It Started with a Challenge…
Anyone who’s making money on the web right now will tell you the toughest bit is getting started.
- Where do you begin?
- Which guru do you follow?
- How much do you spend?
- How do you avoid the cowboys and vultures from spanking you and charging you big dollar for the pleasure?
These obstacles and frustrations were removed for good back in 2005 when Ed Dale created The Challenge (Formally known as The 30 Day Challenge).
Although the first step of making money on the web is a really exciting time it’s also a time when we feel most vulnerable so Ed being Ed decided to create an information masterpiece, combining easy to learn teaching techniques with cutting edge Web Marketing strategies mixed into a pot to form one of the biggest Online Web Marketing Communities in the world.
It’s gone from strength to strength and to make it a complete no brainer for wannabe marketers or veterans (looking for a smart refresher) – the whole experience is completely free.
The challenge has been so much of a success it’s the first ever internet marketing company to list on the NASDAC stock exchange.
Ed’s partner in crime is the super geek, sex pistols fanatic Dan Raine who likes to teach high level technical stuff which means there’s also plenty in there for the intermediate to advanced users as well.
Ed Dale & Dan Raine
Ed’s a big picture guy who spots trends 2 years before they happen whilst Dan’s one of those annoying people who’s able to code in his sleep, writes beautiful fluid and seductive sales copy whilst sat at the bar drinking with mates, test strategies to the nth degree and probably hacks Superpower Secret Service Agencies when he’s bored. I can’t confirm the last bit but you know the type!
This year the whole Challenge team met just outside Melbourne in February (following the successful Coming Home Conference) to discuss the 2010 Challenge. After presenting at the conference I was lucky enough to be invited to this meeting and see one of the most passionate teams on the internet.
It became clear that Ed would rather not run the challenge unless people succeed and it was decided that 30 days was just not long enough due to market shifts & Google’s algo updates so the team decided to change the whole structure after 5 years of it’s then current form.
And on the 7th day Ed created The Challenge…
This change is very clever and has started off very smooth:
Although a longer process (I’m not complaining), hence the name and brand change it’s split into 7 simple modules, with each module lasting 7 days and a 7 day break between each module.
We’ve just finished week one, end of the first module where Guru Bob and the Market Samurai team introduced the concept of a ‘market’, a ‘niche’ and a ‘micro niche’, how to assess traffic and competition and how to assess the commercial viability using the awesome Market Samurai tool (which again is free through the challenge period).
This week is a 7 day break allowing members to either go over the content again, just let everything sink in until the next module, or get on the forum to compare experiences and strategies.
The 7 day break concept also allows people who start the challenge late to catch up – my sister in law for instance is starting the challenge this week and people starting later in the year can go as fast or as slow as they like as always.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon the Challenge via my ex business partner in it’s early days and I took to it like a duck to water, I mean how can you not? It’s simple, straightforward and elegant.
It was my starting point in internet marketing and has taught me the basics and the fundamentals and has also allowed me to use my skills as a domainer and lead generator to make massive profits online. It has offered me a community to fall back on when times are tough and helped me push through some massive comfort zones.
I can’t recommend it enough so you’ve not started this years challenge get signed up here and join in the fun. Watch out for me in module 2 next week!
Great post Kenny…can’t wait to see your content for Module 2 of The Challenge. I’m sure it will be great!
GuruBob
Great post Kenny. I am sure many of us started doing the 30DC, I did, and Ed has got a lot to answer for, iPhones, Macs, iPods, and a ton of other Apple things. Not gone for Apple TV yet though.
Awesome post, I’m doing something similar over at Lalala Music, but I’m targeting musicians. Keep up!
Cheers!
Patrick
“listed on the Nasdaq” sounds impressive, but might want to remove that since they aren’t listed on the nasdaq.. wanting to get listed on a major exchange and actually being listed are two different things
Kenny, Personally, I’m so relieved that they’ve made this big change. It’s freeing to know that I’ve got 7 whole days – between modules – to complete the tasks.
With the old challenge, I had to abandon the rest of my life to keep up.
So yep – it changed. What doesn’t? It makes me have more confidence in the team and the challenge that they would scrap an awesome system to create a beyond awesome system.
Natalie
Funny description of Dan. I think we’ve all thought those things slightly in the back of our minds and with a jealosy and at the same time thankfulness that we don’t have that gift (I like to sleep). But to see it written is hysterical.
Hi
I felt a strong compeling need to respond.
I never respond on forumns but this post made me feel the need.
The challenge is 30 days . But for 7 days after week one we get a break! now that plain daft.
