It’s exactly a year since I had the idea about my latest project. Obviously, I am totally failed on reaching the goals I set one year ago. I don’t even want to go back to dig my unrealistic post out from the blog. Let’s burry it forever.

I am going to face the real challenges and to catch up what I have left behind. I look back and estimate that I probably wasted 4 months on doing something totally not related to the projects. What a shame!

Now I need to learn how to fly to recover the time I have wasted after my first baby step. I finally back on track and move on to the next level. The billing and payment module integrated with Authorize.NET is finally finished. Now I need to get account and test on Production server.

I believe that I underestimate the time I need to spend on just this module. It’s actually much more complicate than I thought. It’s not because the integration. It’s due to the error handling logic to run recurring billing. I have to do it right to prevent any potential fraud and error message. The actual coding time from start to complete the module is only 4 days. It took me about 2 months to plan out the procedure, rules and consequence. That’s just how I code to make sure my code is bug free. I was very discourage because the complexity of the logic. So I keep postpone and postpone and it has been 2 and half month since I code the first line of the billing code on June 15.

Now I can move on to get merchant account and payment gateway setup. I believe I can start bill customer in matter of a week. That’s a big baby step on this project. I admit that I was a totally lazy ass and jerk on my own journey. I lost focus and spend too much time on social network, link building and other unrelated task such as joining 30DC.

Regarding to 30DC, I would love to continue learning what they are doing and apply that to my current project. The software used in the challenge are very helpful on my SEO improvement. I have made adjustment to my site and have already seen increased traffic.

Back to my confession. Since I missed my one year go, I need to set a new goal. A more realistic goal. I am hoping to get my business going so well a year from now. I have a lot of faith on this one. Focus! Focus! Focus!

Challenges:

• Sales and Marketing – This is the biggest one. I now have a wonderful product doing wonderful thing. How do I sell it?
• Customer Services - I am still the one man shop on this project. I need to continue improve the site and take care of customers at the same time.
• Adding new features – I have so much to add to the sites that will take down competitors one at time. I am no longer chasing those fat rabbits. I will be the leader in the game.

Plans:

• Viral marketing – I really like to create buzz. YourTube, Press Release and TV station are on my list.
• Affiliate marketing - I think creating WIN-WIN situation is a great way to get product sold.
• Social network marketing – Not sure how effective Facebook connect can bring to the project. With over 10+ million users in USA, 5% should make a good start.
• Direct mail - Old fashion marketing can be my plan B.
• Cold Call and Door to Door – This could be a great exercise for me to understand what my customer is looking for. It’s also a fastest way to get feedbacks.

Goals:

• Get 20 pay customers before the end of the year. It means I will have to contact 400+ potential customers to get 5% of them sign up. In other words, I need to get 5 new customers out of 100 decision makers every month before the end of year. I think it’s doable!
• Automate the process and outsource tasks
• Reserve enough budget to move to dedicated server

I think it’s enough for now. Need to get back to work!