Soooo…. I hit a nerve with my last blog article. In fact – a ton of you unsubscribed from the email updates. Several of you left some very thoughtful comments – Thank you!
Instead of addressing the comments one at a time – I thought it best to just give full answers to the comments right here. (So you all won’t miss a thing)
Public Domain Forum Idea
Some of you have suggested I have an open forum for all of us to share ideas and keep all the questions and answers easily organized. This is a great idea – except for one thing.
Open forums (forums not protected behind a membership) are ripe for spammy – junky stuff. I’ve had a forum in the past for my painting website and it was ripe with all kinds of “porn” and just plain ugliness.
I could create a Facebook group – but they are not any easier to find old content and discussions than this blog is.
I will look into creating a forum behind a membership wall – and keep it free if I can. What do you all think?
Stick With One Idea
Many of you have watched me flit (seemingly) from idea to ideas. Here is the “deal” – I often just purge (spill) an idea out of my brain right here on this blog. I love to give everyone lot’s of ideas to give you all some new thoughts or jumping off points for your own business.
I also have some projects of my own that I’ve not completed. They are still “in the works” and sometimes take several years to get to completion (if ever).
This “flitting” may confuse or frustrate you. It often frustrates me as well – but I do eventually gain focus and get going on a specific project that seems to ‘work for me’.
For instance… I spent a lot of time sharing my ideas for creating “bundled products” to sell on Amazon. These products worked really well for me. I’ve sold a boat load of this type of product on Amazon and I’m working on many new ideas for Amazon products.
This was a case of – I started and competed to profit.
You also watched me talk about using Public Domain Images For Products to sell on Etsy.com and other sales channels. I still have these images hanging right above my desk – reminding me that I haven’t yet taken this project all the way to profit. I’m still going to go all the way with this project – it’s just stalled for a bit.
This is a case of – I started and not yet completed to profit.
What you are watching/reading about now on this blog is my fresh new start to another income stream. I’ve made a commitment to giving the whole idea of creating products with public domain content to sell as compilations on eBay – Amazon – Etsy – a full on Start – to – Profit commitment.
This is a case of – I’m starting and working on the process to get it to profit.
What I love to read/hear is that my ideas have given you a jumping off point for a new idea of your own. Just because I don’t finish (or even get past the idea point) doesn’t mean they aren’t great ideas for some of you to take and nurture into a profitable income for yourself.
The public domain is a wide – deep ocean of opportunity (something Logan taught me) 
Where Did Logan (And His eBay Business Idea) Go?
This is an uncomfortable conversation… and I won’t have any good answers for you.
Logan has decided to go back under the covers of privacy. No… we didn’t have a fight – argument – disagreement. All I know is this:
Logan was overwhelmed with commitments a few years ago and that is why he decided to leave his online business and focus on his personal family issues as well as his other local business ventures.
Over the last few months he had thought he would jump back in and share his knowledge of setting up a Public Domain publishing business on eBay. He had helped his brother set up an eBay publishing business last year – and it was quite successful. If he could help his brother set this up – why not help all of you? Sounded like a perfect idea.
As things sometimes go – we have plans that seem like a good idea – and in actual practice are not so great. This is what has happened in Logan’s life and I can’t fault him a bit.
That’s about as far as I can go with this conversation. I don’t know one other tiny detail.
Let’s Get On With Selling Public Domain Products…
All of my plans for my own Public Domain products are now focused on creating products to sell on eBay as well as Amazon and Etsy. I’m striving to learn what I can on my own and from other eBay experts and share it with you as I get past “idea” and on to the “Start to Profit” point of this income stream.
I’m happy with my goals and all the ideas that keep popping up in my head. I’m also so happy to have this place to share and converse with all of you!
Instead of creating a product that will give you all the details for “Selling Public Domain on Ebay” – I’m just going to share here as I go along. Eventually – a product may be “born” – but for now – you can all learn as I do right here.
How does that sound to you?
