What Would You Tell a Newbie? - Page 3

William Wilson · #31 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 01:44 PM

Amber jane, I like the words of advice you gave in your recent post...That is so true...Live and let live...William Wilson

TreasureLamp · #32 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 04:03 PM

Hello all.

The first thing I would say if someone came to me personally is to watch Lisa's videos and take notes. That advice stems from a bigger picture of the person doing research on the subject. Isn't that why we have sites like You Tube? That's where I found Lisa and that's where I have found so many other great instructional videos.

For specifics it's a hard question to answer without having something of the background on the new persons abilities. They may be new to web design for example, but be very proficient in some related area and catch on quickly to web design. Another person might be starting from scratch and may have to learn quite a bit. For example: For some people, dreamweaver might be perfect, for me I just can't use it. But I am very happy with the sites that I have made by learning another, more simple web design package. It's quite a steep learning curve even to become knowledgeable of the pros/cons as to whether or not it's better to use a predesigned fill-in-and-go hosted web format or to learn how to make a web site yourself.

That's why I say the one main piece of advice, as I would give to anyone starting a business or any serious endeavor, is to have a plan. A map of the area your going, so to speak. The more you learn about the subject the more detailed the map and the easier to see where you are.

Have some goal in mind. What do you want to achieve from the web? If it's anything to do with affiliate marketing, then the research you do will revolve around that. Do you need a web site? What type? A blog? Or both? Affiliates? Adsense? How to generate traffic? Niche marketing? Wordpress? RSS? etc......

I trade the Forex market and like another person here posted, we have a similar saying, "Plan your trade and trade your plan". So to start, watch some videos of successful people who are in the business you wish to be in. Make sure they are the type of people who are smart enough to know that trying to fool people is soon enough found out and does not make for a long term business position. People like Lisa are great examples of what makes a successful business person and business.

To finish: As the title of this post indicates, have a plan and learn the subject first. Don't expect a get rich quick scheme to appear and let you quite your day job over night. What will most likely happen is you will end up with far less money having enriched someone else. Paying for info and service is fine, but make sure first that is where you want to be. Do your research and you will progress without doubt.

Cheers, Rob

turnera71 · #33 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 08:34 PM

I like this thread... As a newbie, I keep thinking about the end result (success) without thinking about planning, learning new skills, etc. But I will say that anything worth doing is worth doing right, so I will listen and learn first.

reviewyourlink · #34 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 04:35 PM

Take one sheet of paper and write down your questions (make up your own) and then answer them, leaving room to revise, later. Use one sheet for each question. Sample questions:

Why are you doing this?
Who is/are ultimate benefactors?
What do you want the people to feel when they see your ad/page/site?
When would you like to have it completed?
Where is your most likely audience sure to go? (to get ideas now and to learn how to put yourself in front of them later)
How are you going to get there? (define what you can or are willing to do/learn yourself and what part you want to delegate).

Then after all that is determined, have fun and get in there. There are how many pages on the internet? Make it a game, challenge yourself. See how fast you can solve your current problem. But don't sacrifice quality for speed. Sometimes if you would have just checked out one more link, you would have saved yourself several hours of grueling. Don't look at it as grueling. It's a self-led education. Class can be fun or tedious. When it becomes tedious or frustrating, jump in and ask the wealth of information out there if there's an easier way to do that part. That will also get you in touch with friendships you can nurture as you go, which will turn out to be invaluable.

Tips I've discovered:

Not getting the right results? Change your keywords, experiment, change your search engine. Utilize the free programs out there. Start with sites you know aren't trying to sell you something (Google, Yahoo, Microsoft). Don't buy into answers when you're not sure you trust the source. There are lots of free tools. Computer frustrations? Try running a live version of Linux. It doesn't change your system and there are less unsecured ports. Certain things may work better. Don't want to learn a new system? Refurbished computers with latest software and memory requirements are about $225 at some of the computer warehouse sites. Look for a local store on their websites so you can check them out in person. A new computer made me feel great!

I use Mozilla's Firefox browser, and it I love it. But it can get crazy, let me explain. I, at most any give time, have like 40 tabs open (my bookmarks library is huge, because I don't want to lose anything I've found). If I'm done for the day and want to start again tomorrow, I go to Bookmarks, Bookmark All Tabs (at once!) and give it a name like today's date so I can come back to it. Then clearing out your tabs is like clearing out your mind. Have a bookmarks folder and sub folders under each category of your business and pleasure related topics, just like a filing cabinet. Relate each to a specific thing you are learning.

Play some music while you're learning. Take a break and watch a movie. Most of all, like I said, enjoy the process. Pat yourself on the back all the way. You're worth it. You can do what you think is impossible! Organizing is the fastest way to get there. Hope I've helped!

Linda Jackson

bluefox · #35 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 07:47 PM

Hi Linda,

You sound like someone I know!

Some great stuff there, reading your post is a bit like reading one of my own.

Sounds like you are really passionate about what you do, that's great!

I think your spot on about being organized, I find when I create a work schedule I actually gets a lot of things completed each day. When you don't have a schedule or at least a 'things to do list' its very easy to get sidetracked and spend the better part of a day 'researching'.

Do this too many days in a row and you contract the deadly 'analysis paralysis' virus and pretty soon you start feeling demoralized cos your not getting all that much done and your traffic results are nothing to write home about.

Anyway I thought you put up a great post, have a cookie on me!

