Alright Warriors...Either $#!%@ Or Get Off The Pot.......

38 replies
Ok Warriors...

This has been bothering the heck out of me and I need to get it off my chest - and also find out what your own take is on it.

There is a ton of truly SMALL thinking going on here. It's ridiculous.

While I applaud posts where someone says they made their first couple affiliate sales on a $37 product, I can't help but think "that's great but it sure ain't gonna pay the bills let alone provide you the life of freedom you want."

Here you are in the IM industry finding websites/people in virtually every niche you can name making a ton of money in that niche - serious 6 and even 7-figure incomes in some cases.

The models for achieving it are right in front of you - in plain sight!! Heck, in many cases you're even seeing the inside of these models because you're handing these businesses your money and going through all the steps!

Yet most folks here are settling. Settling for selling other peoples' low-priced products, scrounging for cold traffic, and overall just not stepping up to build the business they TRULY want.

Why did you get into this in the first place? To settle? I don't think so. You got into it to build something extraordinary for your income and your life.

I know some folks just want to earn a few bucks on the side. Fine.

But for the rest here's my sincere question for you:

Do you personally believe it's possible - even probable - to build a 6 or 7 figure income through IM?

If not....why?

If so.....are you acting like it?

And for those of you who ARE earning 6 or 7 figures, please share the fundamental change that took place in your approach or thinking where you woke up.

I will add my own on this thread but just needed to get this stated. A serious wake-up call is needed here.

Ken Preuss
#enlighten #gosh #sakes #warriors
  • Profile picture of the author Nato Guajardo
    Ken I love your posts. You are always posting what I am thinking. You also write it in very articulate way.

    I honestly don't think people believe it's possible to earn a 6-7 figure income. I had to learn how to release my negative emotions before I actually started making money.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
      Originally Posted by Nato Guajardo View Post

      Ken I love your posts. You are always posting what I am thinking. You also write it in very articulate way.
      I agree, 100%. Ken has a nose for sniffing out the really big, important issues that are holding people back... and then bringing them out into the limelight!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
    Ken, there is a bigger psychological picture here that most successful
    marketers don't get and don't understand because they are so far passed
    that stage.

    I think I am one of the few marketers who really hasn't forgotten what it was
    like to starve. I made $28 in 5 months and I wear that as my "Red Badge Of
    Courage". So when a new marketer gets excited about making his first few
    sales, I'm thrilled, because he can see that it's possible and maybe he just
    might keep at it.

    That's why I try to answer all emails from new people personally. I haven't
    forgotten what it was like. No offense to any of the 7 figure earners online
    but do you think if you wrote to them you'd get a personal reply back? I can
    count on one hand the big names I could write to and get a reply from. I'd
    list them here but I don't want to embarrass them. But they know who
    they are and I thank everyday for them.

    Point is, it's not about the number of sales or the amount of money. It's
    the psychological lift of "knowing it can be done".

    It's hard to understand that when you're making 6 and 7 figures. It's like
    a millionaire trying to relate to a poor man's struggles. Very few can.

    That's why I took an oath when I was struggling that if I ever succeeded
    I would NEVER forget where I came from.

    I'm not saying everybody has to be like this. Truth is, if it isn't in you, you
    can't fake it. So don't try.

    But it's what works for me and it's what makes the biggest difference in
    my life as a marketer.

    Anyway, hope this explains the excitement.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
      Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

      But it's what works for me and it's what makes the biggest difference in my life as a marketer.
      Either that or it's the fact that you are a workaholic beast whose productivity puts that of 100 people combined to shame...



      Ken
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

        Either that or it's the fact that you are a workaholic beast whose productivity puts that of 100 people combined to shame...



        Ken
        Yeah, and that's why every job I ever worked took terrible advantage of
        me. But that's another story.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Rowe
    Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

    Yet most folks here are settling. Settling for selling other peoples' low-priced products... and overall just not stepping up to build the business they TRULY want.
    Okay Ken, I'm about to have a little fun here with a quick question...
    Doesn't Soulionaire have an affiliate program?
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    ~ Milton Friedman

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    • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
      Originally Posted by John Rowe View Post

      Okay Ken, I'm about to have a little fun here with a quick question...
      Doesn't Soulionaire have an affiliate program?
      No it does not at this time. Although I'm not sure what that has to do with my OP. ?

      Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author John Rowe
    Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

    No it does not at this time. Although I'm not sure what that has to do with my OP. ?
    Ken, I was playing with you a little.

    I read your post and then went to your site to check it out. I clicked your 'partner with us' link and then read this...

    "We are pleased to announce we are building a brand new Soulionaire Affiliate Program. This will allow you to earn generous commissions from the sale of Soulionaire products and services."

    It seems that my attempt at humor failed miserably, but still, I do feel that it was related to the OP... at least to the part I quoted.

    Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

    Yet most folks here are settling. Settling for selling other peoples' low-priced products... and overall just not stepping up to build the business they TRULY want.
    But like I said, my intention was nothing but humor, albeit disappointing.
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Ken,

      A few (6, I think) weeks ago, I posted on here about my small success in making money online. I admitted that what I made was very small compared to what others make.

      But do you know why people congratulated me? Because you cannot make 6 or 7 figures making money online until you have made your first 7 bucks.

      When people congratulate a newbie for making a small sale, they are not celebrating the amount. They are celebrating the fact that the person "gets it."

      People who make big money online know that once a person makes their first sale, their potential is unlimited.

      When you make that first money online, the light bulb goes off. Hubby and I just celebrated the fact that the money I have made online in the past 3 weeks has paid all of our bills - a far cry from my first few dollars just 6 short weeks ago.

      When a child first starts walking and takes those first wobbly steps, you don't say, "You'll never run a marathon that way! Hurry up! That is pathetic! You are thinking too small!"

      Of course not! You cheer! You applaud! You shout!

      Because you know that you be chasing after them in the next few weeks and months - there is no stopping them.

      There is plenty of time to build to a fortune. Allow people to celebrate the small victories along the way.
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      • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
        Originally Posted by Shay60654 View Post

        Ken,

        A few (6, I think) weeks ago, I posted on here about my small success in making money online. I admitted that what I made was very small compared to what others make.

        But do you know why people congratulated me? Because you cannot make 6 or 7 figures making money online until you have made your first 7 bucks.

        When people congratulate a newbie for making a small sale, they are not celebrating the amount. They are celebrating the fact that the person "gets it."

        People who make big money online know that once a person makes their first sale, their potential is unlimited.

        When you make that first money online, the light bulb goes off. Hubby and I just celebrated the fact that the money I have made online in the past 3 weeks has paid all of our bills - a far cry from my first few dollars just 6 short weeks ago.

        When a child first starts walking and takes those first wobbly steps, you don't say, "You'll never run a marathon that way! Hurry up! That is pathetic! You are thinking too small!"

        Of course not! You cheer! You applaud! You shout!

        Because you know that you be chasing after them in the next few weeks and months - there is no stopping them.

        There is plenty of time to build to a fortune. Allow people to celebrate the small victories along the way.

        Shay, I well remember your first posts - it's fantastic to see how you've progressed in just a few short weeks and all the while continuing to make so much sense.

        Ken, I have a successful offline business background, so "big thinking" has become natural to me. I understand the point you make and agree to a large extent.

        But for so many people just setting out on the road to success, that type of mindset is often something they just have to grow into.

        And Shay is exactly right. Every little bit of encouragement feeds the confidence and builds the belief that anything is indeed possible.

        More marketing newcomers may well have been inspired by Shay's progress to actually get started themselves on the road to success than other IM pipedreamers gazing wistfully at the Kerns and Filsaimes from afar but not really believing deep down that their success was achievable.

        And true belief comes from doing.

        Great thread.



        Frank
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        • Profile picture of the author tomw
          Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

          Shay, I well remember your first posts - it's fantastic to see how you've progressed in just a few short weeks and all the while continuing to make so much sense.

          Ken, I have a successful offline business background, so "big thinking" has become natural to me. I understand the point you make and agree to a large extent.

          But for so many people just setting out on the road to success, that type of mindset is often something they just have to grow into.

          And Shay is exactly right. Every little bit of encouragement feeds the confidence and builds the belief that anything is indeed possible.

          More marketing newcomers may well have been inspired by Shay's progress to actually get started themselves on the road to success than other IM pipedreamers gazing wistfully at the Kerns and Filsaimes from afar but not really believing deep down that their success was achievable.

          And true belief comes from doing.

          Great thread.

          Frank
          I couldn't agree more with everything you have said, especially concerning the words of wisdom from our favourite Starfleet Captain.

          Thomas

          (aka Tom Luc Picard)
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      • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
        Originally Posted by Shay60654 View Post

        Ken,

        A few (6, I think) weeks ago, I posted on here about my small success in making money online. I admitted that what I made was very small compared to what others make.

        But do you know why people congratulated me? Because you cannot make 6 or 7 figures making money online until you have made your first 7 bucks.

        When people congratulate a newbie for making a small sale, they are not celebrating the amount. They are celebrating the fact that the person "gets it."

        People who make big money online know that once a person makes their first sale, their potential is unlimited.

        When you make that first money online, the light bulb goes off. Hubby and I just celebrated the fact that the money I have made online in the past 3 weeks has paid all of our bills - a far cry from my first few dollars just 6 short weeks ago.

        When a child first starts walking and takes those first wobbly steps, you don't say, "You'll never run a marathon that way! Hurry up! That is pathetic! You are thinking too small!"

        Of course not! You cheer! You applaud! You shout!

