I am the World's Worst Internet Marketer

57 replies
I have tried a lot of things on the Internet - I started back under Mike Enlow (who was the mentor of Corey Rudhl). This was back in '97 iirc.

Since then I have managed to lose money on just about everything I turn my hand to

I don't know why.

Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a marketer (I prefer writing fiction and am a creative type), but there is a little of the entrepreneurial in me...

Take for example my latest foray into the world of failure. iPhone advertising.

After a number of attempts I finally got some campaigns live (I have an enormous propensity for encountering technical issues or other hurdles that are outside my control!)

I set up this page as an offer (it's an affiliate freebie): http://www.writers-and-publishers.com/truthaboutabs

and also a campaign going directly to the web site for another product.

I had 215,359 iPhone users see the ad, and 1667 clicked through (or 1336 according to my clickbank account - not sure why there is a discrepancy). How many bought? ZERO.

The former, with copy written by the guy who has this product which is #1 on CB for abs programs and sells a lot, had 161,035 views with 1637 clicks. This time, as you can see, I just made it as easy email submit as iPhone users (I am told) are more not so likely to buy as PC users. How many of those people submitted their emails? FIVE. FIVE PEOPLE.

I lost lots of money on Google Adwords - despite trying to follow diligently the PPC 2.0 Classroom program - and my only conclusion is that you have to be darn lucky for your product/service or affiliate product to make more money than you spend in time and money promoting it.

I've probably been involved with this longer than most people on this forum (I was around before it even started I believe), and have not yet "got it" as far as Internet marketing is concerned.

Strangely, I am considered a great manager, skilled, successful, a great motivator, someone who gets things done, reliable, et. al. in other walks of life...

Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any advice for me? What am I not getting?
#internet #marketer #world #worst
  • Profile picture of the author RMC
    You already lost money and lots of time, so quit worrying about either. Time to focus on a specific results driven business model.

    Pick a target market, and subject. Make a squeeze page, drive traffic like a madman. Build a list around your market, and do nothing else until you get to at least 2,000 subscribers. Then worry about the money.

    Those 2,000+ will teach you what's a good offer and what isn't, how to make products they want, etc.

    Not to mention, others will want to do deals with you when you have a list. At that point you can do at least $1,000/month with some one time offers and affiliate mails. Automate and outsource your list building as soon as possible so you can make better products or offers, and you're off to the races.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1695768].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author theemperor
    Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

    I have tried a lot of things on the Internet - I started back under Mike Enlow (who was the mentor of Corey Rudhl). This was back in '97 iirc.

    Since then I have managed to lose money on just about everything I turn my hand to

    I don't know why.

    Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a marketer (I prefer writing fiction and am a creative type), but there is a little of the entrepreneurial in me...

    Take for example my latest foray into the world of failure. iPhone advertising.

    After a number of attempts I finally got some campaigns live (I have an enormous propensity for encountering technical issues or other hurdles that are outside my control!)

    I set up this page as an offer (it's an affiliate freebie): http://www.writers-and-publishers.com/truthaboutabs

    and also a campaign going directly to the web site for another product.

    I had 215,359 iPhone users see the ad, and 1667 clicked through (or 1336 according to my clickbank account - not sure why there is a discrepancy). How many bought? ZERO.

    The former, with copy written by the guy who has this product which is #1 on CB for abs programs and sells a lot, had 161,035 views with 1637 clicks. This time, as you can see, I just made it as easy email submit as iPhone users (I am told) are more not so likely to buy as PC users. How many of those people submitted their emails? FIVE. FIVE PEOPLE.

    I lost lots of money on Google Adwords - despite trying to follow diligently the PPC 2.0 Classroom program - and my only conclusion is that you have to be darn lucky for your product/service or affiliate product to make more money than you spend in time and money promoting it.

    I've probably been involved with this longer than most people on this forum (I was around before it even started I believe), and have not yet "got it" as far as Internet marketing is concerned.

    Strangely, I am considered a great manager, skilled, successful, a great motivator, someone who gets things done, reliable, et. al. in other walks of life...

    Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any advice for me? What am I not getting?
    I am not a top marketer, so take my advice with a pinch of salt, however I would say experiment and testing are the key to finding profits.

    For example it could be that the page in link you provided needed to be center-aligned and have an about page and a header and it would have made all the difference.

    I have just started getting into testing. It can be a chore but it's worth it. I am not too scientific yet. I try something out for 7 days and then something else for 7 days. Some people are more scientific and use advanced tracking e.g. that provided by Google for free.

