Cool. It's nice to know that you're local as well. I'm in SSF, San Mateo County. I'm @ $3,000/mo and I'm 18 so I'm well trying on my way. Congratulations.
I never understood this... If a site is really brining in that much traffic it would be pretty hard to compete with starting from scratch. It would take a good year to even come close. I myself say bring it and have no problem disclosing my sites. What I do have a problem with is telling people how much I make, unless I was trying to sell something (like a e-book or newsletter for example). For this reason I tend to ignore these posts, but not this one for some reason
If you have good content + sites you can approach the media, I had someone from the BBC pleading with me to phone them for an article/interview, unfortunately I was on a cruise of the Med at the time but they still mentioned my site which gave me an extra 20,000 uniques on a Sunday when I was away and plenty therefore in adsense. It's important not to just focus online, I have worked with a few TV programmes and the traffic they can pull/provide even crappy UK daytime TV is impressive. Also links from the BBC are just really good for serps ) Congrats on your income Carlson
You have a problem telling people how much you make but then have a problem with someone not telling their URL??? Kind of hypocritical isnt that? Also what kind of car do you drive if I may ask?? What did you pay for your home?? I'll bet you tell people how much money you make eveyday, without uttering a word....
I just think no one needs to know how much money I make. Do you walk around your office at work telling people how much money you make? Do you tell all your friends and family how much you make? Of course not, and the same reasons you don't do this at work go for why you shouldn't do this online. Its just not very professional in my eyes and I'm sure many others. Asking for a URL is like asking where you work, I have no problem doing it.
I agree one shouldnt do such if they are an employee I definitely agree with that... however people discuss their salaries and income daily and it is also discussed in papers magazines online Think pro sports, wealthy individuals, tabloids and the government... As for the OP posting his earnings I think it offers incentive and motivation for other ....If I am not mistaken one of the larger marketing minds has his mug splashed all over the Internet with his Google Adsense check That move drew 10000s of visitors to his site.......Is this a bad move or another shrewd marketing method?? ask shoemoney but my point was he protects his url.... you protect your revenues ....I protect my car.....one mans way is not that of anothers... but there should not be critcisim for such a choice.
Sports, movie stars, and CEO's salaries are in the public eyes, they don't disclose them the media does. Its information that can be accessed by anyone, this is the only reason its out there. This marketing mind only does it because he is selling something... It's your typical I "made millions and you can too" sales pitch. Anyway.... To each his own... One may think this kind of post would be a motivation, others may think plugging a ebook. I was just saying I'm tired of these threads and the "protecting URL" doesn't hold much weight in my eyes.
I spent hundreds on ebooks about adsense, so here is the best advice I've found. The secret is traffic + CTR. Also, never put links on your page to other sites! your visitor will leave, and you lost your chance. (unless you are selling links, but I know nothing about that)
Some people on DP have learnt the hard way after putting their successful URL's online. The Key is finding an up & coming niche, building a good site, targeting good keyword phrases & getting a good stream of organic traffic. Or Build something totally unique that'll get people talking. I had a friend recently who's been really successful with Gary Larson type storyboards, touching on borderline political topics. It's easy to fall into the "lets just post some articles from article directories" & hope the money & traffic comes in, because it won't.
12mm page views from one site and 4-5mm from the other? damn... hope you're hosting that with a dedicated server or two... that's appx 400k pageviews a day... must be some great traffic coming in... congrats... and jealous