Thank you all so much for you kind words and thoughts and also for sharing your frustrations… I’m here “for better or worse” – and am so thankful that you all take the time to share the good – the bad – the ugly with me as well.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Not to worry when people get critical of your process. Eveyones’ creativity functions differently.
In order for these things to not become a drudge we have to do them in the way we’re most comfortable with.
An analogy would be that the really creative kids minds work just this way…and get drugged for being ADD/ADHD. There’s speculation that this alertness to multiple possibilities was one of our major survival skills in saber tooth tiger days but is something you’re punished for today. Even though most of our major advances in quality of life came from this method of doing things.
This isn’t a meatgrinder with the sole purpose of spitting out money…it’s about doing what you love.
Wow.. I can’t believe people unsubscribed!!! This is my favourite blog – so much stuff given freely, and even the paid stuff is way beyond what you would get for the same money elsewhere – and I have had you share your knowledge with me via email in response to my questions quite a number of times – which in itself puts you above 99% of other marketers who are quick to give short, “fob-off” answers! That’s such a bummer.. oh well, their loss…. Loving all the recent updates and there’s quite a few fun ones that have made me smile.
)
As for the free membership wall idea – I think it’s a great idea and I’d love to be involved in a member area (need a virtual bouncer? lol)
Keep it up Debra, you are doing a great job!
Dave (David from the Old Time Radio question – my 15 mins of fame
Debra, It is sufficient that you are here for us. We cannot expect you to hold our hands or fill our bank accounts with dollars without making some effort ourselves. I have learnt a lot from you, for which I express my appreciation. No-one wants you to burn out just because we expect more and more! I will be watching with interest what unfolds, and extend to you my very best wishes.
Lucy
Hi Debra,
In life things happen and we all need to put stuff on hold. But I believe the business we are in allows us to be flexible like that. Nothing is written in stone. It would be great to learn from you and see how you operate.
Also I think (apart from a few differences) selling on the three platforms is the same.
We need to know how to create products, market them etc.
Looking forward to learning from you in the coming days, weeks and months.
Thanks
Andrew
Andrew Milburn´s last [type] ..Welcome To IWOCA
I’m sorry to hear people were so critical of you and unsubscribed… if they had been with you for any length of time they would know that you’re always there for them… everyone has their own creative process and needs to do what’s right for them… and you were honest about it…
For those that unsubscribed.. well, that’s their loss not yours… remember that!
Linda
Linda´s last [type] ..Google Penguin “No Happy Feet” for Many Webmasters
Debra I think it would be pretty discouraging when people unsub especially working as you have. I put ideas out and get them poohed pretty regular but at the end of the day I’m still at trying to make things work. I don’t know if that is compulsive behavior that needs a label called “nuts” or what. But we keep at it and am trying to sell stuff like you and other IM folks. Logan was good about showing me how to do stuff and probably thought I was the dumbest thing that ever touched a computer. With so many sticks in the fire it is difficult but I found in my real job selling promotional items you can’t please everyone and if there’s a committee meeting you can’t get the job to suit them and they always have someone else they know that knows more about it. Turmoil in this country is at an all time high in my lifetime. It’s harder to buy gas and groceries without complaining about it. We aren’t succeeding in my opinion but I was told when I was 17 I never would. Now that I will turn 60 soon I still hear those words. I like reading your ideas.
Jeff´s last [type] ..Asthma and How to Find Relief
Debra,
Thanks for answering the Logan question. I look forward to learning what you have to share with us about selling PD on eBay.
I just want to reiterate my previous suggestion. In the future, you should probably not announce that a product is coming until you are ready to tell us what it is. It gets people’s hopes up. I didn’t unsub because I think you share so much good info, but I can understand why some people would. Logan deciding to back off of sharing his product with those of us who were anxiously waiting, is a perfect example of why someone would unsubscribe when they were waiting to hear from you what the product was.
Hi Debra, I’m really glad you aren’t going away. Your email is one of the tiny few I ALWAYS read and look forward to receiving because your blogs are so interesting and helpful.