    Infact the knowledge gained from your own tests is 100 times more valuable than tips given in eBooks for sale because you know they are accurate and bang up-to-date, and apply squarely to your niche.
    Signature
    Learn to code faster, and remove the roadblocks. Get stuff done and shipped! PM me and I can help you with programming tutoring, specialising in Web and the following languages: Javascript ~ HTML ~ CSS ~ React ~ JQuery ~ Typescript ~ NodeJS ~ C#.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1695815].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MANNSK
    It sounds like you just weren't dealing with the right product. Like others said, try again and see what works and see what doesn't.
    Signature
    Hip Hop is more than just music, it's a culture.- www.themannsworld.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1695823].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dbadwal
    Hey dubhdara,

    Its bit of relief after reading your experience that I am not alone loosing money on here and there everyday. Can only say that a day will come when we will be financially independent.

    Good Luck,


    Dharmender Badwal
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1695830].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jorgesil
    Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post


    I set up this page as an offer (it's an affiliate freebie): http://www.writers-and-publishers.com/truthaboutabs

    and also a campaign going directly to the web site for another product.

    I had 215,359 iPhone users see the ad, and 1667 clicked through (or 1336 according to my clickbank account - not sure why there is a discrepancy). How many bought? ZERO.
    Hi Dubhdara

    I just checked you site and I think you need to redesign
    the page, this isn't very captative.

    This could be the reason why it doesn't convert.

    Personally a page like that don't make me give my email.

    Well, this is just my opinion I'm not an expert.

    Jorge
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1695859].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author WillyCop
      Don't give up, I believe that all of these failures gave you a lot of experiences you may use in your future. I think that there isn't any marketer that would earn a lot of money with just every project he started

      When I read the forum topics I often ask myself if you guys do this Internet Marketing in your free time when you finish your daily jobs? Or is this actually a job? I believe that most of you do this actually for your living but for those who are trying to earn some money in this kind of a way besides the daily job, I would suggest that they take this as a game. Finding a good source from where to begin increasing your knowledge about Internet Markeing and the topics you wish to teach. Then starting slowly to make some actions, one by one. Shouldn't rush. And soon the results should be on your hand. Options are huge. You just have to pick the right one. That's where this forum comes in and the books that guide you through this journey

      P.S.: look in my signature, you may found something usefull for you.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1695917].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author dubhdara
        Thanks all

        When one has a lot of failure one can get negative - in short bursts at least! - but the fact I have never quit hopefully shows I am not a hopeless case.

        My issue is probably more about vision. I find it hard to get excited about money or marketing. I do get excited about what I can do with that money (mainly supporting certain causes), and how I can help my friends to be financially independent. The problem is my passions are simply not saleable, or very saleable - politics, history, mythology, reading/writing fiction, religion, etc.

        I think, Jason, you are right. Mindset is the foundation. Although given to bouts of negativity (which is very easy when one never sees success even in a small way), it is probably more a problem of my focus and passion.

        I WILL have success. Somehow I will.
        Signature
        www.writers-and-publishers.com/constantcontent
        Are you a freelance writer? Fed up with being paid a few dollars for an article? Then it's time to click the link. You will *not* be disappointed!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696115].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Mr. Enthusiastic
          That's quite a title. I guess that means you've invented a way that while you sleep, thousands of people instantly suck money out of your bank account... even if it's 3 o'clock! :p

          I agree with Jason's book suggestions. If you'd like to discuss those books, start a topic in the Mind Warriors area and you'll find lots of people happy to help you learn that material.

          Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

          The problem is my passions are simply not saleable, or very saleable - politics, history, mythology, reading/writing fiction, religion, etc.
          Are you kidding?

          Here are some examples:
          Democratic and Republican Parties
          History Channel
          The movies Titanic and Avatar
          The Vatican
          These areas you mentioned are some of the areas where people spend the most money!

          So start with the interests you love, and the people you'd love to have as ideal clients. Then identify where those passionate people hang out, and find out what they like and what they don't like. Find out what they wish for. Find a way to provide it and put it in front of their eyeballs. Cash in.

          You've built technical skills to pitch an offer nobody cares about - even you. Replace that with an offer that involves passion for people with some money ready to spend.

          Chris
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697081].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
    Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

    I don't know why.
    I'll tell you why.

    Have you ever listened or seen the way you talk?

    Let's start here: "I am the world's worst internet marketer."

    or "maybe i am not cut out to be an internet marketer"

    Real nice self defeating thing to say about yourself.

