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. 🙂
Hi lisa,
i am designing a website, so first i am registering domain name in websitepalace as you suggested and and am using the same for web hosting and i have to go to wordpress for designing my website(correct me if am wrong). So, do i have to even pay there to wordpress??? and i want to use genesis theme so after completing above steps do i have to buy that theme???? suggest me if i am going wrong anywhere in the above steps and if i am correct even tell that.
My second query is——-
i saw an option in websitepalace for SEARCH ENGINE VISIBILITY on this page “http://store.websitepalace.com/search-engine/seo-services.aspx?ci=1808&prog_id=2create”
so do i have to buy their scheme for increasing traffic on my website and for search engine visibility and are they of any use??????. Also,if i have to i want to go by “PREMIUM”. Is it good.
Please reply to my queries, i am too confused.
Thanks.
Hi Adi, yes after you install the WordPress software thru your hosting account, you need to buy Genesis and follow the instructions for installing the theme onto WordPress.
You don’t have to buy the Visibility. That’s only an option. You can learn about SEO on your own. I have a ton of info on http://www.2createawebsite.com/traffic
So after paying the hosting fees do i have to again pay to wordpress????and wat does one time purchase means in genesis????
No, the hosting fee includes a free WordPress installation.
Dear Lisa,
You recommened genesis theme for web desgning but its costing me $80. So is there any other good theme at an average cost. Also i want to know how to get ads on my website directly from whom who want to adversite. Suppose if i dont want to use google adsense or any other similar sites for getting ads, but i want to find adversiters who want to advertise on my site and what are their eligibility criteria???? In short i want direct adversting sales for my website. Plz provide me information regarding the same.
There are many good premium themes for less. Check out Elegant Themes or ThemeForest.
There are plugins like OIO Publisher and other free plugins that will allow you to sell ads from your sidebar, etc. Sign up with BuySellAds.com and they will help you find advertisers. There’s also a plugin for them that will make implementation easier.
thnx lisa….
hi lisa,
i am designing a website related to computer and hacking. it will have some hacking tips and tricks.it will also have some cracks and all….so is there a possibility that google will reject my approval for adsense….also i want to know what are CPM and CTR ads, and your site is just awesome, it was so helpful to me……plz reply as early as possible……thanks in advance….
I would imagine Google would have a problem with this content. I know they don’t allow Adult/Porn sites so I would imagine the ethical issue with hacking would cause an issue.
I am tryig to create a web log on WP, i’m employing a free theme. I actually have become compleely stuck. i’d prefer to modify the theme a little if doable. I hoping somebody might facilitate Maine with this. i’m HTML/CSS illiterate.
Thank you
Hey Lisa, thanks for being such an inspiration to all of us bloggers. I heart your videos.
Lisa just for a quick question not to be rude but is it necessary to pay for a website? 🙂
It’s not necessary but it’s recommended. I never suggest free hosts because you don’t own the content and the site can be removed at any time.
Lisa you are a great creative person and I love your website and how you make money online 🙂
I love how you put st much hard work with your website. 😉 if you can I would love for you to stay in touch with
me.:)
Love your style Lisa, it’s so natural the viewpoints that you share a very pratical. Nice job keep up the good work. Could you help me with my business? Your teaching abilities are excellent and I could very well use
some of the tactics that you display. Please, I would really love to talk to you. I can be contacted via email at
citsitra37@hotmail.com. Thanks once again for your help thus far.
Lisa, I really enjoy your blog posts because they always offer great tips for traffic building. I also like how natural you are in your YT videos when speaking. I hope to apply your tips to make better use of Youtube also. Thanks Lisa and keep it coming!!
Way To go Lisa….
Hard work and sacrifice always seems to pay off in the end. As we can plainly see, you are a prime example of that. Unfortunately, many people today fail to take full advantage of great opportunities to succeed and perhaps fulfill their dreams simply because they lack motivation or they are not ambitious enough. To many of them, “opportunity” disguises itself as hard work. Keep on fulfilling your dream Lisa by continuing to feed the masses and we’ll see you at the top!
