Why You WILL FAIL In Internet Marketing...

14 years ago

Oh geeze, information overload nearly made me go crazy in the beginning!

I can't even tell you how many times I stayed up to the wee hours of the night like you did. I'd find out one thing, watch a video/training course, and by the time I woke up in the morning would be trying another thing.

Unfortunately I thought doing a million different things was gonna make me rich since they were all over the internet and each one would bring in sales. I'd make a twitter account and do one or two posts, I'd make a Youtube video and make one bad video, and so on and so forth.

Finally I learned what worked and what didn't, what was a waste of time, and what wasn't. Then I focused on what worked and forget the rest.

I almost feel like thats the initiation process that all internet marketers need to go through.

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Joseph Dickens

14 years ago

I still suffer from shiny object syndrome..

I spend at least a couple grand in dumb stuff every month...

however business principals never change...

the money is in the list..Duplication...

ya know you just gotta build that list, and build a solid foundation for a reliable income into your future.

that's my advise to anyone.

Thanks
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Viramara

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Joseph Dickens

I still suffer from shiny object syndrome..

yeah me too. but in isolation I finally found it's actually list building that started it all and it's measly cheap! I'm a natural writer and never find problem with copywriting, so writing e-courses just flows naturally. damn how could I be so blind in the past

all the IM trainings just help you going through the learning curve than if we figuring it out ourselves. Too bad too many people focusing on chasing the "latest secret strategy" rather than building the real business from brick and mortar. that's why they actually fail.

the real cost to start up an internet marketing :
domain = $ 10
hosting = $ 5 a month.
alternative to paid domain and hosting : free domain, free hosting, or blogger blog.
autoresponder = $3 a month or free (imnica)

Thanks
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Gary J Martin 14 years ago

The reason most people fail is because they give up.

Information overload is a huge contributing factor why they give up, because it slows down their potential successes.

They are too distracted flitting from one thing to another, which never work because they don't give it enough time. And it takes time for a method to take hold and gain momentum.

When momentum comes, then comes excitement, and they keep going and it just feeds on itself. More excitement, more momentum.
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Mr Bill

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Viramara

...Too bad too many people focusing on chasing the "latest secret strategy" rather than building the real business from brick and mortar. that's why they actually fail.

...

Sorry and with respect but I disagree with this and I hear it so often it sometimes makes me mad. People should be encouraged to read as widely on a subject as they possibly can. If they keep buying more and more ebooks and getting more coaching that should be commended not condemned. Sure maybe something they learned earlier might have worked if they stuck to it but maybe it just wasn't for them? Nothing wrong with that that I can see unless they complain that a $9 ebook didn't make them rich.

I mean why should we stop looking for something that suits us because we bought a $11 ebook? I am one that would easily fit into the course jumper profile but I don't see it that way. I'm looking for something that fits me, my skills, my time and my ambitions and I resent the label.

What about when people go to college to study? Do we look down on them because they read one book after another? Or because they go to many lectures not just one? Personally I'd like to buy every single WSO that's released. At worst it's just another point of view and if we are seen to be sucked in by every new thing then I think people are not seeing the bigger picture. We are here to learn as much as possible, not the least possible.

As long as we are happy and don't become a serial "refunder" (which I'm not) then I see this criticism of people who have a thirst for knowledge misplaced. It's the people who lie in their headlines or over exagerate or upsell you to death taking advantage of our vulnerable state who need to be pulled in. We're just out here doing our best to get as much info about the topic as possible. I'm currently using all my skills and I'm glad for every ebook and course I've done - they will all help. Sure some fall short but I also decided not to follow some of the advice by myself so there's no blame and no one needs to be made feel small because they bought more information.

Keep making new WSOs and I'll keep buying them. I don't expect any of them to make me rich but I do expect them all to contribute to my eventual financial freedom. That's my dream and I know that IM is the way for me and I look forward to pushing through all the bushes and finding the lagoon soon. I know I'm getting close.

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wisdomjobs 14 years ago

Hi,

My site is an online job portal in india, wisdomjobs.com . We spent a lot of money for online marketing, and we also doing offpage optimization, but we were not getting more traffic through search engines.

wisdomjobs.com
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xxdksxx

14 years ago

This is all very true. I have suffered from buying and not completing a couple times and probably always will. But once you find something that works and stick with it to the end you will make money.

