Ask yourself - Are you hustling hard enough?

Harsh words but true...
There are no free lunches out there. But a lot of hard work in the early days will pay off in the end

Short post but very powerful, you really hit the main point.

That's something I have never done and it's something I wonder a lot about.

I have always struggled to some degree to make what I do about me. I love helping people and I have a lot of unique experience, but something always prevents me from wanting to shout about it. I've created a lot of products and services to help others but I have never really gone out shouting my name. I see others do it, and I see newbies who still know very little and have limited experience marketing themselves as experts and selling coaching and it does make me wonder whether I'm getting in my own way.

I can't decide whether they shouldn't be doing it - or I should

I cannot agree more on what you're saying. You really need to be hands-on in order to be successful. As a marketer you must either do things yourself or outsource stuff... so basically, you choose whether you want to invest "Time" or "Money".

If you want the easy way out, you invest money... Most people who fail IM invest time and this route does work but it takes long so that is why people quit. Not to say it doesn't work, it does work, just be dedicated and believe in what you're doing and stop whining you'll be fine.

The key is knowing exactly what is most important to your business

1. Drilling into, listening and hearing your market
2. Producing/finding products/services that add value to your market
3. Building your channel to communicate with your market
4. Selling

This should be what you do every breathing moment of your day outside of time you devote to family and health...

As for Andy's comment, I've seen two kinds of uber-successful (is that even a word!) entrepreneuers and both are built on getting yourself "out there" - 1) The first kind is the Type-A, self-promotional type guy like a Gary Vaynerchuck who I follow - built his entire business on being in his market's face or 2) The middleman experts who may not have direct customer "uberness" but have developed critical relationships with other key front-men in the industry where they play the "silent" genius behind the lead players.

What's interesting about #2 is that you still need to get "out there" in terms of building the relationships with that network of pro's, but you don't need to be building your personal brand direct to consumer.

Jeff

Hi 4dayweekend,

You're totally right and I am half-half! I have periods when I really dig in and work like a dog and sometimes I just muddle about! It also annoys me when I see these threads because in all honesty, most of those guys KNOW VERY WELL, that they aren't doing enough! I am honest about it when i say that I could put in 5 more hours into it so I don't go writing " it doesn't work, I quit"! Wallowing in self-pity is not something I like unless there's a good reason!

That's a really good post but some will be offended like " how dare you?' lol! Well, you're totally right! It's good to have motivators like yourself. And, by the way, it's the same for everything; studies, sports etc!

When I was swimming in a team we had a rule....whenever we'd done 100 lanes...and were knackered, we were given another 10 to do! Just to push yourself over and get you to realise that you can DO EVEN MORE even though you're tired! And, yes it hurt, but it paid off!

Top classical pianists and other musicians play 8 hours a day or more! That's there "BIG SECRET"! Work till you drop!

So, better get going now!

Yoan

I think some people come here looking for release and relief - whether they find it or not I don't know. But I am always amazed at the number of people that jump in and prop up these folks. It's one of the reasons I think this forum is what it is.

Having said that, my struggle has been working smarter. I have no problem working hard, but I am constantly looking for better more effective ways to be a good marketer. That's been my journey.

This is a great place for advice and catharsis it seems. Endurance, in my mind is what ultimately leads to the vicissitude of fortunes. I'm sure there has been plenty of that in this forum also.

4DayWeekend, I agree with you, sometimes what we all need is to feel the forceful thrust of another's footwear on our buttocks.

Message received.

You hit it on the head. Im glad you shared some of this tough love other IM'ers and hope other IM'ers can see. It not always about making a quick buck, it about creating a long and sustainable business. One will have to pay their dues and put in the sweat equity before they will be able to see any returns on their business. The ones out there looking for a quick buck wont last too long in this business or any other business.

it is really a shame that most people do not realize that you actually have to do something daily. There are too many promises of overnight riches and people need to realize it takes WORK!

You also have to test things out for yourself try new things becasue there is no cookie cutter solution in business.

Sad but true, and very compelling. I agree, why wallow in your misery? Make every failure an opportunity. It's a mere challenge and everything will surely come to pass.

@4DayWeekend you definitely hit the mark...

Sad to say I was also one that person who quit after a year of blogging but just last week I analyzed myself and accepted that it was really my fault. I regain my confidence and will to create a new name on Internet Marketing.

Cool rant. I'm definitely hustling hard. 2013 is off to a great start. Looking to duplicate my efforts in all areas.