Question About Business/Life

28 replies
I don't post in these forums much but I know there are guys here who are pretty successful and done well for themselves. I'm in my early 20s and in a tough situation I'm sure a lot of young entrepreneurs have found themselves in.

I've been doing offline with moderate success. Ive been able to position myself to speak with professionals and companies that have a good turnover and had good response. The problem is, in the last few months I've barely made any money. Everything is good until it comes time for them to hand over the check. I have more than enough prospects (spoken with several guys who said that's not the issue) and have a few good lead gen sources working for me, but still, these past couple months have been brutal trying to get a sale. It sounds pathetic just writing this out.

Now, I don't want to quit but as I mentioned above I'm in a tough spot. Being in my early 20s I still live with my mom who can barely make ends meet herself. Lost her job, can't find a new job and she has zero skills.

All I hear throughout the week is how I need to start making money, that she can't support me (and she's right, I can't argue with that at all) but it gets to the point where I don't know what to do anymore.

I work hard making sure I'm speaking with prospects and can't close a deal, more pressure falls on my shoulders as I hear how I need to start bringing in money. At this point I feel like I'm doing everything I can but have hit a wall in my business, I'm really not sure.

I use SPIN selling techniques and have run my scripts and system by a couple guys who said it was really good. I can't help but think I have a lack of sales experience that is holding me back.

Without getting off topic too much, I'm not looking so much for sales/marketing/prospecting advice but more or less what would you do in this situation advice. I don't really want to be a burden on my mom as shes in a tough spot and I really feel that I should take care of myself but at the same time, if this keeps up there's no way I'll be able to make ends meet paying rent and everything.

The one nagging thought is to get a job. Which I'm fine with, I'm not too proud to work, but I can't help but feel like if I can't make this work devoting all of my time to it, there's no way I can get it to work working on it part time. I really don't think it would ever happen.

I think back on the many business books I've read to guys like Mark Cuban eating ketchup sandwiches and sleeping on the floor to make sure he did everything he could to keep his business running. That's always been my approach but at the same time I question myself all the time now if I'm doing the right thing, if I run out of money then I really don't see how I can make this thing work part time while working a job. The common doubts I'm sure many successful people have gone through, but magnified from the fact I constantly get told to "start making money" or "go back to school and get a real career".

Anyways, it's a bit of a long post but I'd love to hear some feedback from some of the successful guys and what they would do.
#business or life #question
  • Profile picture of the author James English
    I'm sure you might hear a few responses saying otherwise, but my advice at this point would be to look at getting a job. I was in your situation a while back and I faced the exact thing you are facing now.

    Don't look at getting a job as giving up. Look at it as learning experience. What are your weak points in your business right now? It sounds like you are struggling to close. Find a sales job that is going to force you to fix that weak point. While you are working at your job, continually grow your business in your spare time. Once you feel comfortable enough to close your own deals, you can focus on turning your business into a full-time endeavor again.

    It sucks, I get it. That time for me was about 4 months. I put my business on hold and worked in a business that helped me fix a few of my weak points. If I hadn't taken that job I would still be stuck. Because I took it, my entire life has changed.

    That's my two cents for you. If you decide to head down that road send me a PM, I might have a spot for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    Well here's my 2 cents that is based entirely on my own personal experience.

    I disagree that you can't make your offline business work while doing it part time. There are 24 hours in the day. A typical job will take up 9 of those hours, maybe 10 if you have to travel far, and that leaves you with at least 14 hours / day. That's plenty of time to sleep and work at your business.

    Now I went all in as an entrepreneur, leaving a very good job as a Financial Planner with one of the big-5 banks here in Canada, convincing myself that the only way I was really going to make it was if I went at it full time. I regretted that move many times in over 2 years of struggle. I had a wife and kid to support, and the stress just wasn't worth it.

    Knowing what I know now, I could have easily built my business part time and with a fraction of the stress and heartache.

    So my point... get a job

    If you can, find a job with valuable experience, but at this stage you probably can't be very picky. Just get something, anything. Once you're earning some cash, then it's time to start working on your business. You'll likely enjoy it more, and you will be a lot better at it, too, since you won't smell of desperation.

