While the corporation was incorporated just earlier this year, many of the company’s online assets have been on the web for as long as 8 years, since there previously under my direct ownership. However, being the only employee in the corporation, I obviously still run each site.

Some of the bigger and more successful sites in the network are my blog TylerCruz.com, PokerForums.org, Movie-Vault.com, and PublisherSpot.com. A full list of sites can be found at Merendi.com.

Question #4

KRIS: Tell us more about your blog - TylerCruz.com (one of my personal favorites because of the outstanding design), including what your goals are for building readership and monetizing Web traffic on the blog…

TYLER: TylerCruz.com chronicles my day-to-day operations as a web entrepreneur and someone who makes their living entirely from the Internet. Post topics range from blogging tips, affiliate marketing, inspirational and motivational posts, contests and competitions, guest posts, in-depth articles, reviews, and the occasional personal post. 

While I do share tips and try to help others make money online as well, my blog is and always has been about my personal journey to wealth.

As for goals, I actually write out a list of goals each year right the new year starts. Two of the goals I made for 2008 were to (1) Average 3,000+ RSS on my blog, and (2) Average $3,500+ per month from blog (2008 Goals Post). While I’m not sure I’ll be able to make the first one, I should be accomplishing the second one soon (In August 2008 my blog will had made close to $4,000, but I need to accomplish this in the future months in order to make it live up the “average $3,500+”).

Question #5

KRIS: Do you design your own Web sites?  Can you share some of your design tips?  For instance, what are some of the strategies you use so that your Web sites / forums / communities standout from others?

TYLER: I don’t design or program my sites anymore - I always outsource for that. However, I’m unbelievably picky and am one of the craziest perfectionists you’ll ever meet when it comes to design and programming. I hold such high standards that I instill fear and horror into the minds of designers and programmers.

While it takes up a lot of my time, having to go over proposed designs with a fine-tooth comb and then ask for a million revisions of small things here and there, in the end I usually end up with a great design. PublisherForums.com is a good example of that. Even though I wrote an extremely detailed 4-5 page description to the skin designer what I wanted, he gave me something completely different.

After countless e-mails back and forth, I ended up with a fantastically professional, crisp, unique, and well-branded design that was nothing like what was originally sent to me. The same thing occurred with my blog. I think I have great design taste and know exactly what I want, but just can’t implement it myself (or don’t have time) which is why I hire out.

Question #6

KRIS: Who is a better athlete - Tiger Woods or Michael Phelps - and why?

TYLER: Since you used the word “athlete”, I’d have to say Michael Phelps, only because I think he is more athletic than Tiger. That is, I think he could beat him in a foot race, boxing match, etc. He’s younger, stronger, and faster.

But if you asked me who was more talented then I’d definitely say Tiger. Don’t get me wrong, Phelps is obviously an amazing person and hero some might say, but Tiger is just on another level altogether.

Question #7

KRIS: What are your current top five musical groups (aka, the White Stripes) and three favorite foods?

TYLER: I’m not the biggest music person, and the music I do listen to is very… odd and varied. Right now, for example, I’m listening to one of those nature CD’s - you know, ocean waves, tropical rainforest, etc. About a month ago, it was Broadway - in particular Les Miserables by the 1985 London cast. I highly suggest listening to it a few times (make sure you get the 1985 London cast version). I also enjoy Jazz, classic rock, and stuff from the 60’s and 70’s. I’m definitely not into rap, heavy metal, or pop.

As for food, now we’re talking! It’s hard to name just three foods, but I’ll say Bokumbap (Korean fried rice), Ribs, and Mexican.

Question #8

KRIS: What are your top strategies for monetizing Web traffic?

TYLER: I never really considered monetizing traffic difficult. To me, the most difficult part is always getting the traffic in the first place. Anyone can monetize traffic, but not everyone can get traffic

But to answer your question, I’m personally a big fan of selling your ads privately. I know that may not be your favourite answer, running Pepperjam and all *smile*, but in my experience it’s the most effective way of monetizing your traffic. However, this depends on your site and niche, of course. If you have a strong brand, niche, and authorative site, than selling private ads is almost always a good option.

But for PPC affiliate marketing, private ads are out of the question, and that’s when you’d want to use a network like Pepperjam

Question #9

KRIS: If you could “trade shoes” with anyone for a full month who would it be and why?

TYLER: Another difficult question. Hmm… while I could say something profound or honorable here such as trading shoes with an orphan or homeless person to see just how privileged my life is, the truth is that I’d have to pick somebody who was filthy rich so I could just relax for a month in my mansion and take the private jet here and there.

Plus, that way I could take a few million and give it to the orphan and homeless man I skipped out on

Question #10

KRIS: Share the best advice you ever received about how to become a successful internet marketer and community builder?

TYLER: The best advice I could give is really simple and has been said many times, but it’s the most truthful as well: Don’t give up. If you give up, then you can’t succeed. Contrary to what many gurus and self-proclaimed experts say, making money online isn’t easy. It can be easy, but usually requires a lot of work at some point.

Don’t let a few failures get you down. Everybody fails, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. If there is any secret so success, perseverance is probably it.

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Next on deck for Meet the Affiliates: TBD

This TBD exclusive interview will be published here on the Pepperjam Network Blog next Friday, October 3, 2008. Make sure you don’t miss it!  Click Here to subscribe to the PJN Blog and have each interview delivered to your e-mail box.

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