95% of Internet marketers and affiliate marketers fail

by vok
55 replies
Just read an article about affiliate marketing which was pretty shocking 95% of Internet marketers and affiliate marketers fail to make any money online and those who do make a bit of money will still quit because making $100 wasn't their dream of becoming an internet millionaire.

It's pretty shocking statistic, seeing as you have a better chance of making money in the stock market than affiliate or internet marketing which only has failure rate of 90% the same failer rate for small business's.

Mind you it makes sense if you think about it with just the vast number of people who want want a to join this game everyday. It's understandable most leave with nothing, most of the time worst off than when they first started.

For someone who has made large profits in both the stock market and affiliate marketing space makes me appreciate what I have achieved and at only 20 too, I think some of my success is being around successful people, my best friend who is 21 owns a retail company that turns over around £1m a year has given me some great business advice over the years and I have done the same as we both have our own field of knowledge.

Here's the article: Why There Is A 95nternet Marketing Failure Rate
#95% #affiliate #fail #internet #marketers
  • Profile picture of the author good2go4
    Hi there,

    That 95% statistic has been around for a long time, but I personally think that it isn't a valid representation of either affiliate marketing or making money online. I would say that 95% of people who are looking for the get rich quick schemes or who are jumping from one method of making money to another are probably going to give up on the idea after they run out of time and money; but I am also sure, just from reading this forum, that there are a lot of people online who do make enough money to live comfortably and who are successful - it is just they are too busy doing what they are doing to talk much about it

    My 2 cents
    Lisa
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    97% of drunks and drug addicts die as a direct result of their drinking and drugging. That's a 3% success rate. Odds for IM look better all the time.
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    • Profile picture of the author Matt Bard
      Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

      97% of drunks and drug addicts die as a direct result of their drinking and drugging.
      88% of drunks and drug addicts claim that success drove them to it.

      So we can now say that of the 5% of the people in IM who will succeed, around 12% will stay sober.

      Given these stats, I would say that only roughly 3.2% of the members here know what the hell they are talking about and the others are too inebriated or brain damaged to understand what's being taught.

      This accounts for the 95% failure rate
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      • Profile picture of the author Keith Boisvert
        Originally Posted by Matt Maiden View Post

        88% of drunks and drug addicts claim that success drove them to it.

        So we can now say that of the 5% of the people in IM who will succeed, around 12% will stay sober.

        Given these stats, I would say that only roughly 3.2% of the members here know what the hell they are talking about and the others are too inebriated or brain damaged to understand what's being taught.

        This accounts for the 95% failure rate
        I fall into the cracks of being highly inebriated. However, being a pimp for midget hookers as my "offline" business has taught me a few things....Never sell yourself short!

        keith
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  • Profile picture of the author rmolina88
    I haven't made a dime yet, but I hope I don't end up in the 95%..
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  • Profile picture of the author vok
    I think some people come online thinking the place is plated with gold and all you have to do is be bothered to collected the pay checks they don't realise that there is real work and that not everyone can succeed.

    I agree that there's a ton of money to be made I'd bet on that trillions of dollars worth of trade passes through the internet or generated as a result of online activities. But people want fast cash in and out job and it's not like that building long term profitable business's is what it's about. That could be teaching people how to bake the best cake to running an e-commerce business.
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    • Profile picture of the author humbledmarket
      Banned
      Originally Posted by chriswick View Post

      I think some people come online thinking the place is plated with gold and all you have to do is be bothered to collected the pay checks they don't realise that there is real work and that not everyone can succeed.

