So you want to know more about the chica behind this site, huh?
Cool!
Well, let’s get the formalities out of the way, shall we?
My name is Lisa Irby [extends right hand for virtual handshake] and I am an online entrepreneur.
You can see how I make money online here.
I also teach a course on building a website and earning with affiliate marketing. You can see all my courses here.
There’s nothing better than getting paid to do what you enjoy, and fortunately I’ve found a way to turn online teaching into a full-time income thanks to affiliate marketing, Google AdSense and sales of my own products.
But don’t get it twisted! It’s hard work, and there’s a lot about this biz people don’t talk about enough! I discuss all that here.
I absolutely love sharing what I learn along the way and I want you to benefit from those lessons too.
But before I go any further, make sure you subscribe to my email list so you don’t miss any of my new posts and exclusive tips…
Who’s Lisa?
My personality is best described as complex. 🙂
I am a classic ambivert, which means I have both introverted and extroverted qualities, depending on the people and situation.
I can be extremely social (and admittedly a bit goofy) when I’m around people I am close to, but I also need my space more than the average person.
This T-shirt from Zazzle describes me to a “Tee!” (Get it?) 🙂
I’m also a very self-motivated person who loves gadgets, is moderately tech savvy, loves to laugh, bowl, joke and dabble with music arrangement.
The Beginning
So how did I get started with all this? (You can listen to the story on my first podcast if you wish.)
In January 1998, I was studying Business/HR at Truman State University in the small, college town of Kirksville, Missouri.
I was one of those students who was just focused on graduating and getting that diploma.
I had no idea what I wanted to do in the real world, but I did know that I loved computers and being on the Internet.
Little did I know, I was about to embark on a journey that would lead me to my calling…
Teaching.
I remember spending my evenings in the university library teaching myself HTML when I probably should have been studying for exams.
Before I knew it, I was making money by building one-page websites (yes, one-page) and monetizing them with Amazon books and any other products I could find that had affiliate programs attached.
I racked in about $6,000 in nine months. Not bad for a broke college student, eh?
Going Forward
For the next few years, I continued building mini-sites/doorway pages that promoted various products for affiliate commissions.
Search engine optimization was a breeze compared to what it is today, so I was able to rank for some pretty competitive phrases in a matter of days. Believe it or not, I ranked #1 for “home employment” for a short while.
(Ahhhh, those were the days!)
Of course, that party ended pretty quickly, and I concluded that system was not going to provide me with any kind of stable, long-term income.
My Strategy Changes
By 2002, I had grown tired of my temporary income solutions. If I was ever going to quit my 9 to 5 job, I needed to build something with staying power.
That’s when 2 Create a Website was born and within two years this site matched my 9 to 5 income. By the 4th year, my Internet income was four times my 9 to 5 largely thanks to affiliate marketing and AdSense.
So I packed up my cubicle and began my journey to the land of self employment.
It’s still amazing to me how a very simple site grew into something that has allowed me to work for myself since 2006. So here I am sharing my advice with the world.
How I Can Help You
On this blog you’ll find a selection of articles related to creating, promoting and monetizing blogs and websites.
You can keep up with my advice here by subscribing to my RSS feed or following me on Twitter.
I can also be found chatting it up on YouTube, Facebook, or Google Plus or administering my forum, WebsiteBabble.com.
In other words, I’m pretty much everywhere! 🙂
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Now that you know more about me, feel free to tell me about yourself. Scroll down and leave me a comment. Even if you’re just saying “Hi”, I’d love to hear from you. 🙂
Hello Lisa,
I need help bad. I read your pages over and over. i just purchase a domain for my blog(Blogger) but will this work on adsense because i have impressions but have not made a dime, yet. Do I need to put that domain on a website and is it ok to get it through hostgator? Do you have any info on park domains?
Hello Lisa,
I need help bad. I read your pages over and over. i just purchase a domain for my blog(B but will this work on adsense because i have impressions but have not made a dime, yet. Do I need to put that domain on a website and is it ok to get it through hostgator? Do you have any info on park domains?