        Because you know that you be chasing after them in the next few weeks and months - there is no stopping them.

        There is plenty of time to build to a fortune. Allow people to celebrate the small victories along the way.
        Shay,

        Did you actually read my post? I celebrate those small victories as well.

        But let's be honest please. Small victories that go on for years and years (as they do for most people) do not build a financial-freedom-producing business.

        Bottom line - I have no problem with small victories. What I am out to do is something huge, which is show people that they don't have to settle for small victories.

        Celebrate the small victories, then realize that the big ones are immediately possible once you "get it".

        Best regards,
        Ken
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        • Profile picture of the author ShayB
          Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

          Shay,

          Did you actually read my post? I celebrate those small victories as well.

          But let's be honest please. Small victories that go on for years and years (as they do for most people) do not build a financial-freedom-producing business.

          Bottom line - I have no problem with small victories. What I am out to do is something huge, which is show people that they don't have to settle for small victories.

          Celebrate the small victories, then realize that the big ones are immediately possible once you "get it".

          Best regards,
          Ken
          Yes, I did read your OP. Several times. (I believe you have edited it since it was first posted, or I was a lot more tired when I first read it and replied than I thought I was.)

          Yes, Ken, I know you made 12K in 59 days. I have heard you mention it once or twice. :rolleyes: Good for you.

          I have heard many, many "overnight" success stories, and they usually have some kind of background info missing. Like a country singer that is an overnight sensation - except that it took 12 years of playing for peanuts in smoky bars until a producer finally happened to be in the right place in the right time. Maybe you are the exception, or maybe I am just cynical.

          I am not knocking your message. I just disliked your tone in the OP. (That is just me personally. I know others like it.)

          The overall tone of your post (for me) was not inspirational. It was condescending.

          Just sayin'.
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          • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
            Originally Posted by Shay60654 View Post

            Yes, I did read your OP. Several times. (I believe you have edited it since it was first posted, or I was a lot more tired when I first read it and replied than I thought I was.)

            Yes, Ken, I know you made 12K in 59 days. I have heard you mention it once or twice. :rolleyes: Good for you.

            I have heard many, many "overnight" success stories, and they usually have some kind of background info missing. Like a country singer that is an overnight sensation - except that it took 12 years of playing for peanuts in smoky bars until a producer finally happened to be in the right place in the right time. Maybe you are the exception, or maybe I am just cynical.

            I am not knocking your message. I just disliked your tone in the OP. (That is just me personally. I know others like it.)

            The overall tone of your post (for me) was not inspirational. It was condescending.

            Just sayin'.
            Fair enough.

            One thing I would say though....the only reason why I frequently say I earned $12K in 59 days is to have people see that it's actually possible.

            A lot of people share those kinds of stories here, and I can see why it's off-putting to some. I understand. It's hard to know who is telling the truth and some of the stories are contrived.

            Regardless, everyone reads it with whatever filter they read it. Person A takes it as "what a pompous jerk." Person B takes it as "No he didn't really make that much, that's BS."

            But Person C.....Person C says "Wow, really? Holy cow, if he did that maybe I should start setting my sights higher."

            Person C is the only customer I want. So I don't care how Person A or B react.

            In fact the way people react is indicative of where they are at in life and business. It's fine, I accept it. I'm clear on who I want to reach.

            You are free to react to me however you choose as is everyone else. For the record I do appreciate the feedback - after all it's not easy bringing across your intended tone in writing.

            Let me just say this Shay. You can have a million dollar business for yourself. And you can have it in 12 months, 6 months or even 3 months. (Ummm, 3 months would be a lot more challenging though. )

            Are there things to learn? Yes. Are there obstacles to climb? Yes. But there is a way.

            Am I articulating it the "best" way? No and I know that. I'm just getting it out there right now. I know it's not coming out "perfect" but I also know there is no such thing. I'm learning along the way just like everything else.

            I'm simply committed to something massive here and am finally going for it.

            Ken
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            • Profile picture of the author ShayB
              Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

              Fair enough.

              One thing I would say though....the only reason why I frequently say I earned $12K in 59 days is to have people see that it's actually possible.

              A lot of people share those kinds of stories here, and I can see why it's off-putting to some. I understand. It's hard to know who is telling the truth and some of the stories are contrived.

              Regardless, everyone reads it with whatever filter they read it. Person A takes it as "what a pompous jerk." Person B takes it as "No he didn't really make that much, that's BS."

              But Person C.....Person C says "Wow, really? Holy cow, if he did that maybe I should start setting my sights higher."

              Person C is the only customer I want. So I don't care how Person A or B react.

              In fact the way people react is indicative of where they are at in life and business. It's fine, I accept it. I'm clear on who I want to reach.

              You are free to react to me however you choose as is everyone else. For the record I do appreciate the feedback - after all it's not easy bringing across your intended tone in writing.

