Newbie can't see the wood for the trees

11 replies
Hi all

I'm new to IM (and obviously here as well) and it got me intrigued. I've always been a avid internet user and used to run websites back in the days prior to wordpress ;-) (But I've used wordpress since...) where you had to know html to make your own website... Anyways, drifting off...

First off this forum seems amazing, expect me to stick around and annoy you with my many questions ;-)
I've been browsing and can say that there's tons of helpful information here and it seems that some of you guys are really making the big bucks here.

As a newbie I've come across many sales pages of people who promise millions by just pressing a few buttons showing off some photoshopped proof of their earnings.

After reading some posts here I knew that this was the right place to ask for advice. Now, I am not looking for any system that will get me rich overnight, but I am much more interested in some way of guidance as to where to actually start - sure I want to start making money right away (who doesn't), and I would be very thankful for tips, advice, mentorship or even a program to get me started.
This question might have been asked a million times, but where can someone who is not afraid to put the work in to make it start? Is there any program you guys could suggest for a newbie like me? Is there anyone on this forum who is in need of a "test rat" for their new product or someone who wants to take me under their wings?

I can't spend thousands of $, but I also don't want to wait for years to make my fist 10 $ online. I'm a quick learner but don't see a reasonable way to weed through all the information on this forum since I don't really know what exactly I'm looking for anyways.

Well, enough of my ramblings. I hope that some of you guys do take me serious and can help me guide into the right direction. Thanks!
#newbie #trees #wood
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Alex,

    Welcome to the forum.

    There are many business models and strategies for making money online, as you know. Use the search function and investigate those that you are drawn to. Inventory your own skills, training, education, interests, hobbies, passions, etc and seek out a niche that is in demand and that you have some advantage in already. It will give you an advantage since you have experience and maybe already know and understand some of the issues, problems, and language related to the topic.

    Within the niche, seek to find specific demand already in the marketplace. Look for common problems, wants, and desires of those in the niche. Sell into that demand that is already there. Get to know the competitors and their products and seek to find a unique, new, or different solution (product or service) so that you can offer prospects something others don't have. Rise above the competition.

    It's important to build a list of prospects in your niche so that you can nurture them and market to them. So get that going in the very beginning regardless of the topic of your business.

    That should get you going. I'm sure others will chime in.

    Good luck to you,

    Steve
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    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex II
      Thanks to both of you.
      I will make sure to search trough the forum and look for previous answered threads.

      I do have some general ideas of some niches, but how do I figure out if I should move into one or the other? Is a lot of competition better than none or vice versa? Still got several TONS to learn
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      • Profile picture of the author DWaters
        Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

        Thanks to both of you.
        I will make sure to search trough the forum and look for previous answered threads.

        I do have some general ideas of some niches, but how do I figure out if I should move into one or the other? Is a lot of competition better than none or vice versa? Still got several TONS to learn
        Yes there is TONS to learn about IM and this forum can be very helpful. Learn enough to design a business model and then keep focused on it. It is easy to get distracted and pulled in many directions. Watch out for the shiney object syndrome.
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        How I really Make Money With Amazon

        Want to get rich with top rated FREE Super Affiliate Training?
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      • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
        Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

        Thanks to both of you.
        I will make sure to search trough the forum and look for previous answered threads.

        I do have some general ideas of some niches, but how do I figure out if I should move into one or the other? Is a lot of competition better than none or vice versa? Still got several TONS to learn
        Alex what niches are you thinking of ? Post them here and what skills you have in each one. Than maybe we can point you in the right position. If you say make money online, we can tell you right now stay away..

        By the way Welcome to the forum and using the search as others suggested. Hold off on the War Room for now are you really will become overwhelmed.
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        • Profile picture of the author Alex II
          Originally Posted by DWolfe View Post

          Alex what niches are you thinking of ? Post them here and what skills you have in each one. Than maybe we can point you in the right position. If you say make money online, we can tell you right now stay away..

          By the way Welcome to the forum and using the search as others suggested. Hold off on the War Room for now are you really will become overwhelmed.
          Too late on the war room advice it's a LOT more content to find my way around but since I love learning new things I'm sure I'll soon find my way around.

          One niche idea I had was bartending / spirits. As a former bartender myself I've gathered a lot of information on this topic for both the newbie bartender as well as just the regular guy/girl who wants to get their own home bar.

          2 of my passions include gaming and reading (like real books ) - But I don't see how I would be able to monetize that.

          Then there's cooking which I like to do and I could well combine that with diet/weight loss affiliate programs.

          A newfound passion is also business self-help / productivity / motivation I've recently read a few books (think and grow rich, getting things done, 4 hour workweek etc.) and many blog posts over that last year out of personal interest. I'd be interested in building something up in that niche over time, currently I lack the experience to create my own valuable product tough.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Cypher
    Alex,

    It boils down to what you're willing to do and what you're personality allows you to do.

