If I Had To Start Over. . . [Archive] - ClickNewz Members Area

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 12:03 AM

I am a relative newbie at internet marketing per se but I find the lack of practicals among most internet gurus somewhat appaling (not pointing at anyone in particular).

Many sell hope. That's what is generally sold. The hope of making a living over the internet. But hope without the practical nuts and bolts of step 1, step 2, and so forth is just an exercise in futility or at the very least a long, slugging, drawn out exercise in learning the step 1, step 2, etc. on your own.

Me?

I am focusing on what needs to be done one step at a time. Guru or no guru.

If you want to join me in discussing one of the most fundamental but all out important keys to internet marketing success (if I can use the term key) come join me in a thread I started...

http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/members/showthread.php?p=11721#post11721

It's titled "Anybody for serious, I mean serious keyword niche market brainstorming?"

If you don't have good...take two...GREAT keyword phrases to focus on from the very get go...you will likely spin your wheels all over the place and be frustrated by the lack of traffic and make things a lot more difficult for yourself.

My aim is to become an expert at picking red hot niches to focus on. Whether to use those niches and capitalize on Adsense, affiliate marketing, my own product creation...doesn't matter.

We have to figure out where the fish are and go and give them some bait! Without that we will remain mediocre fishermen (or women :D) at best and downright failures at fishing at worst.

Carlos

Jan Ferrante

September 21st, 2009, 07:10 AM

I completely see where you're coming from on this. I've seen the same kind of thing and at this point just roll my eyes.

I listened to an audio from a marketer that I do really like interviewing someone who is quite popular and well known. She is relatively new and has had quick success. What I didn't like was that in the interview she said that she put together a podcast series interviewing people and made 33,000 on the first one with I forget how many listeners, probably at least over 1,000.

In my world it surely doesn't happen that way, after 2 years I'd probably be happy to have 2 on the call :) and if I made 1 sale I'd be calling it a good day.

Yes, I do think we're missing something - there are so many variables involved that aren't spoken about - I suspect a lot of them involve people skills, stepping out of your comfort zone (many of the successful ones are already comfortable and familiar with these things because they come from a corporate or professional background, many have worked in media before OR they have the chutzpa to take a deep breath and do it - most of them believe in themselves at a deep level - that seems to be a constant) and even your own level of personal magnetism - yes, I do think that is a factor here.

These are all things that can be worked on and improved, but skipping over that step is leaving a big piece of the puzzle out of the picture.

For me, if I had to start over I would have been tighter focused and set things up that way - I have tried to go after a few different niches under the same brand/umbrella. That makes it hard for me to 'be' anything and is spreading me too thin. (not that I will necessarily give up the niches, but I may rename them to be more generic and set up a more passive model for my 'minor' sites - I have a healthy habits blog that I think I will turn into a personal blog without the queenofkaos header, and I may change my WAHM blog to be branded something besides Queen of KAOS - and leave that brand for my at home blog which was the original plan.

If I was starting from scratch, I may have kept it to the home blog only and who knows, I may end up doing that.

things grow out of control very easily, best to keep a tight focus, then move on when that is manageable.

The other thing is to do far more writing doing keyword research first.

I've got volumes of articles that have no traffic because I didn't take this step, so I'm trying to get into the habit of it. It really does make a difference in traffic - but past that, testing and conversion is also key - I do have traffic to some pages but not enough conversion.

So my top 3 things I would be more mindful of if I was starting over...

focus (immersion in your market - and take things to completion before moving on)
keyword research
testing/conversion

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 07:46 AM

I had an interesting thought on this topic just last night, which I published on my blog this morning:

http://www.clicknewz.com/2050/personal-inspiration/

I'll be honest with you and say... it completely boggles my mind to imagine spending months, much less years, at Internet Marketing without earning a profit. There is no way I could have afforded to invest the time without a return.

If you are snacking on something as you read this, or know for sure where your next meal is coming from... you're in a better position than I have been more than once in my past.

I once lost 23 pounds in the 7 weeks it took me to actually get the checks in my hand, working non-stop and feeding only my 2 children with the bill collectors on hold. I've never gone without a day since.

When you're in the position of "work or watch your children starve" you'd be amazed at what you can accomplish.

You can blame the gurus, blame the lack of detail in their interviews, or blame the lack of a step-by-step plan all you want. But in the end it comes down to ME. Or to YOU. We are in charge of our own future. Period.

Every business or business model is unique to the person that creates it. There is no one-size-fits-all method of making money online. There are successful models, which you've found that people freely share on their blogs and in their newsletters. And that's great - but it's not a blueprint. Just proof and inspiration, guidance and resources.

Being an entrepreneur is about having that creative freedom, and that intuition, to turn an idea into profit. If you want to be told what to do, every step of the way, then you might as well get a job that has a guaranteed paycheck every week or every month. If you want the freedom to create a business and create your own lifestyle, you have to dig in and make it happen.

Consider all the things you feel are "missing" in your Internet Marketing education. None of that was available at all in the 90's. Yet somehow there were people who started websites and profitable online businesses back then. Without a mentor, without a podcast, without an ebook to go by.

Imagine for a moment that you had nothing but an old computer and an internet connection. That you'd already sold all of your clothes and furniture, save the clothes on your back and the computer in the floor. Imagine that you have 4 children, and you also sold their clothes and toys. You have enough food to last your family maybe a week if you're conservative, and no idea how you're going to pay the next rent or mortgage payment. What would you do?

Now... go do that.

brad

September 21st, 2009, 08:41 AM

Awesome Lynn. Thanks.

WAHumor

September 21st, 2009, 08:42 AM

"Imagine for a moment that you had nothing but an old computer and an internet connection. That you'd already sold all of your clothes and furniture, save the clothes on your back and the computer in the floor. Imagine that you have 4 children, and you also sold their clothes and toys. You have enough food to last your family maybe a week if you're conservative, and no idea how you're going to pay the next rent or mortgage payment. What would you do?

Now... go do that."

This may well rank as the ultimate Lynnism. :cool:

I think Jan hit it on the head when she said, "...get out of your comfort zone."
I decided to forcibly pry myself out of mine, or at least I will. Because it's a total must-do. No excuses, no reasons, it just IS.

Yep, there's loads of business models and lots of step-by-step methods. As I see it, you absolutely need only 4 things to get started:

1. An idea you've confirmed can work.

2. An autoresponder account.

3. A website or blog.

4. Getting out there.

The rest will come.

No. 1 has always been my biggest stumbling block. Be nicer to your toes than I have...think long and hard about what interests you from a lot to a little, pick a handful at a time to thoroughly check out and do so.

In reality, that's all YOU have to do for yourself. A good autoresponder like Aweber will have first rate training materials available, and there's loads of help to be found for website/blog setup, especially here.

Oh, and questions. Lots and lots of questions. Not "Why am I not worth the gum on the bottom of my shoe?" questions, but "How do I do this?" and "Where can I get that?" questions. Positive, productive, worthwhile.

I promise anyone who reads this: We like questions here. We answer them. We know where you're coming from, and we're here to help.

We just can't do it FOR you, and vice versa.

Dan

Melissa_Ingold

September 21st, 2009, 09:04 AM

I once lost 23 pounds in the 7 weeks it took me to actually get the checks in my hand, working non-stop and feeding only my 2 children with the bill collectors on hold. I've never gone without a day since.

Tears came to my eyes when I read that Lynn :-(

It reminds me of when I first started...I was surviving on maternity leave funds and baby bonus, had a deadbeat boyfriend who couldn't hold a job, took most of the money I had, and was never around. I wrote articles and submitted to magazines.

A year later, I was single mom on welfare with nothing left at the end of the month. My only luxury...dial-up Internet and an ancient computer. My daughter was a year old, I couldn't drive because I didn't have a licence at that time, and didn't have a car to drive even if I did. I moved to a town where I didn't know anyone.

I couldn't go to work because I couldn't get there (no public transportation), and there was a waiting list at the daycare so I had no one to watch my daughter if I did.

So yes, it's pretty amazing what you can do when you need to feed and diaper a baby and you only have $800 month and your rent is $500. Which is why I soon found out I could make money fast by writing online, so that's the direction I went. Before I knew it I was off assistance and surviving completely on the money I brought in...it was a great feeling!

I think that's what really drives a lot of us in the beginning...the desperate need to succeed because we have no other choice.

Jan Ferrante

September 21st, 2009, 09:20 AM

Hi Lynn, it boggles my mind too!

What really boggles my mind is the number of people doing it (spending years and not seeing a decent return). It isn't easy, at least not for every one, and lots of us have put in long hours and tried our best.

Not to say we did everything right, but for many of us, the effort and need was there. Probably most of the people struggling with their online business do have another source of income which is why many of us for so long thought everyone was doing so well (it wasn't long ago that no one would admit to not doing well - I think it's a new phenomena as 'internet years' grow longer.)

But I don't think it would be hard to find people who need the money to put food on the table.

I don't talk about this online, but when I started I was in a marriage with an active alcoholic who was making my life hell on earth with 3 little kids to look after. I lived and breathed making my business work so that I could get out but it wasn't enough.

I made money, but not enough to survive on. I had reason up the whazzo but I still couldn't do it.

As I type this now, I feel shame for not going out and getting a job and starting a new life instead. For making my kids wait while I kept trying. That's probably why I am so passionate about calling it as it is.

I didn't feel that I had many options back then without a full analysis of why/why not do something else - at the time I truly thought that my own business was the only answer.

As it worked out, my husband learned a lot of lessons the hard way, straightened up, and my main business is comparable to what I'd make at a minimum wage job with expenses etc with lots of room to grow so it's not all doom and gloom but it was tough back then and I still don't know for sure that I did the right thing - more because of my own feelings of failure and their effect on me than anything else.

And even as I type I can see that the reasons for my situation were my own short comings and maybe that's my point. It isn't all paint by number, there is so much about success that is dependent on the person - their shortcomings and strong points that we aren't all on a level playing field.

I'm not blaming any gurus for that, I didn't know of any back then, and to be honest, if I did I wouldn't have had the focus that I did on my business. I'm sure that there was something I should have done differently, I just couldn't tell you what. I don't think that I could possibly have put more effort into it.

What I suppose I am saying is that some people have it and some don't - and the 'it' is what we all want to have and maybe even need to be a real success. And people who have 'it' will tell you that everyone can have 'it', but if you don't, it is darn illusive.

