Is It Becoming Harder and Harder to Earn $$$$ Online(?)

108 replies
I have heard much discussion about this very question. While some argue that the internet is ever-expanding and providing an insane amount of new opportunities to earn money online, others argue that, with these opportunities, internet marketing continues to become more and more saturated with passionate individuals all hoping to make a full-time living from their online/IM endeavors--making it more and more difficult to earn.

What do you think? :confused:
#$$$$ #earn #harder #online
  • Profile picture of the author LMC
    Personally I think it is becoming easier and easier.

    People are getting more specific in what they are looking for on the Internet. They no longer have the time to browse pages and pages of search results, they are used to clicking on links, signing up for freebies, and receiving notifications via email.

    When they search the Internet instead of searching "skateboards" in Google, they now search, "buy red skateboard" or "online skateboard store" opening up new opportunities for us marketers to grab #1 positions on the Internet for those keywords.

    That is my view on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
    Originally Posted by John McEachern View Post

    I couldn't say for sure. But I'd like to hear your opinion, if you don't mind. It seems, from what I understand, you are going about article marketing in a way not much talked about on this forum - so your views would interest me.
    Someone has to be a pioneer and go against the grain lol....I am really genuinly interesting in what others have to say, though, so, I'll reserve for a bit to respond....

    Honestly, one of the reasons why I began this poll was because, well...I really don't know...lol.... (Let me think about the question more)

    Based on my experience, I think the general IM atmosphere, and competition, has given birth to a new breed of highly passionate, relentlessly individuals....who sleep 4 hours a night, and eat meals next to their laptop computers...lol

    I think this could have far ranging implications--both good and bad....

    1) I think people will have no other choice but to creating quality and VALUE...whether it be in article writing or product creation....or with generally forming and maintaining relationships....

    2) Unfortunately, I think family dynamics may suffer a bit....as people become addicted to being online, and making money, they 'may' neglect other things in their lives....as they eat by their laptop, they may neglect family time and family meals....

    just some thoughts....hope I'm not thinking "too much" about this...lol
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  • Profile picture of the author Sibkis
    I am very new to this but like everything the amount of disposable income that was floating around has been reduced.
    I do agree that the ever expanding web is providing opportunities but you have to know the culture of the country it is expanding into.
    And as for making money on the web I think that a more intertwined approach is required e.g. combining blogging with articles and your own products linking bank to your own sites etc.
    But we are not at saturation point just a bit of change and perhaps a bit of immunity to this type of marketing IMHO.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    It's getting easier and easier.

    With all the new people more and more crap is being produced - which makes it easier for those of us offering true value to get attention.
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    • Profile picture of the author danolund
      Same as it ever was!

      Those who do the work and take action have a far better chance then those with little or no imagination and think it is easy.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        It depends on what you produce.

        Right now, I think it's a bad time for those that produce junk. Google is making moves against crummy sites that use spun and re-spun and rehashed this and that; the bigger article directories are dropping lower quality articles; forums are drawing harder lines against crud; and so on.

        So, if you're used to just throwing up 100s of MFA sites, auto-blogs and using automated commenting bots to spread your links around, now may not be a good time.

        On the other hand, as others have mentioned, if you're producing stuff of quality, it makes it easier for you to stand out from the crowd.
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        • Profile picture of the author TheNewGuy2010
          Is this a fact or is this something that you believe?


          Is quality determined by you or the end user?



          :rolleyes:




          Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

          It depends on what you produce.

          Right now, I think it's a bad time for those that produce junk. Google is making moves against crummy sites that use spun and re-spun and rehashed this and that; the bigger article directories are dropping lower quality articles; forums are drawing harder lines against crud; and so on.

          So, if you're used to just throwing up 100s of MFA sites, auto-blogs and using automated commenting bots to spread your links around, now may not be a good time.

          On the other hand, as others have mentioned, if you're producing stuff of quality, it makes it easier for you to stand out from the crowd.
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    No...

    It's getting easier.

    I have found it easier to make income goals in the past few years, much larger jumps in revenue, too.

    Ten years ago, the internet was much more difficult a place to be making your living. It wasn't impossible...

    But with the plethora of information, content and resources.. it is much, much easier today to make money online than it has ever been.
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  • Profile picture of the author RichardDean
    Harder or Not ?

    With article spinners, I mean take one article and spin it into 100, 500 even 1000 times.

    Then place it all over the net just trying to get some traffic. Years ago we never had to
    deal with this. A article meant something. How many times have you read articles and theydon't even make sense. Spin the spun articles now.... Stop spinning articles do them right.

    One of the main things people sell stuff too cheap, 7.00 script crap. They don't value their work?

    Learn to market and sell the same thing for 27.00...There was a time a guide like this (7.00) would be selling for 27.00 but as you can see people who can't market keep lowering the price and you see all these 7.00 guides. Just think you have to sell about 4 @ 7.00 to one 27.00 guide. Doing 4 times as much work and 4 times as many people. Do the math convert 2% of 500 people see who makes more money the 7.00 guy or the 27.00 guy?

    Do the right thing lets get ebook prices back up to where we make real money. Stop giving stuff away.


    Bonus items Stop already...

    When is the last time you walked into a book store and they gave you 15 bonus items if you bought the latest cookbook. When is the last time you bought a software program and they gave you 10 more programs on top of it...


    If you're trying to sell a ebook on how to make 10,000 in ten minutes, make sure your are doing it before you try to sell it to someone else. If YOU ARE NOT making money the way your ebook says then don't sell it. Stop the madness!

    Uneducated people teaching the Uneducated.... that's going well ya think?

    I could go on and on....

    Richard Dean

    So Harder or Not ?
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    • Profile picture of the author Barry Patterson
      Originally Posted by RichardDean View Post

      Harder or Not ?

      With article spinners, I mean take one article and spin it into 100, 500 even 1000 times.

      Then place it all over the net just trying to get some traffic. Years ago we never had to
      deal with this. A article meant something. How many times have you read articles and theydon't even make sense. Spin the spun articles now.... Stop spinning articles do them right.

      One of the main things people sell stuff too cheap, 7.00 script crap. They don't value their work?

      Learn to market and sell the same thing for 27.00...There was a time a guide like this (7.00) would be selling for 27.00 but as you can see people who can't market keep lowering the price and you see all these 7.00 guides. Just think you have to sell about 4 @ 7.00 to one 27.00 guide. Doing 4 times as much work and 4 times as many people. Do the math convert 2% of 500 people see who makes more money the 7.00 guy or the 27.00 guy?

      Do the right thing lets get ebook prices back up to where we make real money. Stop giving stuff away.


      Bonus items Stop already...

      When is the last time you walked into a book store and they gave you 15 bonus items if you bought the latest cookbook. When is the last time you bought a software program and they gave you 10 more programs on top of it...


      If you're trying to sell a ebook on how to make 10,000 in ten minutes, make sure your are doing it before you try to sell it to someone else. If YOU ARE NOT making money the way your ebook says then don't sell it. Stop the madness!

      Uneducated people teaching the Uneducated.... that's going well ya think?

      I could go on and on....

