About Me
It's been more than two years since I started this blog, and what a ride it's been. I thought it was high time that I updated this About Me page, to reflect everything that has happened along the way.
My name is Belle, although you'll see that I use BJ to sign-off on my posts. I will probably be changing that in the near future, but when I started out in the affiliate marketing world, I used BJ in the forums I frequented, so I just kept the name when I started blogging here at Adventures. (The J stands for Jardine, one of my last names.) I have to say, though, I've been meeting so many wonderful people through this blog, and it's started being a real pain having to repeat to everyone, "well, you can call me BJ, or you can call me Belle". So I figure I'll just say it here for now.
Since I began this blog, I have met some really amazing people. I've discovered that the blogging community is a tremendous community filled with a lot of wonderful people, people who are eager to lend a helping hand when needed, and equally willing to share their experiences and yes, spread the link love. I've had so many opportunities come my way, not least of which is the blogging that I do for Problogger Darren Rowse.
If there's one thing that I've learned, it's that the online life is a lot like the regular world, in that you get a chance to meet and become friends with some very nice people. Networking online is a lot of fun, and I've made some very solid friendships as a result.
I've had my ups and downs over the past few years, but on the whole, it's been a fun ride. I'm always learning, and that's probably the best part of this whole experience.
I currently make a nice part-time income online, and I'm hoping to take this further and become full-time within the next two years. Online publishing and Internet marketing does take a level of commitment, and I'm happy to say that the money that I currently make online is letting me devote even more time to my online pursuits.
For me, the ideal career has always been one in which I can play with different ideas. I think that's why I find my online adventures so exciting. Lots and lots of ideas, lots and lots of opportunities for creativity - and the ability to have pretty quick results. So you can hop on to the next idea, and the next, and the next ...
In my offline life, I'm a happy freelancer, living and working from my home just outside Toronto, Ontario. I've have been self-employed for 12 years now. From the moment I started working for myself, I knew that I could never go back to a job. Despite the risks, there is so much freedom and opportunity in being self-employed, and it's a life that I love.
I started this blog when I first started out online, back in August of 2004. When I started out, I knew nothing about SEO. I stumbled onto SEO during my Internet marketing research, and applied what I learned to my husband's business site. I got some great results, and became a definite SEO fan.
I also didn't have a clue when I started out about any of the technical stuff. Today, I'm comfortable fiddling with basic PHP, and am very happy to say I have manually installed Wordpress on my sites many times! I hope this gives those of you who are new to web publishing a lot of hope, because if I can do it, so can you.
I've also worked with datafeeds, and have a portfolio of several affiliate sites, but my true love is blogging. Affiliate marketing is a great income stream, though, and I don't think I will ever give up that part of the online life.
Two years ago, I would never have predicted the twists and turns that my online life would take. But I am so glad to be where I'm at, right here, right now, talking to you all through this blog. My hope and intention is to continue to share my experiences as I keep on this fabulous journey into the world of online publishing and Internet marketing.
A quick word about the product links on this blog: I AM an affiliate marketer, which means that affiliate marketing is one of my income streams. So yes, very often the product or services links on this blog will be affiliate links. I have, however, decided to only join the affiliate programs for those products and services that I like and can recommend to you, so if a link on this blog happens to be an affiliate link, it means that it's something I've used and would recommend. I am very appreciative whenever someone buys something through one of my links - thank you, too, so much for all your past and your continuing support.
- Belle (BJ)
P.S. I really appreciate your comments - it's nice to know someone is reading what I write! You can also email me at