              Let me just say this Shay. You can have a million dollar business for yourself. And you can have it in 12 months, 6 months or even 3 months. (Ummm, 3 months would be a lot more challenging though. )

              Are there things to learn? Yes. Are there obstacles to climb? Yes. But there is a way.

              Am I articulating it the "best" way? No and I know that. I'm just getting it out there right now. I know it's not coming out "perfect" but I also know there is no such thing. I'm learning along the way just like everything else.

              I'm simply committed to something massive here and am finally going for it.

              Ken
              Fair enough.

              Good luck to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author elliot
    This is a good post Ken, and that was a great answer from Steven too, i'd love to earn 6-7 figures, and thats what im aiming for and cant be told any different, most people tell me i'm in a much to competitive market/niche, but that just spurs me on even more, so what if it takes time, at least i'm trying!!.

    I have not had great succsess yet, first it was $15 which I was thrilled about!, like Steven said it showed me I could do it, then I made 96c!, I wont hover too much around that one, then last week I got $30, this time however I didnt really focus too much on it, I was happy about it dont get me wrong, but I was also left thirsty for more, I think that type of feeling is the "psychological lift" that Steven is talking about.

    I cant wait to read the replies to..
    And for those of you who ARE earning 6 or 7 figures, please share the fundamental change that took place in your approach or thinking where you woke up.
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  • Profile picture of the author Allen Graves
    I am not a millionaire (YET!), but I will step in and tell you what turned my thinking around. I "settled" for years, making a few bucks here and there while working a day job. I never ever could get to that next level.

    I was chasing things instead of stopping and building something that others could chase!

    My whole outlook turned around when I sat down one weekend and read a workbook called The Maven Matrix Manifesto by Rich Schefren & Jay Abraham. I've never told anyone this because it was so powerful I wanted to keep it to myself (sorry). I highly suggest reading it and working it.

    If you are educated in a certain niche, it will literally turn you into a known, trusted expert in that field...a maven. And theres no black-hat or tricking people! It's all legit and it can literally change your entire life...it certainly changed mine.

    Oh yea...it was free too. Not sure if it still is.

    If you're reading this Rich or Jay...THANK YOU for allowing me to see!
    Allen Graves
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Okay, more from me.

      I don't see this forum as being small-minded at all. If someone starts a thread about how they made their first 50 bucks, I have never seen anyone say, "Great! Now don't do anything else! Stop now!" I always see them encouraging the OP and telling them to keep going and make more.

      To me, if you have the attitude of a small sale is small thinking, then what is supposed to be positive encouragement turns out to be negative criticism.
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    • Profile picture of the author kf
      Good point Allen.

      Originally Posted by Allen Graves View Post

      I was chasing things instead of stopping and building something that others could chase!
      An idea I've been playing with recently is whether you're a plodder or a plotter. Do you do the next thing in front of you or do you apply strategic thinking and build a business. It's about project management, but also about the scope of your thinking. Do you reach for the stars or reach for the paycheque? Are you the boss or the labourer?
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  • Profile picture of the author J.Knight
    Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

    But for the rest here's my sincere question for you:

    Do you personally believe it's possible - even probable - to build a 6 or 7 figure income through IM?

    If not....why?

    If so.....are you acting like it?
    Man, you're pushing my buttons on daily basis.

    I've only become active in this forum in the past month, and I hold you and Andrew Cavanagh in the highest regard.

    I can't really comment on your kick up the backside post, as I have only taken an active plunge into IM in the past few weeks.

    However, I keep visualizing $1,000,000 in my account by the end of next year, solely from IM endeavors.

    Am I an ignorant chump?

    Watch this space!

    JK
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  • Profile picture of the author angela99
    Re: "And for those of you who ARE earning 6 or 7 figures, please share the fundamental change that took place in your approach or thinking where you woke up."

    For me the change came around 2000 when several of my magazine clients went belly up.

    I decided to see whether I could make money writing for IM online, instead of writing ABOUT the Internet and technology for magazines.

    Long story short: I made money quickly and much more easily than writing for magazines.

    That changed my focus completely -- I decide to become an IMer.

    So -- and this is key -- I began working as hard for my own projects as i did for others' projects.

    I'm sure everyone will tell you the same thing: work at it. Once you make your first few hundred dollars online it's just a matter of keeping it up and soon you're making thousands.

    And by the way: although startup costs are minimal, you do need to learn the basics. That is, how to buy a domain, set up a site, set up an autoresponder etc.

    But the best part is that when you really put your mind to it, you can learn as you earn.

    Work as hard for yourself as you do for others -- that's all you need to do.

    Cheers

    Angela
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  • Profile picture of the author Lance Johnson
    To me it's not a bad thing to realize your goals. It could be argued that 7 figures is small potatoes when there are billion dollar companies, and billions of dollars spent online every year. But it takes another level of commitment, drive and vision to reach that level.