    And let's not forget the most important thing right now... you have more than just yourself to think about. You owe it to your mother to bring in some steady cash asap. Don't let yourself believe that you'll make more money building your own business. When you consider the hours you're putting in and the money you're bringing in for those hours, you'd probably be surprised at the hourly rate you're effectively making. That won't always be true, but it's true right now.

    So my sincere advice... advice that comes from a very intimate understanding of your situation... get that job, bring in some bucks, put your mom's mind at ease, and spend the rest of your time on your business.
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    • Profile picture of the author thomharvey87
      Originally Posted by Kung Fu Backlinks View Post

      Well here's my 2 cents that is based entirely on my own personal experience.

      I disagree that you can't make your offline business work while doing it part time. There are 24 hours in the day. A typical job will take up 9 of those hours, maybe 10 if you have to travel far, and that leaves you with at least 14 hours / day. That's plenty of time to sleep and work at your business.

      Now I went all in as an entrepreneur, leaving a very good job as a Financial Planner with one of the big-5 banks here in Canada, convincing myself that the only way I was really going to make it was if I went at it full time. I regretted that move many times in over 2 years of struggle. I had a wife and kid to support, and the stress just wasn't worth it.

      Knowing what I know now, I could have easily built my business part time and with a fraction of the stress and heartache.

      So my point... get a job

      If you can, find a job with valuable experience, but at this stage you probably can't be very picky. Just get something, anything. Once you're earning some cash, then it's time to start working on your business. You'll likely enjoy it more, and you will be a lot better at it, too, since you won't smell of desperation.

      And let's not forget the most important thing right now... you have more than just yourself to think about. You owe it to your mother to bring in some steady cash asap. Don't let yourself believe that you'll make more money building your own business. When you consider the hours you're putting in and the money you're bringing in for those hours, you'd probably be surprised at the hourly rate you're effectively making. That won't always be true, but it's true right now.

      So my sincere advice... advice that comes from a very intimate understanding of your situation... get that job, bring in some bucks, put your mom's mind at ease, and spend the rest of your time on your business.
      TBH, there's absolutely no way I would be able to make this run part time. Just the process of marketing and speaking to these companies is more than full time in itself. Part of me sees a lot of upside in just sticking with it, but the other part of me can't help but see the negatives.

      I had a company verbally commit to a 10k package last week, once again it means nothing until the cash is in the bank, but all I need is one sale to go through and I'll be fine. One alternative I'm seriously considering is paying some rent to my mom (I have a bit of cash in the bank, not a lot) until something big comes through. The amount of offers I have out there right now money wise is a lot, like I said if 1 goes through almost all of this concern goes away.

      I guess that's the real dilemma, there's a lot of upside to sticking around and figuring this thing out but the downside is I continue to struggle without much happening.

      I really appreciate the responses.
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      • Profile picture of the author umc
        Aside from the last several months, have you had success that resulted in actual money? Wasn't sure if this was just a dry spell or if the OP was the sum total of your experience to date. If your "moderate success" hasn't resulted in any money, then it doesn't sound like success at all. Maybe getting a job in something related would help you to grow and learn where you're falling short currently, and by doing so perhaps you could grow your own business part-time with increased efficiency, thus not having to devote so much time to it.

        If nothing else, go hustle up some self-employed work doing odd jobs to help out and work part-time doing that while learning how to better promote yourself and see what translates into your marketing business.
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        • Profile picture of the author BrashImpact
          Thomharvey87,

          First off, I for one Totally Disagree with almost every post in this thread. Why? Because if you quit to get a job the odds of you entering back into the realm of being an entrepreneur are almost zero. It's a low probability.

          I have been in the game for almost 27 years and the first 3 were brutal, keep in mind there was no Internet, you had to do it the old school way. But.... The one thing I kicked Ass at, Sales, Sales and More Sales with No Fear!

          Why is this important? Because there are so many ways to make $2500 to $5000 per month now a days it's plain crazy to consider a job.

          My first thought is somewhere in your sales funnel you have something broke and your framing is weak. Remember perception is reality, whatever you're prospects are thinking is there reality. Somewhere in your funnel something is WRONG or they would be buying.