    You probably have been doing this for a long time now.

    Also, you "tried" a lot of things and never actually followed any of them through
    to completion.

    To me, it really doesn't matter what you do online until you get your head right.

    Your brain is currently programmed for failure in internet marketing and you need
    to program yourself for success.

    While I can't speak for any other aspects of your life like your job, family life,
    social life, etc, I can only imagine you have issues there as well.

    No specific tactic anyone here tells you to do will do you any good because you've
    tried a ton and failed at them all... Methods that hundreds and even thousands of
    others have succeeded at, including many warriors here.

    I suggest you read the books "Think and Grow Rich" and "The Lazy Man's Way To Riches"

    All The Best,
    Jason
    Signature

    "Human thoughts have the tendency to transform themselves into their physical equivalent." Earl Nightingale

    Super Affiliates Hang Out Here

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1695896].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dan Bainbridge
    I am quite suprised that you would spend money straight up on something you have not proven. If I am going to spend money on PPC, mail shots or any advertising I make sure it is to a landing page / product which I have tested on 100s if not 1000s of visits through regular visits, and then only after tweaking and testing and making sure it really is a solid converter would I consider spending money on it.
    Signature

    Hypnosis Affiliate Program Pays 50% + $20 Join BONUS
    Real Subliminal Messages Pays 35% (world's largest subliminal site)
    SubliminalMP3s.com Pays 75%

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696211].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      I agree 100% with what Jason said and I'm going to add this.

      I recently wrote an article, "Sorry, But You're Not Cut Out To Run Your Own
      Business."

      Some people aren't...plain and simple. I don't know if you're one of them or
      not, but if you've been at this since 1997 and have nothing to show for it,
      something is VERY wrong.

      At some point, you need to decide if this is really for you.

      Only YOU can make that decision.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696231].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rocketbidz
    Sure my friend it is hard out there ,but if u put the efford in u will see the results!try and find some video training sites where u can see step by step on how to drive traffic ,do some social bookmarking and articals.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696291].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author theunknownthem
    I read the OP, and the one above me here, sorry I skipped the rest, just wanted to say something before running out of the door.

    If you are a great manager and not so good at some of the other things, maybe you should focus on that strength. You've obviously have had money to try, maybe you should put that money to use building a team and use your strength of managing to work. Find some new people with some certain strengths, hand them training material in exchange for a term contract or some such and put them to work. Just a thought.

    PS I have a friend that is really into politics as well as I am, and was brainstorming the other night on how to monetize it. All I could come up with is amazon reviews of political books and ads

    And I understand the bursts of negativity, even though I'm new at this. It can be in many areas of life
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696520].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    Ok, i need to be *extremely* honest now, please dont get it the wrong way:

    1997 - 2010...let me see...THIRTEEN YEARS

    If this:

    http://www.writers-and-publishers.com/truthaboutabs/

    is your major "project" you did in 13 years....then i think its time to change the profession...

    After 13 years you should have a ***load of sites, pages, products, lists....even if 98,5% of them have flopped....but at the end you should have gotten a few out there which made you money.

    Now...after 13 years you are asking "what am i not getting"....but i think its too late, maybe this is simple not your thing. I really don't mean to offend...but there is no way that someone does various IM endeavours for over a decade..and you were not able to weed out things which went wrong and expand on the ones which went better.

    Failure serves a purpose, it TEACHES us...failures are the building stones of success. But it should NOT take 13 years or even longer and you should not be totally clueless after 13 years.
    Signature
    *** Affiliate Site Quick --> The Fastest & Easiest Way to Make Affiliate Sites!<--
    -> VISIT www.1UP-SEO.com *** <- Internet Marketing, SEO Tips, Reviews & More!! ***
    *** HIGH QUALITY CONTENT CREATION +++ Manual Article Spinning (Thread Here) ***
    Content Creation, Blogging, Articles, Converting Sales Copy, Reviews, Ebooks, Rewrites
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696611].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by GeorgR. View Post

      Ok, i need to be *extremely* honest now, please dont get it the wrong way:

      1997 - 2010...let me see...THIRTEEN YEARS

      If this:

      http://www.writers-and-publishers.com/truthaboutabs/

      is your major "project" you did in 13 years....then i think its time to change the profession...

      After 13 years you should have a ***load of sites, pages, products, lists....even if 98,5% of them have flopped....but at the end you should have gotten a few out there which made you money.