      I agree that there's a ton of money to be made I'd bet on that trillions of dollars worth of trade passes through the internet or generated as a result of online activities. But people want fast cash in and out job and it's not like that building long term profitable business's is what it's about. That could be teaching people how to bake the best cake to running an e-commerce business.
      Honestly, I use to think that. I joined internet marketing through family who became very successful with his online income. I was under the impression it was easy money...boy was I wrong

      It's a lot of hard work but it's enjoyable as well
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  • Profile picture of the author blackhawkup
    Banned
    yeah this is what i learned about direct marketing businesses.

    its all a numbers game..
    think about life insurance agents, kirby vacuum cleaners, and other door to door, cold calling careers..

    there are alot of people who are sold on the dream but when they see the reality, they just quit.

    everybody isn't cut out for business, but thats why those who do succeed, they succeed really good.
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  • Profile picture of the author vok
    Business is a numbers game whatever business your in there's one bottom line and that's profit and how much your making... I think people focus to much on what they find enjoyable and not enough on profit because you can take $100,000 a month but if you spent $101,000 to make that then you don't have a business at all the guy that spent $10 to make $50 is more successful than you.

    The best thing you can do is work and work hard and if you still fail then get angry and get back to work to make the money back. Lot of people get scared of losing money I just get even more aggressive of making it all back plus compensation which maybe one of the driving forces to my success.
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  • Profile picture of the author Slade556
    The problem is many people don't educate themselves enough to start making a profit online. They think you set up one website and the money just starts rolling in. Internet Marketing is just like any other job in the sense that if you don't have a strong knowledge base you probably won't make a lot of money. The 'magic bullet' syndrome is also very prevalent in our industry and when someone isn't making a truckload of money in two weeks they begin to think its all b.s. and quit.

    I'm always amazed that people are willing to put YEARS into a 'regular' job but only weeks or months into internet marketing before quitting. If they applied themselves online as they do in the real world I think most would be pleasantly surprised with their success.
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  • Profile picture of the author aandersen
    Who knows how many quit, make it, or get rich? I don't know about you, but I have never seen any kind of analytic device for tracking the progress of every internet marketer. How would one even attempt to come up with that kind of figure?

    How could you even track how many internet marketers are currently out there?
    How do we know how many are successful?
    Can you define success?
    Can you define rich?
    If I had your money, would I consider myself rich?
    If you had my money, would you consider yourself a failure?

    I hate made up statistics. I think this on is just used motivate people, sell products, get people to realize it's hard work, etc. We all know IM has a high failure rate, but this statistic is really just one of those that you can throw around and call it whatever you want. 83%, 92%, 96%, 79%, whatever, they all mean just about the same thing IMO
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    • Profile picture of the author breaking dawn
      Originally Posted by aandersen View Post

      Who knows how many quit, make it, or get rich? I don't know about you, but I have never seen any kind of analytic device for tracking the progress of every internet marketer. How would one even attempt to come up with that kind of figure?

      How could you even track how many internet marketers are currently out there?
      How do we know how many are successful?
      Can you define success?
      Can you define rich?
      If I had your money, would I consider myself rich?
      If you had my money, would you consider yourself a failure?

      I hate made up statistics. I think this on is just used motivate people, sell products, get people to realize it's hard work, etc. We all know IM has a high failure rate, but this statistic is really just one of those that you can throw around and call it whatever you want. 83%, 92%, 96%, 79%, whatever, they all mean just about the same thing IMO
      forbes defines rich as having a net worth of at least $30 million

      i think that was back in 2008 or 2009, it may have changed since then
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      • Profile picture of the author davidjames42973
        These stats would have a better leg to stand on if the article said that 95% of marketers fail in their first year...
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by chriswick View Post

    Sorry, but the article is nonsense; it really is. The first and third of the three reasons he gives for this alleged 95% failure-rate are just ridiculous. :rolleyes:

    Where do these alleged "statistics" come from, and who defines what "failure" is, anyway?

    I'm glad I didn't read anything like that before I started. Fortunately nobody told me it was so difficult to be successful (nor suggested his implied solutions!), when I was starting out - though if they'd told me like that, I'd have had the sense to ignore them completely, anyway. :rolleyes: :p
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  • Profile picture of the author entrepreneurjay
    That is because they think it will be easy and they are sadly mistaken.

    Internet marketing is a business, just like any other business and it takes a lot of hard work especially in the beginning to get it set up properly. Then you can work less and less, and eventually it can basically run on autopilot.

