Our 4-Hour Workweek

I took the time while Pierre was gone to grab a few more URLs. I have been dipping my toe ever so slightly into the Thirty Day Challenge - a contest to make $10 online in 30 days from a brand new venture. So far, following directions, I have signed up for Facebook and added a couple of groups - I need to get Our 4 Hour WorkWeek up there. I also signed up for Bloglines and am getting used to all of its power. I haven't changed my browser to Firefox yet, because I am chicken. But I am going to keep moving through material and reporting back as I gain more skills. And the results of those who really participated will be in later today. I heard some people made thousands of dollars!

One thing this exercise has done is make me think. If I want to get a business to produce quickly, what is the biggest requirement. I think it is that I consider myself, and others would to, a big expert in the subject matter. And I kept searching my brain until the light bulb went on. I spent most of my career managing international sales channels. Whenever I get introduced by people from my 'career' days, they always say, "Gillian knows more about international sales than anyone." So, with that in mind, I just registered www.InternationalSalesCoach.com.

Now I need Pierre to come home and build me a site, which he is getting pretty quick at! If work continues to take all his time, maybe we will be forced to outsource the website development work, which wouldn't be a bad thing. Anyone know any great Moveable Type developers looking for some work. Pierre will need to be persuaded that you are utterly reliable as his websites (especially behind the scenes) are his babies.

Gillian Parrillo
Our 4 Hour WorkWeek

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Pierre had every good intention to blog this morning and as soon as he got home tonight. I, who have been away for a week competing in a triathlon (wow, that has a certain ring to a up until recently couch potato), was even supportive of him spending time moving ahead in our 4 hour workweek journey instead of doting on me. And then, as often happens, the other job had a different plan.

A 7AM presentation this morning which resulted in a quick trip home to pack a suitcase to spend the rest of the week at corporate headquarters. And promises of whole weeks of corporate headquarter stays with some hope of a weekend at home once in a while. So now both the blog and I are abandoned. And this is definitely not the life that Pierre and I signed up for.

Moving from the West coast for a job in the South, leaving all of our friends behind, and then Pierre gets sent to the deep Midwest, leaving me here with very few friends and no reason at all to be here. And the worst part is there is no certainty - each day brings a different scenario. So there is no ability to improve our current circumstances because they are only current from day-to-day.

Seems more and more like having feet in two different camps isn't going to work. At some point, we are going to have to go for broke. Hopefully only figuaritvely! Although with the current state of the stock market, literally isn't sounding so far out of the question.

Gillian Parrillo
Our 4 Hour WorkWeek

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 2:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The light bulb went on while walking the dogs last night. My entire focus was wrong this past week. I worried about solving the advertising problem at the expense of the real challenge.

Without content and readership, advertisering doesn't matter. Duh! I should have known better. But at least I figured it out by myself. Publishing is all about content. Create great content and the readers will follow.

Gillian, I can't wait for you to return from Sacramento and the big triathlon. I want to tell you about my brainstorm last night while walking the dogs...

We are going to defer the advertising efforts until we have a good story to tell - that is, how many readers we serve. Once we get this piece down, then we'll worry about advertising. Oh by the way, when we get serious about advertising, we'll seek the professionals to make it happen. Common sense, right?

Dog walking is good for thinking. The next time I get stumped, I will take the dogs for a walk. And think!

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A week ago we took the action to study various advertising models and decide which one to implement. In Our 4-Hour Workweek Business Model we decided to explore Ads-click.com, Federated Media, Advertising.com, and Problogger.net

First, I decided to learn more about Google and their Adsense program. We have used this exclusively on our Sacramento Executive website. Adsense provides two sources of revenue - contextual ads and search. Contextual ads produce more revenue than the search function, but we are not scorching a path to the bank. Serious bloggers shun Google Adsense. They adopt more sophisticated adertising models.

Google has a beta offering that I decided to use - more along the affiliate program model. I put a banner ad (worldwide hotel reservation service) in the prime spot immediately below our logo. I also placed a vertical contextual ad (120 x 600 pixels) down the righthand side of the site. Let's see if these two changes increase ad revenue.

I decided to use ads-click.com. Gillian set up the account. I went through the creation process. ads-click.com provided the script, I copied the script to my main index template, and with great excitement, rebuilt my site. To my disappointment, the ad was not served properly. So I tried again and again. To no avail. I looked for on-line help, but got nowhere.

Okay, I thought, it's time to visit Problogger.net, the guru of professional blogging. Darren Rowse, founder of the site, recommended Text Link Ads. So I set up a text link account, built my ad, and couldn't get it to work. Again I was disapointed.