What I don't like is when people say that making a living online is easy, to entice new people in and to keep 'old' people from quitting - and spending money on courses etc etc. If it was easy, there would be a whole lot more people online making a real paycheck - and beyond. There are plenty with beautiful websites, great content who know their stuff inside out and backwards who aren't making a dime and have no idea what they are doing wrong in spite of umpteen dozen courses.

My question (not in particular to anyone, just something I ask myself) is how can some make so much, and the majority make so little. Is it so precise an arena that you have to get every slightest tiny detail right?

I actually don't think so, but I do think that there are some things that can mess you up if you get them wrong.

Which is what I think is really valuable about this thread.

Asking "What would you do over", really makes a person pinpoint the right things to do.

It's always nice to dig a little deeper and I think that maybe 'it' is willingness to step out of your comfort zone - willingness to experience and to step up.

There are so many things that can come from that one thing over time.

I can't say for sure that everything you may do that is out of your comfort zone will give results, but those are the things that I always wonder about.

ScottTousignant

September 21st, 2009, 09:55 AM

Nicole also interviewed me for her Success Cast. You can listen to the interview here...

Online Success Cast #11 Scott Tousignant "Fat Loss Quickie" (http://nicoleonthenet.com/2009/online-success-cast-11-scott-tousignant-fat-loss-quickie/)

You can also download the transcripts here: Success Cast Transcripts (http://www.fatlossquickie.com/blog/uploaded/SuccessCast11-Scott.pdf)

I provide a very detailed response of what I would do and it starts on page 29 of the transcripts. This is something that anyone can do. It won't make you millions of dollars, but it will definitely get the ball rolling for you.

Please read Lynn's post that she just referred to. It's absolutely brilliant. I'm not greater than you, more talented than you, or more special than you... but I am capable of greatness and I certainly know that with the utmost of confidence.

You are capable of greatness as well... it's time to believe in your unique abilities and gifts and put them to good use.

Success is there for all of us to grab and enjoy. Admit that you deserve success and got out and receive it.

bigrac

September 21st, 2009, 09:57 AM

Not to put a downer on things, but there are some people who wouldn't make a profit if you gave them a thousand years and are perhaps deluding themselves about their chances of success.

So much depends on the amount of drive and mental strength and imagination you possess, whatever your life circumstances or starting point.

Technically, anyone could achieve great things on the internet, but it's a sad fact that most won't because they simply lack the ability to do so, regardless of the amount of opportunities open to them.

Rich

ScottTousignant

September 21st, 2009, 10:10 AM

Wow... as I was writing my post... more incredible comments came in. You all ROCK! Wow... what a great conversation.

I think I may have surprised Lynn when I interviewed her nearly a year ago and told her that it took me 18 months to earn my first dollar online. I believe her words were something along the line, "If you were my husband I would have kicked you to the curb" :) I'm paraphrasing :)

I'm seriously lucky to have an understanding and supportive wife, although there were certainly times where she questioned me and asked the all so important question, "What's your breaking point". Basically she told me to set a date and if I didn't reach a certain financial goal I should pack it in. Boy do I ever love her for saying that.

This was all after I had claimed bankruptcy from a failed health club.

I was however busting my butt during the day with my personal training business while learning Internet Marketing at night after the kids were in bed. So at least I was bringing in some good money in the process, but I sure wish I would have started earning money online much sooner than I had.

Looking back at my journey, I feel that it was lack of focus in the beginning that held me back. I had no direction. I was buying ebooks with big claims and promises but little applicable knowledge.

I swore that I would never buy another ebook again because they just seemed to tease you and try to get you to go into their home study courses.

But just recently I purchased 3 ebooks that cost less than $20 and they are having a great impact on my business.

It wasn't until I hired mentors that I gained that focus.

I always acknowledge my mentors as the biggest reason for my success. But they always reply directly back and say, "Scott, it's not our mentoring that made you a success, it's that you took what we taught you and you actually applied it."

Mentors have many students, yet many of them don't apply the advice so all the guidance is useless.

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 10:26 AM

Thanks everyone for your responses. It was about as I expected it would be. There is a lot of wisdom in it all.

My summary;

It is up to each of us to do or not do.

Stop whining and do something.

There is no one way, except to find "your/my" way.

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 11:17 AM

Imagine for a moment that you had nothing but an old computer and an internet connection. That you'd already sold all of your clothes and furniture, save the clothes on your back and the computer in the floor. Imagine that you have 4 children, and you also sold their clothes and toys. You have enough food to last your family maybe a week if you're conservative, and no idea how you're going to pay the next rent or mortgage payment. What would you do?

Hmmm....forgive me if I interject a non internet marketing suggestion into this discussion Lynn.

If I was in that boat...

I would open my bible, come before God in all honesty and ask Him what to do! Followed by calling local churches to see if anyone might be willing to let me clean their toilets or in some other way make enough to feed my children. I would go down to the local hamburger joint and try and get some job...any job and if need be fast until my regular paychecks came in.

God is a real being not some make believe grandpa that resides in the words of church goers and it has been my experience in life that he helps those who call on Him in sincerity and truth.

I certainly for sure would NEVER recommend that anyone start in on internet marketing as a way to make a living in that situation. I would first focus on stabilizing my situation somewhat before plunging into internet marketing of any type.

Internet marketing is not the end all and be all to life. It takes time and patience and as you righly point out it takes someone who will take the bull by the horn and hang on no matter who or what gets in their way.

But it is not a way to make money quickly. At least not realistically for most.

As always there are exceptions but those exceptions do not negate the reality of internet marketing for most who have a much harder time at it.

I myself might end up seeing some great success but behind every internet marketing success there are plenty of times when one was not succeeding so well but just kept going. People don't see that and most gurus don't get down to being real about the ways they struggled (unlike yourself Lynn which is refreshing to hear from you) which inevitably leads others following in their tracks to believe that there is no struggle. That money on the Internet grows on computer screens and that if they just follow behind this or that guru that everything is going to work out just fine.

Unlike you Lynn I believe there is somewhat of a blueprint to follow. Starting with the basics. One step at a time. That first step has to do with keyword research. Picking winners. I am on that journey of a thousand steps and guru or no guru I will make my own success, God willing. By focusing on the basics and doing those basics real well.

Carlos

ArikaL

September 21st, 2009, 11:21 AM

Honestly, the bottom line is...

If you want (or need) anything bad enough you WILL make it happen.

Granted for some the learning curve is a bit longer, but until you buckle down and do the things necessary to reach your own success (again, your success is not the same as anyone else's success) it just isn't going to come.

jkgourmet

September 21st, 2009, 11:30 AM

Lynn, a potential viral ebook in the making, hitting three red hot markets all at the same time: "let a WAHM teach you how to make money in Internet marketing a lose 27 pounds in Only 6 Weeks!!!". Free bonus of "quick and cheap meals your kids will love. :)

seriously, I love this thread. To use an overused and abused word, its empowering. I worked hard for that weekly unemplyment check, a little money in the bank and the incredible luxury of no debt -- but that same stuff is allowing me to feel complacent and spin my wheels on research, reading, and, yes, posting on forums like this. Tine to go and do something directly to earn some money!!

Thanks to all for the virtual kick in the arse.

Jeanette

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 11:36 AM

Your sharing some wonderful life insight Jan. Success or no success in internet marketing. Thanks for sharing.

I have a tendency to be down on gurus. I need to watch that. What I am down on is that type of guru who hypes hope trying to pull money out of every Tom, Dick, and Hary (or Sally LOL).

Lots of folks hype hope to those that need hope. And in selling them hope they plunge them into near despair. That's what I am against!

Many gurus are no different than MLM huksters. Promising everyone and their next door neighbor that they will find success if they attach themselves to their rising star. When the fact is that not everyone will succeed. They can but they won't.

There are as you rightly point out many, many variables involved. We can try our best and still fail. Life is that way.

I do believe that internet marketing holds out great promise for many but there are some people that are just not cut out for the patient and persistence plugging along that it takes. One has to be willing to sit in front of a computer screen almost constantly at first. One has to be able to pull time away from other things to focus on internet marketing. It's tough for folks with lots of kids, married folks, and those who have more than full time jobs. It's doable but where will they find time.

A few years ago when I first tried my hand at internet success and failed my wife (with whom I am seperated at this point...not legally but in practice) could not for the life of her see the benefit to spending countless hours in front of my computer screen. It caused a strain in our relationship. I think I was a fool for having plunged ahead anyway without taking into account our relationship more.

As I said....internet marketing is not the end all and be all to life. It is simply a tool. It might work for some. Perhaps for many. But for others it's just not the right time or the best time to try and make a living from the Internet. If it ever will be.

That's just reality. That's just the way life is. Not everything is for everybody short of toilet paper :D

Just as a real business is. Not everyone should drop what they are doing and start a real life brick and mortar business and put their house up for security in the real world to start a business. For many it would be utterly foolish to do that.

As I see it an internet marketing business is no different. It's a business and should be treated as such. It will take everything you have to give to it at first with the rewards coming later. If you can't give it what it needs you shouldn't be involved in doing it until you can.

Carlos

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 11:46 AM

Technically, anyone could achieve great things on the internet, but it's a sad fact that most won't because they simply lack the ability to do so, regardless of the amount of opportunities open to them.

I disagree Rich. It's the old North American viewpoint that anyone who is poor is to blame for their poverty which is completely false.

Yes there are undoubtedly some that lack the ability as you say. But it is also possible to have ability and opportunity and not become a raging success on the internet.

Life sometimes doesn't cooperate through no fault of our own. I think we need to leave some room in our discussion for the possibility that some simply won't succeed because circumstances in their life simply don't let them.

I am not speaking of myself though I have failed in the past. I don't think I will be one of those failures at internet success. Indeed I have already succeeded though in a very small way. My internet success has come from starting a web development business.

I am speaking about some that may read this thread who will think themselves personal failures when in fact it may not be anything personal at all. It may be that life has simply intruded and made things near impossible with respect to being able to meet one's needs at any given point in time through internet marketing.

It is the wise person who may come to recognize that and might appropriately put internet marketing on the back burner for a while until a more opportune time.

Not everyone who is poor is a sluggard, lazy, or lacking in ambition. And not everyone who has not succeeded in internet marketing is likewise lacking in ambition, capacity to succeed, or is having trouble coping because they were dropped on their head by their mother as a little child.

