[Japan Life]: My crazy future vision!

[chochajin]

First of all I want to thank YOU all for your encouraging and helpful comments!!
I never thought so many people would react to it as they feel the same as me!!! It seems to be quite a common problem of "our" generation (hope most of you don't kill me now: 30yrs old hag don't throw us all in one pot!! Ahem~)
I was really touched by reading all of your comments. Really, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

This means a lot to me!!
I hope I can give just a little bit of that back to you, but how?
Also, I'm sorry that the next Japan travel entry has to wait a bit due to my ranting. It's on its way, I promise!!

So, like I mentioned in my previous entry I came up with at least "something" I could do.
It's not like I found THE solution. Not at all. However, "Barbara Sher" suggests that you get active in order to move forward. It's the only way to eventually find what makes you truly happy, the only way to find your wishes!

The strange thing is that this is not something that will make you all go WOW! AWESOME IDEA! Never thought you'd come up with something like that!
Actually the contrary might be the case, I'm pretty sure.
When I created my "paradise fantasy job scenario" I wasn't that serious .. I couldn't as I didn't know exactly what I wanted, but what I created looked kind of like this (no drawings as I can't draw ;o; ...):

• don't work full-time but more like I do now (4 day / week)


• earn around 2200$+ after taxes (impossible in Germany, I guess - taxes will eat up everything! but FANTASY SCENARIO!!!)


• work in a wide room with white walls, huge windows so that there's a lot of daylight (not much artificial light)


• no smoking allowed inside!


• working with 2 coworker whose position is not above or below me (we're equal)


• working on a computer writing articles or creating a journal about a topic that we're all interested in / working on a magazine


• working location could be anywhere as long as it's not a big city (which country doesn't really matter that much)


• work office shouldn't be very far away from where I live (no long commuting hours for me!)

I think you get the idea. Probably you find that quite ridiculous, but that's all I could come up with. I have no clue if that's my paradise scenario at all, but we weren't supposed to think about it much longer.

The next step is that for only ONE hour you pretend that it's decided that you'll aim for this job. You don't have any other options. You HAVE to do this now. So for one hour you pretend it's really true and you go working towards this goal.

So in my case I started thinking what could get me there.
It's too early to start looking for any coworkers XD .... I don't really wanna work for a big magazine or anything right now. I've never even thought about journalism or anything like that. I don't like writing formally.
Journal/blog style is just fine! Actually I'm totally into it ever since I started blogging 6 years ago!
So, I thought let's just look for blogging and how to earn money with that for that one hour.
I've never ever thought SERIOUSLY about this at all yet. NEVER! I found out a lot of interesting things and after the hour was over, I couldn't stop and continued researching.
Even after I went to bed my mind was full of this and I just couldn't think about anything else anymore.

It's completely stupid and ridiculous ... maybe, but we should listen to our instincts. When you feel you want to try something, then it probably is best to just do it, right?
It doesn't matter how far I'll get with it, but this is the first step into the right direction, I think. At least it's a first step towards a change.


What??? You wanna blog for money or what??!!
Mmmh, yeah kind of...
I still have a full-time job and almost 1 year left befoe I go back home and then I'll be without any income for a while (probably).
I'm well aware of the chances, but if I could only make a bit of a pocket money to support myself a bit when I'm back in Germany and get to know a few people through that, new doors might open for me, right??


It won't be easy, though.
As much as I'm into it and as much as I've already planned out in my mind, there are TWO things that say loud: NO NO NO!!!

#1: I has no time!
I know that everybody has 24h. I wonder how some people are able to get done so much while I (and many others) can't. It's strange.
An interesting fact that seems to be true for a lot of people is that the more free time you have, the less you actually get done! If your free time is limited, you'll do more! I experienced that myself.
Also, "Barbara Sher" writes about this phenomenon, too.
I wonder why it is like that, though!?!
I want to do my workouts several times a week, study Japanese, work on my blog, randomly browse the internet, learn more about fitness and healthy food, plan out my future, watch things on my laptop etc.
In addition to all the things that I don't want to do, but have to (shopping, cleaning, housework in general etc.) there's just no way I can handle all of this!