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jwmann2 14 years ago

SEO is really what makes my head spin. Results from Google comes slow.
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PeterBirganza

14 years ago

Originally Posted by xxdksxx

This is all very true. I have suffered from buying and not completing a couple times and probably always will. But once you find something that works and stick with it to the end you will make money.

Hi,
I am impressed from your writing. If you are stick on one thing and get full knowledge about a specific product, it will really reward you. It is observed that most of the companies that are named, just because of their hardworking and egoistic in their professional field. It is the key of success that you discussed in your post and meaningful for me.

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36burrows

14 years ago

getting too distracted and obsessing/always refreshing stats every 5 min

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rekerlolz 14 years ago

Originally Posted by 36burrows

getting too distracted and obsessing/always refreshing stats every 5 min

Ha that's funny ...I can definitely relate to that.

The only thing that will push you into the failure category is giving up.

The way I look at it is if you spend your time doing something ...no matter what it is ...you are going to get better at it guaranteed.

Yeah it does suck looking at your stats and not seeing any money come in but it is a learning process that must be perfected if you want to succeed.
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Brad789

14 years ago

Matthew -

Brad here. I agree with you 100%. At first I was subscribing to everything in sight. Then I ran across a wizard like you in a forum. He said exactly the same thing.

The best advice I got was delist yourself from everything. Once I read that about 10 times I realized my learning style is emulation.

I am trying to study and replicate successful approaches of just a few of the "masters" shown on the net today. Chris Farrell is teaching me life skills. I accept that making money is up to me - but I got to have the skills first.

I have heard Jeff Walker say time and again he can get it all back tomorrow if he loses it all because he knows how to do it. That takes learning and developing skills.

For me the training is limited by time available. Like you I don't fall asleep until early AM. All day at my other job - I am constantly fighting the desire to stop and think about different approaches to apply when I get home that night.

I want my boss to get quality as I want from anyone who works for me. So separating the tasks is also a challenge.

It always takes about 30 minutes for me to get into "the mode" once I sit down at night. So when the evening's work is over - it takes time to wind down as well.

Making this work is the number one priority - just frustrating waiting till night - but got to feed the bull dog till this pays for itself.

Best of luck to everyone - I sincerely believe internet marketing is the next big market wave. We could be the leading edge of affiliates that makes it all come together for the old market.

Cheers !

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MatthewNeer

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad789

I have heard Jeff Walker say time and again he can get it all back tomorrow if he loses it all because he knows how to do it. That takes learning and developing skills.

You said it man! Once you learn how to make millions of dollars, you can do it over and over again because you know exactly how you did it. You built the skills, the strengths and did your time to get there.

Nothing is more valuable than that, which is also why most people who inherit or are awarded money, like winning the lottery, usually loose that money.

Keep rockin'!

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amiramin 14 years ago

very true dudes,
when i started searching for online work, i found some weird work like captcha entry and advertisement clicking.
That was so depressing. When i talk to people about online work 90% of them guide me that there is nothing like online work. It is only a fruade.

But after getting my university's degree I suddenly found a job in an SEO company. You i just applied for some computer operator kind of job but when they selected me after taking a bunch of interviews and tests. They told me that they are hiring me for IM. That was pleasant surprise because i was looking for that kind of job for more than 2 years and i suddenly got one. I learned most of the work pretty quickly and then one day i think after two months. I leave that job and now i am doing my own work. But i am still new i this business and there are many many things that i can learn, or i can say every thing.
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MatthewNeer

14 years ago

Wow, those are all some great responses so far. I think I've been guilty of just about all of them at one point or another.

But like @RevSEO said, its totally the initiation process that every marketer must go through. Gotta learn the hard way sometimes, but in the end, its well worth it.

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desertsun1

14 years ago

I remember I met someone back when I first got started in IM and he gave me some good advice...stay focused and don't jump from program to program. I followed his advice for a while, but as most newbies do, the offers just keep coming in, and each one seems to be better than the last one. So before I knew it, I was spending, and spending and spending, not building my downline, and of course you know what happened. I've found that if you can find a mentor who has a successful track record, who's willing to show you how to do it, then take their advice, and follow them. Once you've found a program that works, stick to it.