There is truth in what some of you are saying. For sure. That some have simply not worked smart, have lacked ambition, whatever...but I believe it is also likewise true that others have had all it takes but for one reason or another beyond their control were not yet able to make it to internet success. Reasons that do not always have to do with anything in themselves but rather in the circumstances that life throws at them.

Carlos

jkgourmet

September 21st, 2009, 12:12 PM

I have a tendency to be down on gurus. I need to watch that. What I am down on is that type of guru who hypes hope trying to pull money out of every Tom, Dick, and Hary (or Sally LOL).

Lots of folks hype hope to those that need hope. And in selling them hope they plunge them into near despair. That's what I am against!

Many gurus are no different than MLM huksters. Promising everyone and their next door neighbor that they will find success if they attach themselves to their rising star. When the fact is that not everyone will succeed. They can but they won't.

not to be combative, but doesn't this sort of contradict what you are doing with the 20+ adsense sites you are spending all that time and energy on?

You KNOW how to make money in IM - you've already done it. That puts you a few miles ahead of some of us. If I were in your position, I'd be pitting my time and energy into something that I already KNOW will make money AND have long term value and growth.

While I don't disagree that adsense sites can be an alternate income stream, I can't help but feel that your time would be better spent working on your core business rather than testing a guru's theory that will produce, at best, a temporary return ROI - the I is your valuable time

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 12:29 PM

You KNOW how to make money in IM - you've already done it. That puts you a few miles ahead of some of us. If I were in your position, I'd be pitting my time and energy into something that I already KNOW will make money AND have long term value and growth.

While I don't disagree that adsense sites can be an alternate income stream, I can't help but feel that your time would be better spent working on your core business rather than testing a guru's theory that will produce, at best, a temporary return ROI - the I is your valuable time

A valid point and one I have considered. It's possible my Adsense stuff will come to nothing though I doubt it.

But...my web development work is not consistent and even if it was it is unlikely that I could do it very successfully from South America as easily as I could do Adsense.

My goal is to be able to make enough to live in South America and live well there. In such a way that I can leave the computer screen behind and get involved in many other things.

Web development work won't do that for me. That is why I have entered into Adsense.

Secondly...I am walking in the footsteps of some of the best Adsense folks around bar none. I mean bar none. They know what they are doing. I believe I can imitate what they have done. My skills are way beyond even theirs on the technical side and I can most definitely do what they do on the non-technical side. I see their success as my success. It is within reach. Not a pie in the sky hope but a real success based on hard work and focus.

That is what I am aiming at.

Lastly and just as importantly my Adsense entry has enabled me to forge deals with those around me that are meeting my real needs for a place to live and food to eat. At least for the first 15 web sites. Oh...in addition to allowing for the registration and hosting costs of these first 15 domains.

I can't discount that. Even IF my Adsense endeavours come to nothing, which again is unlikely, it is providing a very real and right now benefit to me and my client partner both. We are both learning together and I am passing on to him what I know in a way that has him learning things 30 times faster than he could do on his own.

Learning all kinds of things about FTPing changes to a web site, about keyword phrase research, building web sites, you name it. All stuff that is valuable for him to learn even if our Adsense adventure comes to nothing.

Carlos

Julie Anna

September 21st, 2009, 12:36 PM

I was however busting my butt during the day with my personal training business while learning Internet Marketing at night after the kids were in bed.

That's where the rubber meets the road. It's the common thread that runs amongst all the folks who are successful online. They busted their butts.

Butt busting =
No sleep
No extra time
No extra money
No peace of mind because of the intensity of having to make it work
No hand holding and having to do all the brain and physical work alone
No understanding from offline friends
No one telling you what to do with external motivation so you get it done on time

The success comes with a hefty price tag. Some folks busted their rumps because they had to make it work like a few here who have noted so, and some because any other way just wouldn't do in their drive to be entrepreneurs, and some because they knew they had it in them.

Regardless though, they were willing to pay a price and did. What I like most about the desperation model (not that I recommend ever going there - watching people you love suffer has got to be the utmost of painful) but the logic is that you have nothing more to lose and you must make it work. That is some serious motivation. This is why I do feel fearful telling others to do what we did but sometimes taking the risk and adopting the mantra Just Do It does motivate you to make it work. What worked for us was quitting the plush corporate job and having a mortgage to pay in CA with eleven children to feed. (Yep this was br = before recession with forced lay offs and we were just plain crazy!). No truly, we wanted to be home with our kids before we hit age 70. This was a burning desire so real we were willing to make it happen. It has and I am thankful yet remember well the hard work behind it all.

So here's to more butt busting!

From butt busting to computer butt losing ...

JA

lisamariemary

September 21st, 2009, 12:42 PM

If we had 'Give thanks' in this forum - JA - you'd be getting one - and how! - from me! I loved your response!! :D

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 12:49 PM

So here's to more butt busting!

May I say a hearty Amen to that? Amen!

From butt busting to computer butt losing ...

Hmm...not sure I understand that nature of computer butt losing but sounds intriguing given that most butts tend to grow when one sits around so much (thankfully mine hasn't) LOL.

Hmm...might make for an interesting ebook title. The butt and your internet success OR Butt busting and losing for internet success!

LOL.

Carlos

lisamariemary

September 21st, 2009, 12:57 PM

Carlos - here is where the computer butt reference is coming from: http://nicoleonthenet.com/2009/you-are-invited-to-get-healthy-with-me/

Alan Petersen

September 21st, 2009, 01:00 PM

Lynn that was an absolutely terrific post! Everyone needs to read that before they spend $97, $1,997, $2,997 on the next great shiny thing to make money online.

You must break out of the employee mode and get into the entrepreneur mode in order to make it. I've always said that if you want to make "easy money" get a job where you collect a steady paycheck just by showing up.

Spending all day on a computer doesn't equate to working on your business. If you're just surfing online aimlessly without a plan for how your business is going to make money well you might as well watch TV all day. You'll get the same results on the earning front.

The true "secret" to succeeding online is YOU.

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 01:09 PM

Spending all day on a computer doesn't equate to working on your business. If you're just surfing online aimlessly without a plan for how your business is going to make money well you might as well watch TV all day. You'll get the same results on the earning front.

...

That was worth repeating, Alan ;)

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 01:35 PM

Carlos - here is where the computer butt reference is coming from: http://nicoleonthenet.com/2009/you-are-invited-to-get-healthy-with-me/

Too funny but so true. We need to all rise up from our chairs and do 10 jumping jacks! Ready, set? Go!

That's funny I don't hear anyone else doing this. Oh well...I'll take a video of myself doing 10 jumping jacks and turn it into an internet marketing sensation LOL.

Carlos

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 02:54 PM

I have loved all the responses. The stories of how you all are doing, whether making money or not, is worth the risk of posting the thread! We all do what we do. Some of us are able to do much, some of us, for whatever reason, are able to do less. The point is that we all try! To not try is to not live.

I have to admit that I wish I had the magic wand to turn my brand new IM biz into a money making machine, but then, I would miss all it is taking and will take to get where I want to be. I can't believe how much I have learned already and I feel like I barely know how to turn this danged computer on!

Thank you everyone, for sharing in this!

Julie Anna

September 21st, 2009, 02:58 PM

You'll get the same results on the earning front.

And the butt size front. ;)

... and sadly won't be able to afford Scott's membership. Hah! Ok, back on topic. Sorry Lynn. Snicker.

JA

David Jackson

September 21st, 2009, 03:14 PM

I have to admit that I wish I had the magic wand to turn my brand new IM biz into a money making machine.

Steve, that's the biggest IM myth of all. Despite what some irresponsible "gurus" are propagating, there is no magic wand, magic bullet or magic anything. There's just hard work, and constantly educating your mind and improving your skill set.

David Jackson

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 03:39 PM

Ahhh, David, you had to go and bust my bubble! Now what will I believe in? :D

lisamariemary

September 21st, 2009, 03:51 PM

The true "secret" to succeeding online is YOU.

Love this, too, Alan!!

David Jackson

September 21st, 2009, 03:55 PM

Ahhh, David, you had to go and bust my bubble! Now what will I believe in? :D

All joking aside, Steve, while you may not necessarily believe in magic wands, etc., there are plenty of marketers who do. My response was directed specifically at them. :)

David Jackson

lindastacy

September 21st, 2009, 05:42 PM

What I suppose I am saying is that some people have it and some don't - and the 'it' is what we all want to have and maybe even need to be a real success. And people who have 'it' will tell you that everyone can have 'it', but if you don't, it is darn illusive.

I completely agree with that! And as someone else said, we are each presented with a unique set of life circumstances that can make it easier or harder to succeed in business. Of course obstacles can be overcome, but I honestly don't think everyone is cut out to do it. I think there are people who should get and keep a job (or at least at times in their lives they should).

And I also think that the answer to "starting over" question, sometimes comes across as overly-simple even though I know that's not how you intend it. For example, I think most of the starting over answers include, "write content." If you've already been practicing that skill for 5 or 10 years it seems so much easier to you than it would be to someone who hasn't written anything at all during those same years. Starting over with just $100 and all the skill you developed in your last endeavors isn't the same as starting with $100 and little skill and experience.

Anyway... for the most part, I think we all agree... Strong desire, hard work, and perseverance can work for many people. But I still think there are people who just don't have "it" and never will.

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 06:02 PM

So let's define "IT"...

I liked your points Jan & Linda, about the starting over conversations. It's true that successful entrepreneurs would be starting over with skills already learned. Heck, I had a real life "start over" several years into my success - that was even worse than my original start-up year.

Mark Mason interviewed me for his MasonWorld.com podcast last week and he asked me if I believed anyone could do this. I said YES, if I can do this - anyone can. He said "but you've had 13 years experience - can someone brand new really do this?"... My reply? I didn't start out with that 13 years of experience. I started out exactly where everyone else did. With none.

I had no money, no credit (I couldn't even finance a pizza!), no college education, no real job experience - nothing to give me a head start. And I had 7 mouths to feed at the time (husband, 4 children, father-in-law all under one roof).

Back to that "IT" - what exactly do you think it is?

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 06:05 PM

Lynn jumped in while I was writing, but, my post is still what I want to say!

Anyway... for the most part, I think we all agree... Strong desire, hard work, and perseverance can work for many people. But I still think there are people who just don't have "it" and never will.