#2: Didn't you say you wanted to cut your internet time down??!!!!
Yepp. One reason was that I wanted to have more time to myself where I can focus on my inner voice and figure out what I want to do. Another reason is simply that I turned into a zombie (see previous entry). (I need a zombie graphic! XD)


So why the hell would you want to start (another) blog then
I have no idea. It's just this feeling inside of me! And what do I have to lose? A bit of my lifetime, a few more gray hairs?!
I will definitely gain something from it. If it isn't money, then at least some valuable experience (web design, blogging, networking, ???!!!! etc.)
Plus, I always wanted to grab everything from Livejournal and put it somewhere where I have more freedom and power over design, plugins etc.
I'm a graphic / layout whore anyways XD


Okay, so you want to start a blog. Now, what?
Yeah. After researching about this topic for quite some time, I feel I at least know how to get started.


Step 1: What will your blog be all about?

Well, it should be something you're interested in and love writing about and it should all be one big topic and not completely random (very difficult for me as I have so many interests!!! :/ ...) => keyword: niche!
You also should know quite a bit about the topic already or be willing to read and learn about it.
The only thing the would currently work for me is: Japan
I think that was to be expected.

"Japan" can mean a lot of things, though.
I'm not sure how much I should reduce it to a specific topic.
Only travelling in Japan? Food, anime, manga, jdrama, doujinshi. Everything Japan?!
My livejournal has been about Japan from the start. I started out with mainly reviews and graphics about anime/manga, later jdramas, then jfood (mainly bento) and green tea, a little bit of Japanese studies and finally I moved to Japan and then it was about my life in Japan.

It will be very hard to think about the details. I'm happy if you can give me any advice or suggestions here.
Of course, it's also a little bit difficult as I've decided to leave Japan, but not yet, so let's not think about that yet.


Step 2: I need to decide on a domain name!

This one is the toughest. Before I haven't decided on this one, I can't move on. I'll need your help on that and probably will have a poll in one of my next entries.
The first question is if I should go with "chochajin" or not. It's been my unique username everywhere anyways and "chochajin" is just me. (apart from that stupid biatch who stole it for flickr! ) People who already "know" me will recognize me again.
I use this name in several forums and social networks. My photobucket accounts which host pretty much all of my Japan photos run on this name, too.
It would be difficult to "hide" the fact that I'm chochajin anyways, if you get what I mean.
I'm just a little bit worried about the downloads I offered MANY years ago (probably all expired by now). They're not public and I wouldn't mind deleting those posts, but I've also posted them in various communities on LJ.

So that's one reason why I wouldn't want to go with "chochajin".

As I've decided that my blog will be about Japan, it would also make sense to go with a domain name that has tells people right away what my blog is about.
My real or nickname + Japan is very boring, if you ask me! I'm more for creativity and unique names!!!
What do you think?


Step 3: Spending money (domain, host, design)

Once I have a domain name (which will cost something around 6-10$/year), I'll also need a host (~ 4$/months). This is not soooo expensive if you can make a little bit of pocket money with your blog. If you don't, then you just stop using those and don't have to pay anymore. It's not something lifelong anyways.
Design is the biggest issue. I'm a design whore and I love to play around with designs, plugins and graphics until I drop dead into my bed!!! You don't wanna know how much time I spent on my LJ layout, but it was soooo much fun and I learned a lot from it!
It also feels so much better if you create your own design!
I probably go with Wordpress.org software as my blogging platform and I have no idea yet how this will all work out, so I probably start with a template and see how much I can do on my own to customize.
If I fail I still can think about buying a design. There are some cheaper onces for 10-20$. Professionals take 1000$+++++++ DEFINITELY NO!!!!
Also, again I hope to learn more about web design through this.
If you have any advice, just let me know.


Step 4: Create content

Well, that's another big issue, isn't it? I do have content!!! Way over 500 entries of content here on Livejournal. I suppose that half of it is useless for my new blog, but the rest isn't.
Once I decided on what exactly I want to write about in my blog, I have to also decide if I'll transfer some of my posts from Livejournal "as is" to my new blog or start from zero, using old photos, but writing new posts.
Any advice here?


Step 5: Internship

What the hell are you talking about?
It's soooo funny!!! It's like my destiny is screaming out to me and tells me: GRAB THIS CHANCE YOU STUPID BIATCH I CAN'T MAKE IT MORE OBVIOUS FOR YA!!!!

Well, only two days after I decided that I'm trying out "problogging" (or whatever you wanna call it), the famous "Tofugu" website stated that they're looking for an intern for the summer time.
Unpaid, but you would learn a lot about successfully blogging for money!!! I was like HOMG!!!!! Need to take that chance???!!!!!
I think I'll apply. I mean, it's not like I stand a chance anyways, but you need to take chances when they jump into your face like that, right??!!!
What do you think?