    There's nothing wrong with 5 figure per year, month, day or second businesses as long as they are where you want to be.

    I think what Ken is saying is that it's important not to settle for less than where you really want to be.

    -Lance
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  • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
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    • Profile picture of the author carmene
      Thanks so very much for the book and the topic!

      I really L O V E this forum!

      Carmen


      Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

      For anyone else who wanted to check out that ebook that Allan recommends, you can find at Maven Matrix Manifesto.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheMagicShow
    There are people out there that have made zilch in the IM industry,why have an issue with someone making their first $37 online? Of course this doesn't pay the bills but it inspires them and lets them know that if they can make that $37 then it is possible to make 10 times more than that next time and 100 times after that. You always have good posts Ken but if a newbie gets something for their efforts we should say congrats and encourage them to go even further.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
      Originally Posted by Magic Mel View Post

      There are people out there that have made zilch in the IM industry,why have an issue with someone making their first $37 online? Of course this doesn't pay the bills but it inspires them and lets them know that if they can make that $37 then it is possible to make 10 times more than that next time and 100 times after that. You always have good posts Ken but if a newbie gets something for their efforts we should say congrats and encourage them to go even further.
      Please re-read what I said. I have no issue with someone making $37 whatsoever, except for one thing...

      For the specific people I am talking to in this post/thread, making $37 is NOT why they got into this game. They got into this game to create a life that transcends earning an average income.

      If models weren't right in front of them showing them how to make $370,000, I wouldn't have an issue with these folks settling for $37.

      Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author traces2757
    Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

    Ok Warriors...

    This has been bothering the heck out of me and I need to get it off my chest - and also find out what your own take is on it.

    There is a ton of truly SMALL thinking going on here. It's ridiculous.

    While I applaud posts where someone says they made their first couple affiliate sales on a $37 product, I can't help but think "that's great but it sure ain't gonna pay the bills let alone provide you the life of freedom you want."

    Here you are in the IM industry finding websites/people in virtually every niche you can name making a ton of money in that niche - serious 6 and even 7-figure incomes in some cases.

    The models for achieving it are right in front of you - in plain sight!! Heck, in many cases you're even seeing the inside of these models because you're handing these businesses your money and going through all the steps!

    Yet most folks here are settling. Settling for selling other peoples' low-priced products, scrounging for cold traffic, and overall just not stepping up to build the business they TRULY want.

    Why did you get into this in the first place? To settle? I don't think so. You got into it to build something extraordinary for your income and your life.

    I know some folks just want to earn a few bucks on the side. Fine.

    But for the rest here's my sincere question for you:

    Do you personally believe it's possible - even probable - to build a 6 or 7 figure income through IM?

    If not....why?

    If so.....are you acting like it?

    And for those of you who ARE earning 6 or 7 figures, please share the fundamental change that took place in your approach or thinking where you woke up.

    I will add my own on this thread but just needed to get this stated. A serious wake-up call is needed here.

    Ken Preuss
    You are so right, Ken. I'm still at the beginning stages of IM and am still only making money by writing for clients. I'm ready to venture into niche and affiliate marketing, etc. When I start getting doubts in my mind about being able to make a good living with IM, I remind myself that I am my only roadblock. If I start to make excuses, I remind myself that the only thing that can get in my way is me.

    Then I tell myself to get out of the way so I can make a living.
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    • Profile picture of the author jdmitchell
      The 80/20 rule of life applies to our forum as well. Ken is right, there is a lot of small thinking. However I do not believe we can change human nature. If everyone thought big, then nobody would be around to build the machines that allow the oil to be refined into gas for my lamborghini. Small thinking is completely subjective. In their world they may already be thinking big.

      The job then, of people who are "awake", is to live by example, offer guidance, and simply be there providing value, and shattering small beliefs, and sometimes break patterns (Which is what Ken just did, or attempted to do).

      The question is not "is small minded thinking going on?"(you can't escape 80/20)...the real question is:

      If I am a big thinker, then how can I consistently provide belief stretching paradigms so that when the student is ready....the teacher will appear?

      Remember, it doesn't say: Whether or not the student is ready, his ass better be ready for me to appear, because I am coming for you!

      I think Ken did a great job, and posted something that may resonate with that one person who was ready to accept it. And really, if he manages to just get to that one person....hasn't he done his job?

      JD
      Signature

      It Does

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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Frank and Tom, thank you so much for your sweet words.

        I can remember what it felt like to get my first sales. I thought to myself, "OMG!!! It works!!! This really works!!!"

        Now, I have to be honest. Hubby was not too impressed by 10 sales of 5 bucks each. He really wasn't. :rolleyes: He couldn't understand why on earth I was jumping around and shouting. It was "only" 50 bucks.