These ad tools are promoted as being simple to implement, but they are not. Down, but not out, I need to talk to technical support...but it's Sunday, and the "on-line" support function - chatting with a real person - is not available - they are presently "off-line".

I checked my e-mail and found a note from the Text Link Ads group:

"Sorry, but our ad script will not work with static HTML sites or sites that do not support a server side technology. So our system will not work with TypePad or other hosted services."

I wonder if this is why it doesn't work? I have a hosted service and a cousin of TypePad - Movable Type. And what is a static HTML site anyways? Do I have one? This will require more investigation. I just wish they would have told me this before I started the process.

What did I learn from this? I need to take Tim Ferriss more seriously about outsourcing. I spent 5 hours today on this project and could have outsourced it, gone to bed, slept, and perhaps it would be working when I woke up.

Well, it's clear, I need to remember Tim's advice.

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Lisa Manyon, blogger at Creative Writing Services, offers her review of Tim Ferriss's "4-Hour Workweek":

"Rarely does a business book make me laugh out loud. I have to give Timothy Ferriss credit for his unique business and personal twists. The 4 Hour Workweek is both refreshing and provocative.

Fully embracing life both personally and professionally is something we all long to do. Ferriss does it and eloquently. From his world record Tango talents to National Championship in Chinese kick boxing (this tale alone is worth the purchase of the book. I am still laughing), Ferriss uses uncanny and unconventional business sense to pursue his passions.

I say “bravo!”

Not only has Ferriss successfully automated his business to support the lifestyle he chooses, he is out promoting this book like a pro. I’ve listened in to a couple of his interviews and am truly impressed."

If you have not read this life-changing book, you need to. Read it with an open mind, good things will happen.

Pierre Cutler

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Rana Rosen reviewed Tim Ferriss's 4-Hour Workweek on her blog LiveMint.com, titled "Are you Auto Liberated?" Rana contends, "If you ignore some of its ridiculous tips, this book could be your road to professional nirvana." All-in-all, Rana seems to respect and agree with Ferriss's main messages. To wit:

"Somehow, Ferriss makes this too-easy-to-be-true scheme seem plausible with a book that is engaging as a read and provocative as a philosophy, although sometimes ridiculous. He provides inspiration, coaching and specific advice (including worksheets, checklists, inside tips and resources) on getting his life—down to finding a business to start and mentors to help make it successful. His concept has caused a stir in the US, he has appeared on popular shows such as Live with Regis and Kelly, The Today Show and on NBC.

The book is worth reading at least because a) its boldness must be admired b) its philosophy may actually be touching on a cultural shift in the next generation and how it approaches work and c) it has contrarian ideas that are useful. But, for most people, a four-hour workweek or what he calls “Income Autopilot” will remain a dream."

Not only is this book worth reading, we believe Ferriss's concepts are worth implementing. And so we are.

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gillian and I launched our first website, Sacramento Executive, in December of 2005, with the mantra "Linking Executives To All That Is Great In Sacramento". We set out to be a role model in the community on networking. Since our inception, we have sponsored a networking event every quarter. They have been a lot of fun and proven to be fruitful.

Well, this past Wednesday was a banner day for reinforcing our lesson learned on the importance of networking. Two separate events occurred that demonstrate we are on the right path.

First:

A few years ago I earned my California real estate license and subsequently worked a brief time in the mortgage industry. I partnered with a brand new real estate agent, Caroline Jensen, a former employee of Gillian's at Sterling Software. Over the years, we had become good friends with Caroline and her husband. Between the four of us our network in Northern California grew substantially. When I left the mortgage industry, Caroline sought out a new mortgage partner - Dave Mendoza of Comstock Mortgage.

Caroline (with her Coldwell Banker brand name) has sponsored Sacramento Executive from its inception. Along the way she sold our Sacramento house in the first weekend it was listed. She also introduced us to Dave and he subsequently became a sponsor.

Wednesday evening, I received an e-mail from Nancy, one of my former mortgage clients, asking me to work with her to refinance her loan. I explained to her that I was no longer in the business and introduced her to Dave at Comstock Mortgage.

Hopefully, Dave will be able to work with Nancy and close on her new loan. And this is exactly why Dave sponsors our website. His advertising dollars and our network are symbiotic. Dave, I hope we can keep it up. Thank you for your support!

Second,

Now the web of our network gets more interesting. Gillian put together a women's book club a few years ago. The women in the club come from a wide background - a retired HP vice president, the director of the Sacramento County Library, a recent UC Davis graduate (Elena Naderi), our daughter (who happens to work for Caroline's husband), and Caroline to name a few.