          I am extremely busy....MY OFFER

          If you send me a Detailed PM with...
          Name - Phone - Location - Type of Business, I will find time to call you for 20 minutes and help you get this fixed. If you can't send me a detailed PM, I refuse to consider helping.

          Time to Start Closing Some Deals...
          Robert

          P.S. - Go Buy the BOOK Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff ASAP like your life depends on it.
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      • Profile picture of the author LastWarrior
        Originally Posted by thomharvey87 View Post


        ...there's absolutely no way I would be able to make this run part time.

        One alternative I'm seriously considering is paying some rent to my mom (I have a bit of cash in the bank,...)
        Wow!

        I was going to take some of my time and give a reply to your situation. I've been self-employed in many different industries both off and online for over 25 years. I've eaten the "butter sandwiches" without the butter. I've eaten the oatmeal without butter, sugar or milk... and I could go on. Through the whole process I always had to think where to spend my money when it came in. It was always a choice.

        You tell us about your situation and how your "mom" tells you she needs help and you have "... a bit of cash in the bank,..."?

        Help your mom. That's priority #1. Can't you see that? She took care of you, now return the favor.

        And you have STINKIN' THINKIN'.

        You say...

        "there's absolutely no way I would be able to make this run part time."

        You can make Heaven of Hell.... or Hell of Heaven. It depends on your mindset. If you keep thinking you can't make it work "part time", then it won't. There's a saying I like... "Whether you think you can... or think you can't, you're right." If you think you can, most likely you will. If you think you can't, then chances are you won't.

        You can make it work part time. Many... and I mean "MANY" businesses have started out part time and the owner wouldn't let any other negative thought enter into their mind that it would be any different. Do it. No excuses. Just make it work. W.E.I.T... ie, What Ever It Takes.

        When you establish goals and dreams so large it's a huge inspiration... something in reach of your Faith... something you truly believe deep down deep, you will accept no excuses and find a way to make it work. You aren't there yet. You have to find something you want bad enough that it hurts and sickness, tiredness, injuries and excuses will not stop you.

        Pay the rent and trust you'll find a way to make it work.(you'll be proud you did)

        Good luck on your venture and never give in to excuses... others or your own.

        LastWarrior
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  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    It seems we're talking about two different things.

    Let me clarify:

    No doubt you are putting full time hours into this. Of course you wouldn't be able to keep the workload you got going on now if you were to get a full time job. But my challenge to you would be to consider going at even a quarter of the pace so you can get your feet under you.

    I'm not suggesting you keep putting in the hours you're currently putting in, but rather cut back so you can keep a job and use your remaining hours wisely to build your business. I've been in the game a long time, and I know first hand that you can get a lot done in just 3-5 hours / day if you use your time wisely.
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  • Profile picture of the author HipSiGa
    Originally Posted by thomharvey87 View Post

    I don't post in these forums much but I know there are guys here who are pretty successful and done well for themselves. I'm in my early 20s and in a tough situation I'm sure a lot of young entrepreneurs have found themselves in.

    I've been doing offline with moderate success. Ive been able to position myself to speak with professionals and companies that have a good turnover and had good response. The problem is, in the last few months I've barely made any money. Everything is good until it comes time for them to hand over the check. I have more than enough prospects (spoken with several guys who said that's not the issue) and have a few good lead gen sources working for me, but still, these past couple months have been brutal trying to get a sale. It sounds pathetic just writing this out.

    Now, I don't want to quit but as I mentioned above I'm in a tough spot. Being in my early 20s I still live with my mom who can barely make ends meet herself. Lost her job, can't find a new job and she has zero skills.

    All I hear throughout the week is how I need to start making money, that she can't support me (and she's right, I can't argue with that at all) but it gets to the point where I don't know what to do anymore.

    I work hard making sure I'm speaking with prospects and can't close a deal, more pressure falls on my shoulders as I hear how I need to start bringing in money. At this point I feel like I'm doing everything I can but have hit a wall in my business, I'm really not sure.

