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2 years in. Lack of success. A story for you

by stevenjcampbell
39 replies
Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

What seems to be the main problem?
This was asked in another thread when I said I am so close to quitting after almost two and a half years of trying to create a real online business.

It's like there are two types of o like business owner. The ones that make money (and they do quite well) and those that dont (and they make little to no income.)

This was posted on a smartphone. Forgive my grammar and any strange typos.
Here goes.

Here is my story.
Am I a writer? Dunno.
I enjoy writing. Doesn't mean that I can be one, right?

I've spun my wheels in a hyper competitive niche of fitness. I failed to properly identify a real niche and built a youtube channel based on fitness without selling anything at all. Managed 6500 subscribers and couldn't command a buying audience worth anything. Make it worse, I went into this with the sheer interest in making money, not helping people. And as much as I thought I could create a real passive income from this youtube project, that never came to pass. More on that below.

It was six months in that I started trying to make a list but I got bogged down in the wso syndrome where I would find another way that was hyped to make passive income. II would start these and sure enough they're a ton of hype a lot of the time. I would see some returns but there wasn't anything concrete there at all and I didn't have a business model.

My wife came back from an overseas trip and realized I was spending a tremendous amount of time on youtube and making about $100/month.
We had a good sit down chat about where my energy was being spent.

I realized that day job marketing timeshare tours was a much better way to make money than the dream of making $50,000 a year from youtube advertising.

While I built the youtube presence I did try and build a list, but my efforts were misplaced as I never paid for any advertising and now my list is about a year and a half old and like 230 subscribers.

I have never been completely consistent and sold one ebook as an affiliate from it.

I started writing my own weight loss program. I find out that this is incredibly hard to Crack and that's on a google drive somewhere... Because you know, we're all so special until you see the truth and have to actually pay the bills and can't focus on these things if they aren't going to pay out.

I'm short I got shiny object syndrome and failed hard for that time.

I am inspired lately with Bob proctor and the law of attraction but it can only get me so far until I feel the need to completely abandon it all.

Matter of fact, just this past spring I've literally doubled my real life income from this new way of thinking and I've started

As an absolutely last ditch attempt, I'm building a self help site. I am not going into this with the intention that I will make a red cent. I just want to share now how I managed to change my real life money around.

My dream is to live and write articles and create products to help others.
I realized with the fitness stuff that the most grateful feeling in the world is helping people out.

Now I'm just "over it" for lack of a better term.
I had goals to at least be paying my monthly expenses by now from online revenue sources, but it appears the online marketing world is broken down into those that make lots of income, and those that struggle to make $100 a month even.

How I ended up in the latter group is I suppose all on me, but where do I go from here?
I guess that is also on me.
#lack #story #success #years
  • Profile picture of the author tiffanymika
    Great story... nice to read it.

    You know I can relate 100%.

    I spent my first 3 years online not making a single cent (oh, actually when I come to think of it, I made about it ($1000 in 3 years online)

    You know I spent alot of time on youtube creating golf tips online... but I couldn't seem to convert my list into becoming customers. They loved the free content of course.

    I had put this elaborate online membership site together which took about 12 months to create. It was intense - it burnt me out. But I had a vision of what I wanted, well what I knew my followers needed but not necessarily what they wanted.

    I realized that later on as I surveyed my list and found out exactly what they were looking for. Not what I knew they needed... So that was a big learning curve.

    So know we are 3 and a half years down the track.

    I am working with a business model I can leverage and am making money from... but what I discovered with this business model that there were missing elements in my golf teaching site on how to make the money I was looking to make.

    So perhaps all the things that you have already in place are there ready to make money but need some tweaking...

    If you want to bounce ideas off me.

    Happy to help

    Cheers

    Tiff
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    Tiffany Mika

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  • Profile picture of the author leilani
    Can totally identify. Had I not had another business that paid for the bills, my husband would be sitting down with me having that "conversation."

    Spent thousands on courses and coaching programs only to feel more confused than when I started.

    If you believe that you can be successful on the internet. Start again.

    Find a one-on-one coach that can really take you through a successful system. One that can show you step by step what needs to be done. That does not confuse you or try to show you how smart they are. It's about you and what you can do.

    A coach that can show you how to monetize your efforts while you learn. Someone that will answer any question you have right away.

    That's a coach.

    Leilani
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    • Profile picture of the author Boris Qs
      Yo already have it figured out why give up now if that is what you want to do. The main failure was building a system that after putting in that much energy the business will start taking care of itself. Making you that consistent and reliable income you are looking for.

      You were already making money online. That simply means the niche you where in is marketable. That is alone is part of the research done all you can start doing now is taking that niche knowledge and possibilities to the next level where you will not put in so much work

      -Have a funnel that converts
      -build your list
      and keep on adding to that list when you have time to work on your online business. That will be my plan B if I was in the same situation now.Hope that was helpful
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  • Profile picture of the author ashwinsatyanarayana
    I can relate to that. It's been years and I've never really tried anything beyond writing and freelancing. I am also doing digital marketing full fledged, but that's all ever got around to do.

    My affiliate marketing attempts failed ( but only I am to blame since I never put in consistent effort).

    Yes, it's on you. It's on all of us. I am tempted to give up everyday, but I won't. Honestly, there's nothing else I have to do except keep trying.

    The best thing, I'd still feel, is to get a regular source of income (Job/freelancing/dividends/Interest income/rentals) and then focus on doing anything online.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lurk
    If you doubled your income last spring was that from the job? If so, maybe you need a system offline that would make you more money doing what you do, but, allowing you to be the owner. Sort of like a franchise. Look into that and see if that might work.