    For example (clearly not an exhaustive list)

    1. Offline Marketing - cold calling, closing on the phone and consultations
    2. Affiliate Marketing - writing emails, building and nuturig a list, designing websites/landers
    3. Info Publishing - creating your content and getting on camera / recording, willingness to work
    4. 'Autoilot' Income sources - like AdSense - focus is on content, SEO gaming and paid traffic arbitrage.

    For me, product creation was the easiest. I still believe it's the fastest, but it all comes down to what you are willing to do and what you are capable of accomplishing.

    If you have any questions please feel free to contact me to get my opinion on things. I may not know everything you want to learn... But it's better than letting a 'guru' swipe $$ out of your pocket for coaching.
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  • Profile picture of the author anwiii
    hi alex. i would encourage you to get in to affiliate marketing through list building and email marketing. some courses are better than others but for the most part, everything is pretty much the same in regards to implementation. everyone teaches differently so i don't have any particular courses to recomend. you have to find someone you can relate to and can easily learn from. it's different for different people.

    the investment would be the wso or course material + autoresponder + squeeze page bulder + traffic + time. shouldn't cost more than $200 to get started and $50-$100 for the traffic on a weekly basis(which you should be able to recoup after a week). reinvest the money you earn in the business and don't spend any on anything personal when you are first trying to scale your business

    as far as niches are concerned, concentrate on the one you know more about. at first, just focus on one niche. the reason why you want to focus on something you know most about is because later down on the road, instead of affiliate marketing, you can create your own product to sell to your list. don't worry about high or low competition. focus more on what you know and the demand.

    when you figure out what you want to do, create a schedule, be consistent, and don't give up. there is a learning curve with everything and people tend to give up too soon

    good luck buddy. if ever you need some advice, you can pm me. your right. you have tons to learn. i know a lot and am still learning. i don't think we ever stop learning in what we are passionate about.

    edit- btw....join the war room. it's a good investment.... especially if you plan on being active here. people will take you more seriously
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    The best thing you can do is to do a quick SURVEY of the models out there

    You can do this EASILY by joining the WAR ROOM and checking out the different WSOs there

    They are free

    They require no optin

    Keep an open mind and look for PATTERNS

    Once you have found a general direction that fits your PERSONALITY and INTERESTS, it's time to roll up your sleeves and do some SEARCHING in the main forum

    Cross reference that info with info found on marketing blogs and you should be able to put together your own personal BLUEPRINT for your own information marketing business.
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  • Profile picture of the author cl7
    I asked that same question about a year ago, Alex II. For me, I did a bunch of things (from building websites, selling on eBay, domain flipping, etc..) before I settled with affiliate marketing & product creation. But it all comes down to what YOU really want to do, though. Learn as much as possible when you're on this forum. With the right knowledge & strategies, you can make a ton of money off of the information on here.

    If you think you won't able remember it all, then copy and paste it down to read it later.
    Maybe somewhere along the line, you'll find something that will spark your interest. You can filter the rest out or find a way to incorporate it with what you're interested.

    I can't tell you exactly "where to start" because it might not be something you're interested in so all I can do is advise you to check out what The Cypher said. Good luck dude!

    Where there's a will there's a way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex II
    Thanks everyone. :-)
    Great to see a positive and helpful community here.

    As you can see I just got into the war room - great offer, and I am sure I'll find a lot of great information on there.

    As I'm new to IM I had the following idea:
    - Start a blog about my true passion / my "real business" and give a lot of valuable free content, start building a list as well, and maybe occasionally promote some high quality affiliate products while slowly creating my own products.

    - Start a second "test business" where I can experiment more, be more "aggressive" and start pushing to sell faster/ more while still offering value, but if I screw up here and lose my credibility while trying out some new tactics I wouldn't risk ruining my business - worst case szenario: start over again...

    What do you guys think about that?
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  • Profile picture of the author T S Chan
    There are many ways to make money online, it depends on your skill, strength and passion.

    Basically you need to focus on 3 main categories:

    1) Product

    - sell your skills as freelancer (graphic design, web design, content creation...)
    - one to one coaching
    - create your own products (ebooks, videos, audios...)
    - flipping products on eBay
    - promote other people's products
    - .....

    2) Opt-in List

    - landing page
    - giveaway free valuable content (reports, e-course, videos)
    - develop good relationship before any sales pitch

    3) Targeted Traffic

    - blogging
    - forum
    - eBay
    - social media
    - hubpage
    - ebook directories
    - choose one strategy and get good at it.

    Hope it helps
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