    I use SPIN selling techniques and have run my scripts and system by a couple guys who said it was really good. I can't help but think I have a lack of sales experience that is holding me back.

    Without getting off topic too much, I'm not looking so much for sales/marketing/prospecting advice but more or less what would you do in this situation advice. I don't really want to be a burden on my mom as shes in a tough spot and I really feel that I should take care of myself but at the same time, if this keeps up there's no way I'll be able to make ends meet paying rent and everything.

    The one nagging thought is to get a job. Which I'm fine with, I'm not too proud to work, but I can't help but feel like if I can't make this work devoting all of my time to it, there's no way I can get it to work working on it part time. I really don't think it would ever happen.

    I think back on the many business books I've read to guys like Mark Cuban eating ketchup sandwiches and sleeping on the floor to make sure he did everything he could to keep his business running. That's always been my approach but at the same time I question myself all the time now if I'm doing the right thing, if I run out of money then I really don't see how I can make this thing work part time while working a job. The common doubts I'm sure many successful people have gone through, but magnified from the fact I constantly get told to "start making money" or "go back to school and get a real career".

    Anyways, it's a bit of a long post but I'd love to hear some feedback from some of the successful guys and what they would do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    @Brash - I think he needs 50 posts for PMs. You may have to PM him your email or something.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrashImpact
      Originally Posted by Kung Fu Backlinks View Post

      @Brash - I think he needs 50 posts for PMs. You may have to PM him your email or something.
      Thanks for the reminder, I sent him a PM. If he wants help he has it from several of us willing to help.

      I can think of 50 Things right now that could easily generate $200 a day Net Money in the Pocket.

      Robert
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      • Profile picture of the author jbsuccess
        Originally Posted by BrashImpact View Post

        Thanks for the reminder, I sent him a PM. If he wants help he has it from several of us willing to help.

        I can think of 50 Things right now that could easily generate $200 a day Net Money in the Pocket.

        Robert
        Wow! Brash you are an excellent example of "giving back" to the industry that's has given you so much.... Thank you for the inspiration

        Hmm, maybe I should PM you too... An idea worth a couple hundred bucks a day is pure gold!
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        • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
          I've experienced this. Certainly not as experienced as others here, but in late 2012 into 2013, I was you are.

          I had a great product (software widget) that everyone thought was just so damn amazing. They loved to "play" with it, but didn't buy.

          So I dropped that and began "selling me." I pumped out torrents of content, was always "too busy to talk today but how is tomorrow?" I never advertised any particular service. This gave me greater flexibility to "sell whatever they were willing to buy."

          I never ever ever ever ever ever once requested a meeting with anyone. I would use content to get them to call me to ask; "can we meet?"

          My close rate is 100% when folks request to meet with me.

          ALSO and this is BIG. Stay focused on one vertical.

          So in summation.

          1. You are the product (not your services) so sell YOURSELF
          2. Focus on one vertical at a time.
          3. Control your frame. Get them to come to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    People can sense when you are desperate for money
    and that may be why sales are not closing. "This guy just
    wants my money, he does not want to help me. Maybe
    he can't help me because he is new and does not have the
    wherewithal to do it."

    Work a day or two a week - Saturday and Sunday ? -
    doing odd jobs such as fixing things, painting, cleaning
    cars or yards or whatever for residences or businesses.
    You could make at least a couple of hundred per week
    or more this way.

    Don't stop until you have money in the bank from clients:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...lionaires.html

    Good luck.


    --------------------------------

    Yes, BrashImpact, he needs 50 posts to PM
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  • Profile picture of the author Ricardo Furtado
    You can help your mom by getting a job first.
    All the best. Regards.
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  • Profile picture of the author misterme
    So you don't have something that was working but isn't currently working, so we don't know if your sales script is as good as your friends think. Frankly I wouldn't ask friends to evaluate anything, I don't need opinions. Obviously the market place doesn't agree with your friends. So maybe your scripts aren't as good as you think.

    Or maybe you're not proficient in sales technique.
    Or maybe the prospects aren't qualified well.
    Or maybe the pressure to make money is creeping into your vibe.
    Maybe your prospects don't believe you.