    But it takes work to get there and most people are too lazy, or not motivated enough to make things happen so they quit never too return!

    Most want things handed too them when they find out they have to actually work they run for the hills lol literally!

    I am glad I am not in that 95%
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  • Profile picture of the author donkey097
    i think that a valid stat. Everyone reads about getting rich in 14 days etc and when it doesnt happen, many just give up. Like any business you need to stick with it and pursavere
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    Think of learning Internet Marketing like college, except you can start making money in your freshman year if you study really hard. Then you can look forward to your junior and senior year. Then graduate and make big $$$$.
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  • Profile picture of the author rolough
    People aren't persistent enough and give up to easily...if it was easy, everyone would do it!
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  • Profile picture of the author @seo
    yes i am totally agree with you. i am trying to get success in internet marketing from past 3 years but i am still not making enough money.
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  • Profile picture of the author Venturetothetop
    Honestly, do not worry about the people who fail and concentrate more on the people who succeed, and that includes yourself.

    The OP makes a point, which I have shouted here many times. Most successful people make it to the top with the help of a mentor... Someone to guide them when they have questions and who can help them focus on the important things. WF is a great resource but in no way replaces a mentor.

    Seek out someone who has the life you want, and then convince them to give you some of their time. (Make useful comments on their blog, ask them interesting questions, accidently on purpose bump into them at offline events... show them you deserve their time and you will get it)
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  • Profile picture of the author DavidAnthony
    95% of Internet marketers and affiliate marketers fail, because almost all of them are new and they're partlyoverwhelm by the information that is being thrown at them.

    The best way is to get the help of Automated tools (especially at first) that can bring significant amount of traffic that means better conversions ultimately money (sometime insane money) in your pocket, while you're learning to be a better Internet Marketer along the way.
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  • Profile picture of the author actionplanbiz
    A good Solution is... DON'T QUIT (if all you worried about is "FAILURE")
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  • Profile picture of the author pethanks
    Maybe the author of the article has the basis upon saying it. Thank you for sharing this to us.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vogin
      Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

      Think of learning Internet Marketing like college, except you can start making money in your freshman year if you study really hard. Then you can look forward to your junior and senior year. Then graduate and make big $$$$.
      Originally Posted by DaveMcF View Post

      There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.

      Both very true. I study two colleges at a time - University of Economics and University of IM.

      As for statistics, I had some insight to it and it's just ridiculous how it can be manipulated to suit one's needs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seleyna
    I'm not yet into the affiliate marketing battlefield, and this article is a perfect challenge.
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  • Profile picture of the author mat borhan
    i agree with David Anthony, maybe many internet marketer new and they still learn "how to make money". Maybe next time they find the key and start soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author Billy Rey
    a good chunk of offline businesses last an average of 3 years before finally closing down (at least on my side of the world) LOL

    these statistics are just numbers, just like your age. You control it.

    With proper guidance and determination, you will succeed. Just remember to take it one step at a time.

    Aside from professional coaching, personally, I have helped a couple friends and introduced them into the online world and they are doing great now.

    They just need to be guided.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    5% = 1/20.

    So just try 10 times and you'll have a 10/20 or a 50:50 chance of having a successful IM business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      5% = 1/20.

      So just try 10 times and you'll have a 10/20 or a 50:50 chance of having a successful IM business.
      You don't think that maybe people who've failed 5 times are going to fail 10 times, then? Or at least "many people"?

      Call me a skepchick, but it seems to me that many people who "fail", directly or indirectly repeat their mistakes over and over again, often unknowingly; and many people who succeed would actually have succeeded equally at various other activities instead of/as well as at internet marketing. One isn't actually dealing with simple chances which one can quantitatively summate, at all.
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

        Take them all with a grain of salt.

        The only statistic that matters to me is how well I'm doing.

        The only statistic that should matter to you is how well you're doing.

