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What an interesting year it’s been!

Having been away from the internet marketing world for several years, 2019 was an interesting year for me. I decided that now was the right time to return to my blog here on JamesMcAllisterOnline.com, and reignite the personal brand I’ve aimed to build since I started in 2013.

At the same time, my two eCommerce brands – the companies I’ve been running since I left several years ago, have continued to blossom and present their own unique challenges as well.

I’ve learned a lot this year, and while not everything that I’ve tried worked as intended, many things have.

In this post, I’d like to take some time to reflect on 2019 – sharing my successes, my failures, and goals for 2020.

Let’s first start with an overview on the year as a whole.’

[Read more…]

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Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘work smart, not hard’?

Wonder what genius came up with that one?

The idea that there is some ‘secret strategy’ guaranteed to make you riches without any real effort is ridiculous. Just as ridiculous as the idea that if you just work hard enough (even if you’re doing the wrong thing) you’ll inevitably find success as well.

Therefore, ask yourself – should you work smart or hard?

The answer, put simply, is both. Not only do you need to have the right strategy in place, but you have to back it up with enough effort and hours to execute that strategy to its full potential.

However, there’s different times to focus on working smart vs. working hard. In this article, I intend to highlight some of these examples. This way, you can structure your work days in a way that truly maximizes your results. [Read more…]

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Should entrepreneurs learn to program? Should everybody learn to program?

This has been a debate going on for quite a number of years now, and the answer isn’t entirely clear. On one end of the argument, most entrepreneurs don’t write code, and get by just fine. On the opposite end, many people believe that not knowing how to program will one day be akin to not knowing how to read or write.

One thing is clear – the world is being increasingly ran by computers, and as entrepreneurs – creators, we can benefit immensely by knowing how to create our own software for these machines.

In fact, even a very basic understanding of programming can be transformative for some businesses, even those not working in the tech sector.

I must warn you, however. While I’m going to be sharing with you a lot of benefits that will sound very enticing, please keep this in mind – learning to code is not a prerequisite for entrepreneurial success. It is definitely possible to build a massive company without writing a single line of code (just ask Steve Jobs!) In fact, learning something just for the sake of learning it never is particularly useful. You must have a practical plan to implement it in order for a skill like this to become valuable.

Let this article serve as an eye-opener, exposing you to the benefits that learning to program has to offer, and helping you decide for yourself whether it’s worth spending further time on. [Read more…]

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When it comes to making major life decisions, nothing is ever easy.

Often, one decision can ultimately affect us years into the future, and looking forward, it isn’t always clear what decision is the right one. We may think we have an idea, but we never truly know for sure.

Therefore, rather than trying to predict the future, let’s take the smart approach. Let’s go over a bunch of potential scenarios, analyze your own life, and help you come to a position that best aligns with your long-term values and goals.

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It’s hard to stay away from a good thing forever.

Just over two years ago, I wrote the final post on what used to be HelpStartMySite.com. I didn’t know it was going to be the final post at the time, but life got away from me. With other companies taking off more quickly than I could manage, I never ended up coming back.

I felt as if I had entered into the next stage of my career and of my life, the stage where things really begin to ‘take off’ (it turns out, no matter how much you grow, this feeling still remains.)

Anyhow, I focused all of my energy into my new ventures, and only now feel like they’re mature enough for me to step back to this place I still feel is home. [Read more…]

Obsessed.

What do you think of when you hear the word?

The dictionary defines obsessed as “an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

You’re obsessed with something when it dominates your thinking, when it’s constantly on your mind.

I don’t know about you, but many people consider obsession to be something negative. Something to be avoided. If you are obsessed with something, you need to step back, relax, and focus on something new.

But I disagree. [Read more…]

Never be afraid to experiment.

You are your own boss. You set the rules.

Much of what we’re taught is moreso guidelines than anything else.

And let’s be real here – if you want change, then change things up. Do what everybody else is doing, and you’ll end up like everybody else.

Take it to the next level. Go above and beyond. Or do it different. It’s the only way you’ll be remembered.

Never be afraid to experiment.

I have a confession to make.

Over the last 6 months, I have started another company. I’ve been working on it, building it up, and expanding it. And in that 6 months, it’s truly taken off and is quickly becoming something amazing.

And I’ve got to be honest, it has grown a lot quicker than I had ever expected it to.

Starting out with just a few thousand dollars, our main branch is projected to do around a million dollars in sales this year.

This does not even include our new venture – an entirely new brand we’re launching that is going to one day dominate the industry we’re working in.

Unfortunately I can’t talk too much about that right now due to agreements I have in place, however, I have been named CEO and I assure you that one day you’ll hear all about it.

Anyway, running this new business and launching this new brand has shifted my perspective about blogging, and has truly taught me a lot about this profession we all know and love. I’d like to share with you some of the lessons I’ve learned, which I believe can make us all better bloggers, marketers, and entrepreneurs. [Read more…]

You ever have those nights where you just can’t fall asleep because you can’t stop thinking?

This is what it’s like for me every single night. It’s both a blessing and a curse.

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