      Richard Dean

      So Harder or Not ?
      Your point is well taken. In the last months I have been involved, what you are saying has been a real difficult thing to handle. Trying to find quality has been tough. So many marketers saying things that are stretched out of proportion.
      The greatest disappointment comes from those so called professionals who sell you a many thousand dollar training course with a 3 day guarantee.
      I have now learned that if a company does not back up their statements with a 1 year guarantee, it is simply not for me. In our automotive business the warranty is what sometimes sells the vehicle. We had to honor that fact. So many of the internet marketers simply are boasting about their big houses etc. and really do not care about what they say to make a sale. And no absolute guarantee the customer will succeed with their training. So convenient to be able to say that not everyone will succeed and do not expect to get a warranty.
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    • Profile picture of the author meh
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      • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
        Originally Posted by meh View Post

        I have spent over $3,000 on on products that were supposed to make me money back in 2002 & I used to buy magazines and I loved the free products that they had with them. Me and some of my mates at the time would just buy the magazine to get the free software that came with them. Little did I know that most of the stuff that says "make money etc" were scams and I wound up broke, homeless, no food, & looking stupid. I purchased many atm machines the next year after going back to a minimum wage job & lost over $7,000 on them. These were all recommended as no brainers to make money as I did the research and all and they were in big magazines and had many seals of approval that were real. I lost my ass big time. I almost lost $8,000 to some nigerian 409 scammer also. About 2 years ago, someone contacted me about the atm machines and promised to set them up and find them (they were in many different places like 4-5 hours away, & they got around $1,200 from me and the name was Gary Wooley was the original scammer and the other scammer was another name. I lost over $2,000 in egold doing hyip and ez-bucks was supposed to be the best program but the admin ran off with around $4million of members funds. After this many due dilligence comitees were set up to verify programs and products but since then, all of the ones I knew about were removed. I have worked my ass off on minumum wage, (even getting 3 college degrees to find out that now I'm too qualified to work anywhere as if I apply for a job around here they tell me your too qualified and don't hire me). I have over 300,000 in debt and to date have not made any money off these get rich quick things and all the rest of the supposedly recommended programs. I have been limited to dial up because the phone company & wireless providers around here refuse to take care of their customers and would like to charge insane amount of money ($384 a month for 348kbs internet service) and I did have another provider but they decided that they will not provide service to me anymore. I have came across this forum a few times & have been reading it for 2 days. I am in need of some real program that works as my whole life I have been fked. Please help. The problem is the scammers & since there are no real jobs around here I live (can't even get hired on min wage anymore and when I was making that, it wasn't even enough to pay the rent & eat). I maxed out every credit card I had trying to make money & live like normal people & pay off college loans with them and now I just sit here everyday not giving up but wondering when it will all end? When will I finally get ahead in this corrupt world? If anyone can help please respond as I can't receive pm's yet.
        oh...wow....I don't even know where to begin with responding to this post....

        Not to derail the thread too much, but if a simple 'bump' of this thread will help you get answers, I'll be glad to do it....

        How old are you, meh?

        This post is filled with strikes of bad luck after the next....on the same token, have you done thorough research into some of these ventures before engaging them?
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        • Profile picture of the author meh
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          • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
            oh boy....we have so many issues here, meh....

            "I trusted people to do actually what they said and trusted products."

            Unfortunately, you can't just 'trust' people nowadays.....on the other side of the token, you have to really be proactive in researching....does the product seller have a past history? Do they run a blog that has a history of providing great quality content for years? There is also an element of their product being "good", but it may have just not 'worked' for you. Even with the greatest product, with step-by-step instructions, some people will 'still' find a way to make it not work....

            I do think that some/many of your sentiments are shared....to some degree, many online experiences have tainted the trust (whether founded or unfounded) that people have in internet marketers in general. I do feel that sometimes newbie marketers DO have a few barriers to overcome....if you are established already, it may not be so difficult....however, I do think it can be difficult to be known as an internet marketer that provides high quality products and material. It does stink that so many people have looked to the internet to get-rich quick, so much so that they create their own garbage products overnight, and peddle them relentlessly. Buyers are left broken hearted, and skeptical of any other people or products online....I think that can be a serious hurdle to overcome that can make it more and more difficult for those who provide quality to really earn online.

            The money back guarantees are a shame....a legimitate IMer would honor those requests, so long as they are founded and after you have really tried to apply the product, but have failed over and over again.

            "I read on this forum in a few places that warriors help each other out so maybe someone could help me out."

            If you have any cash, at all, you should look into a War Room Membership. It appears like you have thrown thousands of $$$s after garbage....yet, you can see many members here who are members of the War Room, who swear by the huge reservoir of knowledge and information it contains. That may be one of the best investments you can make at this time....

            Once you do that, pick up Pat Flynn's "eBooks the $mart Way" (smartpassiveincome.com), and write your own product, get a website, and launch it as a WSO. Offer a money back guarantee, but, unlike has been your experience, don't do to others what has occurred to you when you have your own product.....

            Have you ever tried to create your own product/eBook?


            Originally Posted by meh View Post

            When I got started, I was 18. I trusted people to do actually what they said and trusted products. The money back guarantee never did get my money back, it was a scam on all of it. I did my research into the many ventures, (not all but many) and it turned out that most of the scammers payed the top places to say that they were legit/etc. At that time there was no scam.com to research stuff & most of the offers came from email which often provided no forum to discuss stuff. On places that did have a forum, they were great places but when the scammers ran off with the money, other forums sprang up so we wouldn't be left in the dark and due diligent committees were formed which verified the information so we wouldn't get scammed anymore. Unfortunately it must have been the scammers didn't like this and most/all that I knew about forums dissapeared. Often I researched what information that I could find on the programs & even then got scammed because the places paid their way to get "not a scam but a real opportunity status". When those places were gone and I only got email offers, there wasn't many places to research the offers as I would get tons of offers in my email but it was either take them for being decent and actually try since it was money back guarantee (complete lie on their behalf) and I actually though people were honest. I am 26 years & being in a place that broadband has been non existent for most (still is) my life, I can't watch youtube videos or upload files for money (unless they are like 1mb and under) so uploading for money has been out of the question also. Since lots of stuff is video on the internet, it makes it very difficult to get anywhere since I am not able to watch the 5 minute clip of "how to do this, etc". If I was ever able to make some money online, I would be able to leave this place called hell that I currently live at where in order to have a job, you have to be dumb as bricks because if you have an education, then you are no longer wanted here (and can not be hired). Teachers always said in school that if you have an education then regardless of where you work at, you would get paid more & get hired over someone that doesn't. Well that is a lie. It may instead make sure your broke and can't get hired at a job instead. I read on this forum in a few places that warriors help each other out so maybe someone could help me out. Many thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author webcosmo
    its never been easy actually. back in the time there wasnt much users online; now more people selling, more people buying.

    With more people using internet, I would say, its easier to earn online now.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ilya Feynberg
    Things are changing, no question about it. I used to be able to very easily and without any fear of Google or FTC (and everything I ever did and do is legal and ethical) be able to put up an ad and campaign within 20 min and be rolling in easy sales...with very little competition.