Step 6: WTF BIATCH! So you want our money????!!!!!

Ah, no!!! *lol*
I'm not a fan of people who had great websites/blogs and then suddenly go "premium membership" or whatever, offering good content only to those readers who are willing to pay or stuff like that.
I'd never do that as I hate it myself. For starters I'll try to make money with a bit of advertisement and other simple stuff. My readers wouldn't have to pay anything! That would be stupid anyways, I doubt what I write is worth any money *lol*
If people are interested I could try writing an ebook (which seems to be quite popular among bloggers) - e.g. a travel guide for Japan with personal insider tips or whatever and sell it very cheap to readers who are interested.
And if I don't make any money, who cares?! Maybe I'll meet a lot of interesting people and other bloggers with the same interests. That's worth a lot, too!!!
Just like I met all of you guys via Livejournal! That's worth more than money anyways!


So, that's pretty much it.
What do you think? I'm open for hard criticism, so go all out!! That's what I appreciate the most.

P.S.: According to Barbara Sher I might be a "scanner". People who are interested in many different things often can't decide on ONE job, one ONE thing they like doing. They end up trying many different things, but never staying with one.
They like reading about something new they're interested in and once they feel they know enough / have read enough, they move on to the next one. This is not entirely true for me, but true enough.
Some of those "scanner" people end up being journalists or something like that. I'm still in the middle of reading that chapter in the book actually, but I thought it might be interested to some of you out there, too, as you are possibly "scanners" as well?
"Scanners" also have a hard time nowadays, because "experts" is what companies want, not people who know a little bit about quite a few topics.

Comments

[mit-souko.livejournal.com]

Just a few thoughts. I may come up with more, or at least more helpful ones, later.

About Japan can include art [modern, not just ukiyo-e], literature, history, etc. and food can be preparation as well as consumption. That may imply some research on your part. There is also music, traditional and modern, stage shows, etc., etc. Really the subject is vast. You could indeed write an ebook on it as guide.

Time: we all have time. But there is a law: the amount of time it takes to do something is proportional to the time allotted to it. So we waste the time we have. You who are organized: plan your day. Such and such from 10 to 12, 12 to 13 lunch, 13 to 14 internet, etc.

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I'd like to stick with what I feel familiar with for now. I can always expand when I need to find more content :) You got me some nice ideas, thank you :)

I want to try timeboxing and see if that helps me at all. I'm a perfectionist and I take too long with things I work on in general, so maybe timeboxing could help :/
Your idea is pretty much the same. I definitely NEED to try!!!!! :D

[missmomoko.livejournal.com]

DEFINITELY go with wordpress! It's great and has free templates you can use for the layout. Then you can personalize and it and tweak with your own graphics and such! Wordpress has plugins for pretty much anything you need and want. I'm sure there would be one to import your lj entries to your wordpress e.t.c. I think I was playing around with my own domains and you can do cross posting as well (at least from your wordpress to your livejournal).

In regards to the internship, I guess it depends what you want to get out of it and how much time you'd be spending your own time on it...for free! In a way, I think you have so much of your own content (like masses of it!) that you really can spend time on your own project rather than someone else's. You already know how to blog and how to write great content. I guess it is a matter of getting people to come to you to read!

That said, if you could get the work experience ( andset up your site before then) and then get a reciprocal plug/link on that website as a thank you, that would be good exposure for you!

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I already checked early on and it's possible to transfer content from LJ to Wordpress, that was important to me when chosing.
Wordpress seems to be the most popular for some reason, although I'm also still a bit torn between it and MovableType ^-^;

I think time is really the biggest issue. I already struggle a lot as is, so that would be difficult. Furthermore I go home to Germany for 2 weeks in summer and I don't wanna spend that precious time in front of the computer working on a website that's not mine... Hmm.

Yepp that would be great indeed!! :)

[kitsune-no-ame.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you found a goal!

Perhaps you could start out by associating with an established magazine / blog about Japan? especially since you're in Japan yourself, that's first hand info! In France we have a Japan magazine and one journalist lives in Japan and writes and article with pics every month and I can only think "YOU IDIOT! THIS IS SO BASIC/UNINTERESTING TOURIST STUFF! THIS IS NOT "LIFE" IN JAPAN!" and I swear I could do better than her... yeah if they let me (won't happen, I don't have a journalist degree and don't live in Japan but my trips and contact with Japanese people have taught me more than this b*tch will ever know)

So yeah some blogs like dannychoo cover Japan stuff, I have ZERO idea if they look for associates but sending a resume/article could be worth a try? You might get some feedback or be redirected to a magazine/ blog that's looking for motivated people like you?

