What (and when) was your first sale online? Here's my story:

24 replies
My first sale was about five years ago, it was a hairloss ebook that actually helped me.

The strategy:

Back then, I was just getting into alternative health so I made a website about the topic and wrote about 12 articles. I had a "products page" with a bunch of Ebook covers on it with affiliate links to products. I Made one sale.

What went wrong?

I started researching IM and soon got information overload. Since then, I've been jumping from one training course to the other, never truly creating anything of value, and making no money in the process. (Can you relate?)

Lesson learned (still learning it, actually):

Stick to one thing and build on it for the long term. If I had stayed with that website and developed it for the past 5 years, I'm confident that it would have produced freedom-giving income (which is only about $4000 per month) and probably much more.

I did, however, take the marketing skills I learned during that time and, over the past 3 years, built an offline business and I now only work 2 days per week. So, that's great.

BUT, I'm not satisfied. Even though I've been drifting for 5 years with Internet marketing, and not created any IM success, I will stop at nothing... I will eventually create a business that allows me the ultimate freedom I desire (isn't that the point of being an entrepreneur?)

What's your story?

P.S. My name is Lucas, BTW. Nice to meet you.
#first online sale #information overload #internet marketing #online #sale #story
  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    Originally Posted by Motivated Father View Post

    I will stop at nothing... I will eventually create a business that allows me the ultimate freedom I desire (isn't that the point of being an entrepreneur?)
    I think this is where you and the other 90% dreaming about online riches get it wrong... I know a few very successful "entrepreneurs" in the offline world and these guys don't stop working even with millions in the bank, they are always looking to make more, do more , achieve more.
    They have no "freedom" because they work so damn hard...


    Yet day after day on this forum we get people complaining about their miserable lives, their horrible bosses, their soul killing 9-5 etc. Then they turn to the internet because it's easy right? everyone says it is and whats more is forums like this are littered with millionaires. Millionaires who barely have to lift a finger cause it's all on autopilot or passive income (thats where money just flows into your bank account in perpetuity).

    They want the "freedom" that comes with being an entrepreneur, being their own boss etc. yet they have no idea what it actually takes to be a successful entrepreneur because they are chasing the dream of working in their PJ's and slippers to hard...

    So when they say "OH, i'm running an IM business" what they actually mean is i'm sitting in what used to be a store room in front of my PC trying to create millions out of thin air because someone on the internet said it was easy...


    Originally Posted by Motivated Father View Post

    What's your story?
    You know this "first sale online" question has been asked dozens of time, boring really...
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    • Profile picture of the author Motivated Father
      Originally Posted by salegurus View Post

      I think this is where you and the other 90% dreaming about online riches get it wrong... I know a few very successful "entrepreneurs" in the offline world and these guys don't stop working even with millions in the bank, they are always looking to make more, do more , achieve more.
      They have no "freedom" because they work so damn hard...


      Yet day after day on this forum we get people complaining about their miserable lives, their horrible bosses, their soul killing 9-5 etc. Then they turn to the internet because it's easy right? everyone says it is and whats more is forums like this are littered with millionaires. Millionaires who barely have to lift a finger cause it's all on autopilot or passive income (thats where money just flows into your bank account in perpetuity).

      They want the "freedom" that comes with being an entrepreneur, being their own boss etc. yet they have no idea what it actually takes to be a successful entrepreneur because they are chasing the dream of working in their PJ's and slippers to hard...

      So when they say "OH, i'm running an IM business" what they actually mean is i'm sitting in what used to be a store room in front of my PC trying to create millions out of thin air because someone on the internet said it was easy...
      It really depends on what freedom means to you?..

      5 years ago, I used to work 5 days a week, away from home, doing work that I hated, and making about $50,000 per year... Since becoming an entrepreneur, I've quit that job and I'm now back to making about $50,000 per year, but I only work 2 days a week. I'm proud of myself for that because I now have much more free time to be with my family and to explore/experience the things that are important to me (this is the essence of freedom, to me)

      All I need to do now is develop an online business, built around something that I'm passionate about, that generates $50,000 per year and allows me to work from home, and I will have increased the amount of freedom in my life. It's simple, really. I don't need millions of dollars to create freedom in my life.

      Thanks anyway.
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      • Profile picture of the author salegurus
        Originally Posted by Motivated Father View Post

        It really depends on what freedom means to you?..
        .
        Lucas that was not aimed at you personally, although i did say "you" in the opening line, maybe it comes across that way but it was not ...

        Anyway, good luck chasing the IM dream, we'll talk in a year or so...
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      • Profile picture of the author slammer81
        Originally Posted by Motivated Father View Post

        It really depends on what freedom means to you?..

        5 years ago, I used to work 5 days a week, away from home, doing work that I hated, and making about $50,000 per year... Since becoming an entrepreneur, I've quit that job and I'm now back to making about $50,000 per year, but I only work 2 days a week. I'm proud of myself for that because I now have much more free time to be with my family and to explore/experience the things that are important to me (this is the essence of freedom, to me)

        All I need to do now is develop an online business, built around something that I'm passionate about, that generates $50,000 per year and allows me to work from home, and I will have increased the amount of freedom in my life. It's simple, really. I don't need millions of dollars to create freedom in my life.