    I am just guessing here.
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  • Profile picture of the author Deos
    Bob Proctor said "Failure is a trickster", once you learn to accept that failing is a part of the process, you will see success.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      You really need to adjust your Mindset. And get focused. Building a List of just 230 Subscribers and getting frustrated with THAT...is inexcusable.

      Build it up to 2,300 and then give me a call.

      Also, the shiny object syndrome will ultimately be your downfall..as is for many IMers.

      Its a waiting game, really. And its a Catch 22. This game of IM.

      You have to sacrifice Time and Energy to build up a Brand and Authority.

      Meantime, there is only so many days in one's Life. So you have to work hard and long and in the end it may not work out. And its like " Wtf , I have put all this time in and it may not come to fruition"

      But that is the sacrifice you have to be willing to Risk if want to find Success in Online Marketing.
      And it is why so many fail at this


      - Robert Andrew
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      • Profile picture of the author Zodiax

        I started writing my own weight loss program. I find out that this is incredibly hard to Crack and that's on a google drive somewhere... Because you know, we're all so special until you see the truth and have to actually pay the bills and can't focus on these things if they aren't going to pay out.
        Welcome to reality my friend.

        Stick to your Job, it is MUCH better that way, trust me.
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        'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'
        -Muhammad Ali

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  • Profile picture of the author ZanyZebra
    Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

    This was asked in another thread when I said I am so close to quitting after almost two and a half years of trying to create a real online business.

    It's like there are two types of o like business owner. The ones that make money (and they do quite well) and those that dont (and they make little to no income.)

    This was posted on a smartphone. Forgive my grammar and any strange typos.
    Here goes.

    Here is my story.
    Am I a writer? Dunno.
    I enjoy writing. Doesn't mean that I can be one, right?

    I've spun my wheels in a hyper competitive niche of fitness. I failed to properly identify a real niche and built a youtube channel based on fitness without selling anything at all. Managed 6500 subscribers and couldn't command a buying audience worth anything. Make it worse, I went into this with the sheer interest in making money, not helping people. And as much as I thought I could create a real passive income from this youtube project, that never came to pass. More on that below.

    It was six months in that I started trying to make a list but I got bogged down in the wso syndrome where I would find another way that was hyped to make passive income. II would start these and sure enough they're a ton of hype a lot of the time. I would see some returns but there wasn't anything concrete there at all and I didn't have a business model.

    My wife came back from an overseas trip and realized I was spending a tremendous amount of time on youtube and making about $100/month.
    We had a good sit down chat about where my energy was being spent.

    I realized that day job marketing timeshare tours was a much better way to make money than the dream of making $50,000 a year from youtube advertising.

    While I built the youtube presence I did try and build a list, but my efforts were misplaced as I never paid for any advertising and now my list is about a year and a half old and like 230 subscribers.

    I have never been completely consistent and sold one ebook as an affiliate from it.

    I started writing my own weight loss program. I find out that this is incredibly hard to Crack and that's on a google drive somewhere... Because you know, we're all so special until you see the truth and have to actually pay the bills and can't focus on these things if they aren't going to pay out.

    I'm short I got shiny object syndrome and failed hard for that time.

    I am inspired lately with Bob proctor and the law of attraction but it can only get me so far until I feel the need to completely abandon it all.

    Matter of fact, just this past spring I've literally doubled my real life income from this new way of thinking and I've started

    As an absolutely last ditch attempt, I'm building a self help site. I am not going into this with the intention that I will make a red cent. I just want to share now how I managed to change my real life money around.

    My dream is to live and write articles and create products to help others.
    I realized with the fitness stuff that the most grateful feeling in the world is helping people out.

    Now I'm just "over it" for lack of a better term.
    I had goals to at least be paying my monthly expenses by now from online revenue sources, but it appears the online marketing world is broken down into those that make lots of income, and those that struggle to make $100 a month even.

    How I ended up in the latter group is I suppose all on me, but where do I go from here?
    I guess that is also on me.
    Steven, let me start with some tough love [then i'll help more positively].

    If you go ahead and develop your self-help site (as you mention) then you are no better than a scammer. Goodness knows the internet is already jam-packed full of them. We don't need any more!

    Why would you be a scammer?

    By your own standards you have 'failed'. So what on earth makes you think that it is alright to scam people with a self-help site when you haven't even been able to help yourself first?

    Having spent years and years trying to make a living online, and having spent a very large sum of money buying courses and following 'gurus', i made no more than a small sporadic amount of money from it. So when I see scams it makes my blood boil.

    I"m not saying that you are a deliberate scammer. In fact I suspect you're not. But if you go ahead you will be a scammer nonetheless.

    Now let's see if I can be more positive and hopefully help you a little.

    Thankfully I am now one of those in the 'other' camp you mention. The 'few' as you say who make a very good living online. It has been hard work. Strangely it took a relatively very short time to actually happen in a big way, but only after I'd spend over a decade 'failing' first.

    Here's my advice:

    Stop and review. Do this by looking much wider than you have done so far. By this I mean examine all the different business models online. I can tell you with absolute certainty that most business models only return a very small amount of money, almost regardless of how good you are and how much you work.

    This is because the way the different models work is structured heavily to favour certain elements. I know this now because i've tried just about every single model there is, over the years.

    For example, in most cases the affiliate marketing model is structured against the affiliate. Making decent money in this model is difficult (except for a few). Another example is the dropshipping model. Creating income as a dropshipper is not as difficult but making a good profit can be (again except for a relatively small number of people). This is because the dropshipping business model is structured in favour of the middle-man.