The question I have then is, can one develop "it?"

lindastacy

September 21st, 2009, 06:17 PM

So let's define "IT"...

Back to that "IT" - what exactly do you think it is?

Not sure I can define "IT", but here are some of the qualities present in people who have "IT":

A certain level of intelligence
Energy
Healthy enough
Some level of tolerance for risk
Either being the sole decision maker or having a family who supports (or at least tolerates) the situation
Perseverance
Ability to get up and get going again after failure

lindastacy

September 21st, 2009, 06:23 PM

The question I have then is, can one develop "it?"

Sorry to say, I don't think so. I think you can improve on "IT" if you have the basics or some minimal level, but if you don't have "IT" all you can't get "IT."

I also think it's probably hiding inside many people who think they don't have "IT."

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 07:21 PM

I had no money, no credit (I couldn't even finance a pizza!), no college education, no real job experience - nothing to give me a head start. And I had 7 mouths to feed at the time (husband, 4 children, father-in-law all under one roof).

I don't know if you have done this already Lynn but that would make for a very interesting and inspiring story. Have you ever put that to paper anywhere as in written an ebook or other to tell your story? From flat broke and 7 mouths to feed to where you are today?

Carlos

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 07:26 PM

Sorry to say, I don't think so. I think you can improve on "IT" if you have the basics or some minimal level, but if you don't have "IT" all you can't get "IT."

I also think it's probably hiding inside many people who think they don't have "IT."

I think I somewhat disagree with you. Maybe not. Anyway, I think everybody can develop IT if they try. Now, sure, everybody will have different results depending on their circumstances and, most importantly, their desire to make the change. IT isn't easy at all!!! IT can be the toughest thing you might ever do. I know, I'm proof of this pudding and still working on IT.

I may be wrong, but my hope and prayer is that people can change and can develop IT.

jkgourmet

September 21st, 2009, 07:32 PM

And since "IT" is different for different people, I'd tend to agree with you Steve. Know what you are good and and DO IT. Work on your weak area(s) until you are go AT IT.

That's "IT" to me.

bigrac

September 21st, 2009, 07:37 PM

Now we are getting to the kernel of what I was trying to say in the first place.

Let's use the analogy of a Las Vegas slot machine, for want of a better example.

Thousands of people will play that machine with grit, determination, belief, single-mindedness, commitment and they will invest a considerable amount of time and money to hit the jackpot.

But unless all seven reels drop into place at the right time, they will not hit the jackpot, indeed, they will be worse off than when they started.

Now, that is not to say that achieving success online is a gamble, but merely an illustration that it takes an alignment of sorts to be in place for that ambition to be realized.

For someone who is naturally gifted with a powerful internal drive, it may be hard for them to understand or empathize with folks who for one reason or another, lack the ability to produce the consistent level of performance that is required in building a solid home based business - online or offline.

In addition, people have vastly different skill sets, some take more easily to the various disciplines that are required to knuckle down and earn money online - and others simply do not have that capacity.

I know it is not a popular message, but we all know it to be true.

Of course, they could do it.

We all know that. Potential is not the issue here.

Ultimately, people need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Forget writing out that business plan. The very first thing you need to decide is if you are suited to running your own business.

A long and hard introspective is the one step that many self-starters overlook.

Rich

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 07:45 PM

David Jackson

September 21st, 2009, 07:55 PM

Mark Mason interviewed me for his MasonWorld.com podcast last week and he asked me if I believed anyone could do this. I said YES, if I can do this - anyone can.

Hmmmmm...I thought about this for a few minutes, Lynn. And I have to disagree with you. I don't think anyone can do it. I really don't. I think you have to have something deep inside of you that drives you to do it. I can't really quantify what that something is. Some people call it desire. Some call it drive. Others call it the will to win. But whatever you want to call IT, IT simply does not exist in everyone.

Let me give you a real life example. My cousin was a great highschool football player. He had all the physical tools to make it to the NFL. He had Jim Brown written all over him. That's not just my opinion, that was also the opinion of dozens of division one colleges that recruited him.

He eventually accepted a full athletic scholarship to Arizona State. Two weeks after arriving on campus that fall, he called home saying that he was homesick and wanted to come home. His mother (my aunt) told him he could come home if he wanted to.

He never went back to school - any school. He now drives a truck for UPS. Despite all of his marvelous physical gifts, my cousin didn't have the mental makeup to succeed. He didn't have IT.

Unfortunately, not everyone does!

David Jackson

bigrac

September 21st, 2009, 07:58 PM

Oh yeah Rich, I agree that not all people are able to become IM giants. What I am saying is that people can develop the ability to succeed.

I also agree that the first thing to do is look at yourself and ask the question, "what is my purpose, or what is it I am talented to do and what is it that I want to do?"

That being said, I believe that people are more in control of themselves than they are a slot machine. They have the ability to change, the ability to learn the skills that will bring about some level of satisfaction.

OK, let me be absolutely clear.

I did not use the phrase 'IM Giants' and the slot machine reference was an analogy, rather than an example.

And actually, no, many people do not have the ability to learn those skills you refer to, and those are the people who are unfortunately sucked into chasing a dream that, for them, will be forever elusive.

Rich

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 08:06 PM

I'm not in total agreement with this turn of the conversation on IT. I'm thinking... it sounds like bull**IT. It sounds like a real nice excuse not to succeed, or a landing pad for those that feel like giving up. "I just don't have IT" - pfft.

That said, let's go along with the idea that successful people have something special that some people just can't learn or obtain or ever have. How sad is that? Really?

Christian or not, I suggest you read The Parable of the Talents. Everyone is given something, not the same thing, and you are obligated to discover it and live up to it's full potential.

This whole IT discussion goes completely against the concept of being a "self starter" - of being self-motivated, self-taught, with a desire to be self-employed.

You really think I possess something that you do not?

I'm flattered. :rolleyes:

Everything I possess - tangible or intangible - was earned, bought through sweat and elbow grease, or came as a result (reward?) to my being consistent and persistent.

You've got to want it bad enough. That's what IT is.

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 08:08 PM

No, I used the term IM Giants.

I just meant that a person may not become someone that everyone would say, "Oh that, Whomever, is sure a successful Im'er. I do believe that many people, maybe not all, but more than do, can develop the skills to be proficient.

I don't want to argue the point as to if a person can change, I know they can, because I have. I guess I just hate to hear people make excuses for themselves as to why they can't do this or that. I did it for years. You know how it is, ex-smokers are the ones who have little tolerance for smokers. I hate to hear people make excuses for themselves when they haven't really tried.

If they have tried and could not do whatever it was they were trying, then it is time for them to step back and re-evaluate themselves honestly. Perhaps they are not in the right spot, but that doesn't mean they are failures in life, just that they might be better off going at it another way, orin another direction.

bigrac

September 21st, 2009, 08:24 PM

Great, we got Lynn annoyed, that should stir things up!

With the greatest of respect though, people have to get past this 'if you want it bad enough, it will happen' mindset.

For some, it won't. Ever.

I understand though that this message does not sit well in this type of forum, but I was thinking more of those who are sucked in at the periphery of internet marketing by the 'Get Rich Quick' schemes and are therefore unlikely to be found in this type of forum.

Sure, the reality is not a nice one, but many people are just not up to it.

And never will be.

ps. I didn't say I was one of them

Rich

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 08:34 PM

Rich, where I will absolutely jump on the wagon with you is the people that get sucked into the get rich quick schemes and are told, "If you just want it bad enough, it will happen" without mentioning to them that they will have to really work at it! That they will have to do some really inside work with themselves and decide, is this something I really want and am willing to work for, or not!

One of the things I did not like with the movie "The Secret," was that this is what I thought they were presenting. Just give your desires out into the Universe, and it will happen. Lay back on the couch and wait for it. This is where my **it gets up!

Ya can't just wish anything! Yeah, ya gotta want it, but you have to work for it too. :rolleyes:

Susanne Myers

September 21st, 2009, 08:34 PM

From my personal experience and that of some friends who are also doing well online, "it" is to just jump in and do it.

You don't need to be a risk taker unless you consider spending $10 a year for a domain and $5 a month on hosting a risk.

You don't have to be tech-savvy or very smart. If you can write email or participate on a forum, you have the basic skills to make it online.

You don't have to be healthy or have a bunch of energy or drive... you just have to be able to sit down and do something to grow your website every single day. I was severely depressed when I first quit my job. At this point my websites were making about $100 a month. I wrote articles and did VA work to supplement our income until my websites were making as much as I used to make in my old job.

You just have to really want it.

For me "it" was quitting my job after we lost our son during my 7th month of pregnancy. I just couldn't bare to thought of missing another day with my daughter. My husband started working exclusively online about a year later and yes, we struggled to make it and raked up a bunch of debt just to pay for our mortgage and food, but it made us sit down each day and do the grunt work.

We didn't spent a bunch of money on ebooks and courses, we just looked at what was working for us and did a lot more of it. We did our keyword research, added content, got links through social bookmarking sites and articles and tweaked the ads on our sites.

Of course we also had some projects that we put a lot of work into that never made more than a few pennies, but we moved on to something that was working and did something every single day to build on it. Work fast, fail fast and move on

Nowadays we do spent a good bit of money on tools, outsourcing and courses / conferences, but each time I make that purchase, I sit down and figure out how I can make at least that much more. Most of the time it works, and when it doesn't, I keep working until I've made the money.

Yes, there is a lot of noise out there with the latest and greatest tool/ course/ ebook etc. and there are always ideas for new projects, sites to surf etc. "It" might be being desperate or focused enough to ignore all the noise and put the things we all know work into action, and then sitting down and actually doing all the little (and sometimes boring) everyday tasks instead of looking for a shortcut.

Pick a market
Don't reinvent the wheel, look for something that people are already spending money.

Do your keyword research

Build your site around those keywords

Get incoming links to those pages (article marketing, guest blogging, leaving comments, social bookmarking etc.) using the keywords and keyphrases as anchor text.

Monetize your pages with either affiliate products or your own products.

Rinse and Repeat and do what you can to improve your sites (by adding an option form to build a list for example).

As far as the keyword research and optimizing your pages for those keywords goes, I recommend you read Dan Thies's Seo Fast Start. It's free and one of the best pieces of information I've come across on the topic. Lynn has a review of it here.
http://www.clicknewz.com/2042/seo-fast-start-review/

Susanne Myers

bigrac

September 21st, 2009, 08:44 PM

Well thanks, Stephen, for meeting me halfway on this.