      Now...after 13 years you are asking "what am i not getting"....but i think its too late, maybe this is simple not your thing. I really don't mean to offend...but there is no way that someone does various IM endeavours for over a decade..and you were not able to weed out things which went wrong and expand on the ones which went better.

      Failure serves a purpose, it TEACHES us...failures are the building stones of success. But it should NOT take 13 years or even longer and you should not be totally clueless after 13 years.

      I was trying to be nice...Thanks George.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696728].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author dubhdara
        Personality types are very interesting. Perhaps only certain types can make a success of internet marketing. I went for one of those tests once and was told that I would never have much money in my life because I was the sort of person who liked doing things for free (and I mean genuinely for free - not in the IM sense ) and, further, was so cautious and reflective that I would check which way the wind was blowing before jumping off a sinking ship...

        Well, we shall see. I'm very slow and seem to have a great deal that does not work out - but I usually get to where I want eventually, and usually when things are toughest
        Signature
        www.writers-and-publishers.com/constantcontent
        Are you a freelance writer? Fed up with being paid a few dollars for an article? Then it's time to click the link. You will *not* be disappointed!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696857].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
          Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

          Personality types are very interesting. Perhaps only certain types can make a success of internet marketing. I went for one of those tests once and was told that I would never have much money in my life because I was the sort of person who liked doing things for free (and I mean genuinely for free - not in the IM sense ) and, further, was so cautious and reflective that I would check which way the wind was blowing before jumping off a sinking ship...

          Well, we shall see. I'm very slow and seem to have a great deal that does not work out - but I usually get to where I want eventually, and usually when things are toughest
          i don't think its simply that you are "slow"..let me search the right word...i think its phlegmatic. (?) Simply that on a certain level you didn't really care or didn't have the necessary drive and desire. Because otherwise you would have already quit, or ripped out your hair or similar. Or you would have taken significant steps and changed things way earlier and not just sit back and relax and observe for 13 years that it really didnt make any money
          Signature
          *** Affiliate Site Quick --> The Fastest & Easiest Way to Make Affiliate Sites!<--
          -> VISIT www.1UP-SEO.com *** <- Internet Marketing, SEO Tips, Reviews & More!! ***
          *** HIGH QUALITY CONTENT CREATION +++ Manual Article Spinning (Thread Here) ***
          Content Creation, Blogging, Articles, Converting Sales Copy, Reviews, Ebooks, Rewrites
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697048].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MattBrown
    You aren't the worst at all, you just need to find the perfect business model. Failures are steps towards success anyways..right!
    Signature
    Matt Brown
    You can not have a successful business without successful marketing.
    Get the best marketing education available
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696694].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
    Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

    had 161,035 views with 1637 clicks. This time, as you can see, I just made it as easy email submit as iPhone users (I am told) are more not so likely to buy as PC users. How many of those people submitted their emails? FIVE. FIVE PEOPLE.
    Maybe they were all skinny people ?

    Seriously though, how do people see this page to start with? Is it a text ad?
    I'm wondering how it is targeted.
    Signature

    Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696900].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Skuse
    dubhdara,

    I'm fairly new to IM but even I have made some money in less than a year.

    But I figured the best thing to do was to look at your page from a customer's point of view and then give you some feedback.

    I'm just being honest here and I hope it helps. No matter what your sales copy was, I felt like I didn't want to read it, mainly because of the page design. Although simple is good, I'd say the overall look of your page and the one in your sig, looks quite bad.

    Beautiful packaging on a product helps, a whole lot. People often won't expect a quality product if the sales page doesn't look good quality. Even when giving something away for free, bad design practise can shoot you in the foot.

    You could pay someone at 99designs.com to do your pages for you, or use the usual freelance sites out there such as elance.com. It won't cost you much. And I'm not saying it's the one thing that needs improving, it's just a thing that needs improving.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696901].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Here is the biggest problem I see with Internet marketing advice, and while
      I understand that this isn't directly related to the main focus of this thread,
      I think you will understand why I am including it here after you read it.

      Most advice you hear is usually along the lines of instructions on what to
      and not to do in regard to running and marketing your business.

      The problem is, we dish out that advice as if we were talking to a robot. We
      assume that just because we tell somebody to do something, even if we
      know almost for a fact that it is a proven method of success, that THEY
      are going to have success with it.

      We tend to forget the variables involved...primarily that we are all individuals,
      all with our own strengths and weaknesses.

      Telling John Doe to do Bum Marketing when he can't string two coherent
      sentences together is a waste of time. The man can't write. He needs to
      do something else.