    Different business models return different levels of income. My bet is that you have not investigated in any depth all the models to see this. You're not alone, the vast majority of those selling online haven't done it either. They've simply 'fallen' into a model without even considering this bigger, much more important, picture.

    I also wrote another post recently about this same fundament. Instead of repeating myself here I will place a link for those interested in following this up. It's at:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...l#post10262203

    and at:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...ur-income.html

    I hope this helps. It took me over a decade to discover this and I now feel a complete fool for not realising it earlier.

    In my case it has been the ecommerce business model that has been at the source of a very significant income. For you it may be this or something else. Investigate.

    Good luck with your ventures.
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  • Profile picture of the author esmarshall
    well theres your answer.....sounds like you was never really in your business, if you was sat around getting sucked in all the "litter talk" (marketers spitting out garbage), when was you actually doing the work? now i dont know you from adam, but all im getting from this story is that you were demoralised, confused and very distracted for nearly 2 years and then now your finished

    i ain't being funny, but i cant think of any business that could survive on that model

    but its not for everyone and if your jobs bringing some joy back to your life then cool

    all the best
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  • Profile picture of the author winnermarketing
    Always welcome a new story.

    Even if we have our strategy we could learn something new!
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  • Profile picture of the author USERwoo
    same here , I am in the process, i just can't see any success yet now
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  • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
    Reply #1
    Coach would be great. In my experience though, the so called coaches here that contact me just want to well me a system. More times than not, this involved an MLM with a buy in between $125-$1000+ which is just crazy.

    I actually did inbox blueprint, anik is the guy I think but that was not a complete course. He assumed the people doing the course had hundreds of opt ins a day, and then sent them to a cpu or cpa offer.

    Frank kern? Who knows. Maybe there is a real coach out there.

    I'll reply more directly later. And will he certain to thank people too.
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    • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
      Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

      Reply #1
      Coach would be great. In my experience though, the so called coaches here that contact me just want to well me a system. More times than not, this involved an MLM with a buy in between $125-$1000+ which is just crazy.

      I actually did inbox blueprint, anik is the guy I think but that was not a complete course. He assumed the people doing the course had hundreds of opt ins a day, and then sent them to a cpu or cpa offer.

      Frank kern? Who knows. Maybe there is a real coach out there.

      I'll reply more directly later. And will he certain to thank people too.
      Frank Kern I believe Is/Was under investigation by the FBI.

      So Don't be an idiot.

      Don't trust anyone on these forums that wants to be your coach.

      They just want to coach you to send them recurring payments into their paypal accounts to fund their fantasy lifestyle.

      https://forums.digitalpoint.com/thre...ation.1862954/
      Signature

      'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'
      -Muhammad Ali

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      • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
        Yeah don't be like the idiots that quote anonymous posts by anonymous posters with secret information that can't be proven and secret resources that can't be divulged.

        Mark

        Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

        Frank Kern I believe Is/Was under investigation by the FBI.

        So Don't be an idiot.

        Don't trust anyone on these forums that wants to be your coach.

        They just want to coach you to send them recurring payments into their paypal accounts to fund their fantasy lifestyle.

        https://forums.digitalpoint.com/thre...ation.1862954/
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

        Frank Kern I believe Is/Was under investigation by the FBI.

        So Don't be an idiot.

        Don't trust anyone on these forums that wants to be your coach.

        They just want to coach you to send them recurring payments into their paypal accounts to fund their fantasy lifestyle.

        https://forums.digitalpoint.com/thre...ation.1862954/
        Zodiax,
        Iam wary of the Coaching methods of people on this Forum. That being said I am NOT naive enough to think that you shouldn't trust any of the Coaches in here.

        Just a quick heads up : Its a fact that there are some real, legit Coaches in here that provide incredible Value


        - Robert Andrew
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      • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
        Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

        Frank Kern I believe Is/Was under investigation by the FBI.

        So Don't be an idiot.

        Don't trust anyone on these forums that wants to be your coach.

        They just want to coach you to send them recurring payments into their paypal accounts to fund their fantasy lifestyle.

        https://forums.digitalpoint.com/thre...ation.1862954/
        I can't remember call the title, but there is a lengthy video where frank speaks openly about how he was investigated and did things wrong.
        The video was like, an hour and a half long and he addressed it up front.

        So yea, yo can call me a name.
        That is definitely an option for anyone.
        However assuming that I know that much less is always a bad thing to do with anyone, in my experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author profitcan
    Banned
    Nice story, but thing for 2 years you only built that youtube channel is pathetic, no offense.
    I'm in IM much less than you, and have much more project ongoing.
    So my advice would be build, build and build, stop thinking and just start doing.
    Cheers.
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
      Originally Posted by profitcan View Post

      Nice story, but thing for 2 years you only built that youtube channel is pathetic, no offense.
      I'm in IM much less than you, and have much more project ongoing.
      So my advice would be build, build and build, stop thinking and just start doing.
      Cheers.
      You actually have no idea how hard it is to compete in youtube fitness, do you?

      I know a professional fitness model, pro body builder that has been at it three years and has all of 800 subscribers.

      Maybe that progress I stated isn't good for you as an IM person, but in that specific niche on youtube it is great.

      Also, you have one post.
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  • Profile picture of the author tonyuwandu
    i am a newbie. i have wasted my money all these years. now i realize what i need. i need a mentor.

    pls who among you here can take me as his child and teach me how to make money legally online. i need help. send me a private message
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    • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
      Originally Posted by tonyuwandu View Post

      i am a newbie. i have wasted my money all these years. now i realize what i need. i need a mentor.

      pls who among you here can take me as his child and teach me how to make money legally online. i need help. send me a private message
      You are going to be deluged by every scammer who sees this. Good luck with that.