    What I would do:

    Get a mentor or work for one.
    Get someone knowledgeable to come along on your sales call to observe and give you feedback.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      But I believe (because I don't know you) that you are not really working all day on this. I've trained hundreds of salespeople. They all get into a slump once in a while, including me. It always...always comes down to lack of activity. Yu miss a sale..you get a little depressed, so you wait a little longer before you make your next call...and you sound depressed..and they don't buy...so you start waiting until a TV show is over before you get back to work...and then it takes you a few days to sort out your files...and you aren't selling...and you have now officially created a slump.

      Slumps are created, by us.

      Talking about work isn't work.
      Driving around isn't work
      Telling your friends about how much you work...isn't work.
      Even being yelled at by your mom...isn't work.

      I regularly hear salespeople tell me that they aren't selling, that the business is not there. How much time a day are you actually talking to a prospect? That's how much time you are working. And when they really track the time they are with a buyer...most salespeople find that they are spending more time every day...eating lunch...than talking to prospects.

      I think it would be impossible to go eight hours of actually prospecting and talking to business owners...without selling something.

      And having your friends say that your presentation is good, is meaningless. Do you want to know if your approach and presentation is good? Are you selling? That's how you know.

      Anyway, if you do a little soul searching (which, by the way..is also not work) you'll see that you aren't working anywhere near full time.

      Believe me, this post is a real effort to help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron Lafuddy
    You don't have a business. A business makes sales, makes money.

    You don't have that.

    You have no income...except your what your mom was bringing in, before she lost her job. (Savings is not income.)

    You need to find WORK. A JOB. To Support Yourself And help your mom (she has supported you).

    Stop blaming your mother for the problems that YOU have created.

    Yes, YOU created your current financial situation.

    You need to own up to it - quickly...and take action.

    If you don't act immediately, it's going to get a whole lot worse.

    And that too, will be entirely YOUR FAULT for refusing to take action and go to work.

    Time to Man-Up, Dude!

    Time to turn things around!

    You aren't mama's responsibility anymore.

    Get a job!
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Another thought, get a job to help Mom and work (actually work it - not
    think about or talk about as Claude pointed out) your business a solid 4
    hours a day, or two days a week. Whatever you can around your job.

    I know of a good salesman who set records and made over $250,000
    per year in a new field of endeavor just working two days a week.
    It was his choice to only work two days per week so he could enjoy
    his kids and grandkids.

    Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
    Originally Posted by thomharvey87 View Post

    ... but at the same time I question myself all the time now if I'm doing the right thing, if I run out of money then I really don't see how I can make this thing work part time while working a job.
    OP, This is the limiting belief that is stopping you from making sales. What this says to me is that you don't believe that it will work. And if you don't believe it, who else will?

    And the limiting belief also assures that the only way you can move forward in life right now is to get a job.

    The universe is sending you what you are attracting. Or put another way, your prospects can sense that something is off and when it's time to pay you, their gut instinct tells them to bail.

    You've gotten some great advice here. Even an offer from someone to coach you. WOW, Bash you are a great person.

    My advice is to dig deep down and ask yourself, who do you want to be. Not what, but who. Look at these beliefs & ask yourself, am I really an entrepreneur or am I a worker?

    Then, I would distance myself from my mother. She is feeding these limiting beliefs.

    Thanks for your honesty. You're not the only one who has these types of thoughts.

    Good luck my friend!
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  • Profile picture of the author Erica Leggette
    You mentioned that you have money in the bank and that paying your mom some rent is "an alternate that you're seriously considering". If it was me, that would've been done already.

    Her stress is up thinking she has to support you, she needs income herself because she lost her own job, and you're on the fence about paying rent?
    Your actions are making your mom and your business enemies.

    It's hard enough as it to keep pushing forward. It's even harder having the people we need and value the most have resentment towards it.

    Pay some rent, help ease her stress, that will at least change the dynamic around the house until things get better and creates some good karma too.

    I wish you and your mom the best!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    Totally agree with Erica. You've been living on your mom's dime for a long time - sleeping under her roof, eating her food, using her water and heat. When you get a place and family of your own you'll appreciate how expensive everything is. You need to hand over every last cent to your mom to help out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Tough crowd, tough crowd!