        Two nights ago I showed him how much I have earned. He looked like this>>

        The thing is, those sales showed me what to do. I created a product that people bought.

        I wake up wealthier than I was when I went to bed.

        Let me repeat: I wake up wealthier than I was when I went to bed.

        The amount doesn't matter. The process matters. If I can make $10 online, then I can make $100,000 online. If I can make $10 while I sleep, then I can make $100,000 while I sleep.

        Remember Yoda teaching Luke about the Force? Luke thought he could move light objects but not heavy ones? Remember Yoda's response?

        "Size matters not. Judge me by my size, do you?"

        (Yeah, I am a sci-fi geek. Sue me.)

        So that is how I feel about making money online. The amount "matters not." The process matters.

        This forum is a freakin' gold mine. I am a pretty simple sort. If someone says to me, "Do this," and they have done what I want to do, I do it. I don't try to analyze and think about it. If you say I need to do something to make money, I'll do it. I don't go out and buy 10 different things and try to do them all at once. I just try one thing until it works. Then I branch out.

        I also ask questions. Lots of them. I figured out real fast that if I have a question, and I post it on the WF, I will get an answer. I don't sit around and say, "Yeah, but...." I say, "Thank you!" and then go do it. No problem.

        To me, the stages are:
        • "This will never work."
        • "Maybe this will work."
        • "OMG! It works!"
        • "OMG! This can make me wealthy!"
        • "OMG! I can use twenty dollar bills for toilet paper! I'm rich!"
        I just wish more newbies would move through the steps faster. (I will be glad when I get to the last step. )

        Back to the OP - I understand the meaning behind your post, but I think it is the wrong way to look at things. If someone is thrilled about a few bucks, why think, "Yeah, but you are so limited in your thinking." Why not just encourage them and be happy? Encourage them to reach higher and think bigger, but don't look down at them.

        Some people simply don't have the mindset to jump from zero to a million overnight. That's okay. Accept them at whatever place they are at the moment.

        -----Shay
        StarFleet Captain
        Future Master of the Universe
        Signature
        "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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        • Profile picture of the author tomw
          Originally Posted by Shay60654 View Post

          Frank and Tom, thank you so much for your sweet words.

          I can remember what it felt like to get my first sales. I thought to myself, "OMG!!! It works!!! This really works!!!"

          Now, I have to be honest. Hubby was not too impressed by 10 sales of 5 bucks each. He really wasn't. :rolleyes: He couldn't understand why on earth I was jumping around and shouting. It was "only" 50 bucks.

          Two nights ago I showed him how much I have earned. He looked like this>>

          The thing is, those sales showed me what to do. I created a product that people bought.

          I wake up wealthier than I was when I went to bed.

          Let me repeat: I wake up wealthier than I was when I went to bed.

          The amount doesn't matter. The process matters. If I can make $10 online, then I can make $100,000 online. If I can make $10 while I sleep, then I can make $100,000 while I sleep.

          Remember Yoda teaching Luke about the Force? Luke thought he could move light objects but not heavy ones? Remember Yoda's response?

          "Size matters not. Judge me by my size, do you?"

          (Yeah, I am a sci-fi geek. Sue me.)

          So that is how I feel about making money online. The amount "matters not." The process matters.

          This forum is a freakin' gold mine. I am a pretty simple sort. If someone says to me, "Do this," and they have done what I want to do, I do it. I don't try to analyze and think about it. If you say I need to do something to make money, I'll do it. I don't go out and buy 10 different things and try to do them all at once. I just try one thing until it works. Then I branch out.

          I also ask questions. Lots of them. I figured out real fast that if I have a question, and I post it on the WF, I will get an answer. I don't sit around and say, "Yeah, but...." I say, "Thank you!" and then go do it. No problem.

          To me, the stages are:
          • "This will never work."
          • "Maybe this will work."
          • "OMG! It works!"
          • "OMG! This can make me wealthy!"
          • "OMG! I can use twenty dollar bills for toilet paper! I'm rich!"
          I just wish more newbies would move through the steps faster. (I will be glad when I get to the last step. )

          Back to the OP - I understand the meaning behind your post, but I think it is the wrong way to look at things. If someone is thrilled about a few bucks, why think, "Yeah, but you are so limited in your thinking." Why not just encourage them and be happy? Encourage them to reach higher and think bigger, but don't look down at them.

          Some people simply don't have the mindset to jump from zero to a million overnight. That's okay. Accept them at whatever place they are at the moment.

          -----Shay
          StarFleet Captain
          Future Master of the Universe
          I just wanted to say thank you for YOUR kind words, to tell you that you are a real inspiration in so many ways, to reassure you that you're not the only sci-fi geek and to confess that on almost every video game I have my character name really is "Tom Luc Picard."

          I wish you every happiness and every success and would just like to ask that when you are indeed using $20 notes as toilet paper to remember the rest of us.