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Thanks, dear!! ^-^

I think associating with anything popular or big requires my blog to get some major traffic first ^^;
*sigh* That sucks!! Although I don't think you would necessarily need a journalist degree for that anyways :)

I know dannychoo is big, probably waaay too big for me right now, but that's the basic idea, yes ^^;

[stonerxd.livejournal.com]

I think if you can create a website that documents areas of travel around japan, something like a japan travel website, there really is potential to earn a living through blogging (singapore's top blogger earns about 340,000¥ a month through her blog)

Another thing you might be able to consider would be to maybe work for japan's tourism board in germany??!?!? Or something along those lines! You have the language skills, and also travelled pretty widely throughout japan! ^^

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

The question is if I should only focus on travelling, though. Especially because I've decided to leave Japan next year.

Thanks for your ideas, I will look into it at some point :)

[a-brokenangel.livejournal.com]

ich finds klasse das ich mit beim lesen deines vorherigen eintrags gedacht habe: mhm...was wäre...wenn sie einfach ihren blog professionell betreibt?

ich finds toll. ich weiß nur nicht genau wie man das verwirklichen kann. aber das mit tofugu klingt klasse und nachdem er es ja auch geschafft hat sein"hobby" zum beruf zu machen kann er dir sicher helfen :)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Echt? Hehe ^-^; Na, dann passt das ja!! :D :D

"Machen" kann das prinzipiell jeder, nur wenige verdienen aber tatsächlich so viel damit, dass sie komplett davon leben können. Aber man kann's ja mal versuchen und wer weiß, was sich dadurch für Kontakte oder Möglichkeiten ergeben?! ^-^

[nekoyousei.livejournal.com]

Hi hi!!! Finally caught up with my flist! LOL
I would think of a more generic, but catchy name for your domain name. While "chochajin" is a good name and people would recognize you, I don't think it would be easy to remember for English speaking viewers who are new to Japanese or even know nothing about the language! So maybe you could do a catchier domain name, but perhaps call your blog chochajin? Just some thoughts! I haven't read the other comments, so I hope this is not a repeat. -.-;;;
Also, you can get a graphic designer STUDENT to do your layout and website for MUCH cheaper than a professional and often times they are JUST as good if not better!!! Look more for freelancers rather than big websites.
This sounds really awesome and I hope you can make it work!!! <3

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your comment and *LOL* @ the icon!!!! ^-^

Actually I spend a few hours thinking of different "catchy" names. My head started to smoke, really. It's difficult and as soon as you think you have something awesome you go and check just to see that the domain is already in use ;___;

Asking a graphic design student is a great idea!!! I might even be able to find one in a specific LJ community. Never thought of this!!!! Great idea, thank you!!! :D

Thanks, dear!! :3333

[asahifirsa.livejournal.com]

I think that's a great idea! I also saw the internship at Tofugu, but rather than working on someone elses blog I'd work on mine :) One the other side if you want to earn a bit of money, learning from a pro is a good idea.

Here's someone who made a website/blog about one Japan topic and published a book (it's available through Amazon, I bought it and it's great): http://www.yakumonkey.com/
He probably can't live from it though :)

I think a blog you'd write that is more open then LJ is might net you a lot of readers and many readers means a good potential for adds. I'm pretty sure you can start with something like Google adds, or of course an Amazon partnership for when you make book or DVD reviews.

It's a lot of work but you could make an eBook or print on demand book of your travels (with some added information that's not on the website, like hotels, etc.), life in Japan, Japanese Castles, etc.

I don't think you should narrow down the topic too much though. I like all your infos including of course the strange food and drink, the omiage (for yourself) that you buy, etc. Including drama reviews would bring in an altogether new crowd, etc. Just go with what you like and do on here anyway.

I think copying (a bit reworked) articles over should be no problem, just don't do too much at once! Make dates, like three times a week or two times a week on specific days you'll post on update, so people come on go there regularly (which also increases traffic). If you post whenever people will also come whenever or even forget about it.

You're being a "scanner" would help too. If there's a topic that you get interested in and research write about it. For example how difficult it is to do work-outs at home in the inaka, etc. How the aids are different and why you ordered what you did from Germany, etc.

Also how you've started learning Japanese and how you got to where you are (including reviews of the material you used to study), etc.