    Has THAT part of the game changed? A little bit, but in ways it's kicked off a lot of the "don't know what I'm really doing crowd"

    And that's just one tiny part of the whole picture.

    Building a brand and an online powerhouse in my opinion has never been "easier" and the opportunity has never been as ripe. We have more tools, more attention, and structure for companies that wish to build their presence online now more than any other time in history.

    Stop thinking about what's easier or harder. People will have 1,000 excuses and "reasons" for why not to do something or why something doesn't work. Just get moving and get doing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Well, I make more money today than I did 7 years ago.

      So in my opinion, it's easier.

      Once you know what the hell you're doing, if you actually give people
      something of real value, I think the many avenues of promotion that we
      have today that we didn't have in 2003 make it a lot easier.

      But that's just my opinion for whatever it's worth.
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      • Profile picture of the author Sarah Harvey
        My opinion on this matter is simple:

        Most people have no concept of real marketing and do not even understand what a simple stakeholder is. I bet most people that read that say, "I know what a stakeholder is! It's the important people sitting at the top of the company... like board members or people that buy shares." Think again because you will be wrong. The definition of a stakeholder makes a fantastic read but more importantly, most "IM people" assume the only way you can make money is through social media marketing. Or at least some people on this forum will only equate Internet Marketing to writing articles, providing a few services like link building etc.

        Of course there is a growing trend within the internet marketing community that somehow imagines that crafting the perfect sales letter is IM or creating another cool Wordpress plugin falls within the Internet Marketing scene. But both ideas/concepts are different and doesn't fall within Internet Marketing.

        A person creating a wordpress plugin would be considered a programmer. The fact that you sell the plugin to the hungry Internet marketing scene just means that they are the target market. Believe me people will almost buy anything in the IM scene.

        People are so obsessed with the latest techniques and money making ideas, that they forget the fundamental basics... like creating a business plan, creating a strategic marketing plan and then implementing what you have learned in real life.

        A business can be online and offline- not just online.

        How many people have actually started a SEO company and actually registered a business bank account, pay taxes, created a business/marketing plan and approached local businesses within their area with creative briefs/outlines on how the SEO company can benefit their business?

        I bet 10% will actually do all that. The rest will say, "Run that by me again...I didn't understand that."

        Most people don't even know what marketing involves, so the techniques, ideas and gimmicks for making money on the internet is a bit outdated, old and pointless if you are competing with a few hundred thousand people who offer the same thing. In actual fact most people don't even take the time to put together some documentation about them, their company, the services etc.

        I have yet to see that actually. Very few Warriors on this forum make any effort beyond doing the initial thread and getting testimonials. So now you are wondering why it is becoming harder to make money?

        The answer is right in front of you.

        ........"Until you understand basic marketing principles and how best to communicate your service and business, then it will be wise to do some studying- whether it is through reading/researching or taking a class/degree in marketing." Sarah Harvey 2010

        My own quote. It is a good quote too!
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        • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
          I finally gave in and actually voted...I erred towards the "Yes. It is becoming harder and harder to earn $$$$ Online." crowd...

          It wasn't exactly the popular choice....of course, it was the more 'pessimistic' 'glass-is-half-empty' choice of the too, because, well, I'm generally a very positive and upbeat person....

          I think, in order to be successfully online nowadays, there is a massively increased emphasis on relationship building....for those who are just beginning, this takes time...and time is an investment....and, nurturing and fostering relationships can be 'hard' because it simply takes time and maintenance....It requires going out of your way, and doing things with little to no expectation for a return.

          I also tend to think that it is becoming a bit more difficult to earn simply because more and more people are producing junk, in an attempt to get rich quick, and leaving a tainted lasting impression on others, regarding IM....some may never even touch a digital product again because of an experience in the past....

          Overcoming this may be tricky for the marketer who is REALLY truly providing value to their target audience. It just takes time and effort...and, an injection of your own personality and creativity, that may be difficult for a VA/outsourcer to truly grasp...

          I do think it is up to US, to maintain a valuable image of Internet Marketers....not as people who provide crap for over-inflated prices, but, as people who provide true value that helps others achieve what you claim your product(s) can.
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      • Profile picture of the author Oleg Cherkasky
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post


        So in my opinion, it's easier.

        I keep hearing from every guru, this thread approves that this is not just marketing hype.
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  • Profile picture of the author stevecl
    Saturation is never a problem. The internet is getting bigger and bigger more users everyday - just be the best in yoiur niche and they will come :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I had great 2009 and 2010 is even better. It could also be that I am a much better and laser focused marketer than I was in 2008. Also need a high demand product to be successful.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Benjamin
    Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

    I have heard much discussion about this very question. While some argue that the internet is ever-expanding and providing an insane amount of new opportunities to earn money online, others argue that, with these opportunities, internet marketing continues to become more and more saturated with passionate individuals all hoping to make a full-time living from their online/IM endeavors--making it more and more difficult to earn.

    What do you think? :confused:
    Your assuming there is a "lack" of something...a LACK
    of money to go around...a lack of business for others
    to enjoy...

    I can already see what's coming...

    "Oh, I'm not saying I believe this, I'm just speaking for
    those who DO feel that way..."

    Fine. But I don't know many prosperous people who
    even CARE to speak on the behalf of a group of people
    who just don't get it yet.

    Why add fuel to the fire of a negative mentality?

    Why do another one of these threads confirming peoples
    fears?

    Well, I guess that's what makes this forum so great.

    In any case, no...it get's easier when the market grows.
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by WhoIsBenjamin View Post

      Your assuming there is a "lack" of something...a LACK
      of money to go around...a lack of business for others
      to enjoy...

      I can already see what's coming...

      "Oh, I'm not saying I believe this, I'm just speaking for
      those who DO feel that way..."

      Fine. But I don't know many prosperous people who
      even CARE to speak on the behalf of a group of people
      who just don't get it yet.

      Why add fuel to the fire of a negative mentality?

      Why do another one of these threads confirming peoples
      fears?

      Well, I guess that's what makes this forum so great.

      In any case, no...it get's easier when the market grows.
      This is the only thread (that I know of) that has this POLL question, unless I am misunderstanding you....

      If there is another one, post it here, and I can ask the mods/admins to close this one down.
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  • Profile picture of the author RichardDean
    I have not voted yet, but I can say there was a day you could make great money on the WSO with a simple guide with a great business plan. OR a set of graphics in my case for 67 to 97 dollars. The last graphic pack I could hardly get 15.00 for it and
    it was 10 times better than 5 years ago graphics.

    We did it to our self with:
    PLR stuff - bulk packages - 7 dollar script - giveaway scripts.

    Don't it suck when you pay good money for something then in the next big giveaway there it is for free.

    This is the biggest IM forum we need to ban together and set standards no ebook sold for less than 17.00 or something like that. We need to raise our prices. Stop makinf PLR products go back to how it was, I paid 250.00 to just brand a ebook I branded 5...

