Can we have a heart to heart for a second?

Any of these around? ~


Lol.Good reminder. (For all the god it will do!)

Tim,

I'm with you 1000%. Nice post. Spot on brother!

Of course it's nice to be able to work from home, make your own hours, be your own boss, etc... But just as you said ever so eloquently... It takes WORK!

You can't just "put up a website" and outsource 2 articles and expect to be rich! I see it all to often, people getting into this business and quitting after a short period of time because their not rich yet after putting very little WORK into their endeavor.

People often forget that an online business is not much different from an offline business in the sense that it takes work, time, energy, effort and monetary investment to make stuff happen. Maybe it's those late night infomercials that make it sound like all you need is a domain name and to pay $29.99/month and the thousands will start rolling in!

Great post. Sorry about your less-than-satisfactory results from your webinar... But keep WORKING and doing what you do. If people don't want to learn from someone and emulate someone who is making good money online, then it's their loss.

Best,
Shane

Thanks. Great post.
That quote has always been one of my favorites. For me, my ah-ah moment came when I realized that there wasn't an "easy button". Once I recognized that it takes real work and effort it became more real and feasible to me.
Seeking some mysterious magic formula only confused me. But buckling down with a plan and working the plan suddenly made sense and I realized I could do this.

I agree, but sometimes I think people aren't willing to put in the work because they're not sure of the return. Starting any kind of business requires a fairly high tolerance for risk because you could put in tons of work (doing ineffective things) and get nothing out of it. That and just because you're doing "work" doesn't mean you have to be miserable. Sure, no matter what business you're in, there will be some drudge-work, but overall, some work will be more enjoyable than others. I'd probably be bored to tears doing a golf blog and therefore be less inclined to work on it, but someone who loves golf would have fun, "work" more and make good money. So I think either you need a really, really disciplined personality or you need to find a happy medium between "passion" and "profit." Just some thoughts. (And sorry if this lacks paragraph spaces. The forum wasn't letting me put them in this morning. :-/)

Sorry to hear about the results from your webinar.

One of the first things that come to mind is the definition of "work" ... it probably differs from person to person. Physical labor, mental labor, time, ... ?

One of the keywords in one of the responses is "sounds (like work)." Maybe their perception of what work is needs to be addressed.

To me, work is taking time away from something else I would rather be doing. Taking paperwork down to have someone else do my taxes comes to mind as work I hate .

Marvin

Thanks for the great post.
I agree that too many of us just want a quick way to make a lot of money fast. And in search of that, we tend to get distracted by the newest shiny object that comes along our way. In order to get to where we want, we have to stay focus & stop looking around.

I heart you Tim! Nicely said man.

great post,

thanks

Don't worry, Tim. Just chalk it up to being the wrong audience. There are still lots of people who know that this really does take work. Not sure how you carve out the right audience but that would be the lesson learned from the webinar. Maybe you cover a topic that is more detailed which would only interest people who get their hands dirty and you'd find a far better ROI for your time. A thought.

Also, someone mentioned that it's the definition of work that can throw people and that is very true. I left a demanding job to work from home building affiliate sites and it doesn't seem like work to me at all. It's like getting paid to play on the computer as much or as little as I want - a dream come true!!

One thing that you might be overlooking is perhaps the attendees loved your content but didn't see a reason to buy.

If you give them everything they need (or even if you give them everything they *think* that they need -- even if they need your course to do it better or complete it) in the webinar itself, it can kill sales because there's really no reason in their eyes to buy then.

It's a tough call between what's too little content and what's too much content when you're selling. I've seen guys who did crap sales on calls and at events but gave awesome content, but when they switched around their presentation by not giving it all away, their sales skyrocketed.

- Brian

Dude I fully concur with you, this stuff takes work, there's no push button software out there that can take you to $200k/year.

If you fit in the following category, don't hate, it's nothing personal...

A huge demographic these day in IM are retirees who have worked their butts off their whole lives.

Understandably, making the decision to get back on the horse again and start doing something that on the surface sounds like a lot of work, would be something extremely hard to do.

So I think what's needed here is a general shift in the mentality of what it takes to become a successful online marketer.

EVERYBODY needs to start telling their peers that this stuff ain't easy.

Say yes if this has happened to you...

There's too many to count, but whenever someone asks me what I do for a living, I find it hard to answer.

Not because I'm not proud of what I do or I'm worried others will think it's lame, but instead I know for a fact that the person I'm talking to is going to think they can do it too...which they can if they really want.

The problem?

Immediately this is what goes on in that persons mind...