There's really a lot you can write about :)

When I was in Japan I earned most of my travel money by selling doujinshi (checking what is popular and then selling it on eBay or LJ). Seems a few people earn a bit of money by offering pick-up services for different events (those would also be interesting to blog about), so you could offer that as well maybe.

You've got me out of my funk btw. I finally did a bit of work today. Now to keep it up :)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Long comment is long!! XD
Aber ich sollte mich nicht beschweren, bei meinen langen Entries in letzter Zeit, ahem.

Thanks for the link! Quite interesting, though, knowing me I KNOW that I couldn't stick to such a narrow niche. I'm way too random and interested in too many things to keep up with it.
I've been thinking a lot, mind-mapping, and thought even harder about the content of my blog. This is the most important thing after all and it's extremely difficult :(
I hope I can figure it out soon as I can't wait to start with my blog project!!! :D *wibble*

I'm really happy to see that you like my "kreuzundquer" entries here on LJ, but I'm not sure if that would work for a bigger audience of readers :( .....

Generally I want to do reviews of Japanese movies I watched every now and then as to everybody outside of Japan that's interesting. I just came back from watching a movie today. It just started airing here in Japan, so unless you live in Japan you cannot watch the movie yet.

I'd love to give more sorted travel information. I'm not sure if the way I show my travel entries here would work.

Basically what works best is if you offer something nobody else does. As "Japan" is a topic a LOT of people write about I need to figure out how to give it a unique touch.
I wouldn't mind writing a few "how to" guides, including my personal experience as a lot of people keep asking me anyways.

It is difficult.

I also spent a few hours thinking of domain names today. It's as hard as I thought. And whenever you come up with something that might work, you find out that the domain is already in use ;o;

Hehe. Good to hear that!!! Keep going!!!
I wanna try timeboxing and see if that helps me! :(

[koronda.livejournal.com]

This sounds really great! ^^ I think the paradise scenario you describe is what a lot of people would wish for too. You're not ridiculous for wanting these things and I think setting concrete goals -- knowing what you want, etc. -- is a major part of the battle (man, I should try this XD).

There's a man who's in a similar area of concentration as Barbara Sher, and reading your entry reminded me of him. Have you ever heard of Seth Godin (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/)? My boyfriend (who, like you, seems to be a scanner) follows his blog in which he writes a lot about motivation, settinga/achieving goals, and other things. He's also written a few books on the subject. I thought of him because you mentioned blogging -- it's a wonderful way of getting ideas, news, anything, out there.

I don't think you have to start from scratch; even if you write about many different things, as you do now, there's a central theme: Japan. As someone who's interested in living and working in Japan someday , I find it extremely helpful and enlightening to read about everyday life in Japan from someone who has experienced or is experiencing it. Your LJ is accessible, down-to-earth, and fun to read. ^^ Play to your strengths!

You can do it! Good luck and keep us informed. <3

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, please try it!!! Sometimes it opens your eyes. I didn't have an oh-aaaah!!! experience yet, but at least I found something I wanna try!! :)

Wow, that sounds interesting. It's the first time hearing about him, but I'll definitely check his website out!!!!!
I also decided to try timeboxing and see if that helps me :)

Thanks for encouraging me!! I'm so insecure about the content at the moment and I have to think carefully about it before I actually start my blog project (and I'm all bouncy and can't wait to start so I need to figure this out sooooon!!! XDDDD)

Thanks so much!!!! I will :3333

[xia-hime.livejournal.com]

I think it's a great idea. Watcha got to lose? It can start off completely free to you too. Working for a magazine is also a good idea imo, even for a small gossip magazine ^^ No need to write formally

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

The last time I had this "I wanna try this no matter what - I have nothing to lose anyways" attitude was before I came to Japan!! :)
^-^

[limey.livejournal.com]

I am a HUGE fan of Gala Darling (galadarling.com) who not only makes a living blogging/writing for other publications, but offers advice about how to do it (without being all premium or snooty about it).
One thing she mentioned is that what people search for most on Google is "How to blah blah blah". So if your blog offers information & answers instead of just passive content / information / random musings, it is more interesting and useful for people to read and recommend to their friends!

Of course some blogs have wonderful random musings, but advice / guides are more solid, I think. The website asahifirsa linked to is a clear example... rare English language info about a specific topic. Written well.

Anyway, I'm interested to see what you would write! I'd love to see a YourName.com kind of blog from you!