          Live long and prosper

          Thomas
          Signature
          STOP THE TRAFFIK: PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE BOUGHT AND SOLD
          Help Us Rescue, Rehabilitate And Reunite Victims With Their Families

          STOP THE TRAFFIK is a growing global movement of individuals, communities and organisations fighting to PREVENT the sale of people,
          PROTECT the trafficked and PROSECUTE the traffickers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Batesism
    I love reading this stuff. It's EXACTLY how I feel, and I've been trying to push myself mentally to get to that next level. I've been on the brink for months now, and it's just the 'taking action' thing that has been holding me back. That's being taken care of though
    .

    I reached the point where I knew the sky was the limit when I started making $1k a day on MySpace, with 95% of the work automated. My money still comes form blackhat stuff, but it's not nearly that big anymore. I've realized that you have to provide value to ensure a truly sustainable passive income, so I'm beginning to focus on real businesses.

    It is VERY helpful to have a mentor of some sort to guide you along, otherwise you are just piecing things together and it can take a much longer time for things to click.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
    Originally Posted by p1a1u1l1 View Post

    Hey ken, first I would like to address that people here who are posting
    there first IM earnings are doing so because they want to share there
    good news and/or are excited about making a start online.

    This doesn't mean there not seeing the bigger picture or are short sighted
    in what they want to achieve or build. Everyone starts somewhere, what
    you do next is the important part.

    Second,

    "Yet most folks here are settling. Settling for selling other peoples' low-priced
    products, scrounging for cold traffic, and overall just not stepping up to build
    the business they TRULY want."

    I also see nothing wrong with selling other peoples low priced products, some
    marketers make good incomes from affiliate marketing and again some make
    6-7 figures. Product creation is NOT the be all and end all of the IM industry.

    People will settle for what makes them happy, not what there told to settle
    for. Not everyone has the same vision of there perfect lifestyle/business and
    it would be a very boring world if they did.

    Just because members don't share there master plan with the whole forum
    doesn't mean they don't have one. I do understand that some marketers can
    be short sighted in where there taking there business, and am guessing your
    just trying to open a few eyes who perhaps haven't yet realized there own
    bigger picture.

    Maybe am taking your post slightly out of context, but I have to respectfully
    disagree with some of your more general assumptions.


    I just know am gona get flamed for this

    -paul
    Paul,

    You can disagree, no problem. However there are no assumptions here.

    The simple fact is most people here are struggling to make *anything* let alone a six figure income.

    The ways to do it are being shown to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    They complain that no one is giving them the "plan" or the "blueprint."

    They go into the WSO and drop hundreds of dollars a month and fill their hard drive with a bunch of stuff only to have nothing to show for it.

    This is reality. No one wants to admit it.

    I'm admonishing no one. I'm simply saying that whatever people are getting is what they're choosing.

    You want a six figure business in 3 months? It's there for you. You want to tell yourself it's going to take years to get to "that level", done.

    It's choice. That's all it is.

    I made $12K in my first 59 days for one reason - choice. Most people here are a heck of a lot smarter than I am. The only difference was choice.

    Ken
    Signature

    Coming soon for all you IM junkies... The Internet Daily Show

    A Secret to Success: Making serious money online or offline is not complex unto itself - we're the ones who complicate it. Simply sell them what they are already buying.

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  • Profile picture of the author tomw
    Ken,

    Sometimes people need to be led, rather than dragged.

    Understanding this is the first step in moving from the corporate world that you (and I) are used to, to fulfilling your very noble "platform."

    I really look forward to your "huge" project because I actually believe in a lot of what you say and are trying to achieve.

    Thomas
    Signature
    STOP THE TRAFFIK: PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE BOUGHT AND SOLD
    Help Us Rescue, Rehabilitate And Reunite Victims With Their Families

    STOP THE TRAFFIK is a growing global movement of individuals, communities and organisations fighting to PREVENT the sale of people,
    PROTECT the trafficked and PROSECUTE the traffickers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Hi Ken,

    I applaud you for raising this again and giving this another airing.

    I gave up trying to get people to think differently on forums a long time ago - most people who come here don't want to hear it.

    I used to spend a lot of time here and elsewhere sending people money, giving anything I could to help people reframe their perspective on getting started. In the end it was actually draining me and most people just took what you gave them and then carried on as before.

    After I started making a few thousand dollars a month, I got divorced and ended up with $100k of debt.

    At that point I was advised (by everyone) to declare myself bankrupt and bail out of the responsibility.

    I still had goals that I didn't want tainted with a bankruptcy history, so I just decided that trying to deal with the debt in that current situation was never going to work (I couldn't even work out how many years it would be before the debt got paid -if ever), so I had to think differently.

    In the end I decided that I needed to ramp up my aspirations and goals and create an income that could deal with the debt and serve me well afterwards.