      Frank Kern I believe Is/Was under investigation by the FBI.

      So Don't be an idiot.

      Don't trust anyone on these forums that wants to be your coach.

      They just want to coach you to send them recurring payments into their paypal accounts to fund their fantasy lifestyle.

      https://forums.digitalpoint.com/thre...ation.1862954/
      Yea, just keep reading past the idiot OP.
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      All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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  • Profile picture of the author marks2424
    This story sounds like so many other stories I have heard here and I think so many are because it takes most of us a very long time to get just the basics figured out let alone the advanced stuff.

    Most of us are looking for answers but don't know where to find them. Not to mention many of us don't have the money to spend on testing and buying ads and if something doesn't work just how in the world does anyone find out why it doesn't work.

    For some everything just clicks and they just know how to do things and for most of us we don't the confidence in what we know to go to far forward and seem to always be looking for a little more information or for that something that just clicks in your mind that says Oh yeah I get it now and you really understand.
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  • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
    I think I'm elated to see that this wasn't negatively received.
    I honestly didn't know that so many folks felt the same way.

    Perhaps I'll do more writing on my blog about it.
    I refuse to believe I'm a fraud because I am working in the self help niche after failing myself. To. Be honest the entire premise of the site is starting over again.

    Every day I am blessed to he awake above ground is another day to do things efficiently and make a breakthrough or two.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
      Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

      I think I'm elated to see that this wasn't negatively received.
      I honestly didn't know that so many folks felt the same way.

      Perhaps I'll do more writing on my blog about it.
      I refuse to believe I'm a fraud because I am working in the self help niche after failing myself. To. Be honest the entire premise of the site is starting over again.

      Every day I am blessed to he awake above ground is another day to do things efficiently and make a breakthrough or two.
      Every day this side of the dirt is a good day!!

      We all had our trials at the start. Don't believe anyone who says it was easy or instant. It's the people with the fortitude to power through, who succeed.
      Signature
      Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
      All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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  • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
    I know people aren't going to agree with me, but a large part of success in this realm comes from luck and patience.

    If you keep looking for opportunities you will find a nugget, eventually.

    The old 'if ye seek ye will find' principle;.
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    'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'
    -Muhammad Ali

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  • Profile picture of the author Jennifer Boyatt
    Do you STILL have a YouTube channel with 6500 subscribers? *drools* You are sitting on a gold mine!!!!

    You know, I made a commitment to myself to learn and do whatever it took to create wealth for myself, whether it took me one week or 30 years/dead. Knowing myself, it will likely be closer to the latter.

    But for me, I have nothing else to lose. (I know that's not the case for everyone.) I can live low level but sufficiently for the rest of my life the way I am.

    I just don't want to.

    And I trust that *Eventually* I'll learn what I need to.

    Reason I even bring this up in response to your story is because in this scenario, I have no failure. I only have adjustments to make.

    Another thing I knew I had to do was *focus for a long time*. I knew that was going to be new for me as I usually hopped around to interests or got bored or frustrated quickly. But I told myself, not this time. I will see it through. I figured I could make almost anything bring good money if I just picked something, committed to 7 years of step by step learning and then DOING.

    Another thing I have to keep reminding myself, is to do what I call the "money actions"--that is, the actions closest to the money. I can do a lot of extra things. For example I create a lot of material for my site and in my emails I send to my list. It's free stuff for anyone. Such as when you were creating your youtube stuff. This is all well and good. It has some effect long term and is an asset. *But it's not close enough to the money.* And if I spend too much time on it, I'm making a mistake.

    What's close to the money? Getting optins. Ads and traffic. Finding out what people want and creating that for them. A great sales page. A sales funnel with price points including a high ticket price point. ASKING for the sale (call to action).

    There are a lot of things I could suggest to make a viable business plan, but for you in terms of the story you've just told, I think the very next step, in my opinion, before you take any others, is to get a hold of your WHY again.

    What meaning do you want life to hold for you? What do you truly want to be doing with your TIME? Who do you want to serve? What do you want to create? What relationships do you want to nurture and enjoy? What's your bucket list? What do you *see* for your life?

    Once you are clear on this vision, you can take stock and see what you can *live right now* about it. And what might take more journey and goals to make happen, including any money component.

    (We all want money. It's a practical tool to help us create our why's.)

    I wish you the best. You deserve it.
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
      Originally Posted by Jennifer Boyatt View Post

      Do you STILL have a YouTube channel with 6500 subscribers? *drools* You are sitting on a gold mine!!!!

      You know, I made a commitment to myself to learn and do whatever it took to create wealth for myself, whether it took me one week or 30 years/dead. Knowing myself, it will likely be closer to the latter.

      But for me, I have nothing else to lose. (I know that's not the case for everyone.) I can live low level but sufficiently for the rest of my life the way I am.

      I just don't want to.

      And I trust that *Eventually* I'll learn what I need to.

      Reason I even bring this up in response to your story is because in this scenario, I have no failure. I only have adjustments to make.

      Another thing I knew I had to do was *focus for a long time*. I knew that was going to be new for me as I usually hopped around to interests or got bored or frustrated quickly. But I told myself, not this time. I will see it through. I figured I could make almost anything bring good money if I just picked something, committed to 7 years of step by step learning and then DOING.

      Another thing I have to keep reminding myself, is to do what I call the "money actions"--that is, the actions closest to the money. I can do a lot of extra things. For example I create a lot of material for my site and in my emails I send to my list. It's free stuff for anyone. Such as when you were creating your youtube stuff. This is all well and good. It has some effect long term and is an asset. *But it's not close enough to the money.* And if I spend too much time on it, I'm making a mistake.