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I read a lot of "how to make money blogging" blogs *lol* and they also suggest to do these kind of lists. I think it's a great idea anyways.
That blog is sooo cute and neat btw.!! :)

Well, my problem is that I wouldn't be able to stick with such a strict niche as the example asahifirsa offered. I need a bit more freedom or I'll go crazy *gg*
I generally understand the basic idea of it, but I also need to feel comfortable about what I write. If it doesn't work out with that, then oh well, what's up next?! ;P

With "yourname" you mean using the "realname"?
I read that it's not always a good idea to do it as sometimes really successful blogs can be sold, but if you use your own name, that doesn't work. Not that I'm planning that far ahead XD
I've been spending a few hours today thinking about catchy domain names. It's really as tough as I thought it would be x___X

[miraiklenta.livejournal.com]

With WordPress and Blogger, there is the blog name and there is the writer(s) name (username). So you could always come up with a nifty blog name that you would put out there, and then chochajin would be your username. It still lets you keep your identity, but gives the possibility of a fresh easy-to-remember blog name, if you're concerned about people not understanding the blog name.

A few other people have already suggested some great ideas. But here's another. I believe some magazines/journals/websites have guest writers, and some even pay you if they accept your piece. I think they might be a bit hard to find, but I'm pretty sure it exists. Even if you don't get paid, you have the opportunity to put in a one-line statement to refer them to your blog. That in turn, increases the visitors and potential profit.

がんばって！

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Are we talking about Wordpress.com or Wordpress.org now? ^-^;
It's not only about the domain, but also having my own host and more freedom of plugins, design etc. :)

I think you're right! I spent a few hours today thinking about easy and catchy domain names, but it's really tough!! Once I've selected a few ones, I'll have a poll here :D

Yepp, heard about that and hope that eventually it'll work out for me, too ^-^;

Thanks a lot for all the great advice!!! :3

[hypermoi.livejournal.com]

You'd definitely become a popular blogger. A lot of people are looking for a lot of insider input on what Japan is like, Japanese products, how to live in Japan, pop culture, etc. and the e-book idea doesn't sound bad either. And even if you have to start from scratch, I don't think it'd be hard for you since you've already spent quite a lot of time in the country and know your info. Using your old posts would be awesome; it'd be great for people who haven't read your LJ and it's always nice to look at pictures of Japan.

As for the money, there's always Google Adsense and the like.

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

WOAH!!!!! You think so?? Thanks so much!! ^-^
So much encouragement! :3333

Yes, that's what you would start out with anyways once you have a bit of traffic ^-^

[cinnamonghost.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's a stupid idea at all!
But there are plenty of Japan blogs out there, so you really have to find a niche topic. I'd say the travel entries you have here are pretty unique, as most Japan bloggers outside of Japan cover the art/fashion/etc and those in Japan mostly write about their day-to-day life and observations about Japan.
The only problem that I see here is that once you leave Japan, you will have nothing to write about anymore...

About the domain name, I don't think you have to worry about those downloads you offered years ago. As you said they are most likely expired and who would go out of their way to find your downloads anyways?

I'd also say go with Wordpress if you don't mind that you have to pay if you change templates, even the free ones. That's the only drawback of WP in my opinion, otherwise it's really neat, I especially like the site stats. If you want to give blogging a try first without investing money I'd say go with blogger, there you can edit the templates for free, too. I think you should actually do this as starters, don't focus too much on domain names, hosts ect until you aren't completely sure that you can keep the blogging up.
You should focus on the topic most for now, then start writing a blog to see if anyone would even be interested. Once you get more readers you can move on to all those other things.

And definitely go for that internship! :] If only for the networking alone, it might give you the momentum you need to get your blog going.

I'm excited to see what you will make! :D

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's the problem ... too many people already writing about Japan, but that has never stopped me anyways! XD

Yepp, that's why I don't really wanna narrow it down to a travel Japan niche!! I see exactly the same problem. What happens once I leave Japan? I might be back for vacations in Japan, but if that's enough, I don't know..

Anyways, I think I won't go with "chochajin" as domain name. I spent a few hours today to think about catchy and short (easy to remember and related to the content) domain names, but as expected it's tough and once you found something nice, it's just to find out that the domain is already in use T___T
I'll definitely go with .com anyways!

WOAH1111!!!! I hear that for the first time!!! See? That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for before I start and couldn't find anywhere yet!! So I can't change the template later on unless I pay??? Hmmmm ....
I still think I go with Wordpress.org rather than MovableType, though.

