I’ve spent a lot of time in the University of Winnipeg on both sides of the desk – as a student and an instructor.
They’ve recently added a Konami code to their website. In the event you don’t remember or you weren’t one of the millions of people that spent hundreds of hours kicking ass and taking names playing Contra on NES (the original Nintendo Entertainment System) the Konami code is a “cheat code”.
Recently several websites have added some functionality that can be unlocked with the use of the code. Facebook added a Konami code that caused your mouse cursor to change, I don’t think they were the first, but I believe it’s what is what caused everyone to jump on the bandwagon.
Anyway, it’s great to see the University of Winnipeg getting creative with their marketing efforts by embracing Twitter, Facebook, and embedding a konami code on their website. I’ve seen a lot of students and staff “buzzing” online about the game and their high scores so it’s obviously driving some traffic and creating a little excitement and awareness for them.
So what’s the Easter egg?
Head on over to the University of Winnipeg Department of Continuing Education
Enter the Konami Code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A)
Enjoy your unlocked surprise (a classic video game with a characters from the University of Winnipeg)
Enjoy, and leave a comment if you can beat my high score.
I was going to post this between Christmas and New Years but I was tied up with festivities and concentrating on Shoemoney’s ASW contest.
My favorite part about the holiday season is thinking about all the goals I am going to set for the upcoming year.
I always set ambitious goals, after all it’s a bloody goal – something I hope to achieve not something that I am already doing. I don’t want my life to be a little better. I want the life of everyone around me, including me, to be a lot better.
With that being said my goals for 2010 are:
Earnings of $1K a day through the monetization of web sites by the end of the year
Get/Stay in shape. Keep “bad” weight off and put “good” weight on (ultimately I’d like to lost 5-10 bad pounds and gain 5 good pounds)
Workout 4-5 days a week
Continue to be a great friend, uncle, and family member, and dog owner
Wear my seatbelt all the time (when I am in a moving car )
Pay off all consumer debt
Stop hitting “sleep” on the alarm clock
Wake up at 5:45 am
Be a productive employee
Be a productive entrepreneur
Sleep between 6-9 hours every night
Run the half marathon with minimal training (I’m not going to put on “good weight” running all the time)
Post on my blog every once in a while
Keep better books
There I said it. You read it. I will follow up monthly to let you know how I am doing to remind myself to keep on keepin on.
A brief, mostly personal, look at a mostly awesome 2009…
2009 was a crazy year (just the way I like it). There were a lot of highlights and a couple of low-lights Sadly, I didn’t accomplish some things I had hoped to professionally, but I certainly had a lot of fun and am super excited for “twenty-ten”!
January was cold, cold, cold – I mean like freeze-your-ass-off-record-breaking-I-wish-I-was-dead-cold. I spent a week in Toronto where it was a little more mild, concentrated on work, and booked a phenomenal trip to the Mayan Riviera, Mexico with my now ex-girlfriend where we relaxed, partied, sun bathed, and laughed.
Mayan Riveria
Upon my return I decided it was finally time to hit an internet marketing conference and so I registered for Pubcon Austin. As excited as kid in candy shop, I signed up on twitter and started connecting with others that would be attending. I had a blast meeting great people and learning and came back refreshed.
Partying at Pubcon Austin
April, as I recall it was uneventful, I was glued to the computer motivated as heck from my time at Pubcon though I am not sure I accomplished anything.
The beginning of summer saw my relationship with my fabulous ex crumble which was a big adjustment. I spent my time concentrating at my new position at work which has been awesome, at the gym, and on partying. Unfortunately this makes most of summer a really expensive blur where little was accomplished but an unreal amount of fun was had.
Weather wise, Winnipeg had its worst summer in history. My brother convinced me to go to Hawaii in August and I spent a week surfing, skydiving, swimming with sharks, and jumping off cliffs. Great times!
Surfing in Hawaii
There was a huge ray of sunshine in August though – my sister had the first child in the family – an amazing little girl Katelyn Morrison. She is amazing, I love that little girl so much, she’s had a pretty huge effect on me but I won’t get to gushy here .
Lyndon and Katelyn
Fall arrived and my beat up body was very happy. I finally got back to work (I hadn’t even signed onto twitter in months:)) and my buddies from Pubcon Austin convinced me to attend Pubcon Las Vegas. Pubcon Las Vegas resulted in excessive amounts of fun and alcohol.
Katelyn and Bella
And here I am in December, wrapping up the year, looking back, feeling great, and terribly terribly excited about what 2010 will bring. I’ve set big goals which you can read about in the next few days!