    I want to see what more people say before I vote

    Richard Dean
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    • Profile picture of the author Rockmanfl
      I really feel it depends what you put into it, it takes time and patience - there really are no get rich quick schemes. Doesn't matter what program or package you buy online, you still have to learn how to promote it. But I think there is a lot of great information out there if you take time to look for it.
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      • Profile picture of the author netkid
        I would say it is harder to market to the IM crowd if you are a "me too," product or service producer. Just like what happens in the offline world, there is INNOVATION in the marketplace which separates the also rans. This is what drives more profits in any industry, offline or online.

        In a nutshell, try to evolve and give new slants to the current market and their needs and it becomes the "new thing" for you to market to that "hungry" crowd. Go ahead of your market, don't follow it or be in the middle of it.....

        Regards,

        Bruce
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  • Profile picture of the author secrets2010
    Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

    I have heard much discussion about this very question. While some argue that the internet is ever-expanding and providing an insane amount of new opportunities to earn money online, others argue that, with these opportunities, internet marketing continues to become more and more saturated with passionate individuals all hoping to make a full-time living from their online/IM endeavors--making it more and more difficult to earn.

    What do you think? :confused:
    I think the competition is increasing every day..so is more difficult to get on first page of search engines...theres a lot more competition in ppc...a few years ago was much easier to get targeted traffic...
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Garratt
    Harder. My stats show that my visitor value has dropped 25-40% in the past 2 years. My traffic is coming from largely the same sources so I can only conclude that people are buying less.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimG
    The ability to make money is easier today then it was last year or the year before but unfortunately the actual process for many people is becoming harder because they are bombarded with so many opportunities that they fail to stop and aggresively work one opportunity to its maximum potential.

    So even though you can make more then and under easier conditions then before, the overwhelmed online marketer actually makes far less or nothing at all and struggles to understand why.

    Respectfully,
    Tim
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by TimG View Post

      The ability to make money is easier today then it was last year or the year before but unfortunately the actual process for many people is becoming harder because they are bombarded with so many opportunities that they fail to stop and aggresively work one opportunity to its maximum potential.

      So even though you can make more then and under easier conditions then before, the overwhelmed online marketer actually makes far less or nothing at all and struggles to understand why.

      Respectfully,
      Tim
      ah...this seems to be a whole 'nother aspect of the argument....the fact that people are absolutely inundated with all types of make money opportunities can make it difficult for new marketers to emerge....they may find it difficult to establishing themselves where it at least can be perceived as being very saturated.....

      lol...and, based on the current results, I hope noone thinks that the people that voted "It IS becoming harder" are just those people that don't earn or have had bad past experiences....really not trying to give that perception....

      (I noticed that many of the regulars here voted for the other option)
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  • Profile picture of the author N4PGW
    With today's resources on the net, I think it is easier. It only takes a little searching and one JV giveaway to find all the information to get started in 24 hours with little or no startup capital.
    If you have money, there are programs where the process is to walk you through the first profitable website while you learn the ropes.
    While most people overlook it, the potential to earn at least a little money in one's first month really is out there and freely available.
    For a newcomer who has no clue about the internet, yes, things are more complicated than before, but technically, if they can use a word processor, they have the ability to get a site on the web within a week.

    My first marketing website was setup in the early 90s. I used MS word to create the page and sent an email to 100,000 addresses all in one week. The next day I found a new web host and ISP.

    Buck
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    It's going to come down to opinion really.

    In the end the answer really doesn't matter

    What does matter is ...

    Are you making money today?
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by Ernie Lonardo View Post

      It's going to come down to opinion really.

      In the end the answer really doesn't matter

      What does matter is ...

      Are you making money today?
      Very true. (about it coming down to opinion)

      I thought it'd be neat to at least gauge the general sentiment of how people perceive the difficulty of earning online, based on whatever criteria they'd like to use (passed experience, current success, etc).....

      Now, WHY they feel they way may be particularly interesting. Do people think it is becoming harder and harder to earn simply because they don't earn? Do they make more than 5 years ago, but find they have to work 'more'? less?
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      • Profile picture of the author N4PGW
        Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

        Very true. (about it coming down to opinion)

        I thought it'd be neat to at least gauge the general sentiment of how people perceive the difficulty of earning online, based on whatever criteria they'd like to use (passed experience, current success, etc).....

        Now, WHY they feel they way may be particularly interesting. Do people think it is becoming harder and harder to earn simply because they don't earn? Do they make more than 5 years ago, but find they have to work 'more'? less?
        Maybe the question should be, "Is it harder to make your first $1000..." The reason I say this is I hear experienced marketer say their first thousand was hardest. Their second thousand easier. Once they reached their first 1000, their first $5000 was even easier.

        Someone once told me that there is no such thing as a hard question if you already know the answer to it. Would that not be true in IM? Once you know how to drive buyers to your product, you can do it again and again just as easily.

        Buck
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        • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
          Originally Posted by N4PGW View Post

          Maybe the question should be, "Is it harder to make your first $1000..." The reason I say this is I hear experienced marketer say their first thousand was hardest. Their second thousand easier. Once they reached their first 1000, their first $5000 was even easier.

          Someone once told me that there is no such thing as a hard question if you already know the answer to it. Would that not be true in IM? Once you know how to drive buyers to your product, you can do it again and again just as easily.

          Buck
          That's true, Buck....hm....I may have to start a new poll...lol....after that first $1,000, I'm sure there is definitely an element of momentum, skill, and experience, that makes earning more not-so-hard as getting over that initial threshold...
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  • Profile picture of the author SolomonHuey
    You could say the same about any industry, yet new players continue to pop up in old industries and succeed.

    The internet is no different.

    It's only as hard or easy as you make it to be.

    But I'll still say easier!

    Solomon Huey
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  • Profile picture of the author Vic Shake
    We’re now in the Information/Digital age
    not in the
    Industrial Age.

    There’s approximately 1.7 billion Internet users.
    Over 40 million of those users are looking to earn incomes online.
    Every 2.2 seconds there’s another new person using the Net.
    Every 11.6 seconds another new person starts a home based business.
    These numbers are growing faster then ever before.

    There is enough room for everyone its not getting saturated. its increasing like never before.

    the internet is still in its infancy stage..



    ..

    Vic
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by Vic Shake View Post

      We're now in the Information/Digital age
      not in the
      Industrial Age.

      There's approximately 1.7 billion Internet users.
      Over 40 million of those users are looking to earn incomes online.
      Every 2.2 seconds there's another new person using the Net.
      Every 11.6 seconds another new person starts a home based business.
      These numbers are growing faster then ever before.

      There is enough room for everyone its not getting saturated. its increasing like never before.

      the internet is still in its infancy stage..



      ..

      Vic
      All you have to do is throw out numbers, and you peak my interest....

      Well done, Vic...it's hard to believe with, as big as it is, that the internet is only in it's infancy....definitely vindicates the fact that there is alot of opportunity coming our way, if only we work hard and seek out those opportunities.

      The participation, in the poll, has been great!
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  • Profile picture of the author Louise Green
    Demand for people with skills like SEO/SEM/SMO/ORP etc has been increasing each year, so right now it's the easiest it ever has been to make money.

    In fact, we're in a great position.. because the demand for people with our skills is so high, there's also a second demand from people who want to learn our skills, so instead of just selling services like SEO/SMO to corporate clients, we can also double up and sell products that teach the thousands upon thousands of people who want to learn.