      The problem that the OP has probably had (and I am taking an educated
      guess here) is that whatever he was told to do, it didn't fit in with his
      skills, temperament, personality, interests, or whatever.

      I know how to market, but I'll be damned if I'm going to try to do it selling
      cement stairs.

      I'd be bored out of my skull and ultimately fail at it because I just couldn't
      put the effort into something that I hated.

      Maybe the OP hasn't found something he's passionate enough about to do.
      Maybe the OP is using methods to promote he isn't cut out for.

      There could be a zillion reasons why he's not had any success in 13 years,
      the least of which are that he's using faulty promotional methods.

      It's not just the methods. It's what you are as a person and what drives
      you that makes you successful.

      I've been flat out told to my face that much of what I do to earn a living
      online is the "poor man's" methods. Yeah, I'm a cheap SOB. But I know how
      to milk $100 out of $1 better than anybody on the planet.

      Is it more time consuming? Yes, but I know how to do it so I do it.

      If I tried to live on PPC I'd be broke because I have no interest in PPC and,
      quite honestly, have no desire to learn it.

      The OP has to find what he is interested in and what he is good at.

      All the advice in the world isn't going to mean sh*t if he either doesn't
      have the skill to execute it or the desire to even do it.

      I know many will disagree with this, that knowing you'll make money is the
      underlying motive and can make you do and learn anything.

      I don't believe that, but that's where I and a lot of Internet marketers
      don't agree.

      Bottom line is this:

      No matter what anybody here thinks, no matter what we suggest, no
      matter what instruction we give the OP, he has to be the one to figure
      out what he can and can't do.

      Because we are not him.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1696999].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Emily Meeks
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        No matter what anybody here thinks, no matter what we suggest, no
        matter what instruction we give the OP, he has to be the one to figure
        out what he can and can't do.

        Because we are not him.
        Very true, and this actually goes for everyone.

        You can give someone all the ideas in the world (and the Warrior Forum may as well be the world in this respect >), but ultimately it's up to them to decide what's right and what will work for them.
        Signature

        In all that you do, know your True INTENT...

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1698380].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mili_D
    Once you get your foot into internet marketing, remember things don't just magically appear, it all take a lot of hard work and time. Most of the time people complain about many factors of internet marketing e.g finding the right product or spending too much time on the net and not getting result. No one said it's going to be easy you're finding it had so take a step back and take a break but don't give up. If one idea does not work then move on to the others.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697015].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    I have only one solution to offer you, get a mentor and you will pay less and get more if you are ready to work at it.

    One mistake you have made is sticking with something that has not been productive for many years.
    Signature
    Grow your social media account, Spotify Streams, YT Views & IG Followers & More
    Software & Mobile APP Developer
    Buy Spotify, Facebook Bot & IG M/S Method
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697053].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DanPE
    Exactly. Put your heart into it. Go find (or set up) a history club. Give talks. Hand out name cards. Stage re-enactments. After a while you'll have pictures and content to put on your website. And then run the program, keep updating it with new stuff, new pictures, new projects etc. Just because it's IM doesn't mean everything has to be online.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697235].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by Richard Odell View Post

      This is an old warrior here....

      ...all I see here from what are called "senior warriors" (by post count only), is dissent...

      ..this warrior came here asking for advice only to gunned down by the "I made it why cant you?"...

      ...give this some warrior some real advice, or push your sig panel in another thread...

      ...shame on you!

      -Rich
      Maybe you should practice you're own preaching.

      Just saying cause, how does this post help the OP?

      At least I tried to explain his problems (if you read my 2nd post) and was
      honest about it.

      Your post adds nothing positive to this discussion other than to rag on
      others who might actually be trying to help.

      Offer advice to somebody who has been at this for 13 years with nothing
      to show for it?

      Okay, this person needs a mentor...desperately. Because they obviously
      don't have what it takes to do this on their own.

      There...that is my advice and what I would have done a long time ago if
      it were me.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697306].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AnneE
    I lost a lot of money when I used PPC. Then I suspended all campaigns and started creating blogs and Squidoo lenses and miscellaneous websites and gradually they got a little bit of traffic. I wrote product reviews on one website. I created another website with articles from article directories and used link exchanges to get it up to a PR 3 or 4 before selling for $300. My point is that when I stopped using PPC and limited my WSO purchases, I stopped LOSING money. Eventually I started to make a bit. Now I actually make enough to pay a bill (a very small bill.... like to the cable company to keep my internet connection alive!)