You are right, Lisa. Having gone through a lot of sites, over a period of time, there are a lot of sites full of hype and BS!
Glad I stumble across yours. Sometimes I wonder for those newbies getting into business online, do they know what they are about to face?? In my country within my locality, I see many newcomers trying to get into the internet thing full time, but simply they have no idea how to go about it. I have been to a one and only seminar here in my locality but the guru does not really teach you everything. A lot of it comes from one’s soul searching.
Lisa, from your video, I wish to ask,
surely, if the merchants who do subscribe to ClickBank do sell their digital product, then, we as affiliates should be secured with commission payments via ClickBank. Afterall, ClickBank is the Intermediary between the merchant and the affiliate. So, as the saying goes, if a merchant can get on the bandwagon with ClickBank, then we as affiliates should be secured with commission payments.
May I have your feedback on this, Lisa.
Best wishes. Peter
Hi Lisa,
I just watched your video on Thesis on the Thesis website and I must say that I am very impressed with your presentation. I purchased the Thesis theme about about a year ago, but never really did anything with it. With your video I can tell they have made great strides. I am going to update today.
Keep up the good work.
Later,
Charles in Redmond, WA
Hi Lisa:
I have been thinking about creating a website for ages, but I felt intimidated by all the information out there, having not kept up with the technology boom. I came across your e-book The Perfect Site Guide yesterday by googling “create a website.” I was truly amazed at the ease with which you communicate information in such an organized and audience-friendly manner. YOU are a gifted teacher and communicator. Not to mention you are motivational and inspiring. This has to be a God-given talent and purpose for you. I know this because even though fear had a stern grip keeping me from taking the initiative, your delivery and presentation of the information caused me to at least put a foot on the path. Today I am doing further research, viewing your sites and others you recommended. As I exclaimed during a break from reading your e-book, “This girl is a Godsend!”
Peace & Success
Deborah
Lisa,
I enjoy visiting your site. What sets your site from all the other sites is that I can feel your sincerity. When I read your posts/listen to your video blog, I don’t feel like getting sales pitches.
I have one question, tho. How do video blogs do with Google indexing? I thought having more texts, not videos or images, was the key to get a good Google ranking.
Juno, it’s a combination. Yes, you want text for search engine indexing, but Google also likes to rank their own videos (YouTube). I’ve seen several of my videos show up for keyword searches. Your goal is to make your site sticky — meaning you want people to stay around and come back often. Having a nice combination of both text and video can help accomplish this.
Hi, just wanted to say that I am enjoying reading your blog. It’s very interesting and a wonderful resource to help others learn how to build and promote there online businesses.
Thanks,
The best ticket in town! Lisa is all that! Thanks Lisa!
thank you 4 that you tube presentation, you were just what the doctor ordered.
Lisa: Thank you very much for your advice. I work at a non-for-profit museum (these days, “no-profit”) and your site has helped me with my Blog and I am working on making our own website so we have greater control over content. Again, thank you and have a wonderful day!
Steve
Anyway, forget to add that I am from Singapore. And I like to do home based business which can earn real income. Pls forward me some sites. Thank you
I like your website lots of information. I like to start a website on my own. I have great products to sell, I make my own products but cant find a nice place to sell. Do you have more info about free hosting and build a free website. I like to try out.
I like your website lots of information. I like to start a website on my own. I have great products to sell, I make my own products but cant find a nice place to sell. Do you have more info about free hosting and build a free website. I like to try out.
Peng, you do NOT want to use free hosting. If they shut down for whatever reason, you are out of a lot of hard work!
Hey Lisa I thought you might find this interesting. I sure did.
http://blog.seliger.com/2009/06/17/youre-not-going-to-be-a-pro/
Ahh it is good to hear many points of view huh?
Have an awesome day Lisa. Love you book.
Thanks for being such a great teacher.
Tash
http://www.theeangels.com
Thank you Tasha! Some very valid, in-your-face points.