"Hmm I wonder if I could put up a bunch of sites myself and make some quick, 'easy' money?"

Straight away if that person starts to ask me more questions, I always answer this way...

"Dude it's not as easy as it sounds"

I think what's important is, that if we can keep THAT mentality in mind, then the people who REALLY want it, will push past the fear of having to work hard and learn something new.

That's the kind of energy that fuels success for everyone.

Awesome post mate, really made my day. :-)

having watched the IM game for over 15 years, i see something a little different than an absolute refusal or complete un-willingness to work.

i think people have become so jaded and they know that the "results not typical" disclaimer means that most of these programs and such dont work for a high percentage of people.

i agree that there are a lot of lazy people out there, but i think for most, the un-willingness to work has a lot to do with how much confidence they have their work will actually pay off.

over the years, i have watched things go from real world advice to more and more hyped up products promising the world. but as someone who has bought many if not most of the IM products on the market, their has been relatively little changed in the actual content.

basically i am saying the IM tactics are almost exactly the same as they were many years ago but they are now being sold as "instant cash" systems rather than "how to systems".

i know some things have changed like facebook and such, but for those of you who have been around 10+ years, you realize that most of the things that worked then, work now. and that even for facebook, most of the "fad" tricks dont work as well as tried and true marketing tactics work when applied to the facebook format.

i guess my point is that i dont just see it as people being un-willing to work. i see it as people not really believing their work will pay off. which i understand is more their problem than anyone elses, but lets not act like IMers in general have not over promised and under delivered.

It's kinda sorta obvious if you remove the emotional reactions that anything worth gaining...will always take time and effort.

But people will always search for that silver bullet of zero work and then complain when riches fail to shower upon them.

Smart people know:

I'm right in the middle of reading Ryan Blair's book, Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain. Ryan's a serial entrepreneur and a multi-millionaire. He calls this phenomenon the myth of effortless prosperity.

This mindset would work not only online; but in the rest of our lives as well. Whether it be a day job or a relationship with your family/loved ones, everything takes a bit of work. Of course this will fall on a lot of deaf ears; but it is inspirational to those of us who know what you are getting at. Great post!

Loved the "wantapreneur" line...

It's funny, but everything that I have in this life - outside of IM - I got because I worked hard to position myself to a point where I was able to achieve success.

One of the problems for us that do this part-time while we are figuring out how to do this right is that we tend to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out the "shortcut" that will make it work into something so that we can quit our J-O-B. What we need to do is find a model, put the time that we spend looking for the "magic bullet" and apply that to that one model until we get it right.

But most of us won't.

We would do well to listen to what Thomas Edison said:

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. "

Yes, Tim, it sucks that you didn't have more takers of your offer. But look at it this way -- they weren't the people that would have been good students anyway.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Most people would read the line above as: Opportunity Is Nowhere...

Others will see it as: Opportunity Is Now Here!

So, yes, it's a matter of mind set.

You make $200K a year and you're upset because folks didn't get into this particular webinar?? How much were you you charging? Do you think that the people who attended have as much disposable income as you? Are you taking folks by the hand and truly interested in them making money, or are you pitching yet another product that many of us who want to be just as successful as yourself have bought into time and time again?

I don't know you, so please don't think I'm bashing you and I am glad to always here when people are successful, but what is your commitment to the people you presented to?

As a guy trying to figure this stuff out, I just don't have your experience nor the money to spend on everything presented. I wasn't at the webinar, but I take a bit of offense at your characterization of folks being lazy or whatever simply because they didn't buy your product.

Dude you make 200K!

Thank you tim...putting my overalls back on...dang it

Great post I agree some people out their just want it easy

Yep. I totally agree. I mentored many people who spent good money for my time and in the end none followed through on it. I was really bummed. Yes, I liked the money but I knew what I was telling them worked. They just did not have the drive to follow through .. sad!

Great post and great inspiration to remind myself :Why am I doing this?

One of the reasons I am devoting my limited time and resources at this IM thing is because I KNEW it took hard work - and figured I can outsmart and/or outwork those who think there is an easy button.

Of course, that is easy to remember when you first start. Objectively I think I have been doing pretty good, but I am still a long way from meeting my primary goal.

The problem is that this is a lot of work! I find my self fighting to stay on task. Sometimes I pretend to work by checking my website rank and stats every 2 hours. I even spend 2x as much time on this forum as I should. That lets me say I am working without actually working.

The difficult part is pushing through the beginning. I guess if I want to have a chance to make it I just need to push part this tough spot. Work harder and more focused than the others who get weeded out at this point.