    But most of what I've done will continue to earn money without me touching it, so now I can create new projects and add to the income streams.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697507].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author johnng
    You are still at it after these years, I am sure success is just round the corner. Don't give up and best of luck, you really deserve it.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697530].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author IMStudentforlife
      Hey dubhdara,

      I too started way back then, Pre-Google era. I could probably write a book on how much money I lost, how many times I got screwed over (to put it politely), ideas were stolen and how much Internet Marketing has changed over the years since I started.

      Now that I have found this forum, I've found a renewed sense of purpose and help where I thought I was lost. I have always thought that the more you tweak things the better it becomes, try things maybe things don't work at first. But then again its better to try at least, then to not have tried at all.



      "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" U.S. Navy Admiral David Farragut

      Footnote: I tried to Private Message you and it says I cannot until I spam 50 threads on the forums... :rolleyes: I had a funny story but I really don't care to share it on the open threads and start a flame war..
      Signature
      Old School SEO and IM, 1MediaZone

      Running low on inspiration?
      The Strangest Secret in the World
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697614].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Imran Naseem
    Banned
    I would hit the gym first before anything else.

    Most of you think IM is "life" - no its not. Treat it as a passion and success will come your way.

    This time last year I was unhealthy, this year I am so healthy I can bench press, do press ups and look good too..

    So try not to give up, focus on your health first before anything else.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697624].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Houcem Rihane
      Originally Posted by Imran Naseem View Post

      I would hit the gym first before anything else.

      Most of you think IM is "life" - no its not. Treat it as a passion and success will come your way.

      This time last year I was unhealthy, this year I am so healthy I can bench press, do press ups and look good too..

      So try not to give up, focus on your health first before anything else.
      I fully agree.

      I didn't start getting things to work for me until I started practicing sport and going to the gym.

      You get more energy, more focus and somehow, everything starts to fall into place.

      More importantly, IM went from being an obsession to being a passion and this is the most important success factor for me.
      Signature

      ...

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697878].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author flipkid
        I'm not sure what your life is like outside of IM but if you are looking for some campaign advice here is what I'd suggest. I think these little changes could help you significantly.

        1. Clickbank is competitive. Almost everyone online tries digital products from Clickbank. The Truth About Abs market could just be saturated.

        2. Your URL is not targeted enough. 'Writers And Publishers' should not be used for a fitness promo. Try something like 'Abs Secrets Revealed dot com' (no idea if this is taken) for a domain. It builds trust in your brand.

        3. Your Squeeze page needs work. There is a little alignment issue with the page and the opt-in box should be to the right of the eBook. There are tons of free templates online you should try.

        These should help your campaign more. I'm not promising double digit conversions for you or anything but it's a good start.

        Good Luck!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697956].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author coconutisa
        Please don't give up. Along with other book suggestions, I feel "Psycho-cybernetics" by Dr.Maxwell Maltz is a great book that will help you get a positive self-image about yourself.

        Also, where were you all these years, when you got stuck, you could have asked here...but past is past...at least you asked now...take action my friend!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1698013].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697763].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

      When one has a lot of failure one can get negative - in short bursts at least! - but the fact I have never quit hopefully shows I am not a hopeless case.
      No one is a hopeless case, least of all someone with the perseverance you have. But it seems to me you offset a positive character trait with negative thinking.

      Projecting a positive image and actually being positive-minded can be two different things. I've known a few people who thought they were positive people simply because they project an agreeable image in social settings, but their self-talk is mostly negative. If you monitor your every thought for 30 days you may be surprised at how often negativity is dominating your thoughts.

      If I were you, I'd read those books Jason recommended. I'd also recommend The Magic of Believing by Claude M. Bristol.

      I find it hard to get excited about money or marketing.
      And that could be part of the problem. You say you can get excited about what you can do with money, but that money doesn't get you excited. Seems to be a disconnect for you. You might want to figure it out.

      You are persistent, which is a great character trait. You might put that quality to use in rooting out thoughts of failure and replacing them with more beneficial thoughts. I think that would go a long way to solving your dilemma...that and picking something and becoming a master at it. In my experience, most people who fail in this fail because they don't stick with anything long enough.
      Signature

      Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697916].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rspadi
    don't try a hundred things -focus only on one or two strategies (that make sense) & put all your heart and soul into it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697817].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    To me it sounds like you've been "trying" way too many things.

    My suggestion would be to ignore anyone who tells you to keep trying things until you find something that works. In fact, such advice makes me wonder if they actually read the OP, or if they are just parroting advice the got somewhere else.