There is a strong vibe around here (and twitter) that if you don't make it, in life or in business, you are somehow just not trying hard enough.

These people are not blaming the world, or guru's or their circumstances for their failures.

Nor are they looking for sympathy, or seeking to blame anyone.

I have spoken to many people like this online and offline, Kevin Riley even spoke about this type of person on his blog.

Whether you like it or not, you cannot turn everyone into a success story, they are not wired that way.

Witness this twitter post, that Lynn herself RT'd.

RT @OmarMReyes: even if there were a blueprint, some people would still not follow it - they would still lack the motivation to succeed.

That's all I am saying.

Rich

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 08:50 PM

I recommend everyone read Think and Grow Rich (http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/ThinkAndGrowRich.zip) by Napoleon Hill, and learn about the "burning desire" and how to create it.

It's a free download from this site.

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 08:52 PM

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 08:52 PM

RT @OmarMReyes: even if there were a blueprint, some people would still not follow it - they would still lack the motivation to succeed.

Motivation is not some magical, elusive, mysterious... IT.

It's the definition of "wanting it bad enough".

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 09:02 PM

And I agree with that tweet.

It doesn't mean that they couldn't, but there is somethingin them that won't let them.

My own grandson was told by his immediate family that he was stupid. practically from the time he was born. He finally dropped out of school as junior in high school. He just couldn't pay attention. When he dropped out and went to get his GED, they tested him to see what his abilities were. They found he was very bright, brilliant and that's why he couldn't pay attention, he was bored, but he had always been told he was stupid.

He work nothing jobs making no money and barely gets by. He could be just about anything, but"he's stupid."

I understand that not everyone will be a success. I also understand that it is rare that a person couldn't be much more whether in Im or something else, if they believed in themselves and worked for it.

Thanks for the wonderful discussion! I have loved it! :)

BobTheTeacher

September 21st, 2009, 09:03 PM

First, thanks calling me Doctor, although I didn't go to that level of grad school :)

Although we're talking about IT now, I'll answer the initial question of "if i had to start over..." Lynn mentioned it somewhere in there that Nicole's question works on the supposition that we lose everything but our experience and what we know. Our skills developed are still there. That's pretty important.

Also remember in the interview with Nicole, my first product was created 6 months after I started in IM, but 2 years after I started trying to make significant money, and 7 years after I started my initial web design business (which never had more than 2 clients at a time, by the way, and included my parents who fired me... different story for another day).

We do speak in terms of blueprints in the sense of laying out the steps that worked for us, and that have worked for some of those that follow.

Lynn brings up the parable of the talents, and I think that this part of the discussion has gone overlooked. Not every one SHOULD be trying to make money with internet marketing because they COULD be doing something else that would take less time to monetize and they'd have more fun in the process. Most people who buy my programs that don't succeed are trying too hard at doing everything but what they are already good at. Mainly, they don't value the skills they have, and think that they don't have marketable knowledge.

That's where the big problem is in my mind: trying to learn business development while seeking out some foreign skill to learn and monetize. This was in the interview as well - how much easier it would have been for me to make info products around education, learning, etc. (Maybe that's why I love DiscoverFreemind so much as a product :)

Anyway, there are a few pennies of my own thrown in to the mix.

Bob Jenkins, MLA not PhD :)

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 09:08 PM

First, thanks calling me Doctor, although I didn't go to that level of grad school :)

Bob Jenkins, MLA not PhD :)

Sorry about that Bob, A slip of the keyboard I guess! Maybe I was giving you a promotion!

I went back and fixed it!

ScottTousignant

September 21st, 2009, 09:09 PM

Rich, I for one am grateful that Lynn said what she did. That's exactly the type of response that I would have given.

It's kind of like my personal training clients telling me they have bad genetics and will never ever be able to get in shape. That's a bunch of crap because genetics only play a very small role (less than 18% of your results). With a willingness to do what it takes... actually doing what it takes, and making modifications as you go along the journey, even the least genetically gifted person can still achieve success.

I totally 100% agree with Lynn. Saying that you need to have IT opens the doors for excuses and causes people to give up. What if Thomas Edison listened to people who told him he didn't have IT and should give up when he was on his 999th attempt at creating the lightbulb. "Yep, maybe their right... I just don't have IT"

Sure there will be people who don't ever achieve their goals... but it certainly isn't because the don't have IT. It's because they gave up for whatever reason... and maybe they had a good reason to give up. But it has nothing to do with the thing that not one single person can define "IT"

Obviously Lynn isn't just saying that all you have to do is want it bad enough. Did you not read what she said? She put in a great deal of action toward achieving success and she earned the success.

You will not succeed if you don't want it bad enough. That is a mindset that you must have. If you don't want it bad enough it becomes all to easy to allow the smallest of obstacles and challenges to hold you back.

You need to do more than just want it bad enough, but if that willingness to do whatever it takes is not there, you will have a tough time achieving your goals unless you are setting some real lofty ones.

It actually doesn't flatter me to hear people say that I became successful because I have "IT". Sheesh... what a way to put down my efforts and hard work... almost making it sound like it's easier for me to succeed. As Lynn said pfft.

Back to my fitness example... It pisses me off when someone looks at my abs and says that I'm lucky that I have good genetics. Holy crap does that piss me off. I earned those abs. And I can get fat just as easily as almost anyone else... and in fact I have and I think I set the land record speed for putting on 45 pounds of fat.

I do believe that anyone... yes... absolutely anyone can succeed in business. It may be their first business, or maybe their second. I had a failed business before I became successful with this one.

I recommend watching the cartoon movie "Robots". It's probably one of the most inspirational movies that I've ever watched. There's some very powerful messages in there that I'm sure will hit home with many of you.

Take the night off. Go rent it and enjoy.

You have IT... whatever the hell IT is.

My reality is different from yours Rich. It's one where someone has a dream to go to the moon and I say... if you want it bad enough and are willing to do what it takes to find a way to make that a reality for us to see... Go For IT!

The reality is... anyone can succeed and has it within them to do so. I guess you could say it comes down to choice and some people simple choose to no longer pursue their dreams. But it doesn't mean that they don't have it within them to achieve it.

I believe that anyone can succeed if they follow the "What I would do if I had to start over with just $100" They won't make millions, but it may just be the thing that ignites the flame inside that burns to the tune of "I really can do this"

BobTheTeacher

September 21st, 2009, 09:09 PM

No worries Steve! I actually found it funny, and now my post doesn't make sense.

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 09:11 PM

An interesting and obvious trend in this thread...

Those who have reached some level of success - believe you can do it too.

I can't speak for everyone, but JMO was nobody special. He was a hustler hiding out in a cabin in the woods, doing odd jobs most of his life. Until he became the Jason Moffatt we all know and love today.

I think everyone has a little IT inside of them.

Looking forward to your report, Jason!

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 09:13 PM

I actually found it funny, and now my post doesn't make sense.

I went back and explained it. I don't want you losing street cred over my screw ups!! :D

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 09:15 PM

It actually doesn't flatter me to hear people say that I became successful because I have "IT". Sheesh... what a way to put down my efforts and hard work... almost making it sound like it's easier for me to succeed. As Lynn said pfft.

I agree Scott. It's personally offensive. Anyone who believes that has never walked a mile in my work boots.

StephenT

September 21st, 2009, 09:17 PM

An interesting and obvious trend in this thread...

Those who have reached some level of success - believe you can do it too.

Ooooo! Does this mean I'm successful? Well. . .soon!

ScottTousignant

September 21st, 2009, 09:19 PM

It is a pretty interesting trend eh Lynn? And I believe that's one of the key themes of Nicole's Success Cast... That we aren't any more special or any more 'lucky' than anyone else out there.

Looking forward to the IT Factor Jason. It will be interesting to hear your advice on accessing our IT and stepping out of our fear to embrace IT

Julie Anna

September 21st, 2009, 09:22 PM

It doesn't mean that they couldn't, but there is something in them that won't let them.

Yeah, their own mindset.

It comes down to having to make it work or else. This is why what we did was risky but if you can have that mindset without the risk, then great. I agree many people just don't have the stomach for it. That is not the same as saying they don't have it in them.

JA

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 09:26 PM

I agree, Tina. You're IT (which you DO have) makes itself known the moment you're ready. That moment for me was anger and resentment. I finally had enough one day and said screw it - I'll show you I CAN do it! That's when everything fell into place. Not overnight like magic, mind you - I had to work towards it every single day, like anything else in life worth having.

Of course, Scott and I did decide that there IS an easy way to get rich and lose 20 pounds by the end of the week: cut off your leg and rob a bank. (I recommend doing it in the other order)

Julie Anna

September 21st, 2009, 09:42 PM

That we aren't any more special or any more 'lucky' than anyone else out there.

I think it's ironic how that we end up discussing topics which I am mulling over in my brain elsewhere before they're discussed in full.

Just today during my walk I listened to Anne McKevitt say she is considered radical in her belief as no such thing as luck. In fact, it ticks her off when folks use the word luck or lucky. It just gives them an excuse to say 'well *I* don't have IT'. Ha! She didn't even know that we were discussing the very elusive IT when she said that ... we do know, however, IT is not luck for sure. :)

JA

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 09:45 PM

I was talking to my mother recently about how "lucky" (fortunate) I feel in my life. Basically just a talk of gratitude about where I am now vs 20 or even just 10 years ago.

Her reply: You worked hard to be so lucky.

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 09:49 PM

Hmm...interesting thread.

Those who succeed in internet marketing see themselves as regular folks who just worked real hard and persistently to achieve their internet success. Quite true.

And there are plenty of folks who are just as regular who won't become internet successes.

Why?

Either they lack opportunity (i.e. they are a poor person living in some African nation in a hut without the internet) or they just don't want to put in the work.

There are people in this world who lack the opporunity and their lack of success in internet marketing has nothing to do with lack of ability or desire. There are others who have no desire to work for it and have opportunity staring them in the face every day.

I guess what it boils down to is that people will either succeed or not in internet marketing for the same kind of reasons that people either succeed or not in real world brick and mortar businesses.

95% of the population doesn't start their own business. That's okay. Not everyone wants to do that. And not everyone has the resources or the equal opportunity to do that.

Not starting a business or starting one does not diminish or increase the value of the individual. We are not defined by our business success or lack thereof.