Lisa,
I don’t know how I arrived at your site but I must say that I love your video “blog or web site” it was great. I can really feel the passion you have for this business. I’ve been doing this a long time also. Keep up the good work 😉
“Sorry hit enter key by mistake before putting my site link ”
Cheers,
Jim Novak
(Website under construction) I found you on Youtube was blown away with your techniques and tutorials on how to expand my business, especially the video on Website traffic. Your video help alot.
I’m a musician/record producer running my own label, and always searching for ways to utilize the internet to further grow my business, so thank you for your information.
I hope to stay in closer contact with you and find ways that I can enhance your web experience in some way.
Have a great day/evening and I hope we get to talk soon.
God bless
Hello Lisa,
I am an SBI owner also. It just so happened that I watched a few of your videos on Youtube. I was impressed and encouraged that I am on the right track. Thanks for the motivational material you are sharing.
-Dave Tabern
Hi, Nice to see by email. I do really love your voice. It sounds clear and softly…. Any way. Please teach me how to make a perfect blog by blogger including the tips. All the best for you.
Thank’s
Hi Lisa; i just signed up for the goggle business kit when I seen your website. This was a relief as I was just about to say I can’t do this. As a woman in my 50s, the internet is mind boggling to me but I so much want to understand. Just read your email book and want to thank you for the truth, I now realistically know what it takes and feel that I can do this. I will visit your other web site.
hi lisa welldone on the website this has so much fantastic information on it!!
Hi,LISA!
Your websites & this blog are an Excellent source of great information for anyone considering starting a website!! I was refered to SiteBuildIt by another affiliate & then somehow found your blog….I am very impressed by your candor about some of SBI’s shortfalls,even though you are an Affiliate yourself….I am also impressed by your clear,logical reasoning in support of SBI on many of the posts I have read so far ! I am leaning heavily in favor of SBI for my first website venture & I have a question for you:There are now 3 ways to “buy” SBI..The original format at $299, the E Learning format at about $798 , or the SiteServices format,starting at about $1599…if you were starting today,which format would you choose??? … keep in mind that I have minimal knowledge of Internet marketing & I want to be up & running quickly..without rushing thru necessary learning steps!!
Thanks in advance for your reply & best wishes to you with all your personal & business ventures. Regards, KenGee
Thanks KenGee,
That means a lot. I guess the answer to your question is going to largely depend on you. Understand that I have never used E Learning or SiteSell Services. I did it the Do-It-Yourself way and had no problem. Keep in mind, though that I had some website building experience prior to buying SBI! so I was not a complete newbie and I do believe that gave me an advantage.
So I ask you. What kind of setting do you learn best in? Are you generally a do-it-yourselfer? If so, you may be fine with the route I took. However if you worry about being overwhelmed and/or need some direction and learn best in a classroom setting with structure, then you might want to try E Learning. The method you choose is really up to what you think you need as a beginner. So if I were to start today I’d probably stick with the option I chose. But that doesn’t mean that’s the best option for everyone. You have to think about what you would value as a beginner.
Good luck to you. 🙂 I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.
Interesting….I’ve already registered there but my pic doesn’t show. WTF, lol. Oh well.
I can see you. 🙂 It takes a little while to show up. There is some approval process it must go thru.
How do I upload a pic for my profile on this website? 🙂
You need a gravatar (stands for globally recognized avatars) Sign up with http://en.gravatar.com/ And once you setup your account your pic will appear with all sites that recognize gravatars.
Lisa,
You really over deliver with the information on your blog! It’s a pleasure to meet you in the wonderful world of blogging!
PS: I love your picture!
hi
I have always dreamt of creating my own website and show across my friends….. i as a beginner think your site will be a great start keep up this good work …proud of womenhood….thumbs up….