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MatthewNeer

14 years ago

Originally Posted by desertsun1

I remember I met someone back when I first got started in IM and he gave me some good advice...stay focused and don't jump from program to program. I followed his advice for a while, but as most newbies do, the offers just keep coming in, and each one seems to be better than the last one. So before I knew it, I was spending, and spending and spending, not building my downline, and of course you know what happened. I've found that if you can find a mentor who has a successful track record, who's willing to show you how to do it, then take their advice, and follow them. Once you've found a program that works, stick to it.

Since you're talking a little bit about MLM here, the best thing to do is just like you said. Find a great company and stick with them, but also at the same time, make absolutely sure that you find a sponsor or upline that is making thousands of dollars doing what they do. And make sure they are willing the mentor you very closely. If ya got that, its a winner!

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taylorwinfield4

14 years ago

When i first started I collected ebooks like crazy, I was really giving myself such a false start by buying every WSO going and not using what I already had! Everyone needs to be aware this isn't the way forward!!

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ChristopherTheron

14 years ago

Great Thread Matthew! I believe Information Overload leads to confusion and mis-direction for new internet marketers. They don't know which way to go, which corner to turn, or which strategy to focus on... It becomes a poison. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying WSO's, or even the "Next best strategy to make $XXXXX", but the problem presents itself when the person does not APPLY what they are learning... After all, the ultimate goal is to make money, not just create a really great collection of products. Once again, Great thread!

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DavidTT

14 years ago

honestly its so simple once you get the big picture. Its easyt o get confused at the beginning since there are so many things floating the web and most newbies are always searching for 'the next best thing'.

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Steven Miranda

14 years ago

Very good advice. Focus is key. Keep working at it and success will come.

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derekpierce 14 years ago

I agree... but for me it was focusing on the wrong things - the technical side and trying to understand everything.

At the end of the day - it all revolves around selling and marketing.

dp
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hardraysnight

14 years ago

I die, hopefully of old age

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seo jack

14 years ago

So true...had the same experience the first time i heard of SEO.
A friend told me it was easy and pays well. So i tried to get all the information i can get from google and youtube, but did not get a lot from that.

I learned not from the books but from doing the methods by myself. Analyzing the details and understanding the process as a whole.

I was lucky I have people around me to guide and teach me

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seo jack

14 years ago

So true...had the same experience the first time i heard of SEO.
A friend told me it was easy and pays well. So i tried to get all the information i can get from google and youtube, but did not get a lot from that.

I learned not from the books but from doing the methods by myself. Analyzing the details and understanding the process as a whole.

I was lucky I have people around me to guide and teach me

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Devid Farah 14 years ago

Hi Matthew,

i agree, that is one of the reasons people fail with internet marketing.

I'd add:

Procrastination, like you say after having tried many courses, guides, gurus products etc, and after noting that nothing works...they are afraid to try anything else because "in their mind" nothing works so they procrastinate to infinity....a terrible cycle!

So my advice is do not spend your money on those "guru products". You don't need them.

Learn what PLR is and learn how to make a fortune with it.

Other very important reasons are:

- They pick up the wrong niche and sell a product that nobody is interested in.

- People fail with internet marketing because they don't do paid advertising. ( this is the #1 for me!)

Traffic = Money. No traffic, no money.

Devid
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mikemcmillan

14 years ago

Well, like they say...

You can have almost ANYTHING you want, you just can't have EVERYTHING you want.

Same is try in IM. Almost anyone can make themselves an expert on any one thing if they are willing to work and put the time in. The problem comes when people try to become an expert at EVERYTHING starting out. They end up not getting very good at any one of them.

It really comes down to 1.) have something good to sell, 2.) get a lot of traffic to your site, 3.) be able to convert visitors into buyers, and 4.) grow a list to market to.

If someone can do those four things they will succeed. --Mike

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MatthewNeer

14 years ago

Originally Posted by mikemcmillan

Well, like they say...

You can have almost ANYTHING you want, you just can't have EVERYTHING you want.

Same is try in IM. Almost anyone can make themselves an expert on any one thing if they are willing to work and put the time in. The problem comes when people try to become an expert at EVERYTHING starting out. They end up not getting very good at any one of them.

It really comes down to 1.) have something good to sell, 2.) get a lot of traffic to your site, 3.) be able to convert visitors into buyers, and 4.) grow a list to market to.

