies to 12 and 24 month payment plans
Hi Dan,
Great post, and it sounds like a great year!
I wish you all the best in 2010 I think it is going to be a good year for us all!
Also thank you for being a great hosting company. I just received your email regarding moving my account. You have grown heaps!!
Jacinta 😀
Hi Dan,
Since you asked for experiences/annoyances in 2009 here’s one for you.
Willie Crawford, Florida USA had a random drawing for a 16GB iPod Touch.
The drawing was on January 16,2009 and I was the winner and he has that notification on his blog.
To this date he has not sent me the 16 GB Touch. He did send me an 8 GB iPod Touch and I returned it and he said he would send the correct one.
{ Following is the latest email exchange between Mr Crawford and myself.dated December 25, 2009. I did send him my address and he said “thank you” in an email on the same day.}
Mr Crawford has drug this out for almost a year and for the life of me I can not understand why such a well known marketer would do such a thing. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Hi LeRoy,
I did get back the 8 GB iPod that you returned, and did
send you a second one but never got back the delivery
confirmation. We sent it with a signature required on
delivery.
So, I will have to check with my local post office, and
in the meantime will purchase a second 16gig iPod
touch and send to you.
Please confirm the address that it should be sent to
as I don’t have that handy.
I don’t have the ability to subscribe you to anything. Most online subscriptions require that you confirm the subscription.
The send you an email confirmation to avoid getting shut
down for spam complaints.
Gmail is owned by Google which is a search engine and is
not involved in the porn industry.
Regards,
Willie Crawford
On Fri, Dec 25, 2009 at 9:56 AM, leroym wrote:
Mr Willie Crawford,
I have the packaging for the 8 GB iPod touch that you sent (and I returned) sitting right here. You sent it insured with tracking and I had to sign for it.
If as you say you sent another one, I have no doubt that you would have sent it exactly the same way. And it did not arrive here.Which means you should have got it back.
This is the first I have heard that you sent another one.
My best suggestion is to go hit on your post office and show them your paperwork and get reimbursed for it.
Then take the money buy a 16 GB iPod Touch and send it to me and clear this up.
If you send me one, send an email and tell me so I can watch for it.
LeRoy Martinez
PS. Don’t sign me up for anymore Gmail porn accounts!