Hi Lisa,
Oh my god, I am just so happy I came across your site. I was talking to a co-worker he told me about how he went on your site got valuable information on how, when, where….does and don’ts about setting up blogs, websites etc. Well my wife and I have been thinking about setting up a website or blog, but really was not sure on how to start it….you know so many scams and all, but we went on your sit all of them ohhhhh boy we fell in love with you and the words that came out of your mouth. We have not officially started the site yet, because you said make a plan so that is exactly what we are doing, we have the idea we are just putting everything together now. But you well be mentioned when we put it up…trust me on that. Well we just wanted to thank you for opening our eyes and not just jumping into it. We love you, continue to keep it real, never ever change.
Hi Lisa,
I have left a couple of other posts. Again, I wanted to say great job on what you do. This is the most comprehensive site I have seen. I admire you for giving back to the community and helping others get off the ground in the world of web design.
Matt
Hi Lisa, I stumbled across your website by accident and I am glad I did. I love to hear some comments from you on what I can do to improve my daily traffic or any other improvements for my blog. Thanks Lisa for any help you can provide.
Hucky
You explain things in a very easy to understand manner and the way your website and writing is organized is impressive. Keep up the good work!
great info, i just arrived this site somehow LOL.
your site is one of the best.. and i particularly love your blog and of course, alot of information you got there.
cheers
Hi Lisa, Great info. I’m a blind computer user, totally blind veteran. I use a screen reader with speech to get around screen. All your advice and infromation is terrific for me. However cannot subscribe to your email since cannot see letters I must type. Often there is an alternative for blind people, listening to letters or numbers, then typing them in the edit area. RegaRegardless your information is very helpful for a blind person who is trying to create website and blog, etc. Thanks
You are FANTASTIC! Your site is wonderful. A great site for those just starting out. You are a God Send! Im just getting started in Internet marketing and a couple of other things online and you make so much so clear. Surely good things will come your way for providing this great info for the beginner!
Hi lisa
I will fallow your advice
Im very keen to start my website
Many Thanks
LOL, thanks Michele. No techy background at all. I just picked it all up by reading and learning. Keep in mind I’ve been doing this for 10 years so you can learn a lot in that timeframe. Just take it slow and the great thing about the Net is you can “google” almost anything you want to learn so that’s how I pick up a lot.
Lisa, you are the bomb! I feel like exhaling because I finally found a place for info that’s honest. I’m reading through all of the posts (I haven’t gotten through a tenth of your site yet and am hooked!) and you use the technological terminology like it’s a second language. Did you have any IT experience before you started this, or is all of this what you’ve learned over the years? The reason I ask is that I consider myself pretty computer savvy but some of these words and phrases I’ve never heard…..and am wondering how I’ll ever get to know all of it. Thanks very much, and keep going girl!
Hey there Lisa. I would love to say that you have an amazing blog, I will continue to read it like a book until the day its offline. I’m only 15 years old but making blogs and sites for numerous years now and you make it worth while to carry on making them so I can leave school and have a full time job working for myself. Basically what I’m trying to say without rambling on like an old granny on speed is that your a great inspiration to me and many of my other friends who read your blog.
Carry on blogging and btw you rock 😉
Hi Lisa!
I am from India. I was trying to create a new website by searching tips from other sites and accidentally got into your site. Your site is very informative and friendly. Thanks for all the information. Will keep visiting your site.
Thanks
Sathish
Lisa,
You have had enough compliments, but I have to add to them. You are phenomenal! I came across you site last week.(saw your You tube video, don’t ask me how i came to it) I spent hours on here the first and 2nd day. Wow! I signed up for sbi affiliate program.(through you of course)
I already have ideas for 3 websites to use through sbi. 1 that is a compliment, yet free info site for my current business site. 2nd one is an idea i already had, but because of what i’ve read from you and sbi i see how i can utilize it differently. The 3rd is a name and content of something i’ve always had but didn’t know how i could use it as a site. I even have ideas for at least 5 or more people i know. sbi has made me think ok how can this person make money with what they like to do?
can’t wait to get started. i just have to focus on 1 thing at a time, meaning for me.
great job keep up the good work. i’m a dallas girl too, although you are originally from TN, but that’s ok. smile…….
ck out my site if you have a minute. i’m going to write some articles and add another dimension to my site like, giving people free info. trying to bring my site to sbi standards kinda, without being this site being sbi built. I know i need to add an about me page and maybe a pic, will do that soon.