I have been reading the comments on this article… Lisa. you must be doing a few things right in more ways than one…. Based on the nature of the comments on this article your readers love your approach to your articles and the message that you are conveying in your posts. Considering that people are still commenting on this article after a couple years indicates how great your posts are. I congratulate you on your approach.!
Hi Lisa,
You have been a true inspiration to me.. I never knew I could even start a site until I came across your site. Thank you so much for inspiring me. God bless you.
Best regards,
Lisa Joshua
Dear Lisa: Need some help. In ref to a promotions via this blogg, promoting a publications called “Niche Website Success” by Lisa Irby. Ref: click bank marketplace($29). Considering an Ad campange , including more traffic/visitors to my sites. Is it possiable to reduce the asking price as a reseller by dealing direct. And can one offer an PDF file download via such as E-Bay ect.? http://www.mostforfree.com Thanks, James J
I like your site a lot Lisa. Found some very useful tutorials 🙂
Hello Lisa,
I really love these kind of success stories that prove one can earn a living online, without making compromises. You are the perfect example than anyone can start a small site and make it a great business, just by having a good plan and adding great unique content on a regular basis.
I wish you all the best.
Julian King
Hello Lisa, Again,
First I want to say good job on your business. I read some of the post on here about 2 years ago to the date. Now I find myself on your site again for the same reason I was on back in 2010 and that is to start my own online business. All of a sudden I seen the post I put up back in 2010. OMG. Here I figured my voice would go unheard and I see my name and to top it off I read more and seen that you do answer the post put up by various poeple. So here I am again with the same reasons I was so involved before-YOU ARE GENUINE. So now at sqaure one. I have an idea of what i want to do but after reading your post I seen that teaching people seems to be the niche to start with. As of now I have nothing. No website, no blog, Just an idea. Where do I start. What is my next step? (stupid question=are these post considered a blog?) Now i truly have showed my stupidity right, but can you please let me know.
Hi Lisa!
I’m Adam Nguyen, I’m from Vietnam.
I’m learing English and make money online, I found your blog via youtube.
I really enjoy reading your posts.
Keep up good work!
What’s up everybody, here every person is sharing such familiarity, so it’s good to read this weblog, and
I used to pay a visit this weblog all the time.
good job Lisa
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web
site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
LOL, I have dedicated hosting with Hostgator http://www.2createawebsite.com/hostgator 🙂
great inspiring for me…i have been publisher on adsense 2 year…but i don’t get 100$/day from adsense…but,after wtch your video and your article…i believe to get 100$ and more….thanks for your sharing mrs.Lisa….!
Hey there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to
fix this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.
Thank you!
Hi. My name is Alain. I watched your videos and enjoyed them, really inspirational. I would like to know, for a young guy in South Africa like me, what’s the best starting point to creating a website and have it running? Yes, you talked about the domain name registration and I understood. But in case I do have my own files and need to run PHP scripts and have a server that I can control, what are the appropriate step to be taken after building the site in my PC??? I’m a lil confused as to what to do first, so your guidance will be great help. Blessings. Have a good one.
Admire you so much, I have a blog for 2 years now but earn only about USD2 per day.
Lisa i am addicted to your blog now and also videos.How do you gather this much information, this is a lifetime work!! Reading your blog and checking your videos gave me so much insights on how to do things. Thank you so much I am glad the internet have people like you.
wow, you’ve come a long way lisa! I am currently following in you’re foot steps, I’m twelve years old. Keep Up The Great Work!
hi lisa how to creat own wwebsite
facebook question: I have a facebook acct with pages for different marketing efforts but for some reason I just created a page but cant add apps to it? I can view apps in the app center and go to the app pages but dont see a link or button to add the apps to my pages???
Hello Lisa, I came across your video on you tube, just want to state that I like your content that is provided.
Hi Lisa,
I am very much thankful with the sharing you’ve done for us.Looking forward to hearing from you!
Hi Lisa
I’m very interested in creative writing and have alot of my background info and books etc on my site: http://www.shangwe.com – however, although I designed my website myself, it doesn’t get alot of traffic – I am passionate about the written word, poetry, stories and really need to create a niche website that will evolve and encourage traffic. I also write on two blogs: http://www.shawana-lulu.blogspot.com & http://www.shangwe2011.blogspot.com – these are my hobbies but now I think my next move is to create a site! Looking forward to hearing from you!