    Every way you turn, there's good money to be made.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Atkins
    It's actually getting harder...

    I wasn't surprised to see that most people voted that it's
    "easier".

    It's obvious since most people here work in the IM niche.

    Seeing that more and more people are getting interested in
    working online, it's getting easier to make money in the IM
    niche.

    But I'm afraid that it's getting harder and harder to make
    money in other niches such as the adult niche, dating niche
    weight loss niche, etc... etc..

    I work in several niches so I know what I'm talking about.

    Anyway, I'm making more money online right now more than ever
    before, but that doesn't mean that it's getting easier.

    I make more money now simply because I know much more stuff
    than I new a few years ago.

    cheers
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    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by IM Headlines View Post

      I wasn't surprised to see that most people voted that it's
      "easier".

      It's obvious since most people here work in the IM niche.
      I voted "easier".. and I don't sell anything in the IM niche, any more.

      But I'm afraid that it's getting harder and harder to make
      money in other niches such as the adult niche, dating niche
      weight loss niche, etc... etc..
      I'd have to strongly disagree.

      I work/have sites in 2 of the 3 niches you mentioned... and I think it is no more difficult now than before.

      I work in several niches so I know what I'm talking about.
      Yup.. same here. Yet we are saying the complete opposite to each other...

      Hmmm.. makes ya think
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      • Profile picture of the author John Atkins
        Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post


        I'd have to strongly disagree.

        I work/have sites in 2 of the 3 niches you mentioned... and I think it is no more difficult now than before.



        Yup.. same here. Yet we are saying the complete opposite to each other...

        Hmmm.. makes ya think

        A few years ago:

        It was easier to dominate google.

        You could get traffic for a lot cheaper
        from PPC networks such as adwords.

        Competition was way less.


        And more.

        I don't see how it is becoming easier to
        make money.

        It may be easier for you to make money now
        because you're more experienced. Same
        goes for me.

        But is it really becoming easier? If you had
        to start all over now, without knowing
        anything do you think that you
        would find success sooner than you
        did?

        Personally I think that I would find it much
        more difficult to succeed if I started now.
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        • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
          Originally Posted by IM Headlines View Post

          If you had
          to start all over now, without knowing
          anything do you think that you
          would find success sooner than you
          did?
          Yes.

          I spent hours and hours, hunched over 2 PC's in my father's office... struggling to figure this thing out... and I already had money and a business to PAY for support and guidance to help me. Even then, it was a struggle to figure what was right or wrong.

          With the massive amount of FREE and EASY to gather information around today. It is much, much easier for a n00b to find what he needs, create a plan and execute it until he hits profit.
          Signature

          Bare Murkage.........

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  • Profile picture of the author lacraiger
    i think it's harder for newbies to make money but the veterans do well by continuously adapting to new trends...
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by lacraiger View Post

      i think it's harder for newbies to make money but the veterans do well by continuously adapting to new trends...
      I think there are quite a few barriers for newbies to overcome, so, I suppose, this question could simply come down to a matter of perspective and experience...

      1) People tend to buy from people who are "known". Stack up a product by Joe Schmow, against a new product line with Paris Hilton's name branded to it, and, her sales would probably go through the roof, while "Joes" sales are nearly inexistent. So how does "Joe" go about making a name for himself? How does he stand out or differentiate himself from the rest?

      2) To build on my last point, "differentiating" himself could require ALOT of hard work....even beyond Warrior Forum, there are many ways people can utilize forums and message boards in order to this. Back when I decided to play my hand at a vastly saturated tactical gear market (right after 9/11, for obvious reasons)...I actually used some forums and message boards to my advantage in many ways that led to many sales. I enjoyed every minute of it, but it sure was hard work.

      I think I'll stop right there. lol. It's past my bedtime here, EST.
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      • Profile picture of the author Ehanson
        I'll say it's hard for newbies to make a livable income online, though it was always difficult for newbies to make a livable income.

        Making money outside of the IM niche is possible with hard work and a focused business plan. Harder for newbies in IM but easier if you branch out. Making a livable income, that's another story.
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  • Profile picture of the author Arun Kumar
    Yes, it is becoming more harder to earn money online due to increase in the competition.
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  • Profile picture of the author IsabelleMason
    day by day it is becoming harder to earn $$$$$$$$$$ online
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  • Profile picture of the author DKeithD
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author svandoren
    I am new to the business but I would have to say if you are willing to do the work and not give up the opportunity is here and now.
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  • Profile picture of the author affilorama-portal
    It's not getting harder to make money online, it's just getting different. Have you read "Who Moved My Cheese?" Times and things are always a-changing and it's up to us to keep up with the changes (or "perish"?)
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  • Profile picture of the author geegel
    The way I see it,the online marketplace has achieved a sort of maturity which simply wasn't here some 6 years when I began dabbling with copywriting.

    What does this mean for IM? Well... a sound business plan, long term planning and a quality product are becoming the trademark of a successful marketer. Overnight riches are still possible, especially in emerging niches, but the real money can be found by those who take their business seriously, those who invest in retaining their client base.

    Best regards,
    George Cozma
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    • Profile picture of the author Barry Patterson
      Originally Posted by geegel View Post

      The way I see it,the online marketplace has achieved a sort of maturity which simply wasn't here some 6 years when I began dabbling with copywriting.

      What does this mean for IM? Well... a sound business plan, long term planning and a quality product are becoming the trademark of a successful marketer. Overnight riches are still possible, especially in emerging niches, but the real money can be found by those who take their business seriously, those who invest in retaining their client base.

      Best regards,
      George Cozma
      Geegel, your comments are appreciated. Being in the business only 15 months, I do not have the history you mention. The offers to make me an instant millionaire are still out there.
      Finally I have found that chasing those illusive sales promotions is not the way to go. Especially when one is trying to learn the reasonable means financially to bring in supplemental income.
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  • Profile picture of the author fenix34
    I'm sure it is getting harder and harder for the majority of IMs. few years ago you could publish one page website with huge banner with affiliate link and get traffic to that page from Adwords for low amount of money. That's just one example.
    The fact is, a lot of markets are over saturated and that makes it harder. But, on the other hand, new markets are opening, people need some tools, services which they didn't need before and that's good opportunity to jump in. Just have your eyes wide open.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Russell
    Definitely no! More people entering the online marketing world just means more people who need my products and services
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  • Profile picture of the author David McKee
    I believe it is getting harder to "Make a million dollars in your bathrobe while you sit at the beach sipping margaritas by just putting up a web-page selling methods on how to Make a million dollars in your bathrobe while you sit at the beach sipping margaritas..."

    But as long as there are human beings who want something and are willing to pay for it, there are opportunities to make money.

    -DTM
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by David McKee View Post

      I believe it is getting harder to "Make a million dollars in your bathrobe while you sit at the beach sipping margaritas by just putting up a web-page selling methods on how to Make a million dollars in your bathrobe while you sit at the beach sipping margaritas..."

      But as long as there are human beings who want something and are willing to pay for it, there are opportunities to make money.