Topic- Is there something on here about how to keep the Spam down on you business emails? please help wit this problem, so sick of them.
Thanks
Kim
Hi MJ,
Wow, which question should I answer first? LOL First of all, websitepalace is my re-branded reseller store that I bought. So when you signed up for ultimatedomainresellers.com that gives you the right to name your store whatever you want. I chose to name mine websitepalace.com, you can choose whatever name you want as a reseller.
The reason I chose a full reseller program (as opposed to an affiliate program that pays higher commissions) is because with the reseller program, you have the opportunity to earn much more due to the fact you can set your own prices. You can’t do that if you are a regular affiliate with GoDaddy or some of the others. So you have way more control over your profits as a reseller.
Plus cookies expire for a regular affiliate program so if someone were to come back to buy more domains 3 years later, you wouldn’t get the commission. That’s a HUGE benefit. Think of all the people who come back to buy domain names months or even years later. As an affiliate for GoDaddy or some other large-commission program, you’d earn that commission the first time but when that person bypasses your site and goes directly to GoDaddy.com the next time, you won’t earn the subsequent commission because the cookie expires.
When you own your own reseller store, your customers are directed to come back to your store and they are in your reseller database for life to ensure you get all commissions.
Yes, they also handle all the customer support so that is an added bonus.
Hi Lisa and Readers!
Hope you all are not tired of hearing from me. I will head to Web Babble forums after this.
I’m SO ready to sign up for reselling web hosting! 🙂
However, now you’ve got me thinking about the compatibility with The Infin It! modules. . . Would you still suggest using/becoming a reseller that has hosting (mysql, etc) compatible with SBI! ??
I would have signed up with websitepalace/ultimatedomainresellers out of appreciation and trust in your reccommendations.
What’s most important, is that my clients can use an additional hosting to go with I.I.! module, should they use SBI! as their main website (and website hosting).
Lisa, with your re-selling host, do they take care of customer support.
Ok, again, THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
MJ – Total Lisa Fan 😀
Hi again, Lisa!
Re: >>> . . . Yes, the company I resell for does have the standard MYSQL features so that’s why I also recommend that option on my site. . . .you can’t combine those features with the SBI! InfinIt! module.
Your customers either need to choose SBI! or the regular hosting at websitepalace.com. You can sign up to resell hostnig at http://www.ultimatedomainresellers.com
<<<
Thank you for letting me/us know about these features not being compatible with SBI!’s Infinite! module.
If you have an extra few minutes – can you please tell the difference between websitepalace.com vs ultimatedomainresellers.com
Hi Lisa!
Thank you so very much for all of your responses. I KNOW you are a very busy woman! I’m interested very much in your reseller program.
Can you tell me why you chose to have your very own web hosting to re-sell as opposed to recommending visitors to a web hosting site that pays out large comissions per sign up?
Some web hosting affiliate programs even pay you comission every time your referral renews their hosting for the new year.
What are the benefits to having your very own hosting re-seller program? Lisa, if this question is answered on your forums (or any other place on your site(s), please ‘simply’ point me there!
Appreciate your time very very much, Lisa!
Keep rockin’!
With awe and respect,
MJ
Hi Lisa,
I have become a HUGE FAN of your blog overnight 🙂
Your post on ‘awful blogging’ SHOCKED me..I straight away went to my blog and tore apart every post..and that resulted in removing exactly 34 posts. When I looked at those 34 posts again, they simply appeared JUNK to me..
I could easily relate now why some of the posts are getting comments again and again and why some of them, that I removed, were not even clicked.
You saved me big time when I am just one month old in the blogging..