      What's close to the money? Getting optins. Ads and traffic. Finding out what people want and creating that for them. A great sales page. A sales funnel with price points including a high ticket price point. ASKING for the sale (call to action).

      There are a lot of things I could suggest to make a viable business plan, but for you in terms of the story you've just told, I think the very next step, in my opinion, before you take any others, is to get a hold of your WHY again.

      What meaning do you want life to hold for you? What do you truly want to be doing with your TIME? Who do you want to serve? What do you want to create? What relationships do you want to nurture and enjoy? What's your bucket list? What do you *see* for your life?

      Once you are clear on this vision, you can take stock and see what you can *live right now* about it. And what might take more journey and goals to make happen, including any money component.

      (We all want money. It's a practical tool to help us create our why's.)

      I wish you the best. You deserve it.
      Great reply
      Yes. I still have a channel with 6500 subs.
      How to leverage?
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      • Profile picture of the author Jennifer Boyatt
        Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

        Great reply
        Yes. I still have a channel with 6500 subs.
        How to leverage?
        Is your work there enjoyable to you IF you can make it profitable? Or are you burned out?

        What would you like to do or see yourself doing: Having the YouTube channel AS the main platform/product, or as a support to a website/product? Or is either okay to you?

        Do you really enjoy the "having a show" aspect? or would you rather turn it into supportive?
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        • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
          Originally Posted by Jennifer Boyatt View Post

          Is your work there enjoyable to you IF you can make it profitable? Or are you burned out?

          What would you like to do or see yourself doing: Having the YouTube channel AS the main platform/product, or as a support to a website/product? Or is either okay to you?

          Do you really enjoy the "having a show" aspect? or would you rather turn it into supportive?
          good questions.
          The channel was started because i had people asking me questions about my weight loss and fitness.

          I then started making a video a day. It wasnt anything complicated at first.
          I then strung a three part 20 minute video (from when the YT limit was 20 minutes) together into a 1 hour one piece, and suddenly this video featuring a famous person trended and I saw growth.

          I had other videos that were about other people in bodybuilding do well and grew some more.

          Problem is though that I started looking at the channel as a way to flog and try and sell my audience supplements, and then cash in on personal training services.

          My intention of helping went to making money, and my insincerity started to show.
          I made some real ugly decisions and was gossipy and angry and fighting with others, and then started getting trolled.

          I cut ties with it when as the 1st post here says, my wife asked why i was making only around $100 a month but spending upwards of an hour or TWO per day on videos.

          So what i think i can do with this channel?

          Well, i can write a book. i have started but i am so lost on what it really needs to be about.
          The ideas that I have learned through the new thinking movement and law of attraction have me believe that i need to help others. I started writing a no nonsense book on weight loss and the new awareness i have of how the supplement and fitness industry essentially HATES their clients and views them as a revolving wallet.

          These are what i would like to write about, but feel that

          1. the youtube audience isnt a buy market, they are a sell market (as in they arent there to buy, they need to be SOLD)
          2. the product i have, its niche is geared towards those over 30 who want to start over and feel they can never lose the weight
          3. if they arent going to buy, why make the videos.

          tis a nasty little loop that i am stuck in, and i know its bad.
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          • Profile picture of the author Jennifer Boyatt
            Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

            good questions.
            The channel was started because i had people asking me questions about my weight loss and fitness.

            Super!

            I then started making a video a day. It wasnt anything complicated at first.
            I then strung a three part 20 minute video (from when the YT limit was 20 minutes) together into a 1 hour one piece, and suddenly this video featuring a famous person trended and I saw growth.

            I had other videos that were about other people in bodybuilding do well and grew some more.

            Problem is though that I started looking at the channel as a way to flog and try and sell my audience supplements, and then cash in on personal training services.

            How long was the time period you made videos? How long ago was the last video?

            Did you like the sensation of doing the videos and connecting with people that way? If you could get it more uplifted and profitable? But I don't want you doing a work over and over again if it's just not fun for you.
            My intention of helping went to making money, and my insincerity started to show.
            I made some real ugly decisions and was gossipy and angry and fighting with others, and then started getting trolled.

            It's possible that there is enough bad karma there that it's best to delete the whole channel. Only you can know that. I would hate to see that happen, but sometimes personal peace of mind is most important. If you started up again (in a new format but on the same channel), would the fights start again? i.e. are they some of your subscribers?

            But I'm going to assume that it is salvageable. If not, then you can still do some things, but it would be starting over instead of using a past asset.

            I cut ties with it when as the 1st post here says, my wife asked why i was making only around $100 a month but spending upwards of an hour or TWO per day on videos.

            So what i think i can do with this channel?

            Well, i can write a book. i have started but i am so lost on what it really needs to be about.

            No. Don't write a book yet. Like you mention, you need a lot more clarity for this. I mean, if you get inspired bits that come to your mind, by all means note them down. But don't put your time and energy to this yet.

            The ideas that I have learned through the new thinking movement and law of attraction have me believe that i need to help others. I started writing a no nonsense book on weight loss and the new awareness i have of how the supplement and fitness industry essentially HATES their clients and views them as a revolving wallet.

            Hmm. Well you could just do that as a Kindle ebook. It might not get a lot of money, but good thing about it is once it's done it's done. It's an asset. It's kind of an interesting premise actually.

            These are what i would like to write about, but feel that

            1. the youtube audience isnt a buy market, they are a sell market (as in they arent there to buy, they need to be SOLD)

            Ok. Well if you just don't want to be on YouTube, no worries. You should be having fun. Just would love to see you use that amazing asset 6500 subscribers, if you could have fun doing it and feel like you are living your purpose.