      -DTM
      I understand. I'd be perfectly content wearing a bathrobe....but, would much rather a bathing suite...lol....I suppose, with that much money and free time, it probably doesn't matter all that much which one you wear.

      ...or...it could be....gulp....a nude beach?
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  • Profile picture of the author majidmaskat
    if anything i would say it is becoming easier to make money online, becasue more and more people are looking to shop online therefore, there is more opportuntites for people to succeed as they will be more customers online.
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank_The_Tank
    Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

    I have heard much discussion about this very question. While some argue that the internet is ever-expanding and providing an insane amount of new opportunities to earn money online, others argue that, with these opportunities, internet marketing continues to become more and more saturated with passionate individuals all hoping to make a full-time living from their online/IM endeavors--making it more and more difficult to earn.

    What do you think? :confused:
    I think it has to do with people not believing you can make money online. However, that is mainly my experience with programs that need referrals to make cash... I haven't made my first sale yet :p
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Stentiford
    Its been iteresting reading all your views etc. I am a newbie to IM and believe somday soon I will be maiking a living online. Even before I made that decision value is key and crap is not!! I think people will continue to buy online in every niche but quality will shine through!!
    Nick
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    It all starts with mindset, I think. In the beginning it's almost invariably going to be tough and arduous, it was the same for today's Gurus who had to start several years ago under very similar circumstances. Unfortunately, many of us have been misled by the marketers about the internet dream, and there are many among us who still think that they can spend 30 mins to 1 hour a day and somehow be able to magically churn out six figures in a year. You may get to that point after slogging for a year or more, but when you're starting out you're going to have to be prepared to sacrifice and pay the price initially.

    I have studied how many of the Gurus have risen to where they are today, and the one overarching theme I can see is that they pretty much all came from very dire "do or die" type circumstances, and they were literally compelled to become successes in IM. Folks, this is not a "part time hobby" or pleasurable past-time (at least not in the beginning), and you have to want it so badly you can practically taste it. Whoever tells you otherwise is sugar-coating things and doing you a disservice. This is why mindset is so important, because without it you'll give up after a few half-hearted "tries", and this is really a shame as IM can turn out to be so rewarding if you just stick with it.
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    • Profile picture of the author mlevenhagen
      I think it was probably just easier (at least with some models) than it should have been years ago and now it's just leveled out and normal... a normal business environment. Some more competitive than others..

      If you think of the virtual like you do offline and approach it the same way, you're good to go. If you are trying to build a taco joint on a corner where within a 5 block radius there are a couple other established taco joints already, than you are going to have to be more innovative, creative and find ways to set yourself apart in the neighborhood.

      Or just be better...

      Or... you keep an open mind and find neighborhoods (keywords, niche markets) that could use something and fill the need with a quality product, service, site or whatever.

      If you start thinking of what we do as a real business, it gets easier.

      Also, if you are a newbie.. don't try to attack highly competitive niches until you win smaller battles first, establish yourself.. until you strengthen your position in that market.

      my 2 cents
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      • Profile picture of the author Barry Patterson
        Originally Posted by mlevenhagen View Post

        I think it was probably just easier (at least with some models) than it should have been years ago and now it's just leveled out and normal... a normal business environment. Some more competitive than others..

        If you think of the virtual like you do offline and approach it the same way, you're good to go. If you are trying to build a taco joint on a corner where within a 5 block radius there are a couple other established taco joints already, than you are going to have to be more innovative, creative and find ways to set yourself apart in the neighborhood.

        Or just be better...

        Or... you keep an open mind and find neighborhoods (keywords, niche markets) that could use something and fill the need with a quality product, service, site or whatever.

        If you start thinking of what we do as a real business, it gets easier.

        Also, if you are a newbie.. don't try to attack highly competitive niches until you win smaller battles first, establish yourself.. until you strengthen your position in that market.

        my 2 cents
        I agree. Having been in the automotive business all my life (55 working years), your explanation is easily understood. We are always trying to find a niche in our business that is a little different than the other shop just down the block. Seems to be just the same challenge here in internet marketing...only getting even more competitive since the last economic crash.
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    • Profile picture of the author Barry Patterson
      Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

      It all starts with mindset, I think. In the beginning it's almost invariably going to be tough and arduous, it was the same for today's Gurus who had to start several years ago under very similar circumstances. Unfortunately, many of us have been misled by the marketers about the internet dream, and there are many among us who still think that they can spend 30 mins to 1 hour a day and somehow be able to magically churn out six figures in a year. You may get to that point after slogging for a year or more, but when you're starting out you're going to have to be prepared to sacrifice and pay the price initially.

      I have studied how many of the Gurus have risen to where they are today, and the one overarching theme I can see is that they pretty much all came from pretty dire "do or die" type circumstances, and they were literally compelled to become successes in IM. Folks, this is not a "part time hobby" or pleasurable past-time (at least not in the beginning), and you have to want it so badly you can practically taste it. Whoever tells you otherwise is sugar-coating things and doing you a disservice. This is why mindset is so important, because without it you'll give up after a few half-hearted "tries", and this is really a shame as IM can turn out to be so rewarding if you just stick with it.
      Your observations are "right on the nose". The get rich quick syndrome is still being
      pushed by many marketers. Some who are newbies and most by slick gurus. I am
      sure there are a lot of gurus who will be padding their bank accounts as there are
      so many new poor people being added to the IM system as a result of the latest economic crash.
      Just think of all those who have lost their homes because of overzealous sales people .
      Now the debt per person is at it's highest point in possible history.
      What an opportunity for unsavory IM marketing!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mega B
    Its getting easier compared with say a few years back prehaps i am learning more over time and also adapting its a ongoing learning curve for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author JayPeete
    There will always be more opportunities online and while some methods will become obsolete, new methods will continue to be born.
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  • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
    I voted 'no', due to the amount of information there is around. I do sometimes think 'If only I knew then what I know now...' - what I know now is nothing that other people don't know, and these days it's pretty much available to everyone all over. I think you do have to make your own path a little too and do things just a bit differently to everyone else sometimes, but that's something that's always been true.

    It does occur to me though that with so much information readily available to all now, it must be harder to make money from the well-informed if the 'business' model involves deceiving people, and so I can see why people in some quarters might be complaining that things are more difficult now.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Atkins
    Lots of people are saying that it's easier because there's a lot of
    information nowadays.

    True. But there's as much bad information as there's good
    information.

    A newbie won't know which information is good and which isn't. And
    it can be hard for him/her to succeed if he follows bad information. :/

    Either way... Easier or not, money can still be made, always.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ehanson
      Originally Posted by IM Headlines View Post

      Lots of people are saying that it's easier because there's a lot of
      information nowadays.

      True. But there's as much bad information as there's good
      information.

      A newbie won't know which information is good and which isn't. And
      it can be hard for him/her to succeed if he follows bad information. :/

      Either way... Easier or not, money can still be made, always.
      Well said. I'll also add newbies may not know what info is bad or good but after a while it's time to stop reading and start taking action. I found when I stopped trying the latest and greatest methods and just did more of what worked I actually started making money.