If someone can do those four things they will succeed. --Mike

Thanks Mike that was some REALLY good advise. In fact, everyone should go up there and click "Thanks" on this thread, he deserves it!

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KeepFaith

14 years ago

Here is the core reason why I think many people fail and don´t even bother trying (took me a long time to take action by the way...)

Whenever I am ready to do something I always look back and think to myself: THERE HAS TO BE A REASON WHY 97% (or whatever figure) fail in IM and I immediately feel discouraged and absolutely hate the feeling of doing a lot of work without knowing if I will ever see results...

I do know that the only way you will truly be successful is by "failing your way to the top" but each one of us will try their best to escape this seamlessly endless chain of "failure" because deep inside we are just scared as hell!

There is a huge benefit when having a mentor... he/she will give you the COURAGE to pull through "some" course or system you are impressed by and keep beating the HELL out of it until you get to the winning point and then replicating what you have perfected...

I love comparing the entire Internet Marketing Game with "working out in the gym". You can surely work your ass off until distinction but without following a system that HAS PROVEN TO WORK you are just wasting time in the gym... there are a lot of other things you have to take care of also (the biggest part is actually your "food intake") and the same applies to internet marketing!

Once you get the hang of something and you see results, then you have broken the vicious cycle of being afraid that something won´t work and not taking action because you already have the assurance that it will work!

A successful mentor for instance can keep you focused to get you where want to be because you will automatically think to yourself "since this worked for him/her, then why shouldn´t it work for me". Pursuing anything in life without proper guidance can make the whole "ride" feel like freaking hell. I am surely not saying that it isn´t impossible but it depends how tough you are and how much you will be willing to take before seeing results!

There are surely 100.000.000 different reasons why people fail but atleast for me and many people I know, someone (knowledgable) who actually guides you will make it much easier for you to accomplish whatever goal you set for yourself

Thx for this thread Matthew!

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EntrepT

14 years ago

Originally Posted by MatthewNeer

Share with us how it was for you in the beginning and how you overcame or are overcoming the hurdles to your success.

Glad you posted this, I'm only about a month into this world and that's exactly how I felt. I am privileged enough to have found a few mentors to help me focus in on what I need to, but I still experience information overload far too often.

It's far too easy to think "sure, I'll check this site out, it's free", when really you're just wasting your own valuable resources of time. I've already learned quickly to pick one or two quality programs with a network of people you enjoy, and stick with it! Play to win and don't get discouraged.

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sscot

14 years ago

At my beginning, I didn't have an idea such as "How much hours should I dedicate for this" (The reason is lack of experience). So, I was very serious when it isn't coming at least one sale after 10 hops.

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Andyhenry

14 years ago

I think the biggest hurdle most beginners have in IM is that they start out with false expectations.

They read a few sales letters or forum posts saying that you can make money quickly and easily and think "hey I'll have some of that - I can quit my job in a few months" and then start looking for the 'easiest' way to do it.

Because they think it will be easy and that they can just copy other people - they then start the spiral into information overload which that lack of focus causes.

In reality you can create a great income without understanding just about anything of IM but people get caught in the trap of thinking that unless they understand it ALL that they'll be missing something vital.

There are people who make a good income from selling software and they don't know the first thing about programming, but they know that if they find a problem to solve and pay someone to program the answer - they can make money.

This means they constantly see things which they don't understand and think they're missing something and must learn about it.

Ironically it's the people who are not too clever that do best because they start out thinking they can't understand it all so they'll just pick one thing to focus on - which it turns out is really all you need to do.

Most people don't have this realisation and they spend months/years trying to learn about everything and when they try something and it doesn't get fantastic results they're convinced that it's because there's something else they need to know about.

It's why you see so many people coming here asking about Facebook fan pages etc... when they don't even have a business and have already learned about seo, product creation, copyrighting etc... but still think that they're missing the big 'secret' that will change everything for them.

If they just stuck to one thing and got good at it and put everything into it - they could do great much quicker.

Also, once you've tried so things and they haven't "worked" for you - you can then start to get disillusioned and lose motivation.

I think the biggest thing anyone can do is take their business seriously and become an expert in one thing that they understand completely and put themselves fully behind.

Andy

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Klemen Znidar

14 years ago

@op: I can totally relate to you. Had the same problems. Just lying on bed and thinking what to do. Having gazillion of ideas in your head and trying to solve problems that MIGHT occur even before they do.

