In my previous post I listed out some of my goals for 2013.  (I don’t like to call them resolutions.)

Not rolling dice on my goals

To succeed at my goals I need to develop a plan. I will make a post that will be edited over the year with a fluid plan.  I don’t want to say that the initial plan is the be-all-end-all, it is better to have a initial plan and then reassess over time. This post is the first set of plans, think of them as frameworks/mind dumps.  They will be updated throughout the year with more clarity.

So what is the first plan that I have in mind.  Well that is the most important one for my mind sakes.  I have a habit of worrying about money, so adding 4 clients and monetizing my niche blog are my top two.

Getting Clients/networking locally

I have spent that last few months stalking Linkedin, the newpapers, etc making lists of companies, and names of people that I would be interested in working with.  My first sub-goal is to spend the first month of 2013 reaching out to people and companies, the goal being emailing/cold calling someone every day.  I started today sending my first email and I have at least 5 more at the top of my list. From this I want to have lunch/coffee/beer with someone new at least 2x a month.

I have started to draft articles, handouts, profile, etc on my business site that I will be using as the base of my sales proposition.  I get asked often what I do, and I need to have a 10s reply that will make people interested, and show my value.

The “blog”

My niche site will be monetized in 2 ways, electronic sales of tools, specs, etc and advertising.  I suspect that advertising will cover the costs and all electronic sales will be profit.

Before I start seriously monetizing I have to do some administration to make the business work.  Set up banking, get off my personal finances, etc.  This will cost a in the low $xxx but will separate my businesses.  I will have this completed in the next couple of weeks, have a new bank account and credit card.

When I am set up I have to hit the road with development.  I have my first ebook about 50% written, I have talked to local companies regarding what is missing in specs in the area, and have in mind about 15 articles.  I will write the articles first, get them scheduled, find some other blogs that I can guest post at, and build traffic.  I plan to use a handsheet to draw in a mailing list and use that list to upsell my future products.

All images purchased at CRESTOCK