To thank you, I have posted a permanent link to your blog on my blogroll 🙂
Thanks,
Deep
Hi Lisa you have a wonderfull blogs here and a lot of usefull articles and tips to reads , i will subscribes to your newsletter. Thanks 🙂
Hi MJ,
Thanks for the referrals. 🙂 Yes, the company I resell for does have the standard MYSQL features so that’s why I also recommend that option on my site. Just keep in mind you can’t combine those features with the SBI! InfinIt! module. Your customers either need to choose SBI! or the regular hosting at websitepalace.com. You can sign up to resell hostnig at http://www.ultimatedomainresellers.com
Hi Lisa, I do thank you so much for your responses back to me (and the others! I learn a lot from their posts and your responses as well.)
I do love SBI and same as you, I can never stop having such wonderful things to say about this amazing company. I’d stand from roof-tops and tell anyone below who listens; without the slighest embarrassment whatsoever!
I am an SEO/SEMer by trade, and often recommend SBI to not only my clients, but I REQUIRE that their own graphic designers read the Action Guide inside and out or I will not sign a contract with them. (Meaning IF they purchase SBI. If they stick to their own web hosting, I then require that they&designer implement at least 90% of my suggestions (coming mainly from SBI and my own private methods), or same result – I will not sign the contract.
I find that MANY web designers jaws drop after they check out SBI for their (and my) client’s sake. So beginners and ‘experts’ alike learn so much from what SBI overdelivers. SBI also taught ME to overdeliver, which makes for very happy clients indeed.
I say all this, lol, to basically mean that I AGREE with you! 🙂
However, as you also mention – some features (rarely related to the actual ‘money-making’) are lacking, which requires myself AND many othe clients to go looking elsewhere for certain programming features.
I’ve currently 17 sites – 9 of them SBI! sites. For the others (non-SBI! stes), I’ve been using Bluehost, mostly because it’s compatible with SBI as a smooth/seamless add-on.
Lisa, gosh, if not too personal a question – does the hosting company that you own do all of the other things you have mentioned (PHP, MySQL, etc)? Do you think it would work ok as an add-on for SBI’s Infinit! Module(s)?
As I often send newbies over here to your awesome 2createasite site and ‘babble’ forum; I’d love to try your reseller hosting also, and would be happy to recommend it to my visitors, clients, friends, etc.
I would of course keep the others with the hosts they are currently with/at, but I’d love another 1 or 2 other top hosts, as not to place all eggs into one hosting-basket.
Also, I do know and understand that time is indeed scarce, so if you can only answer “Yes my host can do this, MJ! Here is the link:” that would be MOST APPRECIATED!
In any case, thank you so much for reading Lisa.
Look forward to more at your forums.
With peace and sincerity,
MJ
You are giving a lot of information that’s very helpful.
I will try to put all deep inside my brain. You seem to have good spirit. I am trying to build my wife a website for her art works. She is very talented in her craft, as you’re on yours. It would be very beneficial for her for you to help her. She is a very giving person and we both like to help people. Contact us because we want this site to make a great impact and make a difference to our society for the better. If you like nice looking Jazz,flower paintings she paints them with true passion. She have the talents that surpass or compete with all artist. We can really use your help. My wife’s name is Shelia, this e-mail is also part of her name. Thank You so much for the excellent job you’re doing. God bless you and more, Domingo
Thanks so much MJ, I appreciate it. I still recommend SBI! for beginners and those struggling with the overall concept of how to make money but I will probably stick to regular hosting until they come up with a way to handle normal hosting features like MySQL, PHP, etc. You still don’t get the control you get with a regular host.
Hi Lisa, that is right, I did read that on this site or your forum before. If this was ‘now’ would you still utilize this format, or do you think that C2 would do the trick?
Lisa this is a great site, and I recommend as many people as I can to here. My profession is SEM, but when they want to build their own sites, I send them here to 2CreateAWebsite.
GREAT JOB, FABULOUS suggestions for all, and done with care and the utmost respect and friendliness.
Thank you for the inspiration and confidence you instill in others.
With peace and sincerity,
MJ