The first week is a sales pitch for the product really it is. and its so slow 3.5hrs to pitch samuri thats a real long slaes letter.
We who know samuri can and do pitch it in 1 sentence.
i.e. do this see the out put WOOOw samuri is cool.
So as the course is free thats fantastic and in one 5 second clip i got a real nugget of insight so im very happy.
But i do wish they ran this course at internet not telegraph speed
So far I am impressed at how much can be said and done in the lean but muscular vids – This is my second year and I don’t know whether it is because I have a stronger grounding in IM or whether this year’s tutorials are even more newbie friendly, but I find that all is easier. Will see if this continues to be the case as new weeks unfold.
This is my first year doing the challenge and it’s definitely got me motivated. I own 30 domains now and need to start making some money off them. This is the place to start for sure!
You are right. Making money on the Internet is pretty hard at the beginning but once you have mastered the skills and tricks, the road becomes well-paved. I used to have that serious problem of domain registration and hosting but now, it is a forgotten story. Anyone who is ready to make money online should have the mindset that time needs to be taken and set apart to be a true success.
Hi Kenny,
I stumbled upon the 30 Day Ch. last year and had to give up on it mainly because I couldn’t cope with all the newsy hype as well as the learning. This year I’m blown away…it’s so user friendly!
Just want to say that the generosity of all you people, including Ed (of course) is truly amazing….you are great examples of New Economy principles. I’m determined to join you all in that place in the not so distant future. cheers
Great post Kenny and very apt descriptions of Ed & Dan! This is my 4th Challenge – I do them each year because there is always something new to learn and because I love them. So far I can see the beauty in this year’s new format – I think it is right on track to help more people complete the Challenge.
Looking forward to your participation in Module 2;-)
I like the new format. We went on vacation during Module 1, and while I managed to download the lessons in our hotel room, I didn’t get to watch them.
The “week off” is very handy.
I also wish all the other “guru’s” out there would follow Ed’s lead and provide download links for their videos in several useful formats.
Thanks for all your comments guys – keep em comin!
I too just started the challenge. Although it starts out pretty basic, i’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
And the 7 day break is great, it gave me a chance to get up to speed even though I started late.
Hey Kenny,
I’m looking forward to what you have coming in the next module.. So bring it!:)
Also I have to agree with you that breaks in the modules will benefit us in different ways.
I for one, have been involved with numerous training programs. All of which were tailored aroound the more advanced IM’ers and not necessarily the newbie who needs could really use a way to break in to this industry.
I think that is probably one of the biggest reasons that it took me several years to really find my way. Lack of support and delayed responses from help desks tend to turn little issues into catastrophic problems. The worst part is these problems tend to leave a bad taste in your mouth for certain Guru’s and their courses. And like a few of your commenters here have mentioned, it can be the reason for giving up all together.
That is how I see many courses available today.
But… “The 2010 Challenge”, it’s much different like you say. It’s actually designed for those that need a solid foundation and the training,( which may seem slow at times)is always full of tips and tricks that help to speed up the dreaded learning curve.
This is my second year following the challenge and I really can’t Thank All Of You enough!
At the beginning of 2010, my partner and I decided to set up a coouple sites just to see if we could set, forget and flip when ready…
The results were better than we could have anticipated. We built 3 sites. One was a top positioned pr2 dispenser site which we recently sold for our BIN price at flippa on a 5 day listing (Thanks for the tips!)
Another site we are still working on here and there in order to get it better positioned in the serps before we flip it. And the final site, the one I have listed here with my name, is currently in the #1 position, drives some impressive traffic and has actually made both my partner and I some $$$ :)
My newest project is designed around marketing to local businesses in my area. Wish me luck.
This is why we are here, to learn from the Pro’s and follow their leads. And that means using the software(the free trial is more than worth the price:), the trainings, the forum and the phenom support crew. All of these are an important part of the puzzle.
So come on everyone, let’s do this! Make 2010 your year with the help of The Challenge.
Dangit, I guess I had a lot to say.. Sorry if it seemed a ramble..
Again, Thanks Kenny and looking forward to what you have coming in the days and weeks ahead.
Have a Great Summer!
Cheers from Wyo
That was a great post Kenny! I will sure to follow Ed.
The 2010 Challenge has finished (in real time that is) and what a Challenge. As Wyo (above) says it is a great foundation course for newbies; including those of us who are like a good aged bottle of wine.
I would recommend The Challenge to anyone who is interested in finding out what Internet Marketing is all about and people who have a desire to develop an income on line.
Davina
I can’t wait for the 2011 Challenge. I feel like I’m on the verge of a breakthrough.
The 2010 challenge got me going but 2011 is simply amazing!