      I also agree with what paulie888 said about the mindset, it really needs to be there in the beginning of the process and it shouldn't be focused on overnight riches. If someone wants to get rich quick they'll have better luck playing the lotto. IM is a long term business.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    OK you are right it is getting harder as the markets get more crowded and that is why I like to jump into new areas. Be a pioneer. Explore the vast new frontiers as they open up.

    At one time (90's) making money on ebay was super easy. People got lazy, and that is when they change the game. Well, now it is hard and then some. Still, there are new arenas. The internet was a gold rush for us. I wonder when the next one will come. Hope it hits soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author orlando cassara
    I think with so many people getting involved on the internet, it makes it a whole lot easier to make money online, because people are knowing what it is that they want and giving us the opportunity to give it to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author BrainCopy
    It's all in our state of mind. I find it to be easy. I think others make it out to be some type of "unreachable" goal, because they see all of theses "how i made $150k in 48 hours" types of ads and products. It takes work.

    Best Regards,
    Anthony
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      Originally Posted by Anthony La Tour View Post

      It's all in our state of mind. I find it to be easy. I think others make it out to be some type of "unreachable" goal, because they see all of theses "how i made $150k in 48 hours" types of ads and products. It takes work.

      Best Regards,
      Anthony
      Let's think about this logically. If someone really made $150,000 in 48 hours, and has any means at all of sustaining that kind of revenue flow, that would be roughly $26,700,000/year....while that is certainly 'possible', most won't attain that.

      I do agree that there is an element of your mindset involved. There are people, that I know, that aren't cut for IM just because of the passion, determination, and drive required. I know we'd all like to think that EVERYONE can be successful, but, even with mentors and guidance, some people just make better customers than entrepreneurs. (I know...I know...you CAN be both a customer and an entrepreneur...it's all about the mindset)
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    SEO and SEM are definitely much more complicated than a few years ago. You certainly have to know much more technical stuff. It is difficult enough for those with experience to keep up and it must be more difficult than newbies. I just can't see how it could be easier for those outside the make money niche.

    When the poll was public, I noticed that there were a few voted that it was not bcoming harder to make money online but admitted previously that they had a hard time recently. I wonder why do you think it is easier to make money online when you are not doing that well?
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  • Profile picture of the author betsyanne
    I thought this would be an easy answer - I am essentially a newbie, and it does seem harder to sell, for example, on Ebay because more and more people are drawn to the service. I have also read a lot on the message boards there and found many people also feel this way. Then I read the answers here and some other threads - now I think that there is definitely an opportunity out there to brand yourself - - so in some areas, there is a lot of competition, but in other areas, there is a huge opportunity to reach out to the people coming online now in great numbers. So... the answer is yes and no, but I have more hope about online possibilities now. I will continue to read postings here and learn more. I think that is a key!
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  • Profile picture of the author mikefilsaime
    I would not say it is harder. There are just not as many "easy" was to do it anymore.

    The problem with the easy ways were most were some type of arbitrage. Taking search traffic and hooking the searcher and getting them to where they were going eventually just with your cookie.

    So what it boils down to is this. Those that were not providing "real content" for the end user are finding it harder to make an easy buck.

    It is SO simple.

    Create quality site that offer a real value to a consumer and you have a much better chance of success than a short term strategy.

    Mike Filsaime
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Brock
      Originally Posted by mikefilsaime View Post

      So what it boils down to is this. Those that were not providing "real content" for the end user are finding it harder to make an easy buck.

      It is SO simple.

      Create quality site that offer a real value to a consumer and you have a much better chance of success than a short term strategy.

      Mike Filsaime
      Mike, I agree with you 100%.

      It took me quite some time to finally accept that fact that quality content either makes or breaks your site.

      Before I was focusing mainly on duping the search engines - writing an article that is just good enough to pass inspection, also while trying to rank it highly by blasting it with a lot of links over and over again.

      Even on product review blogs I am trying to one up everyone else in the niche as far as providing informative reviews is concerned.

      It's funny though...everyone has said that quality content is king, and even today the same line can be said.

      Mike, on say a typical review blog, would you rather have 10 mediocre reviews posted, or 2 or 3 really bad ass reviews that dissect every aspect of the product? I know you are way beyond review sites in this point of your career, just wondering your opinion on stellar vs mediocre content.

      Thanks!
      Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    Yes - and no.

    it has become harder to sell WSOs, competition has become vast on EZA and other places. Squidoo went down the drain, things like that. But the IM game is all about adaption. You ALWAYS need to adapt to the constantly changing "digital world". My earnings are still better compared to last year - but i also work more.

    Furthermore i still learn new things and gain knowledge, every day.

    "Make a million dollars in your bathrobe while you sit at the beach sipping margaritas by just putting up a web-page selling methods on how to Make a million dollars in your bathrobe while you sit at the beach sipping margaritas..."
    Ah..those "classics" will always sell i am afraid
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve_Nam
    I agree with the viewpoint that when you produce quality and can stick out, it's a nice "sight for sore eyes", so to speak.

    I don't know if I'd say it's easier or not, but the same rules that applied before apply always, it's about sticking out and providing value.

    - Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author fivecentechidna
    ^That was a loooooong post

    I'd say it's getting harder. Say if you're pushing your SEO affiliate link. Ten years ago, few people knew what SEO was (did it even exist?). Now, the market is saturated!
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  • Profile picture of the author pjblanch
    The answer is easy:

    If you're a shotgun marketer, the year 2002 would be the best because just about anything worked and you could be more "sloppy". Truly a fun time.

    If you're a shotgun marketer right now, you're feeling the heat.

    If you're a research-oriented precision marketer that likes process, you would have been an enigma in 2002.

    If you're a research-oriented precision marketer now, you're finding it quite easy because at your disposal are many fantastic tools at your disposal that didn't exist previously. Market Samurai, Keyword Spy, etc. if used properly makes making money online probably about as easy - about - (this is hard to measure and is horrifically subjective) as shotgun marketing in 2002.

    This is, of course, a subjective answer to a subjective question - it's not really THE answer as alluded to at the beginning of my message... just something to think about I suppose. ~p
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  • Marketing products perhaps becomes harder for some, think of the problems it entails especially for the newbies that don't really know the ground and pound secrets of marketing. But if we say offering services, I know lots of pro are earning thousands of dollars working online.
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    • Profile picture of the author DavidSaaf
      Okay, if you choose to see it the "Hard way" then yes it is. And if you want to see things the easier way... focus and work every day on your online projects/goals then yes, it IS easy to earn online!





      Best,

      David
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan D
    Banned
    For me it's getting easier, but overall the competition is stiffer. When I launched my first site in 2005, I had a CRAPPY website and still sold a lot. I mean a REALLY crappy website. The only reason anyone bought from me is because everyone else's website was pretty crappy too.

    Now, the bar has been raised. I would not be able to compete if I entered the market with the same site that I did back then. ALL the sites look better.