        Thanks anyway.
        Thanks for sharing your story man. I for one am always keen to hear them.

        Each one of them is interesting, and as 2015 is my year of "no negativity" I say good on you and good luck to you. If you are finding what you're doing fulfilling then go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Thanks for sharing your story, man. Freedom for me is all about getting paid doing what I love. I am doing exactly that

    The lessons I can share?

    1) Forget the haters - they hate because they fail. Deep down they know it and hate it when other people are happy or motivated. Don't let them win by listening to them. Keep in mind that there's a difference between a helpful critic and a hater. It's all about helpfulness and positivity. People can critique you without intending to bust your resolve or appearing to. Know the difference.

    2) Always experiment - if you can make $1 online, you can make $10.If you can make $10, you can make $100, so on and so forth. Keep pushing yourself through constant experimentation.

    3) Measure your success based on where in the process you are - Don't expect to make millions when you're still planning your business. Instead focus on where you are. If you're still building, your metric should be based on how many pages you have left to build. Once you're finished building, your metric should be on brand awareness, so on and so forth. Focusing on the money in the beginning will just sap your resolve.

    The bottom line?

    Thank God for the Internet! More power to you and I wish you even greater success in the future.
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    • Profile picture of the author salegurus
      Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

      The lessons I can share?

      1) Forget the haters - they hate because they fail. Deep down they know it and hate it when other people are happy or motivated. Don't let them win by listening to them. Keep in mind that there's a difference between a helpful critic and a hater. It's all about helpfulness and positivity. People can critique you without intending to bust your resolve or appearing to. Know the difference.
      Was that aimed at me Gene, sorry completely missed it as i was too busy "Hating" on someone else...
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    • Profile picture of the author Augustinus
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Oh yeah, I forgot to add this...my first sale was as an Affiliate with 'The Rich Jerk ' back in 2008



        - Robert Andrew
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    • Profile picture of the author Needstoknow
      Very sound advice from Write Away.
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  • Profile picture of the author shmeeko69
    Originally Posted by Motivated Father View Post

    My first sale was about five years ago, it was a hairloss ebook that actually helped me.
    Hair-Loss, that takes me back to when I bought a few bottles of minoxidil 5% and a derma needle roller. I applied it on a daily basis burning my scalp and getting greasy hair in to the bargain - Result, yes you guessed it, no hair growth

    Anyway, back to your point My first sale was about six years and I remember it quite vividly and the excitement I felt. It was a product called My Online Income System and I had it as my main signature links in a couple of forums. I remember checking my Clickbank affiliate account and seeing the $19 and how great that felt (beginners luck I suppose).

    It wasn't the fact that I was $19 better off, it was that I'd learnt a new skill creating a HTML link and getting a sale from an affiliate site I joined five weeks previous.

    You say that you got your first sale five years ago, how have things progressed from then, as that's quite a while ago now?
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    • Profile picture of the author Motivated Father
      Originally Posted by shmeeko69 View Post

      Hair-Loss, that takes me back to when I bought a few bottles of minoxidil 5% and a derma needle roller. I applied it on a daily basis burning my scalp and getting greasy hair in to the bargain - Result, yes you guessed it, no hair growth
      I did similar things. The E-book led me onto the idea that the hairloss could be caused from some kind of toxin, such as mercury, which indeed was the case. I learned more about the symptoms of mercury toxicity and eventually had all the metal mercury fillings in my mouth removed. I now have a full head of hair and feel healthier than ever.

      Originally Posted by shmeeko69 View Post

      You say that you got your first sale five years ago, how have things progressed from then, as that's quite a while ago now.
      My success has progressed fantastically, as far as I'm concerned, but with Internet marketing my brain has been completely scrambled for years. I've come up with many ideas, tested a couple concepts, had a couple $500 months, but as of now I don't have anything happening online.

      However, I am involved in marketing and sales on a weekly basis and have seen myself evolve as a marketer over the past 5 years. I've had some major mindset shifts recently and I'm putting together a business plan that I'm really starting to get excited about.

      Thanks for asking. Are you happy with your results?
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      • Profile picture of the author shmeeko69
        Originally Posted by Motivated Father View Post

        I did similar things. The E-book led me onto the idea that the hairloss could be caused from some kind of toxin, such as mercury, which indeed was the case. I learned more about the symptoms of mercury toxicity and eventually had all the metal mercury fillings in my mouth removed. I now have a full head of hair and feel healthier than ever.
        I also had mercury fillings when I was younger and have suffered hair loss for the past 12 years or so, but I know of others who have them as well and still have a full head of hair in their 40's. I honestly put it down to hereditary, as my father was going bald before he was thirty and his brothers are the same.