To over come this, just pick one idea / method and give it a fair test. Hit it with everything you got. You WILL FAIL. But when you do, you just pick another idea and hit it again. And sooner or later you will get a couple of winners (:

-m

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montero

14 years ago

All good reasons here, and good to keep in mind. I'd say that information overload is critically important, but I think one reason--aside from unrealistic or just silly expectations of "instant" money--is that it fosters lack of confidence and trust. When you have no experience you have no clear standard to measure the worth of information and advice. There is good stuff being sold and not so good, and even terrible, rehashed, outdated, or purely fictional advice. Newbies are very vulnerable and easily overwhelmed. Figuring out whose info and advice you can really count on is huge. We all want to make money, but there are those who really want to help and make very good money being very good at helping others. In other words, there are those who really can do it, and then are generous in sharing their knowledge--sure they make money by sharing their knowledge, but not most of their money comes from this, and they share because they genuinely get satisfaction from it. These are the people you want to learn from.

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terrencewan

14 years ago

I have the same experience,
information overload!
But after trying and understanding
what works and what won't,
i start to focus on things that work only.
However i don't stop there,
i still venture into something that are related
and see if it works or not.
I don't stop learning, but to find whatever
ways to bring in sales.

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Scott Lambency

14 years ago

Information overload was one of the biggest traps that held me back for YEARS...

I would just get so ADDICTED to learning the next technique, the next killer strategy.. that I was spending more time learning new information than applying what I already knew...

When I finally put down the books and revised my focus, my value creation soared. After all these years, all it really took was a simple mindset tweak... 'I have value to give right now.'

I still read books, of course... I'll probably never stop learning. The difference is now I'm applying my knowledge.

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capitalalchemy

14 years ago

There is a lot of truth here. The first thing that I did was started unsubscribing from loads of newsletters. Very few of them are helpful anymore -- they just keep pitching stuff. I don't need distractions.

I think for me the success has thus far been like this...

1. Limiting myself to no more than 3 - 5 projects at a time. In all reality one at a time is better.

2. Getting the word out about my site like I'm jacked up on internet caffeine (articles, link wheels, blogs, back links, PPC, videos, social bookmarking -- everything)

3. Monitoring where I have had the most success, and duplicating it for that one site (traffic sources, sales copy, etc).

4. Testing of the website itself (including how to offer people the best experience on my site, building a list on the site, tweaking my on site content, doing the product research).

Basically I hit every project hard and imagine myself outdoing my competition. It's better to fight one battle than many.

Here's what I have observed though. It's better to get a "not so hot" offer in front of people than to have a "great offer" in front of a few. What I mean is that even some of my low earners contribute something and I took the time to go at them like a bat out of hell.

I think the key is to do a little research and try your best to find a lucrative market+traffic source and offer. Then, make that sucker so incredible to search engines, visitors and link partners that it's unstoppable.

In some cases I have duplicated the actual market and built several sites for the same niche for added leverage. And these can be blogger blogs, squidoo lenses - anything! It doesn't have to be an actual website.

I don't make tons of money, but what I'm trying to express is that you can make an income if you give it your all, one-at-a-time and stay focused WITHOUT neglecting quality.

This requires patience and to ease your worries. This is where repeating affirmations really helps maintain your courage. Repeat the amount you want to make each day and don't stop believing -- this is all possible.

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Alexis Kenne

14 years ago

I think a lack of good mentor who can hold your hand and show you the way.
Instead of buying products after products. If a newbie can pick a good mentor,invest that money with him and focus, he will build a solid foundation.
After years of trying different ways of making money by myself that's the path I took to finally start earning some stable revenue online.

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Scott Lambency

14 years ago

Originally Posted by KAB

I think a lack of good mentor who can hold your hand and show you the way.
Instead of buying products after products. If a newbie can pick a good mentor,invest that money with him and focus, he will build a solid foundation.
After years of trying different ways of making money by myself that's the path I took to finally start earning some stable revenue online.

You've got to get some level of education in this game, of course...

I've had several mentors along the way. Being mentored is a great way to shortcut a long and expensive learning curve. Just the time you could save alone when hooking up with a good marketer is a huge value.

While you can learn a lot from ebooks and courses, having someone to take you by the hand and give step by step instructions makes things a lot easier.