            2. the product i have, its niche is geared towards those over 30 who want to start over and feel they can never lose the weight

            I love this idea!! Are you saying this is a specific product? Or just an idea for a niche you want to build something in? Is the product your own or someone's else's that you love representing?

            3. if they arent going to buy, why make the videos.

            Indeed. So it sounds like you'd rather not have the YouTube as an element in your business?

            All people buy when you have what they need or want. It's just a question of connecting with them. There is so much potential here--IF you would personally enjoy giving the actual "show". If not, there's no use putting in the energy. There are other ways to go.

            tis a nasty little loop that i am stuck in, and i know its bad.
            No worries. I'm just not clear still if working with that YouTube audience and the YouTube platform is something you would love to be doing; either MAINLY or SUPPORTIVELY or NOT AT ALL. (Will make a difference in the next step or my next advice.)

            Sorry for all the questions. I'll stop if you want. But if you really want to figure out a way, I'm willing to go through this with you bit by bit.
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            • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
              Originally Posted by Jennifer Boyatt View Post

              No worries. I'm just not clear still if working with that YouTube audience and the YouTube platform is something you would love to be doing; either MAINLY or SUPPORTIVELY or NOT AT ALL. (Will make a difference in the next step or my next advice.)

              Sorry for all the questions. I'll stop if you want. But if you really want to figure out a way, I'm willing to go through this with you bit by bit.

              The channel was started because i had people asking me questions about my weight loss and fitness.

              Super!

              I then started making a video a day. It wasnt anything complicated at first.
              I then strung a three part 20 minute video (from when the YT limit was 20 minutes) together into a 1 hour one piece, and suddenly this video featuring a famous person trended and I saw growth.

              I had other videos that were about other people in bodybuilding do well and grew some more.

              Problem is though that I started looking at the channel as a way to flog and try and sell my audience supplements, and then cash in on personal training services.

              How long was the time period you made videos? How long ago was the last video?

              the first video a day was in august or julu of 2013, and this went on to the next year. I slowed it down but did several a week. Total video count, over 500.

              Did you like the sensation of doing the videos and connecting with people that way? If you could get it more uplifted and profitable? But I don't want you doing a work over and over again if it's just not fun for you.

              The best feeling was when i did videos that connected and people said "your advice on life was amazing and changed these things for me" nothing about bodybuilding or fitness. i was doing self help stuff occasionally.

              My intention of helping went to making money, and my insincerity started to show.
              I made some real ugly decisions and was gossipy and angry and fighting with others, and then started getting trolled.

              It's possible that there is enough bad karma there that it's best to delete the whole channel. Only you can know that. I would hate to see that happen, but sometimes personal peace of mind is most important. If you started up again (in a new format but on the same channel), would the fights start again? i.e. are they some of your subscribers?

              youtube audiences are funny. really funny in a malicious psychopathic sort of way sometimes. I could start the entire thing again. I can connect it with my new site if i wanted to. Rebrand it as a simple fitness for life in all aspects idea. I have started a new channel already. I have hopes of making it all over again, this time without the crowd. I think to be honest, it would be better to make the new channel. I have a tool I use to non invasive spread my message without spamming.

              But I'm going to assume that it is salvageable. If not, then you can still do some things, but it would be starting over instead of using a past asset.

              I have half a mind to just start uploading videos I am making to BOTH the channels. The new and the OLD one. The worst thing is the idea that my new channel gets discovered though, and the crap filters there.

              I cut ties with it when as the 1st post here says, my wife asked why i was making only around $100 a month but spending upwards of an hour or TWO per day on videos.

              So what i think i can do with this channel?

              Well, i can write a book. i have started but i am so lost on what it really needs to be about.

              No. Don't write a book yet. Like you mention, you need a lot more clarity for this. I mean, if you get inspired bits that come to your mind, by all means note them down. But don't put your time and energy to this yet.

              no arguments when you are taking time to give me advice. Through the fitness project, I did enough writing that I could compile it into a book. Just a thought, but perhaps you are correct. Additionally, the confidence in my writing skills is not there, and I have no budget for marketing, let alone editing and so on.

              The ideas that I have learned through the new thinking movement and law of attraction have me believe that i need to help others. I started writing a no nonsense book on weight loss and the new awareness i have of how the supplement and fitness industry essentially HATES their clients and views them as a revolving wallet.

              Hmm. Well you could just do that as a Kindle ebook. It might not get a lot of money, but good thing about it is once it's done it's done. It's an asset. It's kind of an interesting premise actually.

              I was thinking of releasing a series of short books. The way I see it, the idea will be... very different.

              Here is something interesting. This is from what I did start to write. As far as I think about it, there are no books with any character out there. What do you think?

              INTRODUCTION

              Your RIGHT to be thin

              Yes, you read that correctly. You really do have a given right you received at birth to being thin. The psychological reasons you may feel otherwise are many, but everyone has a right, or a calling even to walk around in a "thin" body.

              In fact, you have a thin person somewhere inside of you, right now. You may see little of this in the mirror. Perhaps the mirror shows you an overweight person. Maybe someone who is very overweight. The good news is that the body is just a package. The reality is that science shows only neurons in the brain last forever. These can be trained to work in certain ways, whereas FAT CELLS are replaced entirely every ten years, and other tissues in the body at various rates. Truth be told, the body is an always changing complex form that adheres to rules. The rules that you create.