The club means a lot to Gillian. Even though we live in Dallas, Gillian manages to make it back to Sacramento for most book club events. Wednesday night was book club night and Gillian arranged her schedule to be in Sacramento that night.

Elena hosted the event. Elena, Gillian and Caroline have a common thread - the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy. Caroline graduated from the Academy several years ago and now sits on the Board. Elena recently graduated and works for Johnson & Johnson. Gillian serves as President and Board member.

Gillian brought a guest to the event, who happened to be interested in buying a house. And yes you guessed it - Caroline connected with the guest and at last report the two of them are now house hunting. I wonder if the guest will need a mortgage? If so, Dave, you might be getting another client! Caroline, thank you for your continued support of Sacramento Executive.

Oh the tangled web that we weave!

And folks, that is the art of networking.

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

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My 4-Hour Workweek Mobile Family ...

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

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Marla Cilley has got it going on - the 4-Hour Workweek way! She's created an online empire called FlyLady.net and is attracting press from CNN Money, Fortune, Women's Day, and Ladies Home Journal. With 24 employees and a $4 million a year revenue base, Marla has created an avid "cult-like" readership. Her story is compelling.

To see how she did it, check out Susan Hauser's August 16th article on CNN Money - How FlyLady nags her way to millions, A clutter-busting homemaker creates a fast-growing business empire.

I wonder if Mark Laswell will call Marla a slacker?

Keep it up Marla!

Hey Gillian - is Marla a candidate for your SacWomen's speaker series?

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Performance is all about measurements. Measurements need to be quantitative, not qualitative to have any significant meaning. How are we doing with Our 4-Hour Workweek so far?

Well, since August 1, our three websites have generated exactly $10.01 in revenue. We generated revenue from both ads and affiliate programs. I know this kind of revenue is not going to propel us onto the road to riches over night. But, we are just getting started. Our journey is going to be hard - no question. However, we are encouraged. We are convinced we can reach our goals.

We are motivated - thanks to Mark Laswell, writer for the Wall Street Journal. Mark is a giant skeptic. Recently, he called Tim Ferriss a slacker. To wit... - "A Slacker's Guide to Fun and Profit". We believe Tim is a visionary, not a slacker. Wouldn't it be a thing of beauty if we grow the $10 in our first month to $10,000 in one year from now? And get Mark Laswell to write a follow-up chapter saying it was done, the Tim Ferriss way!

Well that's what we hope to achieve.

Skeptics motivate us. We embrace the following mantra -

Attitude, not aptitude, controls altitude.

Therefore, we are now challenged to increase our first month's revenue by three orders of magnitude in one year. And we will. Thank you Mark Laswell.

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 12:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pierre. I read your post and you just aren't thinking big enough. $100,000 a month. I found 5 companies who equal or top that using only Google's Adsense - the largest - Plentyoffish, a free online dating service, which makes $300,000 a month. Digg, an online news service generated by users, makes $250,000 a month. Shoemoney, an internet marketing blog, makes $140,000 a month. Weblogs, recently sold to AOL, was making $120,000 a month. You can read a case study of how they did it. FreeWebLayouts, a site that gives away free web layouts to people building their own websites, claims to make $100,000 a month, although there is some dispute that this is not all from Google's Adsense ads.

Actually, I would be happy with $10,000 a month. When we move to Buenos Aires, our monthly expenses will decrease, and we can live a good life of tango and great Argentinian wine on $120K a year. After all, Tim Ferriss learned to tango.

Google Adsense info courtesy of John Chow Dot Com (posted 9/06)

Gillian Parrillo
Our4hourworkweek.com

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For several years, Gillian and I have been members of an angel investment group - the Sacramento Angels. As members, we met several hundred start-up companies. Our experience with the group taught us a key tenet - successful companies need to clearly articulate their business model, that is, state how they will make money.

Our 4-Hour Workweek is no different. We are in business to make money. But how? Our business model is to set up a series of on-line publishing websites and generate four sources of revenue: advertising, reseller of products through affiliate programs, direct product sales, and networking events.

We need to be flexible about our business model. If something does not work well, we must to be prepared to change and improve the model.

Today, l would like to focus on our advertising model.

One of our first activities is to develop the plan for our advertising revenue model. Most start-up companies need to conserve cash. We are no different. Therefore, we have decided not to hire a professional and experienced person to develop our advertising revenue model. Of course we could consider bringing on board an equity partner to fill this role. Perhaps we could find someone willing to work for a piece of the business in lieu of cash?