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Alan Ashwood 14 years ago
Fact:
Out of 100 new independent small businesses starting on the high street, over 90% will fail in the first 2 years. Another 5-6% will fold within the next year. (UK statistics).
Why did I write that?

1. NEGATIVITY
Because there's too much talk in this industry about failure. If we continue to dwell on the negatives, newcomers will be perpetually bombarded with self replicating defeat. The IM business is not unique.

I believe this is a strong contributory factor, as it's telling aspirational new entrepeneurs that they really don't have a cat in hells chance, right from the start. Some people will consume this information, and give up before they even get going.

Fortunately I've found the WF is a place where the attitude is more, "How can we help", and "Here's my solution/advice/suggestion".

2. INFORMATION OVERLOAD
The most common answer, but is it grammatically accurate. We're in the Marketing business, and so my slant on this expression is HARD SELL OVERLOAD. Yes, we've all been victims of this, and you can't blame people for suffering with it. But they're not getting any information at all.
They (we) can spend countless hours reading the sales pages, watching the videos etc., but it ain't no good unless we buy the goodies. There aren't any 'schools' to attend, and occupational advisors shrug it off as a waste of time. They have 9-5 jobs, and little imagination. How can they advise on something which is totally alien to them?

You have to find out for yourself, from scratch:
a. What is it?
b. How do you start?
c. What do you need?
d. Where do you start?
e. Who can you trust?
There are many tips within this post and eslewhere in WF with some very sound advice. Some of these themes repeat - Mentors - Sparkly Things - Focus - One Thing at a Time etc. All are helpful and correct. It really depends on the reader taking notice of the repeating tips, and using them.

3. ISOLATION
The vast majority of newcomers are going it totally alone. They have no one to use as a sounding board, or to make a plan and split tasks with. They have to be totally self motivated and driven. Even worse if their partner is in opposition to the idea, it can add incredible negative pressure, and can even lead to people buckling under the negativity.

My advice is to make an effort to contact others in the IM business. Maybe find some blogs, READ THE POSTS, leave comments.

4. FINANCIAL
If you have the right advice, starting in IM needn't be expensive, but there are a few basics they'll need, such as:
a. Domain Registration
b. Web Hosting
c. An autoresponder (Own product or affiliate) for list building
d. Maybe some good PLR, again for list building
Beyond the basics, it need not be that expensive.
We all know that buying stuff which will often not even get read, let alone tried, can be financially crippling. Another reason for giving up.

A great deal of the same information can be gained in the WF, and by following good blogs. It takes more time, but an save a fortune in product buying.

5. FALSE HOPE and UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
This industry has a remarkable talent for expounding tales about untold wealth, in little time, with little or no work. When many newcomers start discovering that they need to target one thing, make a little money, then repeat or refine the same, and that it''ll take some time, persistence and effort, they can quickly become disillusioned, and give up.

They need to be guided towards earning their first $10.00, just to prove that there is an income to be made, starting with maybe only a little.
The positive impact of your first sale is quite amazing.

6. BOUNCING
As has been said elsewhere, if they don't give enough time to one method or niche before jumping to another, the likelihood of earning anything gradually dissipates. This becomes an ever self defeating exercise.

SO . . .
If there are any newcomers reading this:
Don't Give Up

Be Realistic

Review what's holding you up

Don't be too self critical

Be patient

Be prepared to learn

Be prepared to work

Ask questions ( Google or Forums)

Clear your email inbox - COMPLETELY

Open and digest any SINGLE product you may already have (after all, you thought it was good at the time) until you understand it

Apply yourself. Start with the product/course that you've selected, and take each stage step by step.

Stick with it, refining it if necessary, until it starts to work for you.
Alternatively find a good membership site or mentoring course, and follow the instructions - to the letter. Research carefully before you sign up though.

I really hope this helps someone, somewhere to realise that they're not alone, and that the mistakes they may have made so far, have been the same mistakes we made.
We are still here. You owe it to yourself to be here in the future, writing helpful posts in the forum for others, who will be just as confused as you are now.

In case you're wondering. Do I make a fortune online?
Not a fortune, not yet, but that doesn't mean I'm going to fail. It's a steep learning curve for all newcomers, with many new things to understand. I know most of the theory, but I also know it takes time and effort to put it all in place.
As long as I've got my eyesight, and a broadband connection, I'll be here for as long as it takes.