Sorry that you didn't get the sales you were hoping for, but thanks for turning that into a quality post for us.

Thanks for the inspiration! One thing that's tough for me is trying to KEEP going, not getting going. Getting to a few hundred dollars a month was really tough. It took way more time and money than I thought it would. In fact, after outsourcing bills, my actual earnings aren't anywhere near where they need to be yet.

So, it's hard to convince yourself to keep doing the same thing everyday when you're not seeing the results people have led you to expect. After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over without getting different results.

But as everyone here knows, it takes a long time. That's the tradeoff for passive income, I guess. And it's worth it! For all of those people who are "in the middle" (i.e., not total noobs, making some money but moving slowly), I feel your pain. Keep going!

If hard work was the only item necessary for making a "fortune" then many would have been rich a long time ago. work is relative, everyone works, in one form or another. if money were important to everyone, they would have it. the REAL secret is learning how to communicate what you offer to others values-period. if the person who pushes a broom for a living who's highest value is his family, he is hating that broom most of the time. when he learns that with every broom push is security and welfare for his loved ones, i am sure it pushes that much easier-we found his values. money has never been a high value to me, but when i "anchored" making money to what is to me (my wife and kids) i made multiple 7 figures (offline) in a few years. keep up the good work, and i love that Thomas Edison quote and have it in my office as well. thank goodness there are those who settle for less, as those of us willing to pay the price ensure we can achieve much. Dr. Mike

Tim, you hit the nail on the head when you explained the difference between entrepreneurs and wantapreneurs. There are people who want to do it but are not willing to put in the work.

This has been something that bothered me for a while with my friends and family. They see me sit at my computer from time to time and then cashing ClickBank checks and getting PayPal payments. They always ask if I can help them get into it. I start explaining the basics behind it and it always goes the same...

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. That sounds like a lot of time and work! Why would I do that?"

I just kind of sigh because they obviously don't get it. I put in a lot of time and work. It is a labor of love for me though, so they don't see it. They just see me happily clicking away.

I put as much time and energy into my websites as possible. I do earn my money by working. I just don't go to an office, I pick my own hours, and I have the ability to take a day off if I want without having to clear it with anyone. In fact, I probably put in MORE hours than they do with their jobs right now, not less.

AMAZING post, and so right - work is essential in this business!

Just s shame that if you go to the WSO forum right now, at whatever moment you are reading this, and you'll find so many WSO's with over-inflated claims...!

I've learnt more reading through the free stuff here in the last 3 months, than anything in a paid-for system or ebook! Hey, I'm even thinking of joining the War Room ;-))

Keep goin,

Andy

Great Post!!!

While I am sorry to hear your sales were not as expected, the message rings clear, there is nothing more rewarding than doing the work. While few will ever succeed, it's no surprise why so many fail.

They hear the word; "Work" and breakout into an allergic reaction. Not me. I have been banging away for nearly 8 months, some 20 hour days, some less than productive, and I still haven't even started letting the focus of money obscure the bigger picture.

The 'emphasis' that so many place on the money without 'rationalizing' the work it takes to develop a business and automate it... and to be able to earn 6-figures working only 20 hours per week, are seriously disillusioned by all the hype.

I's bet my last 'silver dollar' that the OP spent many long hours, and perhaps a few sleepless nights long before seeing that first $100 month. In any and or all probability, another several hours getting to the $1,000 per month level.

Yet, many foolishly believe they will enter this arena like some "Ninja Bull Fighter" armed with a red super-hero cape and master the art of IM over-night?

Not me.

I'm still trying to 'crack' that first $1,000 month. However, more importantly... I am not nearly as concerned for achieving that goal, as I am willing to look at the long-term rewards, the time I have invested, the money invested, the REALITY that when I do release my first product... it needs to be right.

By right, I mean beneficial to others. Provide value to others first and foremost, even if at your expense if need be. As Napoleon Hill stated; "Always give more then that which you are being paid."

Frustration is my middle name right now, but none-the-less, I am still compiling (working) and assembling the pieces in a manner befitting to inspire, encourage, and equip others with far more value then I seek in reward.

This is a formula I applied offline, and was employing in my small business for nearly 20 years. Therefore, I understand the OP's frustration. There is nothing worse then being 2nd rated by "hyped-up" bullsh!t... and those who prey on the unsuspecting, as opposed to keeping it 'real' as the 'sign' implies!

When you look at this business, think of it like this... if you pursue the path that promises riches and seldom delivers, you might luck into a cash windfall. But, in doing so, you are NOT helping anyone less yourself, and in this mindset you are NOT successful at all, you're simply leading the sheep to the slaughter.

