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My name is Mert Erkal. I am 34 years old, and from Istanbul, Turkey. I worked for Maersk Line Turkey as Marketing Analyst between 1998-2008. I started blogging professionally in 2006. As of August 2008 I left my full time job after 10 years of hardworking and dedication to earn my living from problogging and Internet projects.

7 Strange but True Things About Me

1. I lost my dad when I was 33. My mom lost her dad when she was 33.

2. I used to do Karate when I was 14. I remember it like it happened today. I watched Blood Sport movie, and then decided to do Karate.

3. I used to do Water Polo when I was 15. I was the fastest swimming player of the team.

4. My brother is a warplane pilot.

5. I ran from one continent to another during Intercontinental Istanbul EurAsia Marathon in 2006. The Marathon started in Asia and finished in Europe. For more details about the marathon please read Intercontinental Istanbul EurAsia Marathon

6. I started walking when I was 8,5 months old.

7. My niece Elif was born in 2007.  The meaning of life completely changed after her for me.

My Blogging History - Those Were the Days My Friend…

I was just another blogger from Dec 2006 till Sep 2007. I was using Blogger.com. Take a look at my blog at that time : Meeting-Continents. I used to write paid reviews from PayPerPost, Reviewme, Smorty etc. with that blog. I was making $20-30 per day with paid reviews. On the other hand I was writing about my lovely city Istanbul.

Even though I was making good money, I realized that writing paid reviews was taking so much time. I had no time left for social life. I was working for a full time job, and then at nights I was chasing for paid review opportunities to write. I started to think about smarter ways to make money online before it is too late.

I was so lucky that I somehow got an invitation from Yaro Starak for his mentoring program. At that time I knew little about Yaro. I started reading his blog before giving my final decision.

How I Decide to Join Blog Mastermind?

I found what Yaro wrote on his blog very valuable. His English was crystal clear, and his posts were very informative. I decided to write him an email to know him better. He responded very quickly, and told me more about his program. I trusted him. I decided to sign up with Blog Mastermind in August 2007.

The lessons were coming to my email address on weekly basis. Yaro wanted his students to take some action in every week. It was not a one way communication. Yaro honestly told us that there is no easy way to make money online.

When I look back, I can clearly see that what Yaro was also trying to achieve a positive mind-shift with his program. He is indeed a very good motivator and teacher.

I finished Blog Mastermind in January 2008. The program totally changed my ideas about blogging. I learned  blogging concepts from A to Z, improved my blog writing and online marketing skills, developed very good relationships with other bloggers. In addition to them, I found my role in the Blogosphere.

My Blog’s Performance After Joining Blog Mastermind

Within less than a year Search For Blogging achieved a good performance after I joined Blog Mastermind:

• Technorati Rank  : 35,000 (I expect to finish the year within 20K)
• Alexa Rank           :  66,957 (End year target is within 50K)
• RSS                        :  565 + and increasing

As a Blog Mastermind graduate, now I know that it is not impossible to become a problogger if you follow a very well written road map. All you need is dedication, hardworking, and a mentor like Yaro Starak to guide you.

Let me know If you decide to join Blog Mastermind. I will be more than happy to assist you when giving your final decision as a graduated member of the Blog Mastermind.

Time for Your Own Prison Break!

This blog is dedicated to people who wants to break their own prison. If I can make it, you can also make it. Life is too short, do what you really want. Join my journey, and be inspired!

Find me online : (Please feel free to add me as your friend)

• Facebook : Mert Erkal
• Twitter: merterkal
• MyBlogLog : Mert Erkal
• Sphinn : merkal2005
• StumbleUpon : Merkal2005
• Digg : merkal2005
• LinkedIn: Mert Erkal

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