A big thank you!
olive´s last [type] ..Making Videos On The Net – Free Video Training By Andy Jenkins
What can I say? All of us here all agree you share some real helpful information and your emails: I always read – just like Olive said. Heck- aren’t we having some kind of forum right now? — Keep doing what your doing and I’m gonna keep reading!! I appreciate everything you are doing when it comes to communicating with us!
Sylvia´s last [type] ..Make a Mother Proud Easy Wood Craft Project
Hey Ruth… who knows why anyone unsubscribes. I’ve learned not to sweat it at all. I’m just going to keep on – keeping on.
8)
Hi Sylvia…
It looks like a forum is in the works. I think I’ve figured out the perfect solution. It should be available sometime this month. Yippee.
Olive – Awwww thanks so much for the kind words. You have no idea how much it means to me that you all appreciate what I share right here.
8)
Hey Bonnie…
I’m so sorry I had your hopes up and then didn’t deliver. It was a real shocker for me as well. (can you see me pulling my hair out)?
I hope that I will provide everything that Logan would have shared eventually right here on this website. It just won’t come as quickly.
I’ll try not to have a cliff hanger for a while.
Debra
Jeff… I have learned to not sweat “unsubscribers”. It’s certainly not because I provide or share anything “bad” on this website. I’ve learned not to sweat it.
You really can’t please everyone.
We are all successful in some form – at all times. Never let the people who poo pooh your ideas get in the way.
(I miss Logan’s teachings as well).
Debra
Hey Linda…. Yep – their loss… they don’t know what they are missing, even if it’s just the entertainment factor. I do crack myself up. 8)
Andrew – So nice to see you here…
You have hit the nail firmly right on the head! First we need to know how to create the products. Before I even start to figure out the marketing part – I want to
get all the product creation systems in place.
Thanks for sharing… We do all have the “flexibility” factor when we own a business like our.
At times – it’s not the best position, toooo much flexibility causes overwhelm at times.
Hi ya Lucy… Thank you for those very special kind words.
You have been around long enough to have watched me “flit” and hit “burnout” on several occasions. I hope (with all my heart) that I can prove to be a great teacher, mentor and just plain friend to all of you.
The fact that you have stuck it out this long… is a real blessing on my end.
8)
Okay Dave – you are winning a special place in my “special people” spot. LOL I will need a virtual bouncer or two (or a dozen). I’m planning on this new forum
being a place where we ALL share but also a place where I don’t always have to be the “go to” person.
Thanks for all the kind comments.
8)
Hey Dave Bross – (more than one Dave here is getting a bit confusing lol)
Love what you do and you will never “work” a day in your life. I believe that with every part of my being.
When something I start turns into a drudge instead of a labor of love – I have the “flexibility” to just let it go.
Thank you so much for reminding us all…
8)
Thank you so much Debra for being up front with us. That right there is reason enough for people to stay on your list. And if they didn’t, we know it’s their loss. Thank you for everything you share. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one with ideas floating around and the challenge of trying to stay focused. And multiple income streams can be quite the challenge for sure. I’m still here and will continue to follow as long as you lead
And I’ll be more than happy to share advice in a membership site. Sounds like fun!
Michelle S – Multiple Streams can be a challenge BUT it’s important that you NEVER put all your eggs in one basket of income.
I’ll be getting a forum set up this month – I’m excited to have a place for everyone to share!
Fun stuff…
8)
Debra.
Perhaps some of the “unsubs” are simply from people who have either decided that the PD thing is not for them (or not for them right now) or even that you have given them the information that they need and they are right to strike out on their own…
I certainly didn’t see anything in the post that I would consider likely to put any reasonable person’s nose out of joint (but hey, I’m not the most perceptive person out there, so who knows).
Anyhoo, just putting the thought out there that there could be legitimate, non-downer reasons for it.
Magpie´s last [type] ..Black Cat Notebook
Debra, I am going to be one of those that stick by you. I have learned a lot from you. Keep up your good work.
Marilyn aka G-Ma´s last [type] ..Thinking of Mom
G-Ma Marilyn – I always know you are going to be sticking with me. 8) Thanks