I don't intend to fail, and you shouldn't either. Just realise that the overnight wealth is spelt Bul**hit! Treat it as such, and keep a realistic view to how you are going to succeed.

Not IF - HOW

Good luck in your (ad)venture. Prove the cynics wrong.

Cheers

Alan

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Time for a cuppa.
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Nick James

14 years ago

In addition to staying focused and avoiding those bright shiny objects that always try and distract you, the other thing to do is ask lots of questions. Don't be afraid to ask. I see too many newbies falling to a paralysis because they didn't know or understand something, sometimes quite a basic principle or tactic, and this stopped them from progressing... perhaps because they felt "daft" or stupid for not asking something. So my advice would be to make sure you use discussion forums like WF to ask your questions and get help from other like minded people.

Kindest

Nick

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Scott B

14 years ago

Information overload? Shiny-object-syndrome? Who? Me? Never.

In all seriousness, I think the most interesting aspect of this thread is how (seemingly) universal these things are. That element of human nature is a big part of what drives the whole make-money-online industry, isn't it.

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Stephen Adams

14 years ago

As much as I love this site ...

Warrior Forum = Information Overload

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Scott Lambency 14 years ago

Originally Posted by scuba

As much as I love this site ...

Warrior Forum = Information Overload

The information is available. You choose your own dose
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msmir75

14 years ago

You know what? I was once like that too. Falling for the "next huge big thing", spending, spending and spending, got no help from upline and I kept jumping from one thing to the next. But I finally made a realization. I have never worked with any "amazing" upline which in fact the ones who claimed themselves to be the cream of the crop encouraged spam and that is when I had it. I decided to create my OWN business which has just barely opened up BUT I am determined to stick with this one, learn from those who have been successful with their businesses and take advice from them and in time it will be fine. I no longer look for "the next big thing" because "the next big thing" will fizzle out in no time anyway.

Mir

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Scott Lambency

14 years ago

Originally Posted by msmir75

You know what? I was once like that too. Falling for the "next huge big thing", spending, spending and spending, got no help from upline and I kept jumping from one thing to the next. But I finally made a realization. I have never worked with any "amazing" upline which in fact the ones who claimed themselves to be the cream of the crop encouraged spam and that is when I had it. I decided to create my OWN business which has just barely opened up BUT I am determined to stick with this one, learn from those who have been successful with their businesses and take advice from them and in time it will be fine. I no longer look for "the next big thing" because "the next big thing" will fizzle out in no time anyway.

Mir

That's how you do... You brand yourself as the product, and sell your expertise.

When you've got that down, your prospects will join pretty much any company you advise for the opportunity to be mentored by someone who actually knows what they're doing online.

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Mr Bill

14 years ago

It's hard enough with everyone telling us exactly what we want to hear but when people steal your money and smile to your face many of us don't stand a chance. I have met more thieves, crooks and scammers in the IM industry than in any other. It's a real shame.

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Stacey77

14 years ago

Boy, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm beginning to slow down, tho, and get things done. I'm trying to concentrate on one thing at a time.

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bolaji

14 years ago

Originally Posted by MatthewNeer

The reason most newbies fail to make any money online whatsoever is largely due to Information Overload. Share with us how it was for you in the beginning and how you overcame or are overcoming the hurdles to your success.

Whatup, Matt!

Great topic. It's as important as any other single topic on the Warrior Forum.
Mastering it is behind the BIGGEST SUCCESSES in Internet Marketing.

Failing to master it is behind the BIGGEST FAILURES.
No, to be more accurate, failure to master it is behind the desert of mediocrity surrounding that very small oasis of success.

That oasis of success is like a mirage.

People in "regular" jobs see the mirage shining in the distance.

They can almost reach out and touch it.

They've been told and sold that all they need is

THIS easy button,
THAT short cut,
THESE whiz-bangs,
THOSE gurus,
the Magic Potion,
the Sorcerer's Stone,
Frodo's ring,
and a McGuffin.

EASY.

So they set off, ready to claim their good life in a hammock under a palm tree.

But they end up wandering for 40 years in the wilderness...

The oasis an ever-present mirage, just over the horizon.