We do not plan to bring on a partner at this time. We believe we can develop a reasonable advertising revenue model on our own. How? By studying and replicating successful websites such as Techcrunch.com, Dooce.com, and The Huffington Post. Why create something new if you don't have to?

Techcrunch, with over 1.5 million monthly readers, uses a company called Ads-click.com to deliver and display ads. According to a recent Business 2.0 article, advertisers pay $10,000 a month (with a minimum two-month pre-paid order) for a single ad (about 120 pixels by 120 pixels). At last count Michael Arrington's website generates over $100,000 a month in advertising revenue. Not too shabby! I think I would be pretty darn happy with these kinds of numbers.

Now how to get a readership of 1.5 million per month. This will be a topic for another day.

Heather Armstrong, creater of Dooce.com has established a large readership through her creative writing style. Six years ago, Heather quit her daytime corporate job (she was fired for writing too much about her job - boy did that web development firm give Heather the break she needed!). She does so well with her website, that in 2005, her husband Jon quit his job, and together they make their living from Dooce.com by partnering with Federated Media.

And then there's the mega-darling Arianna Huffington. Arianna's website, The Huffington Post, became an overnight success and is now one of the most read blogs in the world. The Huffington Post serves dynamic ads via Advertising.com

This brings us to the master guru Darren Rowse of Problogger.net. Darren, the minister from Down-Under, discovered blogging in 2002. Darren's website, with 30,767 faithful readers (based on Feedburner statistics), is a great resource for tips on generating revenue through advertising.

So, which advertising solution do we chose? Give us the week to research. We'll get back to you next week on our decision. And if you can help, please comment on your successes or failures in this area. We solicit your opinion.

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

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My Monday began by commuting 30 minutes to work (uggh, I need to do away with the commute!), arriving at my office at 7:10AM. My boss was coming to town today to greet a new employee and I had agreed to meet both for dinner across town.

Leaving my office at 6PM, with 30 minutes to spare, I discovered I had a flat tire in my office parking lot. Having never had to fix a flat tire before on my Acura, I couldn't even figure out how to get the jack out of the car, let alone determine the location of the spare tire. In business attire, and 95 degrees Texas-style, I began the process of fixing my flat.

Realizing that my 6:30 PM dinner date was not going to happen on time, I called my boss and shared with him my predicament, commenting that I would be an hour late. My boss excused me from the dinner date. About 45 minutes later, with temporary spare tire mounted, and grease smeared on my wool slacks, I headed home, arriving at 7:30 PM. My 13-hour corporate day had come to an end. And I vowed one more time that I was going to make this 4-hour workweek work.

Tomorrow, assuming my corporate duties allow (I will find a way), Gillian and I will share with you our thoughts on our 4-hour workweek business model.

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When you reach #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list (Business, Hardcover list) like Tim Ferriss did this week with his first book “The 4-Hour Workweek”, readers and critics have a lot to say. And here's a short list I found from my Google Alerts this morning:

“The 4-Hour Workweek," by Timothy Ferriss, was a great read. It is about a man who became the national kickboxing champion in just six weeks. The book teaches that you can do anything if you really focus on and direct your attention to what you want.” - Barbara Van Patten, musician, entrepreneur & author.

"There is so much great info in this book that I can’t possibly hope to summarize a tenth of it. The book has something for everyone from the aspiring entrepreneur to the stay at home mom. Even if you have points where you disagree with Tim, he will definitely change how you think. Get The 4-Hour Workweek." - Scott H. Young, blogger.

"A Slacker's Guide to Fun and Profit" - Mark Lasswell, writer, Wall Street Journal.

And one other point of interest - congrats to Tim Ferriss for his piece this week on The Huffington Post - How Does a Bestseller Happen? A Case Study in Hitting #1 on The New York Times

Pierre Cutler
Our 4-Hour Workweek

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Welcome to Our 4-Hour Workweek. Gillian & I are launching this website today with a clear vision - Simplify our life, make the world our home, and develop and share a meaningful lifestyle, so that others can follow in our path.

How do we plan to achieve this vision? We have established three measurable goals:

1. Create a business that allows us to extensively travel without impacting the success of the business.

2. Consistently exceed the monthly income and derived benefits of Pierre's current corporate job.

3. Demonstrate the fundamental tenets of Tim Ferriss's “The 4-Hour Workweek” are realistic and achievable.

Please check back frequently and follow our progress. We hope this will be fun and fruitful.

Pierre & Gillian
Our 4-Hour Workweek

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