Hence, you're NOT helping others, and you complicate the process for honest business owners like the OP. That's the reality here.

Stop cutting corners, do the work, maintain integrity, respect this as a business, and by doing so you'll be there quicker than you think. Heck, 7 months ago, I didn't know what a web-editor was?

Today reading posts like this prepares me for future trials and errors in dealing with the horsesh!t that is slowly costing honest business opportunities to suffer, while the public feasts on cheap cons and promises of instant riches.

It's a shame. It's also proven to be why less than 10% will ever earn an income online.

If it were up to me, I'd say the device in which you are reading this from is a "TOOL" and is a vehicle capable of taking you anywhere you want to go in life... if you treat it with the respect and knowledge it deserves.

Yet, people think IM is some video game that can be beat in a week... searching for some mysterious cheat code that guarantees you'll avoid doing work. :confused:

Stop playing games, start working with the tools you have been privileged, and despite the temptation avoid taking shortcuts at all costs.

Leveraging your time, efforts, and money is doable through outsourcing, but not until one learns the tools of the trade... respectively, of course.

All the Best,

Art

Hello,

The quick-fix mentality is certainly spreading like a virus. Although I must admit I also love the tech bandwagon full of iphones, ipads and super cool white boards that make our jobs much easier. However, I learned a lesson in the martial arts early on in life and it has stuck with me this whole time:

If you want the have free time in the end - then you will have to sacrifice it in the beginning. Simply, put - work hard so you can play hard.

I have that lifestyle now, but I know it wasn't built on a strategy of "learn to be a reiki master in a weekend" or "how to give up your secure job so you can learn to be a life coach in less than a year."

It doesn't mean you can't learn good strategies to work smarter and put the real philosophy of tactics like the 4-hour Workweek to use. Anyone who knows the strategy of business will know it's not about 4 Hours in the beginning. It's a END goal.

I remember going through the Internet Marketing Training program of finding a NICHE market. Most programs are sold to people as a make money EASY online strategy. I've been in the online business on some level for 20 years and I still don't think it's EASY. Just searching for a niche and running it through all the tests can drive a normal person crazy.

Yes, being online is EASIER on many levels and yes you can reach a larger audience, but it still takes WORK and very often - a lot of work.

But, if you target your work and don't call moving things around work - you will reach your goals.

I have a hard time reading posts these days because it can be challenging to tell if a person is being sincere or using this angle to really promote themselves or their products.

Even this post confused me. I can't tell if this is another attempt to attract more leads and express how much money they make or is it just a genuine post about work. It has certainly inspired a lot of response and maybe that is why there are so many people looking for the quick-fix. Too much advertising out there about how easy it is. We are part of the problem too.

I often wonder if a person that sells a niche ebook for $50,000 can repeat that strategy or do they have to try to sell their success of how they made $50,000 to make any more money. I know I met a few of these people in the motivational speaking industry. The types that make a lot of money, teaching other people how to make a lot of money - but they didn't make any money until they started selling that dream Before that they sold hot dogs.

Guess we are all a part of that reality on some level and I too sell the dream though I back up my conscience with sweat and hard work so I know I am truly earning my way. So, thank you for the post to help me keep my eyes open, see what is out there and continue to learn and grow.

WHY is this such a HOT TOPIC?

Its the mindset I think the internet portrays. You can access it from home, suffer the entire world from one location, send an email half across the planet, connect with some with literally no effort but a keyboard and a mouse.

Its sad to say but our generation is becoming lazy day by day and year by year as technoblogy advances. Sure there are advantages of technology and internet or else we all won't be here on this board but the fact of the matter is there are also drawbacks just like anything else.

Some of my friends ask me how is it even possible for you to make money from the internet? And I ask them in return how is it even possible for you to make money from a job? There answer: well you go to work every morning...my answer I go to work as well.

The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

Hi Tim:

Break it down and make it simple for them so they can see. Like they need to understand that less work means less money. Still, it is possible to spend only 10 hours a week and make some money. However, most people do not understand the aff game.

Getting to the top requires an excess of energy. Sadly, many people are tired after putting in long hours at the office and cannot bring themselves to do more. I have noticed some similarities among people who are a success. Like they tend to have a lot more energy.

Ah Tim, I hear thee.

Work is inevitable. Sometimes it sucks, sometimes it's exciting.

Sounds like you lost sales by presenting things in an objective light. (i.e. NOT "no work involved! Turn-key, one-click!!")