Once upon a time, I subscribed to the mirage.
I wanted success quickly, so I sought short-cuts.
Every time I'd hit a barrier, I'd turn around, re-trace my steps, and look for another path.
I'd start again for square one.

Has anyone else had that experience?

I spent YEARS messing with short-cuts,
And even when I was working on something worth working on,
Setbacks and momentary failures would de-motivate me, derail me, deny me.

You see - without the stubborn, dogged determination that I would find a way OR MAKE ONE, I didn't have a snowball's chance in hell.

It all changed after I was laid off for the 3rd time in 6 years.

That was my breaking point.

That was my "ENOUGH!" moment.

That was the day I decided to make my way to the oasis, not the mirage...

And destroy any chance of falling back when the inevitable difficulty would arise.

I learned to embrace failure as "FEEDBACK".

As "FAILING FORWARD".

I learned that I didn't have to OUTSMART everyone.
I simply had to OUTLAST them.

I learned that I couldn't possibly succeed by doing it alone.
So I started to reach out.

I learned that I'm a lot more resilient than I ever gave myself credit for.

I learned to get help in my weak areas (finishing projects).

I learned to work on just one thing at a time, and to get rid of TO-DO LISTS.

Note: I didn't just do all this based on willpower. No.
Will power had failed me many times in the past. (after all - I always had good intentions.) ha ha!

No - I used systems.

An accountability partner.
Public accountability, by sharing my goals on my blog, on Facebook, on YouTube.
Working within time-blocks
Single-tasking, instead of multi-tasking
Doing less, but accomplishing more (and getting more time with my wife and kids as a result)

Today, I'm on the edge of the oasis.

And the only reason I look back,

Is to encourage others to ditch the mirage

And join me.

Bolaji O.

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Mr Bill 14 years ago

Originally Posted by bolaji

I learned that I didn't have to OUTSMART everyone.
I simply had to OUTLAST them.

Gold! I'll have to remember that one. In the movie Rocky he says...

"It's not how hard you can get hit. It's how hard you can get hit and keep getting up."
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cyneL

14 years ago

Originally Posted by MatthewNeer

So they end up buying a bunch of crap, watching like 30 hours of videos, and by the time they need to implement what they learned, they're heads are spinning so crazy that they don't know the first darn thing they should do.

I know thats how it was for me in the beginning. I wouldn't fall asleep until like 3 or 4 in the morning sometimes cause I would be staring at my ceiling trying to figure out what the hell to do next!

"watching like 30 hours of videos"

Sounds a little like me now.. I've watched so many hours of tutorials, methods and also IM Tip videos it's now becoming unbearable. The only problem is there is so much new stuff in each video about so many different methods etc that you forget what happened in the previous video..

"fall asleep until like 3 or 4 in the morning"

That is usually me refreshing the forum to see if there is anything I need to read to add to my IM knowledge however that information which I may read usually doesn't stick around that long as you're not really concentrating/taking the information in at 3/4 in the morning.
Ah dear, I should really just stop reading the forums so much and just have a bash at my first project/website before it's too late and give up all together..

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HelpingYouBeAnExpert

14 years ago

I had to burst your bubble but 3% is not true it's way less then 1%!

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more control

14 years ago

I would say just be realistic with your goals, don't over rely on IM if you not to very versed in the art and try to build up a steady core group of users to your web presence.

From experience IM as a tool is a great to develop your business, however, it is just one tool out of many to help generate a revenue and build up your company image.

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Adrianne_ 14 years ago

1. Failure due to a lack of knowledge about IM
2. Failure due to a lack of knowledge about their product
3. Failure due to a lack of consistency
4. Failure due to a lack of patience

Regardless of which advertising method you choose, if you will milk it for at least 30 days before saying it doesn't work, you will be better informed about ddvertising. One of the number one questions I see on different forums is "Which advertising methods are your using?"

A lot of people think if they have not made a sale in their first 7 days they get discouraged, cave in, and quit. I have seen IM'ers use leads to build their business for example. If something goes wrong and they change businesses, they continue using leads and become a top marketer in that business. Why? Because they found a marketing method that works for them, and stuck with it.
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RitaSchwarcz

14 years ago

Information overload at the beginning and getting bombarded with all these amazing deals and free helps drove me absolutely up the wall.......now I click and flick 80% before I even open any emails and filtering through new trends, test test and test and stick with what works!

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