    Thom, it's not always pleasant to get honest feedback but it needs to be heard.

    You do need an income stream.

    In my experience, I could not do a full time senior management role AND expand my business--I had about 4 hours a week to learn new things and that's it. I didn't get anything done for a year except fulfillment of orders. In the first MONTH I was back at my own biz full time, I transformed everything about what I did.

    So there's the risk. A part time or line position may not tie up your energy as much as what I was doing did.

    Get the job, and get it with a plan. So much time to get your financial house in order. So much time to begin marketing and sales efforts for your business. So much time to wean yourself off the job and get back to your own business full time.

    Inertia can be good or bad. Right now you have very little going on, so inertia is bad. Get the job and have something to go do every day, raise your self-esteem with it, and inertia will start being good.

    And you need SALES for your business. 100% of the time you spend on it now should be getting sales. That's it. You can upgrade things later. Revenue is needed right now.

    PS. Anyone in this position needs to read How To Quit Working by Jeff Steinmann. On Amazon/Kindle.
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  • Profile picture of the author popstocks
    Banned
    i wish i was early 20's again.

    Don't f*** around? Time flies. And after mid 30's the world of opportunity gets smaller. Especially once you get married kids.

    Look at where the huge money is. Get into that industry. Focus on one. Don't screw it up. Don't coast thiknig everything lasts for-ever. Make big fast money, retire. You could do it by 40..if you do it right! Nice thought. Now do it!
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  • Profile picture of the author parijat
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      It seams you're just trying to increase your post count without actually contributing anything of value. LOL

      I really don't bother replying to these threads as I've so often seen the original poster never return to the thread so no one knows if they even read the very sound advice that for example has been given in this very thread.

      Originally Posted by parijat View Post

      It seems we're talking about two different things.
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      • Profile picture of the author BigSnakeSituation
        Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

        It seams you're just trying to increase your post count without actually contributing anything of value. LOL

        I really don't bother replying to these threads as I've so often seen the original poster never return to the thread so no one knows if they even read the very sound advice that for example has been given in this very thread.

        I tend to agree with you Russ but on the other hand he seem to be in dire straits.I pray that he's ok.

        In case he does return to the thread. I'd like to add, that his mother does has some skills as we all do, but not all our skills are marketable skills.
        So if you graduated from college with a degree in basket weaving. Oh Well.
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    I know this is an old thread - but here goes.

    It took me a loooooong time to discover that it isn't about money. Whether or not you are closing deals has very little to do with the actual cash exchanging hands. Money is a secondary way of expressing how much VALUE something has.

    The concept of value is something that really escapes many people.

    When you are chasing money, it will always seem to elude you. They harder you push, the more it seems to run away UNLESS your value proposition is good.

    Many, many people on this forum and in groups I have attended seem to be going in a bunch of directions. "I'll sell anything. I can do or outsource anything." Is the thought process. And it's a killer.

    Forget about making money.

    You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want. - Zig Ziglar
    I used to think that quote had something to do with charity or being supportive of people. It's not.

    That quote is the concept of value. Value is often expressed in exchanging money, but value is NOT money. It is a completely separate thing. You need to ask yourself:

    "How can I provide as much value as possible to as many people as possible."

    It is only by helping other people, that you add value to their lives.

    There is NO DIFFERENCE between being self-employed and getting a job. They are literally the same thing - an exchange of value. The only difference is WHO you are providing value to. The customers are different.

    Right now the only way you might be able to add value to others is by getting a job in a business and helping them with their goals.

    To be self-employed means being good at helping people with their goals, and if you add value to them, they will give you money.

    No value = no money.

    Some people seem to have the value equation worked out from day one. They have a specific skill that people need, and they exchange it for money. If you have never had the experience of working hard to add value to something besides yourself, you will continue to struggle, and perhaps you should look at a job.

    If you get a job, don't look at it as a negative thing. Find someplace where you can add REAL VALUE and then work your ass off to help that business. Adding real value is a transformative experience.

