It Is That Time Again: With Thanks, A Gift and Christmas Wishes
This time last year I was busy making plans for 2011 but they didn’t come off as I put them on hold to be by my mothers side during another health scare.
My mum had another bleed to her brain, this time leaving her with vascular dementia, and was in a bad way. Being both deaf and partially sighted communication was extremely difficult for the staff around her so I was by her side nearly all day every day for the first few months of the year.
As you can imagine the whole experience was extremely stressful and left me quite numb and unable to focus on anything constructive.
I tried keeping my blog up dated and started inviting guest posts, which really helped.
As my mums situation settled down a bit I was able to start spending less time with her so I continued with my blog hopping as best I could. Through leaving comments on other peoples blogs I was lucky enough to win a few prizes.
I first won a free Transcription from Dawn Kay “Thank you Dawn”.
I then won a free place on the Learn With Sally coaching course which has taught me a whole heap of new skills and has taken my Internet Marketing to a new level. “Thanks Sally and Jade (my lucky mascot)” 
Then through Dawn Kay declining the prize and saying to give it to 2nd place I won a free Camtasia and Snagit licence from Kathy Dobson’s traffic competition “Thanks Kathy”.
Sally then held a Traffic Generation competition, with the prize being a digital camera, and yes I won that as well 
which has enabled me to start facing the camera and talking to you live, as I do in the video below. “Thanks again Sally”
I also won a prize from David Taylor of a Mailwash Pro subscription for 12 months, “Thanks David”.
Blog commenting has really paid off for me this year and I have to say that this year has been my best year online
I have learnt so much this year that I know every year from now on is going to get better and better and that is a direct result of the Learn With Sally coaching, simply the best coaching I have experienced This isn’t a sales pitch, but if you’re not getting the success you crave for then I highly recommend Learn With Sally, The Replays so you can make 2012 as successful as possible.
I’ve had my very own Calendar created by Calendars For Marketers and you can download your copy, with my thanks.
And a personal video of thanks to you all 
My top 15 traffic sources for the year were:
twitter.com
facebook.com
sallyneill.com
johnthornhillmasterclass.com
ianieba.com
billmurney.com
dawnkaysblog.com
nine95.com
google.com
stumbleupon.com
adriennesmith.net
youtube.com
terryconti.com
johnmcnally54.com
linkedin.com
Thank you to everyone that visited my blog over the last 12 months, commented and shared my content. Without your input many of the sites mentioned above wouldn’t be there
I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year
I’d also be grateful if you could help me share the post on the Social Media Networks via the buttons below.
Until next time, Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
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Twitter: jmd164
Hi Barry, your year may have gone off track from what you planned, but then it didn’t finish as planned either and it finished a good one. Congratulations on all your prize wins, well deserved I say
Thanks for your well wishes and I wish you and your family all the best for the Holiday Season and may 2012 finish with a bigger bang for you that 2011 did.
Take Care Barry
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Julie
Julie recently posted..A Personal Message To You
Hi Julie,
Yes it did go a bit off track but thanks to blogging it came back around and now I have a whole new skill set to apply next year. I aim to be passing some of those skills onto people that have been a regular visitor here and that includes you Julie
Thanks for the congrat’s, Have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy new Year
Take care, Barry
Twitter: jmd164
ps. great calender – thanks
Julie recently posted..A Personal Message To You
Really glad you like it Julie
Have a good one mate
Barry
Hi Barry
Wow! – You’ve done well to win all those prizes.
Yeah Christmas again Barry, I hope all is well with your Mum, I can understand how difficult things were for you at that time.
You’ve really came leaps and bounds Barry with Sally’s coaching and I know she’s one heck of a teacher and it shows. Have you any plans for the coming year ahead?
I have to agree with you that Facebook is a fantastic source for sending traffic, that’s where I saw your post that brought me here, thanks for the best wishes in the video mate…sorry it’s been a while since my last visit, been quite busy.
I wish you a Merry Christmas to you and your family and may 2012 be a year which brings you what you wish for.
Eamon.
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Eamon recently posted..Amazon S3 online storage service…
Hi Eamon,
My mum is still very confused but, sadly, that’s part of her condition now. She’s still fighting it all though mate, Dublin girl through and through
Yes I have come on leaps and bounds this year Eamon and that is a direct result of Sally’s coaching and the new skills I’ve learnt from her.
Plans for next year?….. I want to finish the projects I’ve started and continue to go over Sally’s coaching and fine tune everything. I want to build on my video making and then pass those skills on to others and I have a couple of ideas for products (free ones)
I’ll be having another video challenge early next year as well and want to get as many on board as possible so as to pass the skillls on
Arrr Facebook: Yes another point proved by Sally. I avoided it for ages thinking it would sap my time but looking at the traffic it’s bringing I can see that I should’ve got over there long before I did. To think I’ve only been using it for a few months and instantly it appeared in my traffic sources.
No worries about the time thing Eamon, I know you’re a busy fella and always appreciate that.
Have a fantastic Christmas Eamon and a Happy New Year mate.