We are defined by how we live and treat our fellow man. Whether we walk with a clean conscience before God and man.

I guess I just don't ever want to look down on those who for one reason or another don't become internet successes is all I am saying.

For some it's a great way to make a living. For others...they would rather work for someone else and have a regular 9-5 job. Both choices can be sound and wise depending on what we want out of life.

Carlos

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 09:53 PM

Right, but anyone here on this forum is a self-starter, and definitely wants to succeed at online business - so the thread is focused on that specifically.

Omar

September 21st, 2009, 10:03 PM

In my book, success is simply being better than you are today.

If you are hungry and you find a meal - is that not success?

If you are broke and you find a dollar - is that not success?

Remember, success is what you define it to be, not what others say success should be.

So while we may not all have the opportunities, the luck, the tools to make six figures online, we all have what it takes to be better than we are today - and that my friend, is success!

I said - "even if there were a blueprint, some people would still not follow it - they would still lack the motivation to succeed" because motivation is just a stepping stone.

You still need persistence, committment, and patience.

I have never heard of a success story where someone became anything better by sitting around waiting. Every success story involves action - whether big or small.

I cannot guarantee that you may be able make money online by just being motivated, by being persistent, committed, and having patience. But I can guarantee that you will not make money online through a lack of motivation, lack of focus and commitment, and a lack of patience.

Which alternative would you prefer?

Oh, and if you are looking for a blueprint here is one for you...

Blueprint For Success

1. Decide You Want Better Than What You Have Now

2. Find a Motivating Factor

3. Take Action

4. Continue #3 until you have better than you have now

Omar Reyes

carlos123

September 21st, 2009, 10:06 PM

I cannot guarantee that you may be able make money online by just being motivated, by being persistent, committed, and having patience. But I can guarantee that you will not make money online through a lack of motivation, lack of focus and commitment, and a lack of patience.

That is a quote worth repeating Omar. Thank you.

Carlos

TomM

September 21st, 2009, 10:26 PM

I believe IT is simply understanding how to succeed, at least as it relates to Internet Marketing. Once you have tasted a small success and you see that it is possible, your natural IT will kick in and drive you forward. As a newbie at the very beginning of the process, I can look at others' success and say to myself, if they can do it, I can do it. That fills my IT needs until I see my own success. Those on this thread who say not everyone has IT are flat out wrong, sorry to say. There are many people who take a look at Internet Marketing and get frustrated by a lack of success or chase the shiny penny and quit. That is not a lack of IT that is a choice that they made. They decided to put their time and effort to another use. A decision, nothing more. I believe that I could hire those quitters and train them to do IM as a job, most of them would do quite well, secure in their paycheck. That is a choice, not an IT.

Jan Ferrante

September 21st, 2009, 10:29 PM

I don't know exactly what 'it' is, that's what we all want to know. :D

My best guess is that its self confidence. I don't mean the self confidence that you get brave and strap on in front of everyone but that crumbles when you are alone. I mean the absolute knowing inside of yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to 'better' than anyone else.

But that comes from a combination of many things - some people have them and some people don't. Some people have more than others.

What are those things? Lots of them are things that you are born with, some might come with time.

Being sharp - smart, quick, effective.

Having star quality - either good looking or interesting looking (or not being affected at all with what you look like if you are neither of those) Or looking friendly and approachable.

Natural Magnetism - Some people just have it, I can't explain it. It could just be a form of complete self confidence that draws people in.

Flow - All these things roll together to create momentum.

I also think that a person can improve their own level of 'itness' (or lose it by frittering it away), but create hard core 'it'? I'm not so sure.

I don't think that not having 'it' is anything to be ashamed of, if we all had 'it', there would be no movie stars, no entertainers, no internet gurus (that's an interesting statement)

So if you don't have 'it', does that mean you have to go roll over and die somewhere? Give up all of your dreams? Of course not. It just means that you have to make the most of your own talents. That's where stepping out of our comfort zone comes in.

Despite all of this 'it' talk, the one thing that you should never lose is your belief in yourself, which happens sometimes when we get too tied up with all this 'it' stuff and then we go out and buy courses from people with 'it' :D or feel intimidated and give up or let it get us in a bad mood. :eek: That's not a constructive frame of mind.

The times in my life that I regret or think 'if I could go back' are the times without fail, when I didn't believe in myself - the times that I froze instead of jumping off.

It's like the choke in the clutch thing that Andy Jenkin's was talking about.

You might lose lots of things, but as long as you have belief in yourself, you can get through pretty much everything, even if you don't have 'it'. (and no, I don't think that absolute self confidence is the same as self belief - you can have self belief without absolute self confidence.)

But if that's gone, it doesn't even matter if you do have 'it'.

I have an audio by Brian Tracy called Motivating Yourself to Peak Performance that talks all about this.

It's one of his best IMHO.

He says that successful people like themselves. To wake up everyday and say "I like myself." And say it again and soon you will really start to like yourself - a lot. And then you will like other people better. And then they will like you better. And then you will like yourself even better. And so on.

So I think that we should all wake up every day and say to ourselves, "I'm just so freaking good that I don't know what to do with myself! Damn, I'm good" :p All together now!

Seriously, someone said (Zig Ziglar maybe?) that your success grows as your personal development grows or something like that.

Maybe that is a really good place to start, or should at least be a part of everyone's online education.

Julie Anna

September 21st, 2009, 10:49 PM

I have an audio by Brian Tracy called Motivating Yourself to Peak Performance that talks all about this.

Affiliate link? Besides making a contribution to your pending success :) I'd love to hear the talk!

JA

Lynn Terry

September 21st, 2009, 11:06 PM

Hmm.. I have successful affiliate sites under a pen name, with no photo, where I am never seen or heard - that do plenty well. So I don't think personality or looks play any part in success with an online business at all.

With more than one of those affiliate sites, I wasn't 100% confident they would succeed. I didn't even "believe in myself" to that extent. It was more of a "test this to see how it works and if I get results" - and I tweaked it until I did (reading & learning as I went).

I really feel like we're over-complicating things here...

Julie Anna

September 21st, 2009, 11:26 PM

t's like the choke in the clutch thing that Andy Jenkin's was talking about.

You might lose lots of things, but as long as you have belief in yourself, you can get through pretty much everything, even if you don't have 'it'. (and no, I don't think that absolute self confidence is the same as self belief - you can have self belief without absolute self confidence.)

But if that's gone, it doesn't even matter if you do have 'it'.

My secret and most of my IT is a belief in others not necessarily in myself. I really think if I can help you then I help me. That feeling of success I get in helping you does breed confidence but it's not centered on me or my belief structure. My vision is actionable regardless if I have a solid belief in me which some days has hit the floor. The vision and the action step I can take to help at least one other person today is not based on my feelings or confidence level but a goal which supports my overall business philosophy.

I want to serve my market even if that's matching them with a product or service. I try to go a step further and actually believe they are good folks who can benefit from my God given abilities (and developed skills through that gift). It's about them not me.

That said, I do think Tracy has decent teachings - I try to take the meat and spit out the bones.

JA

Alan Petersen

September 22nd, 2009, 01:21 AM

I really feel like we're over-complicating things here...

Exactly! This thread is now offering some excellent examples of over-analyzing everything to in action.

What is your goal? You want to be a well-known celeb type in your niche than yes showmanship, charisma and all that is necessary and everyone has it in them. But not everyone wants that. They just want to create their niche sites and make a nice living at it. You can do that as well without having to brand yourself. Either way it takes focus, planning, goals, and work. So don't over-complicate the process.

Susanne Myers

September 22nd, 2009, 07:27 AM

My best guess is that its self confidence. I don't mean the self confidence that you get brave and strap on in front of everyone but that crumbles when you are alone. I mean the absolute knowing inside of yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to 'better' than anyone else.

Uh-Oh! If self confidence or even confidence in general is "it", I'm in big trouble and should probably close up shop. ;)

I am not a confident person at all. I just didn't let it stop me from just doing stuff and trying things.

Susanne Myers

Jan Ferrante

September 22nd, 2009, 07:59 AM

Thanks Julie Anna :) I like Brian Tracy but his affiliate tools aren't the greatest. I couldn't find a direct link for that product but if you go to my site on the sidebar there is an ad for Brian Tracy. If you click that link you can get a free CD - 21 Success Secrets of Self Made Millionaires - and then search Motivating Yourself to Peak Performance in the search bar and it will come up. http://www.queenofkaos.com/WAHMblog (http://briantracy.directtrack.com/z/782/CD708/%22%3Ewww.BrianTracy.com)

I like your philosophy and that is what I also try to use as my baseline. And that is the part that I truly enjoy.

I completely agree Alan, but I do think that 'it' can effect a lot of the behind the scenes things you do and don't do that can lead to success as well.

I had the uber successful guru's in mind somewhat - I admit, when I think of success, I think of them which may be a good place to start changing my mindset and business model - which is part of being real with yourself.

Lynne, there are entire industries that use 'it' factors to sell so I don't really think 'it' is something to be completely discounted but as you and Alan have pointed out, there are other avenues to explore.

I think many people are thinking a lot of the things we've discussed in this thread. Getting it out in the open and talking about it (no pun intended :)) can help us to get past it all and find solutions.

Jan Ferrante

September 22nd, 2009, 08:05 AM

Well, there goes my theory Suzanne :D

WAHumor

September 22nd, 2009, 08:19 AM

Scott recommended the animated movie "Robots". I'd like to recommend another: "Meet The Robinsons"

At the end, there's the best and most telling message of all, courtesy of none other than Walt Disney. Be sure you watch it with the kids. Haven't got kids? Borrow a few.

Dan

P.S. IT is a wonderful thing to discuss and imagine and yearn for, but I know many people, including Lynn, on this thread would say two other letters are actually the key:

DO

If you prefer, you can put them together and get:

DO IT

When all is said and done, that's all there is!

Gord Young

September 22nd, 2009, 08:23 AM

Ah, the old What if You Had to Start Over question always seems to stimulate a lively discussion.
Reminds me of the old (2004) Joe Kumar book, 30 Days To Internet Marketing Success (http://www.wealth-ambition.com/moneymentors/joe-kumar.shtml)!
In it he asks some 50 or so successful internet marketers what they would do.

Ask any successful person if they think they could get back to where they
are if they lost it all and had to start again and you will invariably get a very
confident yes in reply.