    Right now, maybe you feel like you can add some value, but people don't believe you. That is why you make no sales.

    My feedback for you, and people in your shoes....

    1) Think of a way you can add real value to others immediately. This may not be in marketing. Right now, it might be cutting their lawn or trimming the bushes. Find an idea and really get behind it. Do all you can to help others with what they need. OR, it might be finding a small business and telling the owner you are trying to get better at marketing, and you would like to work for them. Tell them you will do all you can to help them, even including non-marketing tasks. Look them right in the eye and say "I want to add value to your business any way I can while I learn from you."

    2) Figure out something simple, that you KNOW you can do for businesses and that will really help them accomplish their goals. You must absolutely KNOW how this will add to them in some way, directly. You might learn and get good at this task while working for someone else.

    3) Don't act like a bigshot. This is the single most irritating thing for me. I used to do it. Now the thought embarrasses me. No matter how good you are, you aren't a big shot. Especially now. Here you are, struggling to keep a roof, and you are trying to sell to people who have actual running businesses. You are not a big shot, so don't act that way.

    4) Go where lots of people you want to HELP congregate. This means networking groups, meetups, chamber events...this is where you will get those first essential clients.

    5) Don't blow it. Don't go in there all egotistical like you are their greatest gift from god. You aren't. Be honest with people. Tell them you are getting started. Tell them the SPECIFIC simple way (up in #2) you can add value for them. Tell them you admire the success they have, and mean it. Be genuine. Truly desire to HELP them.

    6) Work for cheap at first. You will see my posts in this forum talking about the importance of high prices. But not for you. Not yet. You need to help a few people first, with your SIMPLE service. You are going to screw up at first. There is a huge difference between reading about marketing in books or in forums and actually doing it in a business that needs help. If you start out charging high rates and get in over your head - you are going to lose that client and they will regret paying you. This isn't funny money here. This is how they survive. If you charge more than you can add value for, you are TAKING value from them, not ADDING it.

    7) Add services and raise rates as you get better, over a period of years. Look, you are at square ZERO. This stuff takes time to get good at.

    You need money now - and you owe it to your mom to help. I can't even believe you are wondering if you should give her some of your savings. OF COURSE YOU SHOULD. You two are in this together. It isn't her responsibility to pay for everything. Don't be a leech.

    I can tell you have the concept of value all screwed up because you aren't even doing it in your own home. You should be ADDING VALUE to your family, not taking it away. So, do what I suggested in #1 and begin adding value at home with the people closest to you.

    This concept of adding value needs to permeate everything you do. I have known people who want to be "in business" who are nothing more than parasites. They go around, charge more than they are worth, and leave people with a bad taste and nothing to show for their money. Don't be that person because it wont last very long.

    Add value to the world. Actually help other people accomplish their goals, and you can continue to increase the amount of money that flows into your accounts.
    Signature
    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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    • Profile picture of the author MRomeo09
      I really like your post Dan. Good stuff.
      Signature
      We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up ... discovering we have the strength to stare it down. - Eleanor Roosevelt

      Your opinion of yourself becomes your reality. If you have all these doubts, then no one will believe in you and everything will go wrong. If you think the opposite, the opposite will happen. It’s that simple.-Curtis Jackson- 50 Cent
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    • Profile picture of the author mojo1
      Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post

      I know this is an old thread - but here goes.

      It took me a loooooong time to discover that it isn't about money. Whether or not you are closing deals has very little to do with the actual cash exchanging hands. Money is a secondary way of expressing how much VALUE something has.

      The concept of value is something that really escapes many people.

      I used to think that quote had something to do with charity or being supportive of people. It's not.

      That quote is the concept of value. Value is often expressed in exchanging money, but value is NOT money. It is a completely separate thing. You need to ask yourself:

      "How can I provide as much value as possible to as many people as possible."

      It is only by helping other people, that you add value to their lives.

      Add value to the world. Actually help other people accomplish their goals, and you can continue to increase the amount of money that flows into your accounts.
      Dan,

      This post was the absolute best, most substantive post I've ever read on this forum.
      The added value concept is really ground zero and is the point from which all blessings flow.
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