        As for IM, it's been a roller-coaster ride with good and bad points. The good is in developing my email list and the bad is with the continued changes with Google algorithms which had a negative effect on my own and affiliate product sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben West
    Well the first sale of a second hand product? About 14 years ago when I was only 9 years old.

    First sale of my own services as a freelance SEO expert? About 7 years ago.

    First sale of a product through my own Amazon Affiliate site? About 8 months ago.

    I am probably going to make my own thread explaining how I managed those last two to help people struggling to get started.
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  • Profile picture of the author astral walker
    I don't really remember what my first sale was. I think, it was a PLR product"Forum poster" that I brought from a Chinese guy for $1 at DP forums. I did resell it on Digital point itself and earned probably $6. After a few years, I tried to sell the same product on Fiverr and 3 people actually purchased it.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Hey Lucas,
      Good job, man. Two days a week for 50K yr. aint shabby at all.

      Iam sure if you can do that offline there is a decent chance you can do that Online.

      Now go for it


      - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author Winning34
    Hi Lucas, welcome aboard.

    My first online venture was an ecommerce site that I developed myself way back in 2002. I was importing oil paintings from Asia and selling them to clients mainly from the UK and the US. It took me a couple of months to make my first sale It was for about $100 for a client in the USA and it was a great feeling making money from something that had all been my work from idea to established business. The business made a profit but not enough to make a good living from so I stopped after a couple of years.

    My second venture was in 2004. Back then, you were allowed to use affiliate links in Google adwords and I bought an ebook called "Google cash" explaining how to use adwords to promote clickbank offers directly without needing a website, landing page, list or anything. Basically so long as you were paying less money for clicks than you were getting in commission, you could turn a profit. I got in on the ground floor and I became really good at writing good ads that converted well and I was pretty much printing money. I suppose it was quite similar to buying traffic for CPA but this was back in 2004 and all this was pretty new and there was a lot of money to be made. That ebook was one of the best selling ebooks of all time. It was a real game changer. Sadly, google no longer allows affiliate links in adwords.

    After that I moved away from online ventures apart from a bit of buying and selling on ebay. In 2013, I wanted a new challenge and so started a YouTube channel in a niche I'm pretty good at. I've now got 60k subs and am earning $$ as a Youtube partner. I've also just recently started a niche blog with articles and blog posts as an experiment and to play around with SEO and maybe I'll put adsense on there at some point in the future or some affiliate links.

    At some point, I'd like to get into CPA because that would be quite similar to what I was doing with PPC / clickbank and I really enjoyed the process of writing copy, testing and then scaling it up but I'm concentrating on YouTube and my blog for the moment. I don't want to be jumping around between projects until they're bringing in steady $$.
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    • Profile picture of the author More Than Tips
      I think my first sale was a fellow warrior by the name of Peter Drew a recurring software. Recurring payment....what a rush!

      But did I then set my entire business on a recurring strategy at that time....knocks upside the head. Nope.

      I created a product and it was a big success so did I then set up my business for long term automated less work and more profits?....nope I partied like a rock star and prepared for the big time.

      Where is a time machine when you need one?! Sometimes in this game you will see someone on your level shoot into the atmosphere and leave your ass behind....hahahahah but just stay focused and adjust...it will be your turn if you do not give up.
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  • Profile picture of the author seo3659
    My first sale on Press Release & that experience are very nice at 2010
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Lee
    Good luck Lucas, thanks for sharing your story.
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  • Profile picture of the author YourBizAid
    Banned
    I made me first sale promoting a $5 eBook! When I got the notification from PayPal on a Sunday morning, I was in the clouds!
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  • Profile picture of the author rdpayne
    I made my first "sale" online way back in 1995, or so, via an affiliate link to the One And Only dating site. I got a $2 check in the mail.
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  • Profile picture of the author VizyMedia
    I started researching IM and soon got information overload. Since then, I've been jumping from one training course to the other, never truly creating anything of value, and making no money in the process. (Can you relate?)
    I can absolutely relate with this.
    How i regret so much time wasted hearing one sweet launch message to the next and never implementing any.
    To be successful you must do two things:
    - Start the business
    - Stay in the business
    Tweaking and persistence will put you at the top
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    • Profile picture of the author SergioFelix
      I actually spent an awful lot of time trying to make money with PTC sites, I did get a few dollars here and there to my PayPal account but it was driving me mad.

      I tried some affiliate marketing but nothing seemed to work.

      Then I reviewed a training from Lee McIntyre I was following at the time, nothing fancy though, just a straight up interview in the "here's what I like, here's what I don't like, here's what it costs to get in" kind of thing and before I knew it, I made three sales that same day for something near to $60 USD

      Never touched a PTC site again from that day! LOL
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  • Agreed.

    Distractions are the enemy of success.
    Focus is crucial to success


    Go back to what works, and optimise it
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  • Profile picture of the author Lightlysalted
    My first sale was an e-book I created about how to job search. It was an amazing feeling! I agree that focus is key, don't spread yourself too thin
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