I think that's also a good advice. I think I might have one or two blog acounts (blogspot and wordpress.com) that I've never ever used, but it would help to play around with the templates and stuff, right? :D

^____^

Thanks so much!! :333333 Danke! ^-^

[nfr.livejournal.com]

I think that your idea is amazing and might work, so go for it! \o/ Your posts are so good, your designs and graphics, all of what you create and do here! It's like you were made to do it! *///*

I'll also try the internship, it's true what you say about chances! ;D

Good luck! I'm happy you have found the inspiration to go for it! *hugs a loooot* ^__~

[hinoai.livejournal.com]

I say go for it! I love to see people reaching out for their dreams!!

Just as a point of reference, it's really, REALLY hard to make money by advertising. I've had google ads on my blog since lj let you get money for them (more than one year), and I still haven't even hit the 10,000 yen mark. :( I really tried hard, but the most I ever earned a month, when I was posting every day with tons of pictures, was just 1,000 yen. I hope you can find a way to do better than me!

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I envy you as you know exactly what you want and can concentrate on reaching out for your big dream.
At least I have something now :)

Actually I haven't really tried it out yet here on LJ. I'm a bit annoyed that you have to reveal your real name and address. You would think that in these modern times they could handle this using Paypal or some other online payment method. What's your experience with that part of it?
Oh and it seems that on LJ people can decide whether they want to see those ads or not.
Furthermore, as far as I've read so far, even the super successful bloggers took YEARS until they earned a lot! It's not like anything will happen just within 1 year :( ... ^-^;

[evilblueberry.livejournal.com]

First I would like to applaud you for going after something you want to do no matter how silly you or anyone else may think it is (I personally dont think it's silly at all)

As for the new blog thing, writing is actually a really good way of releasing stress. Unless u have a deadline lol

ALSO! I doubt you would be interested but if you want to test run your blog and see how it goes, I have a domain that has a lot of space and I wouldn't mind hosting you. That way it is free and you get to see how things are. I would set up your own ftp account and folder (I get up to 3 in my package and I only use one) the only thing I use it for are my stories that I write in my free time and I host 1 of my friend's stories too. I would never ever offer my webspace if I didn't think the person was a good person and after interacting with you for 2yrs or so I can tell u would be okay lol
however its up to you :) the addy is www.okashi-yume.net I also have 50 email addys that come with it which i only created 2 lol

I believe my host domain added in a lot of new wigdets as well but I haven't checked them out.

so yep... thats all I have to say I think lol

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

HOMG!!!!!!! (O____O'')
I'm so moved right now!! I can't believe you offer me such a great opportunity!! ^__^
It makes me really happy!!
Right now I'm buried under a pile of work and things I have to take care of in order to start my blog anyways, so I'll think about it, but just the fact that you've thought of me and are offering me this now is just soooo awesome!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! ^___^

[amvn.livejournal.com]

Actually I think this sounds like a great idea for you!!! :) And please do believe me when I say this is the best and most interesting blog I've ever read too, and I don't think I'm alone thinking that! I definitely enjoy the most reading about your life in Japan, and your travel entries. You now how so many travel entries full of great and valuable information, not to mention gorgeous photos - you could do a Japan travel blog. When I search for travel information (especially about Japan), I want to find info from other people's trips and places off the beaten track, and that is REALLY difficult to find! Your entries, however, is just what I'm looking for, and I think it's like that for many other people out there (reading them makes you feel like you're ACTUALLY traveling to those places yourself ^_^) I also think that if you made some non-expensive Japan travel e-books, they'd definitely sell. In summary, I really think your entries have an unique personal touch to them that is hard to find elsewhere and that many readers like me highly appreciate, and I think it's definitely something worth doing ;D

Also, I really like Scher's idea of creating the "ultimate" job. I've always had high ambitions myself, but people have constantly been telling me that it's useless and that it's not worth spending time and energy planning/wishing for stuff that's never going to happen. I think this is really discouraging (of course, some ambitions are way out there, but not all of them), and thinking of things that I'd like to do really keeps my spirits up when I go through hard times so personally I think it's good for the mental health :)

Lastly, you should definitely apply for that internship!! :D

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Wow!!! Thank you so, so much!!!!! ;______;
That really helped a lot!!!! It's so difficult to figure out what to do, but whenever I think about "oh, I have to write formal, clean, short and less graphics and less everything" ... that's just not me and it probably wouldn't work that well anyways ^-^;

This blog, my LJ, is 7 years old now. Especially my travel entries were a lot of work and so I kind of want to transfer them to my new blog, although I don't know if that's a good idea or not. Eventually I need all my travel entries (even the past ones) in my new blog anyways, so I can create a new travel index or whatever!!

