The Upper Midwest Challenge Team

[Mot]

Hello All,

I am starting a group for the Upper Midwest area of the USA, but encourage all to consider looking into joining this group. At this point, I am unclear whether there is all that much advantage to being roughly within the same timezone, so lets play that by ear.

The group size will be limited to an absolute maximum of 6. This in on the learned advise of one of our primary mentors, Caro.

Who am I?
My name is Tom, and I live in Middleton, Wisconsin, USA. I am a 30+ year veteran of the IT field and have this computer and web stuff pretty well figured out. I made a career designing, supporting, training, programming, and well, if there's an IT hat to be worn, I've likely had it on at some point. I also hold a degree in Business Management.

For reasons that aren't really all that important, but you may discover over time, I am currently self employed and own and operate one of the internet's most awesome radio stations. The internet radio monetization model, however, is quite brutal and despite being well loved, my station is not pulling its weight.

As an alternative, and as a means of remaining self employed, I began looking into internet marketing a few years back. I've been hyped 16 ways to Sunday and spent a lot of U$D realizing the hype of it all. Then I found the 30 Day Challenge. I devoured the modules in about half the time expected just about a month ago, and halfway through learned about the newly re-furbished Challenge for 2010. I have spent the last few weeks clearing the boards and preparing for this round. The 30DC materials convinced me that Ed, Caro, Nez, Guru Bob, along with everyone they will introduce you to are, in fact, the real deal!

I look forward to learning as much from everyone else as much as I look forward to being a potential resource for this group.

Please contact me here in this thread or by PM to express your interest in joining this group. I hope to have our first Skype conference as soon as a we have the numbers we need.

Happy 4th of July Weekend to those in the USA celebrating our independence, and best wishes everyone around the globe.

Tom
Middleton, WI USA

[Annie.7473]

Hi Tom,

I am from Northern MN and would like to join your group. I also have invested a lot of money and got caught up in the hype of internet marketing. I have one site up and running for about 2 weeks now. I "watched" the Challenge last year but was too new to internet marketing to even try the things that Ed was teaching. Now I have more confidence in myself and am willing to learn everything I can to make a success from online marketing.

Annie

[Chris Ellis]

Hi Tom,
I am looking to join a team this year challenge. I in MiddleTown Ohio. This will be my 3rd challenge. I still have my day job, but looking to leave it by July 4th 2011.

Chris

[Sharon]

Hi fellow Upper Midwesterners:
I've set up a Google Group called "Up North Challengers" and so far we have 3 members. You all are welcome to join us. PM me with your email and I'll send you an invite to our invitation-only group.
Sharon

[Mot]

Hello Annie and Chris,

Welcome aboard! I look forward to getting to know you.

Sharon - Thanks for your inquiry. I did notice other Midwest groups forming, but they all seemed like they had as many members as Caro was suggesting for a maximum. As for the Google Group - that's awesome, but it's a concept that has not yet been introduced in this year's challenge. I suspect Caro or someone else will be suggesting it at some point, but I would like to keep this group in step with what's going on in The Challenge without jumping ahead. I know many people are very computer literate and probably even have time to explore new material all on their own, but I also realize Ed and his team have given a lot of thought to the pace and timing of this years challenge material. I want to give him every credit for that, and follow as he leads.

[ed: Oops. My bad. Caro did mention Google Groups in her vid. I can see it might be interesting trying to keep the 30 Day Challenge material separate from the current Challenge 2010 materials as, for me, the 30DC stuff is still very fresh in my head!]

At this point, Caro has recommended using Skype as a communication tool, but without much other introduction. In the past, I don't believe any training has been given regarding the use of Skype. I have it installed and ready to go. It has it's quirks! If you are having difficulty with Skype (and are a member of this team,) let me know and I'll see what I can do to help. For the most part, though, it shouldn't give you any trouble, and if you're already familiar with IM programs like Windows Live Messenger, AIM, or Y!IM, you'll probably get a little feeling of deja vu.

There is currently still room for 2 or 3 more team members. Let me know if you want to hop on board.

[d101]

Hello, I'm a web developer ... currently in Malaysia and would like to know if there is a room for me .... Cheers

[Sharon]

Hey Mot:

Have you set up a Google group for communication among the group members? From reading your post, it appears you plan to have all group communication through Skype calls.

Our group currently has 4 members and we would welcome 3 or 4 more, if anyone else is interested. (Due to attrition, we'll include a larger number of members initially.)

As far as Skype goes, our Google Group has no plans to use it until after the pre-season videos, which most likely will include one all about Skype.

Again, if anyone is interested, please PM me with your email and I'll send you a link to join our "Up North Challengers" Google group.

Rock on,
Sharon

[Mot]

I have established a Google Group for the Upper Midwest Challenge Team. The group is still open to new team members. If you PM me with the email you're using for The Challenge, I'll shoot you out an invitation.

[KimberW]

Hi,

I'd like to join your team. I'm in Urbana, Ohio. This is my first challenge, and I really want to make a go of this. I would love for IM to be my primary source of income.

Kim

[bobberman]

Hello all!

I would like to join your group. My name is Bob and I live in north east Ohio, right outside of Cleveland. I am an IT manager for a fortune 500 company that is headquartered in Cleveland. There is only 1 or 2 left here so you could probably guess where it is. My passion is to be able to develop my IM business to the point where I do not have to work for the man any longer and afford a nice life for my family. This is my 3rd year with the challenge (30DC) and I am really excited about this new format! Skype works great for me as I can use it from work.