Take care, Barry
Twitter: adriennesmith40
Hey Barry,
Well, your year may not have started off as you had planned but it looks like it ended up being a pretty darn good year after all. Look at everything you won. Wow, I’m so impressed and every time I came over here and found out what else you’ve won, boy talk about jealous. But I couldn’t really be because I hadn’t entered any contest so it was my own fault.
I did like the calendar you created by the way, really nice job.
Thanks for your wonderful video message and always a pleasure to see you in person. Congratulations on how well your year did end up going and I have no doubt big things are in store for the upcoming year as well.
So great to have had this chance to get to know you Barry. I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2012 holds in store for us both.
Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Fabulous New Year!
God Bless,
~Adrienne
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Adrienne recently posted..Merry Christmas Everyone
Hi Adrienne,
You’re so right Adrienne, the year started off terribly but ended on a high, in fact my best year online so far.
Yes that’s the thing with competitions, you have to be in it to win it. I’m forever sending a text in to the TV now to win the thousands they offer in their prizes but my luck hasn’t reached them YET
I’m glad you like the calendar Adrienne. They’re a nice way of staying in peoples minds without being a royal pain in the butt
I enjoyed creating the video and adding my chuckle at the end
and during it I learnt a new trick in Camtasia. I find that when facing the camera they always come out to dark so this time rather than flooding my room with lights I altered the brightness in Camtasia 
I’ve got the transcription back from Dawn now so over the holidays i want to get on to the product. Fingers crossed i’m not in hospital to long this time and can get home and working again….. Mind you is it work when we enjoy it so much? I’m sure you know what I mean Adrienne
It sure has been a pleasure getting to know each other my friend, 2012 is going to be fantastic
Have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year
Take good care,
Barry
Twitter: therocketrider
Hi Barry,
I’ve seen you popping by my blog a few times – thanks for that, so seeing & hearing your video was great, at least I now know where you hail from, as that sure isn’t a North American accent.
All the best for 2012
~Bruce
Bruce recently posted..Paddling in the Pond
Hi Bruce,
No worries on visiting your blog mate, I enjoy reading your content
ha ha ha No I’m not from North America, closer to North London but still 40 miles from there
Have a fantastic Christmas a Happy New Year Bruce,
Take care, Barry
Twitter: danielsumner
Well done Barry, its great to see your blog becoming so popular this year.
The end of my 2011 has just ended with disaster with the loss of a good friend, and at only 33 he has left us too early.
Well done on the prizes, the Camtasia license is invaluable looks like it has proved to be very handy.
I have just shut down for Christmas now and intend to take a well deserved few days off and get ready for a New Year and new ideas.
Well done once more, have a great Christmas and New Year
Dan
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Dan Sumner recently posted..10 Inspirational Quotes that I love
Hi Dan,
I’m so sorry to hear your sad news, 33 is way to early to leave. It’s sad at any time of the year but always worse at this one. My heart goes out to all those missing loved ones at Christmas.
Winning the Camtasia and Sally’s coaching couldn’t have come at a better time Dan and kind of hand in hand so It’s going to help me continue my journey and create loads of videos showing everyone what I’m doing
I’m closing down later today Dan, but will still doing some work over the holidays to tidy up some loose ends and complete some projects
Have as good a Christmas as is possible Dan, I know it’ll be hard having lost your friend but try to have a good one for the children mate and A Happy New Year
Thanks Dan,
Barry
Twitter: danielsumner
I will mate thanks for the kind words. We are all having a drink for him tonight. After wrapping 40 presents or so today I need one
Thanks Barry
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Dan Sumner recently posted..10 Inspirational Quotes that I love
I’ve had my daughter wrapping mine Dan, I trained her well
Take care mate,
Barry
Twitter: desdrec
So, so, so glad 2011 ended well for you mate. Congrats.
I haven’t known you for long but can tell your heart’s in the right place and you’re marketing with great ethics.
I hope 2012 is just as good, if not better than this year!
Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Des
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Des recently posted..Are SEO Services Dead For Small Businesses?
Hi Des,
Compared to how the year started mate I feel fantastic
Thanks for the lovely compliment Des, I think it’s important to be one’s self throughout. I know that 2012 is going to be much better than 2011, and this was the best year yet
Have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year
Take care, Barry
Twitter: weekendgolfers
Hi Barry
I wish you every success in 2012. I know how hard you have worked and from looking on I can see the massive improvements you’ve made on your blog…I’m always taking a cheeky peek to see what else I need to learn
Here’s to a very prosperous next year for you…with your commitment and generosity you are sure to succeed.
have a very merry Christmas & New Year
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Cheers
Steve
Steve recently posted..Merry Christmas From Weekend Golfers
Hi Steve,
Thanks very much for the compliments Steve. I have worked hard this year but the learning was a pleasure and applying it was a dream coming true
That dream will continue throughout 2012 and contiue growing.
Have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year Steve
Take care mate,
Barry
Twitter: plrnetmarketing
Hey Barry, tell your mum hello, and Merry Christmas from your friend in Canada! I hope 2012 is a great year for you, and you accomplish a ton of great stuff!
I can’t get over how much you’ve won online, and think that is great! The camera looks to take a pretty clear video for you.