    But all in all, the people that will succeed will succeed in any environment. And although competition is stiffer, the training is better. So it's a wash.
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  • Profile picture of the author morninjoi
    sometimes it all depends on the way you look at the glass? is it half full or half empty.I think if you focus on the internet as creaing better opportunities to make online income, the it will be so for you. if however you focus on the greater competition, then that also exist too.
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  • Profile picture of the author carlo_sim
    I think it is becoming easier... There are more people using the internet today compared to like 5-7 years ago. This only means that everyday our market is growing giving us more opportunities to earn money! =)
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  • Profile picture of the author David Louis Monk
    There is a lot of business and money to be made so the extra marketers coming on board should be able to share the cake and the others will not notice the extra people coming into the market. The market is expanding with more hungry buyers.

    One problem is if you are trying to get on the 1st page of Google in a competitive market. You either have to be very good at SEO techniques and have a quaility site that Google will rank highly or else you have to find another way into the market. Either find other search engines in which you can rank more highly with less competition or find the cheaper methods to advertise your site instead of expensive Google Adwords.

    They say it is easy when you know how and if you are finding it more difficult then find another way that makes it less difficult.
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    • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
      And, the tricky part about all of this is that alot...most...things require at least some form of monetary investment. Those who are just starting out online may not have very much money at all to invest...thus making it "hard"...causing them to have to be extra creative in their approach and methodology.

      I've often heard it say that earning your first $1,000 is probably the hardest thing to do....but, then everything (should) fall in place after... (lol...I think one of the previous posters wrote that...so, that's where I heard it from...)



      Originally Posted by David Louis Monk View Post

      There is a lot of business and money to be made so the extra marketers coming on board should be able to share the cake and the others will not notice the extra people coming into the market. The market is expanding with more hungry buyers.

      One problem is if you are trying to get on the 1st page of Google in a competitive market. You either have to be very good at SEO techniques and have a quaility site that Google will rank highly or else you have to find another way into the market. Either find other search engines in which you can rank more highly with less competition or find the cheaper methods to advertise your site instead of expensive Google Adwords.

      They say it is easy when you know how and if you are finding it more difficult then find another way that makes it less difficult.
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      • Profile picture of the author whitegun
        Not really harder, the IM business is simply evolving (changing a little bit) over time like any other business and one needs to adapt.
        So to those who know how to adapt it's still the same but the ones who don't know and are stuck in the past perceive it probably as harder.
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  • Profile picture of the author rammbhat
    I would say its not , mainly because as time goes on people are becoming more and more accustomed to buying stuff online..
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
    It's not easy to make money online, but it's not hard either once you know what you're doing.

    -Shaun
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    no, imo it's not becoming harder, it's just changing, a year ago, 2 years ago, 5 years ago, etc - people still said how hard it was, the determined ones found a way
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  • Profile picture of the author normanc
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author DavidO
      Harder!

      I can only judge by my experience but two years ago it was all on the up and up. I was sure that by now I'd be on easy street. But the reality is that it's become even tougher to keep up with Google's ever-changing criteria and so to keep my product in front of the public.

      It's become tougher to overcome the public's skepticism and make that sale. And economic fears have made people much more cautious in general.

      As in every type of business, those who work hard and persevere, those who offer quality and integrity will survive and maybe even thrive. But don't be fooled by the pollyanna prospects pedalled on this website and others by those marketers out to profit from misplaced market optimism.

      Making a living, especially a good living, on the Internet has never been easy and it never will be.
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  • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
    I voted that yes, it is getting harder..... and this is a fact! I'm not sure how anyone can say otherwise.

    The bar gets raised higher every year as the competition increases. The year 2000's standards of quality don't come close to cutting it here in 2010. The ever growing fish in the pond have required everyone to operate on a much higher level.

    I think this explains why most newbies in 2010 don't do anything at all except read forums. Few of them put anything up. Whereas 10-12 years ago when little skills were required, newcomers could jump right in and produce something with a very competitive production value. Those days are long gone. Nowadays there is a tremendous amount of preparation necessary for newbies.
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  • Profile picture of the author manishrawat
    Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

    I have heard much discussion about this very question. While some argue that the internet is ever-expanding and providing an insane amount of new opportunities to earn money online, others argue that, with these opportunities, internet marketing continues to become more and more saturated with passionate individuals all hoping to make a full-time living from their online/IM endeavors--making it more and more difficult to earn.

    What do you think? :confused:
    Of course with increasing awareness and increasing internet penetration level the web space is becoming more and more crowded. This has its two-way effect. On one side it is increasing the competition and making practice of regular methods obsolete, but on the other hand it is increasing the web audience and ultimately the market size creating more opportunity.

    The smartest way to leverage this benefit is to scrap regular methods and practice unique and new formulas of monetization.
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  • Profile picture of the author Authentic
    I don't believe the internet is "saturated" because so many new users join daily. The more skills I learn, the easier it is to succeed. I am finding more real opportunities where programs are helping people succeed now, whereas before, the so-called gurus did not want to share their knowledge and success. Also, it is amazing the advances in technology that do the hard work for you and really equip you to succeed. This is great, because not everyone has the patience and tenacity to do all the internet processes essential for success with an online business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Abdi Adan
    Originally Posted by x3xsolxdierx3x View Post

    I have heard much discussion about this very question. While some argue that the internet is ever-expanding and providing an insane amount of new opportunities to earn money online, others argue that, with these opportunities, internet marketing continues to become more and more saturated with passionate individuals all hoping to make a full-time living from their online/IM endeavors--making it more and more difficult to earn.

    What do you think? :confused:
    Hi there

    I think that you could not be any further from the truth.

    If you are talking about making money from those that want to make money online by teaching them, then you have got a point.

    But there are so many niches you can make money from besides this overpopulated niche (internet marketing).

    There is simple no competition on the web. You just get you share out of it. THE WEB IS BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US TO MAKE GOOD MONEY.

    We all just have to learn, understand and then TAKE ACTION.

    Kindest
    Abdi Adan
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  • Profile picture of the author kin_lau
    any industry is facing the same thing, do you think open an restaurant will make money or lose money? Some restaurant are fully pack, some need to close down. WHY? they are selling food and people need food. why some are successful and some are not. some say it's easy and some say it's hard???

    it come to whether we can produce quality content and adding value to other's life. There will always be people there looking for information how to market online. There are always competition in any industry.

    The Key is demand youself to be the best, and add the most value to others. Then you'll never run out of business
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  • Profile picture of the author DrGUID
    There's still loads of opportunities, and I know many nice niches where there is little to no SEO being done at all. Few people realise just how many niches there are. If you're one of those who think it is tough to think of ideas then just pick up the yellow pages and see how many different offline business niches there are!

    The other great thing is that 90% of newbies are trying to flog stuff they know nothing about like **** berries and forex trading .
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  • Profile picture of the author madison_avenue
    Yes, there is now more information and it is freely available but paradoxically this is making it harder to
    be successful in internet marketing.

    More and more research is showing information overload to be confusing and distracting for the brain
    making it incapable of making decisions.


    Stanford University research shows multitaskers tended to search for new information rather than accept a reward for putting older, more valuable information to work.

    The secret seems to be just implement what you know, and change it on the fly, implementing is the start of the process not the end.


    Your Brain on Computers - Attached to Technology and Paying a Price - NYTimes.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Radko
    I would say that it is getting much more complicated to earn online
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