    Now the good news. I can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are not the "World's Worst Internet Marketer".

    Ready?

    Look at the main forum page and count how many threads have more posts than yours, and how many have fewer. Your title for this thread is marketing, and you not only have received more views than all but five posts (as I'm writing this), but you have also got people responding, and that's no small feat!

    All the best,
    Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1697983].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Terry Hatfield
    Sell to iphone users stuff about iphones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The traffic has to match your landing page.

    Send someone who wants to lose weight to a page about diet products.
    Send someone who wants to make money to a page about starting your own business.

    Get it?

    Send someone who is blind to a site where they can buy a painting.

    OOPS!!!

    Not relevant.

    Hope this helps,

    Terry
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1698026].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Formby
    Mate,

    Everyone has been in this boat or is in this boat, just becuase you hear people saying i made it all the time doesnt mean they have. get yourself a mentor 1 on 1 coaching. Sucesss hides itself in Failure. And someone mentioned read "think and grow rich" << im currently reading this myself at the minute

    Go Forth and Prosper and Ignore the Negative Advice

    Mikey
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1698085].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author charlesf
    what i have learned is to concentrate on one aspect of internet marketing, but a little guidance always helps. Good Luck!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1698398].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author dubhdara
      Well, I've improved with PaintShop Pro over the years, making images like this:


      (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

      Not exactly marketing-related, I know

      And I like to write. I've written a lot of non-fiction (political mainly), but fiction is my prime passion - not that I ever get much written because I do not have the time due not having the funds!

      Here's an excerpt from some sci-fi material, not my first choice but I like to try out different things:

      Commander Mithok of the Fifth Imperial Fleet was not in a good mood, but then he seldom was. His entire fleet was stationed on Febar, and over the past few weeks he had come to the conclusion that the food was rotten and the weather abysmal. The planet was all snow and ice, except for the thick evergreen forests that covered Febar like a wide green belt about its equator, the rest too cold to sustain any significant life.
      Mithok considered the Febarians crude and unintelligent, though this was a relative judgment as Mithok's own people, the Marnians, were far from sophisticated and could hardly be called an intellectual lot by any stretch of the imagination. Then again, their imagination was virtually nonexistent as well.
      Thane Jakas sat at the other end of the commander's table, and still his height was that of a Marnian warrior standing - and Marnians were not small. Mithok doubted it had been a good idea to make alliance with these savages; he considered them untrustworthy and barbaric and what really annoyed him was that they were too tall for his ships, but he didn't think that excuse would persuade the Emperor to change his mind. So it was that Mithok got on with his duty and obeyed his orders.
      Jakas was chewing on a piece of indigenous Liesel bark. His black leather uniform was covered in metal studs and spikes, a large two-handed blaster gun hanging from his belt.
      "So, the troops will be ready in two days?" Mithok inquired tentatively.
      Jakas looked up and shot a disinterested glance at the Marnian commander. "Two days," he replied before biting off the final piece of the Liesel bark.
      Signature
      www.writers-and-publishers.com/constantcontent
      Are you a freelance writer? Fed up with being paid a few dollars for an article? Then it's time to click the link. You will *not* be disappointed!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1713962].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author mrfixituk
        I might equal you! I've been in MLM since 1999 and have made little because I think it's down to me not doing what is necessary.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714021].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author dubhdara
          Maybe we should have a WF contest to see who can make the least in 24 hours?
          Signature
          www.writers-and-publishers.com/constantcontent
          Are you a freelance writer? Fed up with being paid a few dollars for an article? Then it's time to click the link. You will *not* be disappointed!
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714058].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author DaveyMars
            Does that include what we spend on "tools"? The we can compete for "who's losing the most money".

            I get the feeling that one day, the light suddenly comes on. It's getting brighter right now...
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714080].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author dubhdara
              Yes, and I especially like the MMO courses for people who are "broke" - though I do wonder how they pay for the course in the first place if they are truly broke...

              Davey, you are not standing in the road at night I hope - or on those train tracks again?
              Signature
              www.writers-and-publishers.com/constantcontent
              Are you a freelance writer? Fed up with being paid a few dollars for an article? Then it's time to click the link. You will *not* be disappointed!
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714096].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author rapidscc
            Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

            Maybe we should have a WF contest to see who can make the least in 24 hours?
            That would be interesting.

            If you won't spend a dime doing it, that would be hard.
            In a recent post I tried that and made NADA.

            However, I tried that again, this time with a little cash
            and made several hours worth of income.
            (the challenge was in the Philippine Thread on Mastermind group)

            It would be interesting to see a 24 hours challenge in
            the main thread, specially if the condition is not to spend anything.

