Did You Ignore the Numbers?

ronaliscious · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 02:54 PM

Hi everyone, it has been quite a while since I've been here.

I purchased SBI back in March. That's right, March. And I've done nothing.

I get so discouraged when I get what I think is a great idea and then I "run the numbers" and they don't look promising. I've used up a lot of Brainstorm It credits, so lately I've been using other tools like wordtracker's free tool (the numbers are always SO low on that tool for me) and google.

Also, a lot of my ideas are 3 keywords and I get discouraged every time that pop up warning comes up that 3 words might be too much. But when I use 2 keywords, it's too broad.

So, did you ignore the numbers? And still succeed? I really need some encouragement right now. I'm so embarrassed that I've done nothing productive with my SBI subscription in 8 months. Sigh.

Jonathan · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 03:12 PM

I think you shouldn't worry about the "3 keyword warning" and just go for it. Get some experience under your belt. Many successful sites revolve around more than 2 keywords.

Mr Potential · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 09:25 PM

ronaliscious, relax and take 10 slow deep breath, and recognize it is ok. Forget about the 8 months. Let go of all the credits used. Leave behind all the failed attempts at this. Focus now your thoughts on what your success can and will be. It took this experience to get you hear. So appreciate the 2nd chance. Reset and start fresh from here you are.
Now I agree with Jonathan's assessment. I would also add, If you need to buy a bundle of brainstorm it credits of say 100 then do so. Also, please, please read and review the Action Guide document and video at least 3x and be patient, just like a tortoise. Also, you will find in the Action Guide a concept called branching or cross-branching keyword sets which can be used to build your site concept. Case in point my niche did not fit into an easy 2 or 3 word keyword set as cleanly as I would like. But when i applied the cross-branching it worked like pure gold. Please go through the entire Action guide once as a review before doing anything.

James · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 10:33 PM

Working with key words is tricky, too. Sometimes you need to really loosen up in that department and let your mind go to work.

I don't use SBI, but using google's adsense keywords I have sometimes found that I can run my words, then look at the related words they have and find some good ones.

For example, in the financial field I hate the word "budget" and the limiting concept it conveys so I prefer to talk about a "spending plan." However, while lots of people search for "budget" and similar terms, no one searches for "spending plan" so much. So when writing I am learning to use the word budget even if I just want to write about why "budgets" don't work. Or explain that if you use the word budget get a new view of it as a help in planning your spending.

My point is that you may not be looking at bad subjects, just using words that may not be the best.

Mr Potential · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 11:04 PM

Ah excellent points James, So ronaliscious you can use the brainstormer to do a lateral brainstorm to get similar relevant keywords and you can also use the "site info" and look at the competition sites for ideas and you can use the "Search It", it has so many search types to give you a vast insight to so many options from which to find keywords. It doesn't have to be perfect, it get's better as you keep going through the process. I changed my main keywords about 40x before I got it right for me.

ronaliscious · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 07:53 AM

Thank you all for your suggestions. It has been a while since I've read the Action Guide all the way though. I will definitely read more about branching. It sounds like it would be helpful to me.

Jonathan, thank you for the reassurance about 3 keywords. I often search for 3 or more keywords myself, so I couldn't understand why it's considered a bad idea.

Ok, taking a deep breath, slowing down....and moving forward. Thanks again!

Mr Potential · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 09:27 AM

You are welcome ronaliscious, keep us updated on your progress and let us know how we can help you further when needed. All the very very best and keep moving forward.

ed7up · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 12:10 PM

ronalicious,

If you don't "get the numbers right" from the begininning you effectively forfeit the entire point of SBI - to drive highly targeted traffic from the search engines to great content. If there's no traffic to target then you will only feel frustrated when you don't get a return on your investment and efforts.

The keyword warnings need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Some of my external keyword research unearths great 6/7/8 word keyword phrases which Brainstorm It! won't let me enter. I use them anyways - but the point they try to make is that usually this is not the case.

Evaluate your keywords and pick a niche YOU LOVE and delivers the numbers. Both these metrics are essential to a mostly self-written content site.

Keep us updated - use the SBI forums and consider some coaching perhaps?

Annie T. Baxter · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 11:33 PM

Hi Ronalicious,

I thought of you and this post just now after doing some research with Google AdWords and the Day 2 of the Video Action Guide.

In a quest for you to find your niche/site concept key words, would it help for you to analyze your competitors sites and their key words?

Though I am sure about the theme of my site and generally certain on the concept, I'm still mulling the angles I will use to make it stand out and be of value on it's own to the visitors. By studying competitors sites I am able to get validation that I might actually have a fresh way to present some of the information, but I'm also getting to peruse their keywords and see if I want to research them for my own...

(OK, I'm going on and on...hazard of being sleepy!)

Really pulling for you to get the results you want and need!

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