        Everything else is just bull cookies.
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      • Profile picture of the author caseycase
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        You don't think that maybe people who've failed 5 times are going to fail 10 times, then? Or at least "many people"?
        Alexa, I think you are mostly right. I lot of people who fail 5 times will fail the next five....if they do not change their strategies and take the time to figure out what works and what doesn't.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        You don't think that maybe people who've failed 5 times are going to fail 10 times, then? Or at least "many people"?

        Call me a skepchick, but it seems to me that many people who "fail", directly or indirectly repeat their mistakes over and over again, often unknowingly; and many people who succeed would actually have succeeded equally at various other activities instead of/as well as at internet marketing. One isn't actually dealing with simple chances which one can quantitatively summate, at all.
        What I think is you shouldn't take my use of stats literally.

        The point of my post is "persistance breaks resistance". But the math is correct and you haven't shown an error in my math.

        I also assume that someone is capable of learning and adapting. If they are so ignorant that they do the same thing over and over, then you have a point.

        But for people that can learn and evolve, your point is mute. You also make the assumption that the "failure" is 100% the "fault" of the person, and not the idea, financing, education, current trends, political environment, etc. I disagree and feel there are other factors in the success of a person, and these extrenal factors do and can change.

        Plus, the 95% failure rate has never been quantified or supported, therefore the entire thread is N/A. I suggest if you are truly concerned with "quantitatively" accuracy, you start with the original premise of 95%. You're not disputing the actual "quantitative" number, only my interpretation of the meaning of that number. Interesting.
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  • Profile picture of the author mark587905
    Being a success at Internet Marketing involves learning to accept failure as a day to day event. IM is like any job and can get boring but looking out of my window at home reminds me why I tried and tried until I succeeded. I used to work 70k away from home and hated it. I now work in my pyjamas if I wish and am warm and snug while my old workmates battle with elements to get to work; I just walk downstairs. Success will happen if you keep trying.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anne99
    I'd like to know where the 95% statistic came from. Does this include people who genuinely put in a consistant effort over several months/a year or is it mostly people who bought a couple of ebooks, got overwhelmed and instantly forgot about it?
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I thought it was 97%?
    I earned money my first month but it took about 2 to 3 hours per day training and 3 to 4 hours per day implementing what I learned for about 6 months solid. More income came in, work less and training is less time each day now. Find a product in high demand and learn how to market it at an expert level. It may take some time...hang in there....
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  • Profile picture of the author vok
    I agree but I think it's only natural people fail I mean there's always going to be people that fail simply because they just don't know what the hell it is they're doing. Where to start, they buy every product under the sun and it's like information overload to them and they just get lost and give up.

    There's some much noise out in the market place right now there's no single clear path for anyone to follow so I can understand peoples frustrations when there trying to work out how to make money online.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Just remember...

      Half of all statisticians are below average...

      Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert View Post

      I fall into the cracks of being highly inebriated. However, being a pimp for midget hookers as my "offline" business has taught me a few things....Never sell yourself short!

      keith
      And if you want to avoid jail, never sell short yourself...
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      • Profile picture of the author Rachel Zaouche
        I am happy with failing. It is only by failing that you learn how to do more and more successfully. It worked for just about every millionaire you can think of and thats good enough for me.

        So long as you learn from the mistakes you make and move forward you cannot help but be a success. And dont forget success means something different to everyone. If you dont know where you want to be, how will you ever get there?
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        • Profile picture of the author unclepennybags
          I am sure there are reasons for lots of affiliates not being able to make a lot. One of the big reasons is that people learn that it is not what they think it is.

          To me it is an office job because I have been through long days of nonstop typing for content and backlinks and what not.

          Most of the sales pages out there will say this kind of thing because it gets the hype up.

          Seriously dude I have tried to get a couple of my friends into it. One said it seems too complicated and there is too much work. Another said marketing is wrong doing and it is all a big scam.

          I obviously do not agree with either but everyone has different opinions on it. I am sure a large amount of people out there just plain old don't have the work ethic.
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  • I'm sure that 95% is spot on accurate.