Hi Nicole,
Sites on poetry or stories are often more challenging to draw traffic to. Websites that solve problems or teach someone something new are easier (relatively) to build traffic because helpful sites build loyalty and people will return for more. Think of a topic that will allow you to be the authority and help others who may know less than you.
Hi Lisa,
Many thanks – yes, you’re right poetry etc is more challenging – so I’ll take your advice and think of a relevant topic, like how to start writing that novel, etc,
God bless you Lisa, I am very much thankful with the sharing you’ve done for us. I’m also very much amazed on how were you able to do it all. Anyway, that’s your gift, keep using it for good. How I wish to follow your footsteps but I doubt if I could also do that. Maybe I need a lot talents to roll the wheel and keep it movin’. Honestly, I got encouraged by your articles to also earn by that NWS. Hope you’re always there to guide me. Thanks a lot for the ideas you’ve shared.
I have an M.S. in Speech Pathology from Bradly University and recently finished a career working with severely involved autistic students in a private facility.
I am also a writer with a nearly completed manuscript which will teach parents how to help youngsters who are struggling with Reading. The focus involves combining phonemic awareness skills with oral-muscle memory, strategies which I developed in early elementary education.
My problem, up to this point, has been how to move into my new career, using the internet to teach and make money.
When I came across your website a few months ago, it just seemed a perfect fit for for my goals and interests. I have been reading your material and am very comfortable with it and your approach to helping people like me.
There is someting in your writing, Lisa, that simply “rings true.”
I’ve signed up for your e-mail and continue to wade through the background data I so desperately need to get going.
My wife, who is a corporate manager with a major telecommunication company links up college graduates with very well paying jobs. However, you seem to have developed a very successful and exciting
real-world career without getting caught up in business education programs.
So, I’ve got the money and the time to invest in your affiliate products that will help me.
Right now, though, I am depending upon your website and blogging information to get me started.
Thanks.
I am impressed with that.
I am impressed with that!
Thanks Maurice,
It may take some time to settle in and figure out what method works best for you, but if you have the desire to teach, that will take you far. Good luck!
Hi Lisa,
Can u help me out making my own bolg n earning money from tht blog.I completed my engineering n looking for job.I have some programs which r important for interviews.i want to keep this programs in my blog n earn some money,for this i want some help.Pls message me to my mail id
Hi Lisa,
i have look at some of the content of your site ,and they have help me a lot.it seem to me that you have come along ways ,i don’t know if and will you help me ,but i tell you the truth i just started about 3 months ago i wonder if you would take a look at my site and give me some points on how and what to do to get a high ranking
Hi Lisa,
I just got involved in trying to do affiliate marketing. So I got hosting through Goddady and also got a account with Aweber.com. The thing I’m having difficulties with is the squeeze page. I’m trying to create a New form on that squeeze page and took the codes that was created from Aweber and try to edit it into the HTML squeeze page. It just ain’t working out. Is there something you could help me out with, of course for a fee. Sorry…I’m confused. I didn’t realize I had to set this up by myself and don’t want to quit what I started.
Please if you have a chance, you can contact me at shakabeats808@gmail.com
Thanks again
Ernest M.
Hi Lisa. I just discovered your Youtube videos and they’ve been informative. I have a question for you.
If you were starting today and had to create a site to make money, what would you focus on? The reason I’m asking is because there is so much information dealing with adsense, affiliate marketing, blogs, sites, adwords and more.
I know technology has changed since 1998 and I want to focus on what looks promising.
Thanks
Steven
Hi Steven
I actually started another site in 2010 and it’s doing very well. http://www.napturallycurly.com I followed the same principle – focus on helping people first. Forget about trying to make money at first. Develop a unique angle on your topic and over deliver.
Technology has changed, but the concept hasn’t. The way we market our sites of course has changed but I continue to use the same strategy. People still go online looking for help, tutorials, advice, etc. and they want credible sources. Find a topic that allows you to help a specific audience and you’ll be fine.