So 2009 was a year of fun and travel. 2010 will be year of fun, travel, and a lot of work. How was you year?
Hundreds of you took the time to vote, took the time to forward emails onto your friends, helped me take over the local Facebook “stream” by posting links on your profile and cross promoting me, and gave me shout outs on twitter. Without you guys I would have been killed. Your help is genuinely appreciated and has not gone unnoticed. THANK YOU.
If you are going to be at Affiliate Summit West make sure you hit me up. See you in Vegas.
@ChristaWatson mentioned that she was disappointed that she wasn’t going to make it to Affiliate Summit West (ASW) even if it was only to catch up with her friends. And so I’ve been the devil on her shoulder insisting that she should just go.
In response to my original video post where I promised that I’d shotgun a beer on request at later date Christa and @Kristy insisted that my mom shotgun a beer with me. The deal was that Christa immediately would book a flight to ASW if we made it happen. It wasn’t easy but I convinced Mama Reid (as Christa refers to her).
One more thing – I still don’t know if I am going to get to go. I am in a contest over at Shoemoney.com for a pass, flight, hotel, $2000 to lay-down on one hand of black jack, and access to exclusive parties. Please vote for Lyndon so I can meet Christa in person
Enjoy the video (yep I am a nerd). Oh yeah, one more thing. This isn’t my normal behavior for a Sunday (nor is it my mothers )
Update: Final day of voting for a trip to ASW:Please Vote For Lyndon by Clicking Here.
It will take you no longer than 5 seconds. No registering or signing up required. Get me there with @ChristaWatson
So at the recommendation of some (imaginary) friends I decided to do a video blog explaining why you should vote for me (LYNDON) in Shoemoney’s Affiliate Summit West. My original (non-video) entry is here that had me selected as a finalist is here.
It’s the first time I have ever video blogged and so I tried to perfect it – the first one is boring, the second one has mistakes, the third one I am wasted, and by the forth I am shooting tequila.
View them here:
Take 1 (I’m Shy and Boring in this One):
Take 2 (A little buzzed):
Take 3 (Getting Wasted):
Take 4 (Tequila Time):
Update: I’ve made it to the Final 5! Please Vote For Lyndon by Clicking Here.
It will take you no longer than 5 seconds. No registering or signing up required.
Leave a comment to let me know if you voted for me . Should I win I will be sure to bust out some live blogging, photo blogging, and tweets to keep everyone up to date on the adventures.
I’ve made it to the Final 5! Please Vote For Me by Clicking Here.It will take you no longer than 5 seconds. No registering or signing up required.
For once I am not talking about an adult’s only film. Nope, I’ve made it the final 5 in Shoemoney’s Affiliate Summit Rockstar contest.
A lot is at stake and I really really want to win. Like bad. It’s not about the pass, or the flight, or the cash – it’s about rolling with and partying with some of the industries leaders. Those who know me, know that I live to party socialize. I need to win this.
Update: I’ve made it to the Final 5! Please Vote For Me by Clicking Here.
It will take you no longer than 5 seconds. No registering or signing up required.
Leave a comment to let me know if you voted for me . Should I win I will be sure to bust out some live blogging, photo blogging, and tweets to keep everyone up to date on the adventures.
Roll with Shoemoney to some super badass private parties
Either $1000 cash or $2000 to bet on one hand/roll (by Azoogle Ads)
So, why do I deserve to win?
*barman: click here to skip this first paragraph as it might be far too serious and boring for you I’ve been dabbling with affiliate marketing for a few years and following the industry for many more. I have had some small successes but not enough to free me from the debilitating drudgery of my 9-to-5 job with the government as a software developer. The knowledge, contacts, and motivation the conference and more importantly the networking will provide will allow to me to take things to the next level and bring me one step closer to living the dot com lifestyle.
Lyndon Reid as Miss Purpose Inc.
Judges, why should you pick me?
I live to have fun, love to party, socialize, and will do anything for a laugh and to have a good time. I am a good guy and I realize how huge the opportunity to roll with and party with the industries best is – I can assure you that I’d be a good man to have by your side. It’s Vegas baby, I am ready to be sleep deprived, I am ready to party, to learn, and to have excessive amounts of fun! Shoemoney, we gotta party sometime, this seems to be the right time.
I want it bad – There isn’t a trip that I want more. Though hitting Vegas with Tiger Woods sounds like it could be a good time .
Am I am gambler?
You don’t get better odds than this! Walk away with $1000 or play one hand to win $4000 at close to 50% odds! You’d be crazy not to make the bet.
