That's what I've been aiming for, I'm the 5th search result after 2 days for the phrase I was aiming for.
Typical FUD. The "google slap" won't happen unless you are a top name blogger and sell links (in which case you won't really care about google because your traffic will be so high anyway), or you have duplicate content issues.
Everything is covered..don't bother wasting your time...99% of top searches for money related keywords are already taken..what is left out is sites ..which will bring in lot of INFO trafiic ..like date of birth of chuck norris..you can get that on first page Best way is to not jump in but wait, wait and wait...Google is coming up big with health related topics and also knol is not far away...there could be money in there.. but for now, join the already establised guys and get on with affiliates
Social Bookmarking, Article and Press Release all of which help a properly optimized website SEO I do not use PPC
I think that some people may be confusing the slap with the sandbox. obviously organic/natural search is the way to go but can take time to get around the sandbox, pays off in the end though. With my stores I give them a month on ppc to kick start the traffic and also build links, social bookmarking, ezinearticles and sig links in forums related to your store also helps. bans seems to build up slowly, not a get rich quick scheme, patience is key!
Organic search for me ... I can't afford PPC for my niche (or can justify its ROI just yet), so I have to wait and see for now.
Adwords started around 2002 and the guys who jumped earlier made lots of money and started diversifying. I was working for a company which started at the same period, now it makes 150,000 USD per month from PPC..they started with loans now they have jumped into car insurance, mortgage, vitamins..everything which sells on the internet they are in.. They have PH'D working for them as consultants..but when they began..they were normal guys..its all about being there at the right time.. PPC is not a rocket science now..everything is provided by google , only you need money to beat your competition out.. PPC is just like a concrete mixer working in a construction company..its the lowest in the hierarchy NOW...as in construction business...when it started..concrete mixers where a big thing but when new technologies were adapted ..they went down. Ofcourse you can make 50 to 300 USD now and then..BUT you can forget about driving a ferreri, if you start on your own. BEST thing..join the already sucessfull guys and HIDE ,,, hide and hide..and when a new technology comes..JUMP IN with your FOUR LEGS
But why do you think Google knol would be very potential? Google knol would be similar with wikipedia, I think. You can't make much money there.
Google knol will be built around wikki style but have advantage that it will have adsense and regulars image ads also.. The reason Google want to start knol is they are not getting enough money from sending lots of traffic to wikki.. First, it will be auther based wikki, but eventually it will open up to everyone and google will itself...rank, promote it on top of the results so that more people go to the knol page and click on ADS. Even today..if wikki decides to open up ADS...i think we could make some money