              Your "fat" programming (aka "the fat meme")

              I'll make an educated guess that many of you were told, or hold the belief that you are overweight due to your genetics, family tree or upbringing. Any way you want to justify your current reflection in the mirror, there's a close to 99.5% chance that you are not genetically "broken," but your thinking has been affected by a memetic virus.

              --
              Meme: a unit if culture. A thought installed by an outside source that you believe to be true and live by. Meme's have the ability to become a person's reality, so long as they live through the ideas the meme installs in their subconscious mind.
              --

              These ways of thinking are mind viruses that have installed themselves in your consciousness and lead you to believe you are the way you see your mirror reflection.

              I am big boned
              This is the way I have always been
              I have fat genetics. Everyone in my family is fat so I am also fat
              Diets don't work for me
              If you go on a diet you'll gain all the fat back and even more afterwards

              If any of these reasons sound familiar, it is time to open and learn that you are not doomed to the existence of your upbringing, genetics or any other outside interference you want to believe had led to your current state.

              It's time to install a new way of thinking, one based on evidence, and factual science. Are you ready to take a leap of faith? If so, here we go.

              Believe it or not I know. In a way, I can read minds. Call me psychic, but not psycho.
              I understand your struggle and plight in trying to lose weight and the ups and downs you've likely lived along what likely seems too long a fat loss and fitness journey.

              Let's cut right to the chase and lay out some basics about why and how fat loss occurs. These basic principles are lost on people or maybe never explained to them.

              This is a book for BEGINNERS which means that if you already understand how to track calories and macronutrients and how many calories make up a pound of fat, this book may not be for you specifically, but I urge you to keep reading reading to see if you can pick up any new information.

              Do any of the terms used above sound scary and complicated? Don't worry, they are simple and by the end of this book you'll see things in a whole different way.



              These are what i would like to write about, but feel that

              1. the youtube audience isnt a buy market, they are a sell market (as in they arent there to buy, they need to be SOLD)

              Ok. Well if you just don't want to be on YouTube, no worries. You should be having fun. Just would love to see you use that amazing asset 6500 subscribers, if you could have fun doing it and feel like you are living your purpose.

              2. the product i have, its niche is geared towards those over 30 who want to start over and feel they can never lose the weight

              I love this idea!! Are you saying this is a specific product? Or just an idea for a niche you want to build something in? Is the product your own or someone's else's that you love representing?

              3. if they arent going to buy, why make the videos.

              Indeed. So it sounds like you'd rather not have the YouTube as an element in your business?

              Not necessarily. The more I think about it, the more I think that it may not be the RIGHT audience in the right NICHE. Yes, there are those that built a mini cult about themselves in fitness, but they are few and far and that market is overdone.

              In terms of the new thinking movement, there are a few heavy hitters, but not as much as I have seen in fitness.

              All people buy when you have what they need or want. It's just a question of connecting with them. There is so much potential here--IF you would personally enjoy giving the actual "show". If not, there's no use putting in the energy. There are other ways to go.

              what makes me the MOST HAPPY is when people tell me that I helped them out. That I helped them clarify things and then change things. Because I was stuck. In some ways I am still stuck. And every day I get better, and I truly BELIEVE most can do the same, if only given the correct direction.

              tis a nasty little loop that i am stuck in, and i know its bad.
              No worries. I'm just not clear still if working with that YouTube audience and the YouTube platform is something you would love to be doing; either MAINLY or SUPPORTIVELY or NOT AT ALL. (Will make a difference in the next step or my next advice.)

              Sorry for all the questions. I'll stop if you want. But if you really want to figure out a way, I'm willing to go through this with you bit by bit.

              Are you kidding? No, if you are willing to deal with these walls of text, I am your student.
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  • Profile picture of the author aprilmay
    All of the above...

    Until you decide to concentrate all your energy into one yes ONE project you are doom to fail!

    How sad is that? Bloody sad I say.
    BUT you dont have to run with all the shite fed to you

    Learn a trade and the best trade to learn is Traffic.. lean that any the internet Niche is your oyster.

    Stop letting others feed you bullshit..
    The net is no different to selling sausages, just convince me why your sausages are the best

    YOU can do this, but go make mistakes first and learn then it is all downhill from there $$$$ to be scooped up over and over again.. first one sale then another then another grow 10% a week/month and then sales will be many $$$
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    • Profile picture of the author LizM
      [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author SemperAugustus
    @stevenjcampbell

    Good and honest story that fits a lot of people.

    I'm a forex trader with the same lack of success for a long time. Did almost everything right, but it al kept going wrong. I learnt that the difference between failure and success is in the How.

    Of course part of your success is that you believe in it. Law of attraction, etc. But you cannot win a war with good intentions.

    Bottom line, you are simply doing some things wrong.

    IM is like forex trading: it's how you do things, that make a difference. For example: one single word in a squeeze page can make a 50% difference.

    Devil is in the detail, and in a killing market like health and IM where you operate, that is what you should focus on right now. Detail. You are obviously doing many things very good, otherwise you would not have so many youtube followers.

    What to do? Analyse your competitors. See what they do different. Look for magic words that attract people. Look for promises people seem to like.

    And be aware of the fact that most people on the net are not looking for reality, but are looking for illusions. The one that serves illusions best, wins.

    In my small Dutch IM network i measured for example how many people click on banners and how many click on commercial text links. Then by removing the banners, my audience regarded me as not-commercial, i got more returning visits and i make more money on the text links now than on both banners and links before. A detail, but an important one.