A favorite quotation of mine is attributed to Dewitt Jones, a former National
Geographic photographer and someone worth listening to.
He said; "I won't see it until I believe it"

People who have already accomplished much obviously believe they can do
it again.

Those who have not yet achieved their goal might not be so confident.

While I don't think you need to believe that you can do something better
than anyone else...you do need to believe that you are capable of doing
well, that which you choose to do...

Believing it's worth doing and wanting it bad enough helps too.

Jan Ferrante

September 22nd, 2009, 08:33 AM

I agree Dan, but sometimes you have to get past a sticking point in order to get to it, and I think that this could be one of them, probably for me although I didn't even really realize it. But it's definitely time to get back to work! Kick butt Dan! :)

I will watch for those movies, I LOVE movies with a message.

Gord, you're right, you don't need to believe that you can do it better, I almost didn't write that but wasn't quite sure how to put it, I like your choice of doing it well.

ScottTousignant

September 22nd, 2009, 08:50 AM

Lynn, I had almost forgot about our get rich quick and drop 20 pounds in one minute scheme ;) Thanks for reminding me.

I just watched a video that Stephen Pierce put out there. Guess what he said? He's no better than you!

This video that he did is titled "If No One Is Ten Times Smarter Than You, Then How Can People Possibly Be Making 10 Or 100 Times More Money Than You?"

http://www.makerealmoneyontheinternet.com/iiis/iiis.html

It'll be interesting to see what the next video will contain. The title of that one is "Why Most People Never Make All The Money They Could! ...And How You Can Correct This Critical Error Today."

Take a look at that title. "Why most people never make all the money they could!" ...basically, we all have the potential, some are just not tapping into it.

By the way, I ended up watching "Robots" last night. Here are some of the quotes from that cartoon movie...

"You can shine no matter what you're made of"

"See a need, fill a need"

"You've got greatness in you Rodney and never doubt it"

"I know it's not easy Rodney, but a dream that you don't fight for can haunt you for the rest of your life"

"Dad, I know you felt bad when I was growing up and you couldn't give me a lot, but you gave me the most important thing, you believed in me"

retta719

September 22nd, 2009, 12:48 PM

Wow.... this thread has taken a turn in conversation I didn't expect to see. I agree that anyone can do it. No special skills required, no tenth level degree required, you just have to be willing to learn, do, fail, and do again so you can succeed.

Sure, everyone will succeed at different levels, not everyone will be an IM guru, and a lot of people don't want to be either. Saying that there is some magical IT out there in certain people sounds more like an excuse to me than anything, a reason to tell yourself you can't do something.

Jan Ferrante

September 22nd, 2009, 01:17 PM

jamessamy

September 22nd, 2009, 01:21 PM

Thank you all for a great post. I think what Lynn said is right. It boils down to us... to me whether i have a great great Guru or small one, I have to put my foot forward and start doing IT in order to see success rather wait for a special magic think to come over me.

Lynn, I only knew you 2 months ago but I have learned alot of things from you which i never learn before. I am greatful to YOU and for your weekly webinar which moves me to work more each day.

Whatever others say or will say, I am not bothered but for me... i know i can learn much much more from you Lynn and from your experiences.

Julie Anna

September 22nd, 2009, 01:41 PM

While I don't think you need to believe that you can do something better
than anyone else...you do need to believe that you are capable of doing
well, that which you choose to do...

Believing it's worth doing and wanting it bad enough helps too.

For me, it's belief that if the person I'm watching can do it then I can. Not so much a belief in myself but that of a watch and learn then do model. It's more a belief in them to be honest. When Lynn says "If I can do it anyone can" I believe her.

JA

philwong

September 22nd, 2009, 01:42 PM

The Buddha states unequivocally that everyone can become a Buddha.

The question is, will everyone become a Buddha?

"Fools wait for a lucky day, but everyday is a lucky day for an industrious man" - Buddha. That's my response to your Mom's quote, Lynn.

In this age of instant gratification, most do not want to get their hands dirty. If they can buy "IT", they will. That's why there are so many guru's out there with DFY (Done For You) programs/courses for the _un-initiated_ with credit card in hand.

In defense for the truly hapless and helpless, to have spent much money on programs that you didn't take action with, try using what you've learnt for charity, and you might just find your "IT". Or at the very least, flog it off on e-bay - at least you would be able to get something back and may help someone who may not be able to afford the price you paid for them expensive programs/courses.

TraciKnoppe

September 22nd, 2009, 01:54 PM

I just watched a video that Stephen Pierce put out there. Guess what he said? He's no better than you!

Similar to what comedian Tim Hawkins said once:

I'm the same as you: Only I've got a microphone - and talent! :p

:D

Seriously though, we know Lynn because she has chosen to step up into the public eye (i.e. her microphone) and help others learn to do what she was already doing. She could just as easily (and with a lot less hassle) sit at home, doing what she's always done and collect her money.

I, for one, am grateful she has chosen to 'grab her mic' and share with us the tools/advice/wisdom/inspiration/kick-in-the-pants we need so we can then learn from all that & take action on it, so we too can become successful.

Just reading her wisdom and listening to her weekly webinars does not make you successful. If that's all it took - then my just owning 2 dozen exercise tapes would make me thin! We have to actually use it.

retta719

September 22nd, 2009, 02:14 PM

Well, I've always been very supportive of everyone in this forum, Lynn included. This whole thing has left me feeling on the dumped on and I really do have far better things to do with my time. And for the record, I've been working my tail off for 8+ years, there really isn't anything that anyone can say to tell me otherwise.

Well, that's no good. You don't deserve to feel that way at all. You're too kind and supportive to be feeling that way. I think you and I are in the same position in a lot of ways, I've been online since late 2000 early 2001, and we're at that point of wanting to get to that next level of success..... we're finally falling into our "place" on the internet, and I know we'll both get to that next level very soon ;)

I think that it would do everyone well to go back and read the beginning - what would you do differently if you were to start again - and do that.

That sounds like a good plan for everyone! If there is something you would do differently, go do that thing! Don't think about, just go do it ;)

I've been away from the forum quite a bit this past week because I've been working on restructuring my cross stitch site, which was my very first website online ever. I put it up way back in 2001 and I knew nothing about SEO, keywords, or affiliate marketing, writing for an audience, or any of that. I'm revamping it to hopefully make it a million times a better.

I feel the tension in this topic and I'd love to change directions and go down a more positive path here. After all, negativity is going to get us all to nowheresville, right?

Let's take a look at what Jan just said. (write this stuff down)
What would YOU do differently?
Why would you do that differently?
What is your main goal or purpose for making this change?
What steps do you need to take in order to accomplish the goal?
How long reasonably do you think it will take you do accomplish it?
How can we help you do what you need to do?

Let's go get some good stuff done!

judykelly

September 22nd, 2009, 02:22 PM

I'm not in total agreement with this turn of the conversation on IT. I'm thinking... it sounds like bull**IT. It sounds like a real nice excuse not to succeed, or a landing pad for those that feel like giving up. "I just don't have IT" - pfft.

Christian or not, I suggest you read The Parable of the Talents. Everyone is given something, not the same thing, and you are obligated to discover it and live up to it's full potential.

Lynn: You're correct. I have a daughter who is inherently very bright and could do anything she put her mind to but has NO faith in herself and chooses to do nothing with herself or her life even though she has 3 children (one of whom lives with his father because she doesn't have the ??? to try to get him back). It DOES take something and what you had was "desire" to have a life for yourself and your children. We can teach people skills but whether they use them or not is up to them. Yes, circumstances can get in the way but often those "circumstances" could be overcome if the person had the desire to overcome them. Many, like my daughter, would rather let others take care of them (even the government althought she does not do that). Most call her lazy and maybe that is true I don't know but it could also be a huge lack of self worth. You can be thankful that you seem to have received lots of that (self worth) from your awesome Grandmother. So, maybe it is belief in ourselves that allows us success. So many theories.....

Lots of thought provoking stuff here.

David Jackson

September 22nd, 2009, 02:30 PM

jkgourmet

September 22nd, 2009, 02:33 PM

I second that suggestion. (but would like Steve T's thoughts as he began the thread, albeit with a very different tone.)

StephenT

September 22nd, 2009, 02:40 PM

David, I agree with you. this thread has done all the good and bad it needs to do. I would like to see it end!

Grace

September 22nd, 2009, 02:44 PM

When I was in College in some remote part of Africa we defined IT as Internet Technology.
Then there is the definition I got today, which I cannot put in words.

Anyone following this thread has IT, both ways.

Oh, how we love to have an excuse.

Never tell your children, grandchildren, friends or yourself in a developed world like this that you have no IT. If that is what you are saying to others, then that is what you are telling yourself, it comes from the abundance of your heart.

There are gurus, how I love to blame them for telling me how I would be rich overnight and there are people who want to make me believe I cannot make it no matter what. AAAH.
And then there are people like Lynn, Scott, Retta, Lyle, Nicole, Bob the teacher, Julie Anna, Sheila, Dan Miller of 48days and Paul Evans, myself and others who believe, we all got IT. Both ways.

I am just gona surround myself with the right crowd.
Grace

Julie Anna

September 22nd, 2009, 03:08 PM

Well, I've always been very supportive of everyone in this forum, Lynn included. This whole thing has left me feeling on the dumped on and I really do have far better things to do with my time. And for the record, I've been working my tail off for 8+ years, there really isn't anything that anyone can say to tell me otherwise.

I'm off to do a lot of restructuring myself - some of it thanks to this very thread. I think that it would do everyone well to go back and read the beginning - what would you do differently if you were to start again - and do that.

Jan,
I hope you aren't feeling this way for long - dumped on. I really appreciate your support.

This thread has hit a soft spot for many of us. After all, we're talking about inner stuff here - not systems or projects or any of the like. Fleshing out heart issues many times can get messy. The trick is looking at what we each can learn and come away with.

I felt your contributions were spot on especially in the belief of self but as always in this form of online communication it's hard to get all the voice intonations and communications just right especially with the length of this particular thread.. I had to rethink and solidify some of what I do believe in as a result of your post so it helped me grow and realize for me it is more than just in me. Thank you for extending me and helping me reach in that way. This is why I love transparency in supportive forums and why this community is unlike most others. It's always risky to become vulnerable and talk so openly about our inner "stuff" but needful. I appreciate you for that.