Las Vegas Hilton Promo Chips
The idea of placing this bet is causing a Déjà vu of an unreal time last month when I won a contest and found myself with a handful of promotional chips from the LV Hilton that had to be bet (turned over) before they could be cashed in. The scenario led me to the craps table with @sugarrae where we drank vodka sodas (and Coors) and were forced to place $1000.00 bets.
Not only am I going to bet the $2000 but I will also put the reimbursed airfare on the table. The game – a single hand of black jack.
We will spend the other $4500-ish on whatever the group deems fitting - some things that come to mind: drinks/bottle service/shooters will be in order, dinner at one of NickyCakes recommended Las Vegas restaurants (maybe Craft Steak?), gambling, buying links, or most probably bail and lawyers
Picking me should be an easy choice
It’s guaranteed we will have a good time
I stand to gain a lot and you guys can take all the credit when I “make it”
I’ve been a huge fan of many of you for months or even years
You’d be awarding someone who needs and wants this bad
I didn’t want to ramble on and on as I know you guys will need to sift through dozens of entries so if you have any questions for me or want a character reference from someone in the industry just fire me an email at contact AT lyndonreid.com or give me a shout/fire me at text 204-292-6658.
PS: I do come with some serious objectives.
Late Night Debauchery in Austin
David Dellanave: I am hoping to have a few drinks with you and I am hoping you can teach me how to rank #1 for Viagra. I’ve been trying to rank for Viagra ever since you announced it as a requirement in 2007 for the SEO Rockstar contest but I haven’t had much success though I have developed an addiction due to far too much product testing.
Shoemoney: I am hoping to have a few drinks with you and I am hoping you can introduce me to Dennis Yu as I’d like to get some Facebook advertising advice from him (total sarcasm, I’ve been following the saga). Seriously, I’d like to talk to you about Facebook advertising and PPC in general and catch your panel if it plays out that Yu is out and you end up back on the panel.
Nickycakes: I am hoping to have a few drinks with you and I am hoping you can tell me some stories from back in the day before you converted to a “mostly reformed blackhat”. Finally, you’ll know me personally which means you may add me on Facebook. Dope
Erin Hughes: I am hoping to have a few drinks with you, I am also hoping that I can do something stupid enough to convince you that you need me at your next Playboy Mansion party (or whatever other over the top kick ass promotion Azoogle has).
George Avery: I am hoping to have a few drinks with you. You and your team seems to have earned a ton of respect for being all round good guys willing to help those who need it. And so it’s obvious why I want to party with you.
Neil Patel: I am hoping to have a few drinks with you or maybe even funnel a beer if the opportunity presents itself. I’d also like lessons on how to give a lap dance if you have time…
Barman: I am hoping to have a few drinks with you. Obviously I want to join your network so I am hoping to talk to you about an expedited approval of my application. I am probably going to pimp Viagra like it’s 1999 again. Good news is that I’ll probably buy enough myself through my own links to make us both a boat load of cash.
Contract/Client work can be a great source of revenue, provide stability, and allow you to meet your monthly obligations.
The issue with contract work is that someone else is paying you (whether it be per job/or per hour) which has limited potential. Depending on your business and industry this may not be such a bad thing and may even be scalable but one there are a few big cons.
Limited revenue potential
You can only bill so much. Whether it’s $50.00 an hour or $500.00 an hour there is certainly a limit and you have to put the time in to earn the money.
It’s a job
You’re really are working for someone else. You have to meet your clients (employers) deadlines and depend on your clients (employers) for payment.
On the contrary, if you spend your time building out quality web properties which can be monetized in numerous ways (affiliate marketing, subscriptions, direct sales, contextual advertising, direct advertising, sponsorship, donations, etc.) you can and will earn over the long term. A page of content on a quality site can generate revenue month after month and year after year.
I can tell you this. There are many online marketers making $1,000,000+ off their own properties which works out to an equivalent of 497.00 an hour, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Pretty tough to find contract work paying that. Heck some of the super affiliates make just shy of a million dollars a year of their personal blogs which they spend an hour a day on.
If all the work you are doing is for “someone else” it’s time to consider building your own web properties.
Yes, I realize you need to pay the bills which is why I recommend you strike a balance and start building out in your “spare” time. Before you know it the earnings from your properties will be your primary source of revenue and as a bonus you’ll have a sense of ownership, pride, and the ability to keep increasing your income.
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Sadly, I didn’t accomplish some things I had hoped to professionally, but I certainly had a lot of fun and am super excited for “twenty-ten”!
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