            As per your original post. I agree with Steven and GeorgeR.

            but you can always use the 13 years experience to decide
            on doing what is right this time.

            And last thing, the reason why you're not making anything
            in IM is because you are successful in all other areas of your
            life. Lose everything in your life, job, money..and think as if
            a gun is pointed at your head and you're dead if you don't
            make anything in 24 hours..maybe then things would turn
            the other way.

            (I'll use this advice myself coz presently I'm in a bit of a rough.)

            All the best,
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714595].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    Originally Posted by dubhdara View Post

    I have tried a lot of things on the Internet - I started back under Mike Enlow (who was the mentor of Corey Rudhl). This was back in '97 iirc.

    Since then I have managed to lose money on just about everything I turn my hand to

    I don't know why.

    Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a marketer (I prefer writing fiction and am a creative type), but there is a little of the entrepreneurial in me...

    Take for example my latest foray into the world of failure. iPhone advertising.

    After a number of attempts I finally got some campaigns live (I have an enormous propensity for encountering technical issues or other hurdles that are outside my control!)

    I set up this page as an offer (it's an affiliate freebie): http://www.writers-and-publishers.com/truthaboutabs

    and also a campaign going directly to the web site for another product.

    I had 215,359 iPhone users see the ad, and 1667 clicked through (or 1336 according to my clickbank account - not sure why there is a discrepancy). How many bought? ZERO.

    The former, with copy written by the guy who has this product which is #1 on CB for abs programs and sells a lot, had 161,035 views with 1637 clicks. This time, as you can see, I just made it as easy email submit as iPhone users (I am told) are more not so likely to buy as PC users. How many of those people submitted their emails? FIVE. FIVE PEOPLE.

    I lost lots of money on Google Adwords - despite trying to follow diligently the PPC 2.0 Classroom program - and my only conclusion is that you have to be darn lucky for your product/service or affiliate product to make more money than you spend in time and money promoting it.

    I've probably been involved with this longer than most people on this forum (I was around before it even started I believe), and have not yet "got it" as far as Internet marketing is concerned.

    Strangely, I am considered a great manager, skilled, successful, a great motivator, someone who gets things done, reliable, et. al. in other walks of life...

    Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any advice for me? What am I not getting?
    Can I ask a crazy question?

    Why don't you create a product based on what you already know, instead of selling other people's stuff?

    Yeah, I know this sounds crazy, but self help is a huge market. And with your experience, I don't think you can be anything but great in that niche. It's the ultimate no brainer.

    Fix that mistake, and it's all downhill to the bank from there. The rest of it is small potatoes stuff that should correct itself once you're on ground you're familiar with.

    Now, go do it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714118].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kenny5
    I know what you mean. I've been doing this for two years and haven't made anything. However I'm pretty sure that it is because I am not focused enough. I switch between things too much. So, I ended that and have been focusing intently on one blog for a while. Lets see if it works
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714507].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author soniia21
    I agree with Ross Vegas! I spent over $5000 on a mentoring course and where did it land me...$5000 further in debt teaching how to set-up a website and send PPC traffic - nevermind the hotel and travel costs too!! Thanks mate!!

    After meeting some really awesome marketers in the bar at an event I got random golden advice over half an hour, and made money within 7 weeks of quitting my job!

    1) Find a niche and a subject that you are interested in and one where people spend money! See if similar products are being sold in the market, check clickbank, google search results, ebay, blogs etc.

    2) Get a domain name, hosting and autoresponder.

    3) Put together a high value report to give away.

    4) Set-up your squeeze page with your opt-in form

    5) Drive targeted traffic.

    = Building your list.

    I would have saved a lot of money and time by following this method.

    Hope this helps.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714746].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author neodarth
    I'm so glad to see this topic, I was thinking that I was the worst of all and all you guys were awsome sucessful marketeers. You are not alone guys! I'm one of you!.
    With all my promotions I've made about a 10K a month, that will be awsome, but I spend 11K so I'm still have my day job.
    Signature
    ==> Negocios Estables en la Web Internet marketing en español.

    ==> Internet Marketing Newbie Created for IM virgins
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1714987].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kucaimas
    when i read you story it was really cool but not generating any penny..
    Signature

    my new website http://www.kucaimas.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1717757].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Deeps2365
    Stop using PPC until you understand it.

    Use SEO to promote your page with key words on search engines

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1718712].message }}

Trending Topics