I hope you all have a great Christmas my friend!
Cheers
Warren & Daya
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Hi Warren,
I had a fantastic year what with winning so much online, every item won has helped in some way or another and came together just at the right moment.
The video was a little dark to start with but thanks to Camtasia I was able to brighten the whole video…. saved loads of re-takes due to poor light
I hope you and your family have a fantastic Christmas Warren and a Happy New Year mate. I hope 2012 answers your prayers mate
Take care, Barry
Twitter: kathydobson
Genuine and warm…loved the video Barry.
You have come so far this year…next year is going to be spectacular for you…I can feel it!
EnJOY your family and friends this holiday season Barry and I look forward to traveling this IM road again with you next year…
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“Merry Christmas” my friend,
Kathy
Kathy Dobson recently posted..7 Links Challenge…A Stroll Through Memory Lane
Hi Kathy, I hope that you had a fantastic Christmas.
Mine was very nice thank you. Christmas day with my wife and children then boxing day we had my mum and brothers around
Really please that you liked the video Kathy. I really like making them, especially as I now have Camtasia, thank you.
Next year’s going to be great for all of us Kathy, are you up for another video challenge?
I’m off to hospital soon but hope to be back by new years eve, in case I’m not I’ll wish you a very Happy New Year now Kathy.
Have a great one my friend,
Take care, Barry
Twitter: berget
Hi Barry,
I’m sorry to hear about your mother.
It seems that you’ve had a awesome year when it comes to marketing. Thanks a lot for all your tips. I’m going to download the calendar and take a closer look at the course you’re recommending.
Happy holidays.
Jens P. Berget recently posted..Free Kindle Books – How To Find Them
Hi Jens, I hope that you had a great Christmas
It was sad news with my mum but looking on the bright side, she’s still with us so we’re very lucky really.
The year ended very well and is in fact my best year since starting online and that’ll be even better next year Jens.
Have a Happy New year Jens and I’ll catch you up again real soon.
Take care, Barry
Twitter: SylvianeNuccio
Sorry for being so late on this post Barry. I am sorry about your mom, actually I’ve just learned today from Adrienne Smith that it’s how she got to know you, when you were talking about your mom’s health issues on Twitter. I totally understand all that. Been there.
However, you’ve done great and your blog looks great too. I am looking forward to have that interview with you as soon as you are ready!
Have a very happy New Year!!!
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Sylviane Nuccio recently posted..Why Should You Use Article Directories To Promote Your Blog
Hi Sylviane, I hope that you had a fantastic Christmas
You don’t ever need to say sorry for being late getting here my friend. I am always late getting other peoples posts
Yes it was how Adrienne and I connected, through tweets of my mums health issues. My mum’s still with us so we’re blessed in that way.
Thanks for the compliments on my blog Sylviane, it’s appreciated. I’m off to hospital in about 30 minutes and won’t be discharged until the end of the week, I hope. Once I’m back we can get on and hold the interview. Should be ok for one day next week?
Have a Happy New Year Sylviane
Take care, Barry
Hi Barry,
I hope that Christmas went well for you and your family and you will have a great 2012. It’s sad to hear about your mother, I feel your pain. Two of my Uncles suffer from dementia and so does my wife’s Aunt. Let’s all hope that the doctors make headway in conquering this dreadful illness.
Peace and love.
Ed.
Hi Ed, sorry for the delay in replying mate but i’ve just come home from a short hospital stop. Nothing to worry about, just a check over that took a few days due to my condition.
Christmas was fantastic this year, thanks Ed. I had my mum over and she was able to enjoy it this year which was a blessing. I hope that you also had a good one my friend and hope that you have a great new years bash tonight as well.
Sorry to hear that so many of your family suffer with dementia, a truly wicked illness that i hope the powers that be learn to cure in the near future.
Have a very Happy new Year Ed and I’ll catch you up next year
Take cate, Barry
Twitter: IMarketerLinda
Hi Barry,
Great job on all those winnings!!
Loved your video!!
Hope 2012 is one of the best for us both
Linda
Hi Linda,
I hope that you had a fantastic Christmas and saw the new year in with a smile
I had a great year last year with all the wins I had
Glad you liked the video, there’s more to come.
I hope 2012 is the best year online for us all Linda.
Best of luck my friend,
Barry
Twitter: LogAllot
It has been a great year for you and you deserved all the stuff you won. Blogging takes time and true effort. You do allot to reach out and excuse me for my absence lately. Having bronchitis left me bed ridden for over a week and a half, but I am back and glad to see what a great year you had. Thanks Barry for the tweets and continued blog love!
Sonia recently posted..If I Could Start My Blog Over I Would……
Hi Sonia, Happy New Year my friend.
I’m sorry to hear that you had bronchitis and hope that you’re now over it completely. Were you laid up over Christmas and new year? I hope you weren’t and that you were able to enjoy the festive season.
Yes i had an excellent year last year, what with all my wins that allowed me to progress online. Now to get moving with it all and put it to good use
You’re very welcome to the sharing Sonia, great content needs to be seen by the masses and you do have some great content on your blog
I hope that you’re back to full health now mate
Take care, Barry