But it's all good. The people who want it bad enough will succeed and those who don't won't. It's sad and painful because god, we all want to see people have better, more interesting lives, with more freedom of time, place and finances but the Comfort Zone is scary powerful.

I'd even go so far as to say that your success is directly proportional to your tolerance for discomfort. The sad irony is that nothing is more miserable than a "comfortable" existence...just speaking for myself here but I know a lot of Warriors can feel me on that one...

What an inspiring post, and what a reality check it is in these financially challenged times. Sadly, most people do not want to work a second job as they see it, as they have better things to do with their time, such as maybe watch the tv, or watch paint dry.

The reality in internet marketing as in life is that anything worthwhile takes effort, and the more you put in, eventually the more you get out of your endeavour. I think people today are looking for too many quick fixes, and cannot see beyond their limited thinking, we all had these limited thoughts, but those of us that have taken the action, will always be more successful as we know we have to make it happen, instead waiting for it to happen.

I just wish I had listened to my dear old granddad when he told me that hard and smart work are the way to be successful, that way I would have been financially free in my 20's instead of working away in my 40's, still we live and learn, and with God's good grace, and my beautiful 5 year old daughter, I now see the value of that advice.

You see... what we have here is one of them there
communication problems.

Tim told them what they needed to know... NOT
what they wanted to know.

He told 'em it takes work... they wanted to hear it's
easy.

<sigh>

John

That is my new favorite saying (just added it as my GTalk Status.) However, I am really convinced that there are some born to lead and others who are born to follow. The followers want easy money and are not willing to sacrifice their tv shows, video games and sleep to spend the required time and effort that is needed to make it in IM. While leaders are willing to do whatever it takes for as long as it it takes until they succeed.

Calvin Coolidge
30th President of the United States (1923-1929)

What...no easy button?

Everything requires "WORK" if you want success!

There...I said it because most people are searching for the "magic button". Guess what there isn't one!

Let me ask you a question, "Why do you think the percentage of wealthy people in the world is so small?"

Like 3%, out of 7 Billion people! That's right because it takes commitment, persistence, passion, and believing in your ideas!

Don't forget every successful person has had failures! If it was that easy, I'm sure the percentage would be a lot higher.

Don't let it deter you, but inspire you to do whatever you were meant to do!

I always think of Thomas Edison. Guess how many times he failed before successfully inventing the incandescent light bulb?
...10,000 times!

What...it can't be that many! Maybe we could believe 10, 100, or even 1000 times, but I know when I think of the actual number...it always blows my mind!!

Can you imagine where any of us would be if he decided to give up? Hmmmm, things would be a lot different.

If you focus, don't stop, and have faith you will succeed, but I ask another question....

How bad do you want it?

The percentages speak loudly. Most people give up before they arrive.

Why? Just one word, "FEAR"!

I can speak from experience...it's very powerful.

Should I or shouldn't I? The shoulda, coulda, woulda scenario only leads one into regret.

My favorite author, after only one other said,

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.Dream. Discover"
- MARK TWAIN

I passed this and read it everyday on the bulletin board in college. I remember exactly where it was...just a small paper on the left, not a big, bold banner for all to see. I was guided toward it, and allowed me to do some international traveling which was life changing!

I've got some good stories to tell...but that's another day!

So I urge you to take a look at yourself first and decide where you want to be. It's up to you. Only you can make the decision. There is no right or wrong, only what is best for you.

Take a look because it is happening daily, any person, with any skill can succeed.

Until tomorrow...enjoy and sleep on it!

Drop me a line! missjuliekilmer@gmail.com

Peace and Success,

Julie Kilmer aka MissJulie

Hey Tim,

First, thanks for sharing that, it is nice to know everyone has their moments of struggle.

Personally I find if you put out products that are detailed training but are upfront with people it takes effort, you lose em. LOL.
The things that people look for are that elusive dream that only becomes reality once roadblocks are removed, focus and determination are applied and you slowly but surely climb the mountain, granted some have had the fortune on being able to launch into success but for the most part the ones who are at the top know what it takes and the ones on the way up have the same understanding you have to be willing to fail as much as you are to succeed.

The only factor that separates anyone from success is determination so if you can have a plan tweak it as needed and focus on your stuff then slowly barriers get broken and financial landmarks take place first the initial thousand then 5 thousand 10 onwards. that stuff can never happen if you don't try and refuse to give up. I have had more failures then I can count but I learn from each thing which makes me that much more wiser and empowers that much more to continue. People I understand want things NOW but it takes a long time to get it.
You have brightened my day man !
cheers
-WD