Let's Talk - Where Are You With Your Online Business?

[Lynn Terry]

It had LOTS of good information. Unfortunately, while he knows a lot more about internet marketing than I do, he's not very good at presenting it. OTOH, I am a professional trainer. I see the possibility of a mutually beneficial synergy here...

This could be a great opportunity, Howard. Are you thinking of duplicating his model, or partnering with him on it?

[John P]

Hey Lynn,

That was a nice email. I'm still here. I've been lurking around your forums since around 2004 and I usually catch the Tuesday lunch with Lynn calls.

I started another new business this year and instead of promoting affiliate products I'm getting ready to release the first of several of my own training products.

One of my big challenges is perfectionism. I thought it would take me about 4 weeks to produce the first product, but it has taken me close to 3 months. Arrrrrgh

I've been able to overcome most of the traps that were holding me back such as lack of focus, but I'm still plagued with perfectionism.

It was good hearing from you. I need to check back here more often and yes I know, participate.

Talk soon,

John Piteo

[Lynn Terry]

Taking action is something I've become much better at recently, since I'm operating on a shoe-string budget and having to do it all. Eventually I will outsource. I have decided that even though it may take me longer than others to get my business to the point it will eventually be, I'm okay with that. I had felt overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done, and finally came up with an affirmation that is working well for me-
"I control my own pace." Now I've created a far more workable schedule and am more productive. I look forward to interacting with this group and learning from everyone as well as trying to inspire and help others here.

I can really relate to that, Beth - and I love your affirmation. I also started on a shoestring budget in the beginning, having quit my job cold turkey and with a family to take care of. A few years later I went through it all over again (my start-up, then my start-over phase lol) when I went through an unexpected divorce and my son got sick. What a year!

Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing about my pace. I have spent more than a decade as a full-time parent, home with my children. Since my daughter was 5 months old, and she's turning 14 this fall.

Sounds like you're moving in a great direction. I look forward to hearing more as you put things in place over the coming months!

[angienewton]

I was going to join your Elite group awhile back, but it was full

ShariLee,
The elite group is open if you care to join now (my affiliate link is in my signature). I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about the elite group and how it might be able to benefit your business.

[Lynn Terry]

P.S. - My note was titled "Once Upon a Time..." - and is here: http://www.aweber.com/b/25rFT

Wow - what a coincidence, indeed!

I miss having more of a hand in things. I'm making changes to bring it back around...

Money & Success are nothing, without personal fulfillment.

[hag888y]

LOL Ian - we actually recorded a new episode last night, and a recording was posted earlier this week too, so that should catch you up a bit. It's hard to get it out every week with all 4 of us traveling so much!

We're talking about http://www.internetmarketingthisweek.com (podcast) btw...

So what would you say is the biggest thing holding you up in regards to affiliate marketing? Different people find different aspects of it particularly challenging - just curious what your thoughts are.

Thanks for the reply Lynn, i'm actually just listening to the latest IMTW on my ipod, i bought it just for the IMTW podcasts...no, i really did!!

The biggest thing i struggle with is focus, creating content, and getting the message to market match you speak of.

I understand that "content should have an objective, but simply having content is not the objective."

I also read somewhere that content should either, entertain, enlighten or educate.

But nothing i have read really shows any examples.

So i suppose this is my main stumbling block.

Cheers
Ian

[Lynn Terry]

My opinion is that you have connected with many people, even though you may have lost some of the personal connection. After reading your email, I decided to let you know of this by joining your forum and making this post.

Thank you for that, Andre.

I am a very new affiliate marketer and have just started with Affiliate Theme and am building my first website loaded with CJ offers it is interesting to note how easy it appears when you listen to a video and how easy it is to get stumped when you try to do it yourself.

Yeah, you know what they say: easier said than done -lol. I've had people tell me in the past that I "make it look easy". Probably so. And much of what is completely new to the people I share it with, has become second nature to me over the years.

But not without me first learning it the hard way, pulling my hair out over it, and finally getting it licked and having it become 'second nature'. All that to say... I started in the exact same place. And that was before there were events, ebooks, courses and forums to make it easier...

If you get stumped on anything, start a new thread here and let us know. We'll help you out!

[wade_watson]

First of all, Lynn, you are never "talking into the wind." Whether on a forum or blog post or Twitter or podcast, it's always like being one-to-one on the phone with a good friend. I've been following you for close to 2 years now and you still have plenty of new stuff for me.

I'm a bit embarrassed at not being one of those eager overnight successes, but I have to admit I'm not passed the struggling stage of this Internet marketing. I am committed to it for the long term, though, and have no doubt things are going to be cozier down the line. Most recently, I have a new info-style site focused on a super good keyword range that's ranking well and rising in visit count as I add content and ready monetization.

Influenced, I suppose, by all the talk about offline-to-online potential, I'm also working with an old friend who's a top professional in a health-related field to develop web-salable e-products. I'm really liking this sort of cooperative project because it removes the pressure of content creation and allows me to concentrate on marketing.

I've been thinking a lot about something you blogged the other day on delegating 95% of your business. While I may be a long way from that figure, it does seem to be a big win-win situation when you involve others in your IM efforts. Maybe I'll start with 50% and see how that works.

Wade

[Kimmoy]

Oh men, Lynn that email you sent really touched home. I haven't reached out to my email list in a while so thanks for opening the discussion. Now I know what kind of headline to use when I send my email ;-)

As for my business, it's coming along slowly but surely. It is pretty annoying because I feel like the little steps I take aren't enough. I'm *this* close to getting Traci Knoppe's team on board to help me reach my goals. I am pretty excited that my ebook is almost complete and I will start those money pages like you taught in the NAMS beginner section.

I can't help but wonder, how do you not beat yourself up when you don't get a blog post up, not spending enough time on social networks, or haven't emailed your list in a while or is ALMOST done with this and that???? I hate having that feeling.

[Kimmoy]

Taking action is something I've become much better at recently, since I'm operating on a shoe-string budget and having to do it all. Eventually I will outsource. I have decided that even though it may take me longer than others to get my business to the point it will eventually be, I'm okay with that. I had felt overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done, and finally came up with an affirmation that is working well for me-
"I control my own pace." Now I've created a far more workable schedule and am more productive. I look forward to interacting with this group and learning from everyone as well as trying to inspire and help others here.

Wow, this is what I aspire to feel really soon. To feel comfortable with my pace, so not easy for me.