Make you think threads are both hot buttons and disguised blessings!

Anyhow, don't go away. I'd miss you too much.

JA

Jan Ferrante

September 22nd, 2009, 03:20 PM

Thanks guys, I jumped into the webinar at the wrong time, that's were that was coming from. Lynn emailed me which I thought was really good of her to do, frankly, I thought I was in the dog house.

I do really appreciate your thoughts and I do think that there was a lot of good in this thread. I know that I got a lot from it.

I just hope that everyone can be successful and happy :)

Bridgett Raffenberg

September 22nd, 2009, 03:28 PM

If you have never heard Nick Vujicic speak, do yourself a favor and watch this YouTube video. Pay special attention at three minutes in. Tell me that it takes a special "it" to make it... I am sure this man never believed that. If he had, he would not be who he is today - a motivational speaker (with no arms or legs).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3LFBqvvW-M

I am not good at everything - no one is. But I truly believe there is no obstacle that I can not overcome. And you can be darned sure that I am going to use my talents to make my life better.

bigrac

September 22nd, 2009, 03:33 PM

Reading this, it appears this thread has gotten way off track, and upset more than a few people in the process. When that happens, maybe it means this topic has reached a point of diminishing returns and should be closed.

Just a thought.

David Jackson

Hey David,

I see this is by far the most popular thread on the forum, why would you want to close it?

I took another look through and I can't see any evidence of people getting upset either (!)

What's to be upset about, it's just an open discussion, a frank exchange of views. That's what forums are all about isn't it?

Rich

Julie Anna

September 22nd, 2009, 03:43 PM

Hey David,

I see this is by far the most popular thread on the forum, why would you want to close it?

I took another look through and I can't see any evidence of people getting upset either (!)

What's to be upset about, it's just an open discussion, a frank exchange of views. That's what forums are all about isn't it?

I agree. Yes, I went back and read from the beginning and do agree it went a bit wonky and definitely dovetailed and side tracked from the OP. However, I think the points from the original discussion have been more than profitable (I don't mean financially. Ha!) for many of us here.

JA

DebGallardo

September 22nd, 2009, 05:06 PM

...Not every one SHOULD be trying to make money with internet marketing because they COULD be doing something else that would take less time to monetize and they'd have more fun in the process. Most people who buy my programs that don't succeed are trying too hard at doing everything but what they are already good at. Mainly, they don't value the skills they have, and think that they don't have marketable knowledge.

That's where the big problem is in my mind: [people] trying to learn business development while seeking out some foreign skill to learn and monetize...

I have to agree with Bob's assessment about why so many people struggle while others succeed. I can see where many could manage to pursue something that isn't their passion as long as the money is coming in. But if a person is in the wrong field or niche, then not only are they just out of their comfort zone (which has been stated here as a normal part of doing business online, not to mention being an essential part of personal growth), but it's no better than having a lousy job you don't want to get up in the morning and go to day after day. Why would anyone want to punish themselves like that?

Let me be clear. I'm not talking about people (like me, for example) who get discouraged and want to move on to another shiny thing instead of toughing out where they are until they're in profitability. I'm talking about people who are out of their depth because they're pursuing something they're totally unsuited for. Many of these folks have been sold the proverbial "bill of goods" on internet riches. Others have just made bad choices.

IMHO, the most successful people must have made either instinctive or fortuitous choices about what area of business online to pursue, or gone through a process of trial and error that didn't take 5 years. I wonder how many online successes actually hit it out of the ballpark the first time?

We don't generally hear about the things they "fail" at unless they're being transparent saying, "You see me as successful now, but I've failed so many times at so many things, you wouldn't believe it."

Paul Evans has said something like that. So has Carrie Wilkerson along with many other online success stories.

I realized at the beginning of my online marketing learning experience back in early 2005 that I was constantly getting in my own way. 2 1/2 years later I met Lynn online. I've been alternately embarrassed and defensive about having been a part of her forum for nearly 2 years and STILL my business is not where it should be. (That's code for "making money.")

Is it Lynn's fault? The forum's? The community? The gurus? The internet?

NO, a big fat NO. I'm still getting in my own way. Write this down, imprint it on your brain: MINDSET IS EVERYTHING.

This summer I took a step back from everything online in order to do some soul searching. I haven't come to any conclusions yet, but I have started blogging again, which I hadn't done since May.

I take that as a good sign that whatever "winter" I was going through has passed. I know for a certainty, however, that I don't want what I do online to be as tedious and boring and mind-numbing as the secretary's job I had before the position was downsized. I liked the money from that job just fine, (I'd think I was rich if I made that much right now ;) !), but I was barely surviving emotionally in such an uncreative, unfulfilling j-o-b that I could do technically, but not efficiently. I had ZERO JOY.

So I'm trying to determine if what I've been doing online is really where I want to be in the long term. Having come so far with The Story Ideas Virtuoso, I can't just abandon it. But I have to decide where to go from here.

I want to discover that place for me that makes me want to get up in the morning eager to face the day and to do what I love and love what I do.

It's not that I can't do hard work or delay gratification. Doing live theatre (I'm currently playing Miss Hannigan in "Annie") is often grueling. Learning lines and music and lyrics and choreography for 6 weeks at a time is getting harder at my age. But it's all worth it, because there is NOTHING like walking out on stage and making people laugh or cry or cheer or applaud or jump to their feet because for a couple of hours you've helped them to forget their troubles.

For me, whatever I do, it's all about the people. I'm a "we" person, not an "I" person, contrary to what some may believe about me. I want to make a difference in other people's lives. On stage I can do that, one show at a time, but there's no money in it. I do it because I love to perform.

Surely there must be a way to combine what I'm already doing, perhaps in another format, that could take the skills I've learned online and make at the very least a modest income. That's what I'm searching for. And I'll know it when I find it.

Bob is right. What we choose to do has to be a good fit, or success is unlikely. Or so I believe.

Deb Gallardo

Johnny Mac

September 22nd, 2009, 05:37 PM

My two cents are "you gotta be in it to win it" - With the help of the big man even getting a website on the internet was a victory to me. its a long strange trip at least im enjoying the ride. :}

Julie Anna

September 22nd, 2009, 05:52 PM

It's not that I can't do hard work or delay gratification. Doing live theatre (I'm currently playing Miss Hannigan in "Annie") is often grueling. Learning lines and music and lyrics and choreography for 6 weeks at a time is getting harder at my age. But it's all worth it, because there is NOTHING like walking out on stage and making people laugh or cry or cheer or applaud or jump to their feet because for a couple of hours you've helped them to forget their troubles.

Wondered how you were doing, Deb. Glad to have ya back.

Where are you performing? It would be so cool to go watch you. I'm inspired!

JA

DebGallardo

September 22nd, 2009, 06:29 PM

Mansfield Ohio. Are you nearby? LOL

Julie Anna

September 22nd, 2009, 07:58 PM

Mansfield Ohio. Are you nearby? LOL

Rochester NY area. I guess a wee far for a night at the theater.

jamessamy

September 22nd, 2009, 08:09 PM

Hi All,

Let's end this thread and Let Lynn have a wonderful day ahead. The more we share the more it will bring memories.

We have to move on and do it...as Lynn always says.
Pass is pass, let the present be a lesson to learn and move on

Just a thought from me...no hard feeling

David Jackson

September 22nd, 2009, 08:31 PM

Let's end this thread and Let Lynn have a wonderful day ahead. The more we share the more it will bring memories.

We have to move on and do it...as Lynn always says.

I suggested closing this thread hours ago. Several others agreed with me. Even Steve, the author of the thread wanted it closed. But apparently, Lynn doesn't want it closed - and it's her forum.

David Jackson

jamessamy

September 22nd, 2009, 08:47 PM

Thank you Jackson

I mean not totally close but try to minimise in order for our mentor Lynn to be more motivated to go on :)

Lynn Terry

September 22nd, 2009, 08:54 PM

I'm fine, and fine with keeping the thread open. I'll have more thoughts to add on the topic myself soon even.

A very thought-provoking discussion to say the least.

David Jackson

September 22nd, 2009, 09:08 PM

Thank you Jackson.

No problem. But I personally won't be making anymore comments on this thread. I'm all for a good debate, but this thread went bonkers!

David Jackson

KathleenGageSpeaker

September 23rd, 2009, 10:59 AM

I love this thread. Especially the information about failing. Yes, those of us making a great living with the Internet have had our fair share of failures. Hopefully we learned from these failures and made necessary adjustments.

Years ago I was hosting a teleseminar in which 300 people registered. This was during the time that when you had 300 registrations about 80% would be on the call. (okay I just aged myself :-) )

For some reason no one could hear the call. Instead of getting tweaked, I went ahead with the call, recorded it and did my planned follow up. I was able to make some really nice sales as a result.

Had I given up, told myself I totally goofed and not done the back-end marketing I would not have made the sales I did; in the thousands.

I don't say this to impress anyone with numbers, but to impress upon you that we all mess up. Yet, even in the mess ups you have to have a plan in case things do go wrong.

Something else that has made a difference is being willing to invest in my knowledge base. I have been making my living from the Internet for years, but I still invest in information from leading experts.

In the last couple weeks I have bought info from Mark Hendricks, Russel Brunson, Jimmy D. Brown and others.

Do I plan to "get around" to the information. Nope! I am taking time every day to listen, read, and watch at least an hours worth (and more), taking notes, implementing tips and evaluating the results.

The greatest mistake I see people make is getting into the trap of trying to figure it all out for themselves, not investing the time or money, spinning their wheels by having no systemized approach to their learning curve and going in a dozen different directions rather than a laser beam approach.

Another mistake is the "yeah buts". As I was once told by a wonderful mentor, the only but I should have is the one I sit on. If someone is succeeding and we ask for their insights and then we "Yeah but" them, why did we ask for the advice in the first place?

Write some specific goals for your business growth. Be realistic while stretching yourself. What I mean by this is, if you are currently making nothing, to set a goal of a million dollars this year you are not being realistic.

If, on the other hand, you set a goal of $500 in your first month, this is realistic and it is a stretch.

But it means to get into action today. Watch the procrastination and the time wasters you may fall prey to.

I believe virtually anyone can succeed at making a living with the Internet. I also believe most people won't because they either give up too soon, are not focused enough, are not hanging out in the right locations and are making excuses for why things aren't working rather than finding reasons why they can work.