    That next $100k was much easier because I wasn't after the money, it was just part of a bigger plan.

    These days I need other motivations so I do it to raise money for charities and let me travel more.

    Taking the opportunity to earn a decent income seriously rather than just going through the motions and expecting it not to create dramatic results was when it all changed.

    I just needed a huge personal debt to kick start me

    Andy
    Signature

    nothing to see here.

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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    Ken... and Andy above me..

    BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO

    Fantastic.. people will think back to this post and really SEE and FEEL what you were talking about..

    When their minds get in sync with this thinking.. it just clicks and you get the warm fuzzies at big ideas and thinking real BIG...

    You guys, rock!!!!

    Peace

    Jay
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

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  • Profile picture of the author Dmitry
    Ken and Andy - I just cannot express how much I feel the same way. I don't know what to say. I cannot express it with words so I'll just say that you two guys made my day and I'd love to get to know you better!
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    • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
      A few years ago, I went out of town to stay with a friend... and I brought my dogs. At the time, I had a big German Shepherd dog and a basset hound mix, and she was terrified of both of them. Terrified.

      I shrugged it off -- esp with the GSD -- because he did look a little scary. The guy was actually a big wuss, but sometimes his did look a little menacing because he had quite a presence.

      Some years later the GSD died, and eventually I got a mini poodle. Yeah, tiny little fluff ball that looks like a teddy bear.

      Guess what?

      My friend was terrified of this dog too. She cringed if the dog barked, moved quickly, etc.

      Crazy, right?

      Turns out that when my friend was a child, her mom pretty much beat it into her head that dogs are big, scary creatures just prowling around looking for someone to bite.

      Eventually my friend became more accustomed to my mini poodle, as she could see he wasn't a threat. She even started to enjoy him because he's smart as a whip and does tricks.

      Today, she has two small dogs of her own. I don't think she'll be getting any big dogs any time soon, but the fact that she has her own dogs is a huge step for her.

      My point...

      IM and making money is a lot like this story.

      People are scared -- SCARED -- to reach their potential. Their moms, dads, neighbors and friends have spent years pounding scary messages into their heads. Messages like:

      -- That guy and his money is such a show off. High flatin' SOB.
      -- He's rich. He must have done something illegal.
      -- Your daydreams don't put food on the table. Get a job.


      And so on.

      All these years of programming have done two things.

      1) Convinced the "dreamer" that he's a drifter and a slacker, because getting rich doesn't happen to the ordinary guy.

      2) If he DOES get rich, then he'll be talked about in deragatory terms just like every other rich person.


      So while this guy may have dreams of getting rich, there's definitely some deep programming that needs to be reprogrammed. Simply saying, "think big" won't cut it.

      Think of it this way...

      When he looks around at everyone else making money, all he sees are menacing German Shepherds. He thinks one day he might like a dog, but he's still scared.

      What he needs to do is watch everyone else with toy poodles first (i.e.,get an education in IM first, come to this forum for inspiration and motivation, etc).

      Then he needs to get his own toy poodle (i.e, this is the part where he makes his $37).

      Then he can start taking action on getting his German Shepherd (his first million).


      ---

      In other words, most people can't jump from being broke to thinking they'll make a million, any more than my friend who's scared of dogs could have gone straight to getting a big dog. They need to build a bridge between their current state and their desired state. And they need to truly examine for themselves why they're scared and can't make the leap. Once they examine themselves, they can start breaking down a lifetime of negative programming.

      Cheers,
      Becky



      P.S. One more story...

      Maybe four or five years ago I was lifting weights. Had racked up a weight for a back exercise that I knew would be difficult but not impossible. I struggled to get through my reps and sets.

      Only after I had completed my sets and was unracking my weights did I notice something -- I hadn't counted the plates right. I actually had ten pounds MORE than I thought I could possibly do!

      If I had racked those weights up and KNOWINGLY added the ten pounds, I never would have been able to lift that bar, simply because my mind had made up it's mind that I could NOT lift that weight. But when I did it accidently -- when my mind didn't know I had reached my "limit" -- I completed the reps and sets.

      Our minds truly limit us... or lets us soar.
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  • Profile picture of the author mudmat
    Hi warriors,

    Just wanna share my thoughts on this..

    I have made my 1st sale a few months back and it was really a moment I will never forget.. The very first sale.

    I was flying and imagining bigger things like making 100 a day, 500 a day and 1000 a day. But it never materialised.. My sales never peak, it went straight back to the ground! Its like I finally manage to walk and suddenly something came at me from nowhere and slam me back to the ground.

    I was lost and don't know what to do. But I pick myself up again knowing that I am able to make that 5 to 6 figure income one day and be debt free for life!

    Whenever something slams down on me again, I'll just pick myself again..

    Sorry for being a little melodramatic..

    Hope those guys including me who has had some success, push for greater glory! Forward we march!
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