Today I got stuck into the Traffic Mindset lesson which starts out with a face-to-face video from Corbett – no slides this time. He gave some wise words about the mindset you should have when building websites, and that is to be in it for the long haul delivering information to help people, not throw a site up overnight and expect to be a millionaire by the morning.
Here’s the homework:
1. Why did you (or are you planning to) start your site?
Let’s start with Operation Pixie Dust. I started that site three years ago now because I love going to Disney World and over the years I have read countless books and forum posts and I’ve learned all the tricks and strategies to beating the lines, saving money and mostly just having a magical vacation. What makes me sad is seeing people who show up at the parks in the middle of the day with no clue what to see and just end up missing out on most of the magic.
So I came home from a vacation and decided to start a blog to show people how to do a Disney World vacation the right way. Heck it costs enough to go why on earth would you want to have a terrible time?
Now onto Geek Free Guide. I’ll be honest with you, I’ve been thinking about starting this site for a couple of months now and the reason behind it was because I want to increase my Amazon commissions. So yes, I admit I’m driven by income, which of course is not the right mindset to have!
2. Why did you choose the topic your site is about? Are you interested in the topic, or do you see it merely as an opportunity?
Well that question is easy for OPD, because I’m more than “interested” in the topic, I’m passionate about it and will talk the hind legs of a donkey, or anyone else who’ll listen 
Now for GFG yes I do see it as an opportunity, but I also am interested in the topic. I’m a gadget lover and one of my friends asked me for advice on the best digital radio to buy because she calls me a techie. I had no idea as I’d never bought one but I did some research and gave her some options. That’s when I thought that I could build a website giving non-techie people the geek-free scoop on gadgets, to help them choose what’s right for them without blinding them with geek speak.
3. How long do you anticipate this project existing for? Is this something you’re committed to for the long-haul or are you looking for a short term win?
I’m in it for the long-haul for both sites, they both currently have three year contracts on their domain names and since I am a Disney Vacation Club member I have another 40 years of Disney trips ahead of me 
4. Do you genuinely want to help (or entertain, or both) your visitors?
Yes – I want to pay it forward and help people plan fabulous Disney vacations, and I want to help people understand which gadgets are best for them and which they should just leave on the shelf!
This exercise has definitely been useful, especially for GFG. I need to enter that project with the right mindset, and that is first and foremost I want to help people choose the right technology for them, if I can get that right then the income should follow.
Over to you…
I got a lot of value out of answering these questions. If you want to do the same feel free to use the comment box below – I’d love to read your answers.
Oh and if you want to join Traffic School and benefit from the training as a whole rather than just my homework you better head over their quickly as there are only 30 places left.