Aaahhh, so much work, so many things to think about, but I'm all up for it! :D Hehe~

You definitely shoud read Barbara Sher! It might help you, too! Sometimes it's hard not to listen to what others say, but sometimes it's just important to ignore them. If I had listened to others I might not have come to Japan ^-^;

[angelbott.livejournal.com]

That's really sound really interest. xD I like your goal i hope you can do it. I'm sorry I tried to figure somewhere of I read yours and previous entry I trying to understand every..I agree with you about like a zombie or block mind for future goal..I hope you can follow your dream for this. :] I don't find about My future goal/dream what's I can become to.. Sorry for off-topic. ^^; A part of me don't want you move from Japan but I know maybe you feel "Homesick" from your hometown..Miss your family and friends..

Journalist..I think I remember a bit about if you are travel in the world and use your camera then write about this in your journal of history..I know it's so short for I say this. >.<; This just..like your life..so..oh well.

Heh, I'm sorry I tried to my best for try to help you..sorry my example/opinion's suck. :I

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

Aww. I understand that you don't want me to leave Japan, hehe XD
It's not so much that I'm homsick, but sick of Japan. I don't necessarily wanna go back "home" to Germany, but just away from Japan. I can't say for sure that I'll never come back (definitely as tourist, possibly to live here again).

Don't worry about it. I really appreciate your comment! :)

[asahifirsa.livejournal.com]

Die eine Seite mit dem Impressum scheint recht interessant (heißt ja auch "Selbständig im Netz"). Die haben aber auch eine nette Linksammlung:

http://www.blogprojekt.de/ Tipps und News für neue und professionelle Blogger

Und hier ein artikel auch zum Thema Werbebanner: http://www.selbstaendig-im-netz.de/2010/11/24/online-werbung/bannermarktplaetze-als-einnahmequelle-fuer-websites-und-blogs/

[pearlsphere.livejournal.com]

Let me see if I understood correctly, when you say you could find a design for $10-20, does it mean you could find a theme? 'cause I found/recommend this site :) http://wpmadness.com/ I don't have wordpress but his work is really good imo and for only 5usd :3.
Scanner huh? I think I might be some of it too lol. I always admired pple who were genius in so many things, and I often dreamed about being like them. But seriously no time, and you have to work. I think 24 hours/day are not enough anymore :(. On top of that, everyone wants pple with a ton of experience in this or that. I want to be an expert 'cause that's what the market or the human resources want but still have time to do some other stuff like music or painting. And then where's the time for the family and friends? lol, life in the olden days was way easier XD, I wanna go back! lol.
Good luck with all your endevours dear :), you have great brainstorming so far, keep it up ;)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I saved like a thousands of design pages with free and premium WPthemes/designs XD .... but before I haven't decided on a domain name, nothing is gonna move forward ^-^;
Thanks for the link! Definitely will save it for later use :D

That's right! I think I'm also scared of picking just one thing, deciding to do just ONE thing for the rest of my life. Barbara Sher writes a lot about this, too, and how to overcome it (if you are interested, I recommend all of her books! ^-^)

Thanks so much! :)

[aikt.livejournal.com]

I do think i am also a "scanner".
I'm interested in trying many things but can't see myself settling at one place.
Studying/working in Japan is my aim right now, however after reading your entries, i pondered over questions like 'what happens after getting to work/study in Japan' 'will i stay long in Japan?' 'Do i have the means to maintain living in Japan?'

Step 5: Internship seems fun, you might be able to make new friends, enrich your knowledge and maybe find a new aim! It's also great to break out of daily routine.

Sorry for the ranting and good luck!! =D

[mtassarion.livejournal.com]

i've read this book (http://www.amazon.com/ProBlogger-Secrets-Blogging-Six-Figure-Income/dp/0470616342) from cover to cover and back again. And it almost seems like you read it too. If you haven't, I can definitely recommend it to you. The writer owns several blogs, one of which is a blog about.. writingg blogs :P http://www.problogger.net/ (but i'm almost sure you already know it)

I'm quite enjoyed by the fact that those things you said in your last post which made me guess that you are wanting to have a blog is the very thing that you are saying now :P

I'm looking forward to see how this all turns out :)

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the book, but of course I know his blog and have read various of his posts :)

I'm not sure if I still wanna work on it although I'm almost done with it and could start soon, but it took so much time before I left for Germany and sucked out all of my energy as well. I'd rather go out to travel some more in my remaining time here in Japan. We'll see.