John Salamon

reviewyourlink · #36 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 10:14 AM

Hi John,

Yeah, I'm sure you're farther along than me organizationally. I was beginning to learn the hard way; as your workload starts to increase, you get organized or you get behind.

I checked out your links. They are unique and valuable. I can't wait to read your threads. I've put that on my list today. I didn't realize how large this site is. (It's great, Lisa!)

Thank you for the compliments and kind words. Yum

Talk soon, I hope!

Linda

thdrknight · #37 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 04:00 PM

This NuB has been inundated by the overwhelming rush and scope of source material that solidified itself so expansively once I turned the key in a door of which I have no idea how I came to be standing in front of. My sense is that of Ullysses tied to the mast ears ringing with the torturose wailing of the Sirens song. What is providing me safe passage through these straits of Web Knowledge Uncertainty is the sturdiness of the good ship WB captained by my lady lisa3876 the center mast of 2createawebsite to which I am secured by the straps and threads of shared knowledge provided by our captain and all my hearty shipmates. So with that I am confident that no matter how rough this sea of Uncertainty we shall reach safe harbour successfully!

Respectfully

thdrknight

bluefox · #38 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 05:32 PM

Bravo......Bravo!

LOL nice piece of poetic verse thrdknight, you'll go a long way in the blogoshphere with such an accomplished writing ability!

Looking forward to your next post!

thdrknight · #39 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 06:37 AM

What a kind consideration bluefox we do appreciate the generosity in your words of encouragement, we are for true therefore indebted to you.

Respectfully

thdrknight

k2zs · #40 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 07:07 PM

Use all the tools at hand to learn new things.

View source when ever you see something you like on the net. Not to copy but to see how others do it. Programming is such an individualized thing there are always tricks that are new to you.
Get a good editor. For the purest notepad is great but there is no replacement for a true html/xhtml editor with auto-complete. It helps you to associate all of the elements available for a tag. Dream Weaver and Home Site are fantastic but there are also free ones available. Many will allow you to set up a 'project' or 'site' that will allow you to do your development, preview it locally, then make the ftp connection to publish your content.
Set up your own development server (have many here). Everyone (common, you know it) has that old pc kicking around that would easily run some flavor of Linux. With a little research you could have your own Linux/Apache/MySQL/php (L.A.M.P.) server for development purposes. Then you can have fun, play, break but never endanger your live site.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. I am always willing to help others in need with sample code or advise as are many others here. I don't claim to know everything but can always find an answer or example.
Books, and forums, and more good books.

findaguitarteacher · #41 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 07:22 PM

As a recent newbie, I'd tell them that, while it can be a bit overwhelming to begin a website, the resources to help you do what you need to do have never before been so available and accessible. Form does follow function in that the internet itself opens doors to anyone with a vision for a site and the determination to continue toward their goals.

With sites such as Website Babble, there is no shortage of information or guidance that one can avail oneself of. Some things never change such as hard work, flexibility, and the necessity of self-examination, but we are truly living in the information age and the adage "where there is a will, there is a way" has never rung more true.

Someone getting started and developing their bag of tricks must understand that the more something matters, the more painful and confusing the process can be, but somehow you find your own way if you're willing to listen and absorb the vast storehouse of knowledge that the world, in the form of the internet, presents.

If you allow the zen of learning whatever lessons need to be learned at any given time, the answers always seem to come.

bluefox · #42 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 07:30 PM

Excellent post, viewing the code source is a great way to learn. Whenever I really like a web design feature I right click on the web page and 'view source' to get an idea how the page is coded and sometimes I even save the page and open the saved web page in dreamweaver to have a play with the code to see how the code works and creates the desired affect.

This is s great way not only to learn html and other web codes but also learn how to integrate your coding knowledge and skills into innovative web design techniques and features.

Love ya post K2!

k2zs · #43 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 08:39 PM

I do have to say that viewing source won't help you learn PHP, ColdFusion, or any other server language though. Server languages interperit the code from the developer and present it to the user as html. To learn that you HAVE to have a server platform to develope on. Thaks where that L.A.M.P. server in the basement comes in handy

. There are plenty of sites that offer free php scripts that you can disect, blow up, and get to know the language. (every programming language has a "Hello World" example, great stuff).

Have fun

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluefox

Excellent post, viewing the code source is a great way to learn. Whenever I really like a web design feature I right click on the web page and 'view source' to get an idea how the page is coded and sometimes I even save the page and open the saved web page in dreamweaver to have a play with the code to see how the code works and creates the desired affect.

This is s great way not only to learn html and other web codes but also learn how to integrate your coding knowledge and skills into innovative web design techniques and features.

Love ya post K2!

James · #44 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 05:25 AM

Looking at source code is often recommended and I agree with it in principle. In fact I do it all the time. Great way to learn.

However, there is one caveat that needs to be emphasized here for new webmasters that I do not think has even been mentioned. Just as the bulk of money making sites and seo sites, etc., are awful, so are the source codes even on some of the major sites. It just depends on who is doing them.

The point is to be aware of the fact that a lot of folks who know how to do complicated stuff have been around a long time and have learned a lot of "hacks" that can be overly complicated and out of date. One clue is when there is an intricate table design structure that looks like a maze from a garden in the middle ages.

If you are aware of the deprecated tags in html and the like you can steer clear of trouble. When you find a good idea you would like to try but code that looks antiquated, do a little research of the concept involved to see how to do it best.

vlad11 · #45 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 05:10 AM

Get a decent bag of knowledge and try and try and try and then try again. I am no expert but this i think it happens in real life too

Don't give up

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