    With apologies for my lousy English as it is not my native language.
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  • Profile picture of the author iVlog
    Seems like you've figured out what does not work & what does ... If you're passionate about it, keep going.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Failure is necessary if you want to learn and dominate. Learn from your mistakes, and implement protocols that will prevent you from making the same mistakes again. Don't feel bad, just keep going - and stick to the 1 thing that you're best at for right now.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jennifer Boyatt
    Okay. This is my suggestion for your business structure.

    Theme/niche/problem solved for others: Over-30 Body and Life Renewal [OR whatever you want, just an idea]

    Funnel: Must directly speak to the theme; all positions work together, lead into one another
    Lead Magnet/Free Offer: your ebook? Right to be Thin? [5 to 15 pages]
    Funnel Position One: introductory offer [price point range 5.99 to 29.99] perhaps a workbook [more and detailed info, maybe some stuff you wanted to put in Right to Be Thin but divide it up into two or more books that go along with your coaching or class packages] and video course (Your first 4 weeks of renewal, something like that?)
    Funnel Position Two: main offer [price point range 39.99 to 129.99] A group coaching package that involves access to you
    Funnel Position Three: Premier offer [price point range 149.99 to 399.99] a one-on-one coaching package

    The price ranges are just suggestions; it really depends on what value you are putting into the offer.

    If you don't like the idea of coaching, you can just have them be more extensive class (video) and workbook packages, but people do like to pay to get "access to you"

    Of course, setting up the funnel will require a lot more research on your part for the details, and a preparation period of weeks or even months. Yes, it will take time, but once it is set up, it will work over and over again. Think long term.

    In this case, I think your (new) YouTube channel will work more as a blog, which is considered free or value content. Shoot a video twice a week, embed it in your website as a "blog" or "podcast" or "show" (BodyAndLifeRenewalTV or whatever name you already have going). Also write more blog text surrounding it when you embed. DON'T SELL *in* the video. Just give value. If you would like to put a call to action, then keep it simple, and one thing. You can let them know about your Lead Magnet and let them know how to get it (NOT the rest of the funnel, let the funnel do it's work). But don't go on and on about how it is free. Explain the value and the results and then just say simply, "And hey, it's free ."

    Be sure to have a sign up box on your website that promises the download of your free offer (ebook). And as you grow your list, think about how you will communicate with that email list--a monthly newsletter, or less formal personable emails, tips, extra videos, or teachings, and then as you build the know-like-trust relationship you can also send along (affiliate) offers. AND don't forget to have a plan about how to gradually introduce your further price points in the funnel.

    You can first introduce the position one on the Thank You page of when they sign up for the email and free download.

    Later in the email series, you could send them an email that says, "Hey, what did you think of the Your Right to Be Thin? Are you ready to take practical steps to renew your life? Here's my four week introductory course." Of course you might want to write it all better but that's the idea. Also if you put a lot of work into that 4 week course, I'd charge more than 29.99 OR maybe do just the first week for 29.99 and then if they enjoy that and get results, then the rest of the 4 weeks could be the next position (your funnel can be as long as you need/want it).

    Then to your people who have taken the four week course, at some point in the course, that is when you introduce the next offer/price point/coaching package/class.

    The final thing in this reply is to consider how you will Ad--have people encounter your Lead Magnet (free offer). Marketing. I would consider Facebook ads, however DO YOUR RESEARCH. They have stringent guidelines and you don't want to be disapproved or even banned from doing ads.

    So I agree with you that the youtube stuff probably won't be the "direct to money" thing. Consider it your "blogging/content" method.

    But you have a lot of experience and knowledge that could serve people. So I hope you create a focused, one-idea product funnel. Much later, a couple of years from now, after adjusting that funnel until it is working well, then you can expand into any other ideas that you have.

    I don't know if this helps. Maybe you already knew it. You can ask specific questions if you want. This is just a basic outline. Research!
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    • Profile picture of the author SantamNaha
      Nice story stevenjcampbell. A lot to learn from it.

      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Rafay Zafar
    “Money is usually attracted, not pursued.”

    You need to get rid of the 'make money' mindset and adopt a 'value proposition' mindset. whatever product or service you are providing you want to be the best or one of the best at it because the best in any field make far more money than the other 99%. The best chefs, drivers, painters, musicians, sportsmen, writers, actors etc. make multiple times more than the average chefs, drivers, painters, sportsmen, writers, actors etc.

    If you dont have the drive/passion to be the best at anything or to produce the best products/service better find a job now. Because in a job you can hide behind a manager without pulling your weight specially in a big company. But in the business world, people want and expect the best services/products. You cannot hide or con people for long.

    So if you want to be successful at business just follow these 4 steps
    1) pick a vertical you like or know a lot about ideally a niche market
    2) create a product/service to solve a problem(s) in that vertical
    3) find a way to charge recurring fee for your product/service in (2)
    4) become the best provider of that product/service
    5) post your success story on warriorforum
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  • Profile picture of the author cybernac
    Work with WHAT YOU KNOW. My previous online success was in a beauty product website because as a cosmetologist, it was WHAT I KNEW.

    We supposedly all have about 3 things we know well or are good at. I believe it was called the "Unique Cluster Theory" (don't quote me on that) but I read about it years ago. If you combine the group of the 3 things you are good at, you will have your own UNIQUE CLUSTER (i.e. niche) that most others won't have. For example: I am a cosmetologist with a psychology degree and also an internet marketer. Maybe I should start a beauty blog that also gives relationship advice...call it "Beauty and Balls" or something and sell relationship books and various affiliate beauty products. Maybe that sounded ridiculous but it was something off the top of my head (I actually just looked up beautyandballs.com and it is a suspended webpage...hahah.)

    Just keep brainstorming and find what is special about YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE and you will find something unique for yourself!
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