Oh and I forgot to add, once your site has traffic THEN you start focusing on monetizing. After all, you won’t make anything until you have a few hundred visitors per day anyway. I think where so many people go wrong is they get so caught up in affiliate marketing, adsense, etc. But once you have the traffic FIRST monetization is very easy because you have the audience to monetize.
Hey Lisa! Great site. A real treasure trove of information all in one spot. This is something I would really love to do but I need to take babysteps first i guess. I have only dabbled in website creation – took a course, have done some reading but never actually created a live site. I have always had an interest though. What would be your suggestion as to what I should learn first? Would it be best to learn HTML code, learn WordPress or something else. My goal would be to have have a site or two that I could earn some extra income off of. Not sure of my topic yet – still doing some research. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Carla
how many audience i need to apply for ad sense?
Hi Lisa
I am impresses by the clarity and helpfulness of your site
I am keen to start off in the world of Internet marketing and I would appreciate your thoughts as to the best way do getting a start
My computer knowledge is limited however I am keen and I have been moderately successful at offline marketing
I have played around with WordPress and can do the absolute basics
I believe that I have the ability to market to a niche I am passionate about. Are there online materials or courses I should look at?
Thanks again for your enthusiasm
Bernard
Hi Bernard
Computer knowledge is not needed. My secret to success has been helping people on topics I am knowledgeable on. So if you make that your primary focus and choose a niche you love to write about you are off to a great start. Have you read my guide yet? http://www.2createawebsite.com/money/make-money-tutorial.html
hi lisa, I just discovered your Youtube videos and they’ve been informative. i really like your articles writing because it’s simple but effective and easy to understand. thanks for this.
Hi Lisa
I want to know how can i build traffic in
my site?What is the most essential needs in
affiliate marketing?How can i get affiliate on my site?
I will be happy if you give me answer
Hello lisa
my favourite nobel lady. one thing that i want to tell u is i love you.for your work
such like 2 create a website.com.can u give me your cell number don’t worry i’m a girl .u are my idol
Hi Lisa,
I’ve been a loyal follower of yours for years now and always appreciate the new blog posts and videos, but guess I’ve never left a comment on your About Us page yet. Weird, huh?
I was surprised to see that your comment list begins with the oldest posts first, whereas I was sure I read somewhere on this site or another of yours, that it’s best to list the newest comments first and have the old stale ones at the bottom. Was I mistaken on that issue?
And your Sharebar, is that Digg Digg, or another one? Could you do a blog post on the new share bars, please?
Hi Cathryn,
You are probably right about the comment thing. Not really sure why I haven’t changed that…other than it not being a priority. 🙂 My sharebar is the Sharebar plugin. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Lisa, since I discovered your Website back in 2008, I’ve kept close watch on your progress and success with your site. You have always posted great content and offered fantastic tips on making money online.
I’ve noticed you never failed to encourage and support others in their Web endeavors. And for that, you are valiant, caring, and extraordinarily creative with influential knowledge and experience.
I am only days away from actually launching my new Web site, and it’s important I let you know that I’ve learned a great deal from your awesome creativity. Keep doing what you are doing for others, and God will continue to bless you.
Take care!
Wow! Thanks Kevin. I really appreciate you stopping by to say that. I wish you all the success in the world!
Your story is inspiring. I have my own website and I would love the opportunity to interview for a piece on my site
Hope to hear from you soon.
I’ve signed up
and I want to be able to design your blog such as
and have a good marketing strategy in attracting visitors to the prospect of my online store
Hi Lisa I have been following your work for a number of years now with great admiration.
I am happy to see the great following you have created from your willingness to freely share with others.
I wish ongoing success for you and all of your students!
Hi Lisa, I think you are just remarkable. I started watching your videos in awe. (I too always wanted to teach and write). I hear you and I get what you’re saying, however, what about writers? I have some work published if you will at:http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/1574752/delilah_peek.html please check me out…I am new at all of this and haven’t a clue as to what I’m doing!! Any advice on writers for websites?
Hi lisa i am from Indonesia,after i visit your web i try to make one and i did but just 1 simple blog http://just4sharring.blogspot.com/ and now i try to make a website like u told wiss me good luck,,and thank you by the way you’re very inspiring woman….
Good to find you online. You’re an inspiration!