    Based on what data pool?

    Who cares really. Most business fail within the first 5 years and the data for that is accurate and comes from the SBA.
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  • Profile picture of the author PaulaC
    "Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. 14% of people know that."

    Homer Simpson
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Nguyen
    It's amazing how someone can come with "90 whatever % fail" malarky.
    I feel like slapping the person that first brought this fake statistic up. I have a feeling that they brought in the statistic that applied in the offline business.
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  • Profile picture of the author PeepMyCollar
    I actually agree with the author of the article, but at the same time, 95% of people failed to succeed in just about anything that requires a long term commitment.

    It's like saying 95% of Americans fail at keeping their weight in check.
    95% of business fail to succeed and make little money when they do succeed.

    I woudln't be surprise to find out that 95% of what you do, also end up as failures.

    It seems like a negative point of view, but only if you make it so. There's still a large number of people who succeed at it.

    Learn what they do. Execute them. Execute them some more. Work your butt off.

    Welcome to the 5%.

    PS: If the 95% statistics is true and I CERTAINLY HOPE IT IS, that just means 95% of your competition is not going to make it. What are you going to do about that?
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  • Profile picture of the author Amy Wu
    First, I don't know where this 95% number coming from. Second of all, if the IM market were that easy to get result, then that would be 100% odd to all of true IMers.

    It really depends on how well you plan on your goal and how consistent you will be to execute your plan. There is no such thing called "get rich over night" in this industry. Perhaps winning a lottery is a different story. As an IMer, I have been working for myself in the last 5 years. Still, I am exploring new opportunities which can be added to my income stream. Let's put it that way, if this 95% number was right, then luckly I am not part of this 95%.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bluewater
      Originally Posted by Amy Wu View Post

      First, I don't know where this 95% number coming from.
      It's coming from that well renowned source of impartial advice articlesnatch.com, as the OP originally posted. It must be true as the article contains a resource box link that will teach you how you can make sure you're not one of the 95% that fail.

      Seriously guys, a 50 post response to this thread. Wise up will ya?
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  • Profile picture of the author CCGAL
    I agree that the statistic has to be invented due to the fact that there is no way to register or track every internet marketer. I would also suggest that there is not a standard definition of "internet marketing" although most of the fine folk at this particular water cooler would probably have very similar definitions. Go ask anybody in your target market (assuming you aren't all selling to one another all the time) and you may find they all have different ideas.

    That said, who defines what a failure is? You and I might (probably!) have such different life experiences that the exact same situation could be construed as a brilliant success by one and an abject failure by the other.

    My take: everything is feedback. We formulate an idea, we test it, and then we look at the results and make course corrections. Sometimes a person buys a product and by studying it determines that he or she really doesn't want to do that for a living. Does that make him or her a failure? Not in my eyes.

    Interesting thread; I enjoyed reading all of your comments.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cash37
    LOL what a BS article. There is NO WAY of calculating that stat.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnyeo90
    People failed because they lost confidence with themselve,.
    That why 95% people quit!
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  • Profile picture of the author dfinancialmkt
    What constitutes failing? Not making any money or only making a little?
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  • Profile picture of the author dv8domainsDotCom
    Hmmm, 95% failure rate? Perhaps the failure rate wouldn't be so high if they considered it a 95% chance that they could potentially learn something if they focus on why "that thing" didn't work when they half-assed it to begin with.
    -What do I know, I'm still learning...
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  • Profile picture of the author Randy Daugherty
    Many failed due to misconception of really is internet marketing. One should be knowledgeable about internet marketing to succeed and don't waste time and effort...
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  • Profile picture of the author freedumb
    How many warriors were invited to take part in this study? Zero. Exactly - it's BS. Even if it 'could' be true, its not based on fact, so who cares.

    Anyone that says that is probably talking about their own coaching program, so steer clear I know coaches that teach IM and 80% of their students succeed. Just focus on stick with it and you will succeed.
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