Overwhelmed with Information

There must be a "must read" manual

[bumpaw]

I'm not new to website design but only recently got interested in the marketing side since most of my work is for others. I've spent hours reading posts in this forum and others related, but there is so much information from so many helpful people it has left me feeling confused.

I've set up an Adsense account and have a few ads up but just to test the mechanics so it would be easier to soak up the information.

I did the same with Amazon and put an associate shop on one of my old learning sites. It's not that it will make money there but again to see how if all works.

My question here is there a book or website that can put all this information in some logical order? Is there a bible for advertising and affiliate marketing that is current? I did a search at Amazon and there are lot of related books, but I can't tell the good from the bad.

I also went to the CJ site with the idea of signing up for learning with them, but it seemed a little reading before would be good there too.

[edited by: eljefe3 at 2:39 am (utc) on May 3, 2005]

[ronin]

Take it slowly.

The best way to learn is through doing.

Everything will make much more sense in the context of your doing it rather than spending days and days reading and then trying to sort it all out in your head.

Read a little. Learn a little. Do a little.
Rinse and repeat.

[rfung]

I second that. It can get overwhelming if you try and read everything in one go (that's not saying you shouldn't at least once). Even if you don't absorb everything, some of it may just stick to your mind so that later on in the course of your own development you think back to something you read and then that provides a starting point for your research...

[hp11]

My question here is there a book or website that can put all this information in some logical order?

This forum is probably the best for all of your needs. I have never read or seen 'one' book that can give a webmaster/seo specialist the tools of the trade.

Is there a bible for advertising and affiliate marketing that is current?

Again, I would read as many posts here, do a google search if you want more and ask all of your questions here.

My belief is that most books are outdated by the time they hit the bookstore, even most e-books. You will learn way more here by reading and asking as much as possible everyday.

Don't get me wrong, there are useful books and manuals out there. But why pay for outdated info when you can get the latest cutting edge info here.

[conroy]

I still say it is worth it to pay for a step by step guide to affiliate marketing. IMO a couple hundred dollars is worth cutting months off the learning curve. There is at least 1 AM manual that is pretty good. Can all of it be found on WebmasterWorld for free? Yes, but do you value your time? And more importantly, you don't know how to separate the good info from the bad or irrelevant info yet.

This also does not diminish the "required 1 hour per day reading of WebmasterWorld" in any way. It merely gets you up to speed a bit.

[bumpaw]

Don't get me wrong, there are useful books and manuals out there. But why pay for outdated info when you can get the latest cutting edge info here.

I agree completely. I read a free ebook yesterday that was given with a newsletter subscription to wilsonweb dated late 1999 or early 2000. Some was still valid but much was made obsolete by Google. I really don't care to read the really old posts here either as things change so fast.

Webmasterworld has given me many hours enjoyment and information, but I have a problem with an overabundance of information. My interests get sidetracked to areas that won't put the daily bread on the table. It was the same trying to study in the library as a young man. I would be all over the place in there instead of studying what was required that day.

I have enjoyed following rfung on his odyssey, and I appreciate all the feedback. A short current guide would be nice though.:)