So...the First $$$ = the Most Difficult?

I think its harder to get consistent sales rather than thet first sale - you can luck out and get a sale by accident... but with consistent work, and constantly learning you can get consistent traffic, and in then consistent sales once you tweak everything.

I think what strikes me from your post is a lack of consistency - you clearly know what to do, and if you keep doing it and even scale it up you can reach a higher level, but it just doesn't look consistent -there are periods of months where you stop working..

Good luck with it, and just keep at it, even if you are only taking small steps it doesn't matter if they are small steps in the right direction

as the previous poster said, the first sale can be difficult but it's generating consistent sales that is the most difficult.

Hi Steve,

Not sure about the first $ being the most difficult, that can almost happen by accident!

What you just described is fairly typical for a lot who are just trying to get started, even if you have a lot of time on your hands it's really easy to use it all up trying to learn more, using the latest product, or looking for short cuts.

In reality though, this isn't rocket science, but you do have to know what you're doing and work at it, try not to "wait until you know everything" because it will never happen.

What's important is to pick a method to start with, learn enough to implement it effectively, and then take action, lots of it!

You will learn and progress faster that way, you will make some mistakes and you have to remain determined but if you do that things will get easier.

So far as your website goes, hopefully you're going after some good keywords and if you've got it optimized well enough, then you need to promote it heavily to get enough traffic to it.

Not all keywords are equal though, some convert terrible, others really well, so this will have a big impact on your results with any site,

wish you all the best,
Neil

The truth is that some people never get the first sale and give up

Some get that first sale then struggle and give up

Others get a few sales then give up

Others succeed

The common theme is the giving up. Keep going, keep focused, review what youi've done and go again. This is at times hard work but you will get there in the end

Thank you for all your advice.

It's true. I would say I am usually going full steam or not doing anything at all.


(To Help Others)

So far:

Consistency is key.
Consistent Work.
Consistent Effort.
Consistent Sales.

Mistakes are a necessary.

Take Action Before You Feel Ready

Steve,

I think that the first sale is sortof like a first date... The bigger deal you make it and the more you focus on it - the harder it is to get. But in many cases, you can accidentally stumble onto it.

But, like the previous posters said, making consistent sales is much more difficult. This is because to do this, you are actually building a business. There are so many things that you can spend your time on... (Fill in the blanks with a long list here)...

But, If you want to know the secret...

The secret is to figure out what tasks make you money -- and do those tasks every single day. The more time you can spend on those tasks, the more money you will make. Period.

So, in your case, figure out what drove those sales you made... And do that over and over and over...

You have to review and reinvent. Say you've done an ebook and thought this is great but no-one buys it. Then think again and be brutally honest with yourself and your creations.

A common mistake is for people to create a product that they think or expect people willw ant just because its offered. Find out what they actually need instead.

The first couple $$$ are only difficult because you need to TRY something you've never done without the promise of success. Once you've figured out a SYSTEM that actually works, it's a total cake-walk after it.

That's the only reason why its so hard to make your first buck.

Yeah, the first sales are always the toughest but also the most rewarding and motivating.

The next challenge becomes creating a stream of sales, not just sporadic sales. This normally comes from developing a system of some sort and then sticking with that system. Whether it be outsourcing, coming up with a weekly schedule of your seo duties etc. But you need a process or system to start gaining consistent traction.

my two cents

I think it is harder to scale up those sales. Like, writing articles will only get you so far. Working out how to grow your income will be the tricky bit.

That said, congrats on the first sale! It is definitely a milestone. It confirms in your head that this whole 'IM' thing works and your time is not wasted.

All the above comments are spot on and pretty much spoken by many of the Warriors.

I totally understand where you are at. It took me around six months just to make my first sale which gave me around $7 commission. Not much but a start.

I am not making a hell of a lot now but I am getting there and it is mainly due to persistence. Many a time I felt like giving up as I felt as though I wasn't getting anywhere but when I changed my mindset, my way of looking at things, I realized I was moving forward!

My problem was I wanted results NOW!!! It doesn't work that way in IM if you want a longterm productive business.

I got stuck on a website just like you. Do I do this?...Should I do that?....Why isn't this selling?....bla..bla...
I went nuts.

What I decided to do was leave that niche website for a while and start something else. After a few weeks away I got back to the site with fresh ideas and the motivation to carry on.

I know it is hard working and working and not seeing much result, but you have to keep moving and keep working at it because almost all the Warriors who are doing well have said that. You will see results if you keep at it.

One more thing, try not to over work yourself and stress out. Do that daily and you are doomed.

Sounds like you are on the right track anyway, so good luck and go get your dream!


Andy