Newbies . . its harder than you want it to be.

46 replies
I am a newbie myself. I started my blog about 3 months ago. I have just now got over 200 unique visitors for December, and I still have not made any money. I build back links regularly, and my traffic is increasing but it is not as easy as we dream it will be. Be sure it is something you truly want to pursue and dedicate yourself too before wasting any money on your marketing adventure because it is not going to happen overnight and you will spend much of your time frustrated and almost discouraged.

Sammy
#harder #newbies
  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    No doubt about it Sammy. Making money without having to leave your home will never be easy at first. I'm sure most of the successful people on this site started off at a painfully slow rate. What separates the more successful internet marketing entrepreneurs from the less successful ones is sheer patience, and the ability to learn as you progress. This is a common misconception held by people who are either new to the field or not in it at all. Good job clearing it up.

    Yasir
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthoni
      Originally Posted by YasirYar View Post

      What separates the more successful internet marketing entrepreneurs from the less successful ones is sheer patience
      This is it in a nutshell. Hard work, Patience and never giving up (which is basically Patience on another level).

      Keep struggling forward, it will pay off eventually.
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      • Profile picture of the author livo
        A lot of people seem to think making money on the internet is easy!
        Maybe it is for some,but for the majority it is really hard and that is the vast majority quit!

        I started out two years ago and it took me around two months to reach my first sale,this coming from an affiliate membership sale.

        In the next three months i added another nine members,then started building Amazon stores and lots of other niche sites.

        I quickly started buying lots of WSO`S and then the dreaded information overload kicked in.

        I totally lost my track and my earnings went from a few hundred dollars a month down to around thirty!

        I very nearly quit but i did not and have decided to start again from scratch and just concentrate on maybe 2 or 3 sites.
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        • Profile picture of the author Anthoni
          Originally Posted by livo View Post

          A lot of people seem to think making money on the internet is easy!
          Maybe it is for some,but for the majority it is really hard and that is the vast majority quit!

          I started out two years ago and it took me around two months to reach my first sale,this coming from an affiliate membership sale.

          In the next three months i added another nine members,then started building Amazon stores and lots of other niche sites.

          I quickly started buying lots of WSO`S and then the dreaded information overload kicked in.
          I think you perhaps got a little over excited there matey. Also falling for them B.S.O.'s (Bright Shiny Objects).
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  • Profile picture of the author JeremiahSay
    Yes making money online is not easy at first, but after you have gone through the difficult step it becomes easy, NEVER give up.. Happy 2012

    May God bless you,
    Jeremiah
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnWiz
      Hey Sammy,

      It's definitely an uphill climb at the start, especially if you don't have any sort of guidance at all.

      But I'm glad you've a realistic view of this IM journey, because success sure doesn't happen overnight for 99.9% of marketers. Many see it as a lottery ticket and give up when they don't get the winning numbers.

      March on buddy!
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  • Profile picture of the author FrankieTP2
    Making money is simple, but it's not easy. But although it is not as you dreamed it would be, if you persevere you will accomplish great things.
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  • Profile picture of the author greenleaf5
    You are right. Making money online is as difficult, if not more, as earning income through a brick-and-mortar business. I think hard work and patience pays over time. Do not be discouraged, keep working and success will eventually smile on you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tonylee93
    I feel like if you give up all that work is for nothing, keep with it! I am finally making some good money and I don`t even have my own site yet. I do plan on in the future building a list and a website/blog to support that. Overall, don`t give up and rinse and repeat truly works!
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    • Profile picture of the author SammyTucker
      Originally Posted by Tonylee93 View Post

      I feel like if you give up all that work is for nothing, keep with it! I am finally making some good money and I don`t even have my own site yet. I do plan on in the future building a list and a website/blog to support that. Overall, don`t give up and rinse and repeat truly works!
      How are you doing that? Article marketing?
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  • Profile picture of the author uttoransen
    hi Sammy,
    did you, by any chance, made another "make money online" or "tech gadgets" blog?
    is the 200 visitors that you have, are mostly coming from stumbleupon and other such sites... ?

    If you are on a niche and you got 200+ search engine traffic a month, i would say you are doing a great job. Now try to scale it up. Here are a few things for you to do:

    1) Add articles - try writing 800+ words article, atleast 3 a week. Try to write on topics that are searched, your title matters and so does the description. Don't focus on the keywords much, just make sure you are writing for your readers.

    2) Do guest posts - find quality blogs on your niche and try to get a guest post on those blogs. There are plenty of such blogs that accept guest posts, just make sure to send them your best content and it will be a worthy link.

    3) Keep the posting schedule and keep working hard. You will see results but they will come slowly. Don't get disappointed, perhaps in the next 6 to 8 months, you can reach 200+ daily visitors too... just keep up the hard work.

    4) Do a bit of social media work as well - Good to keep an active twitter and facebook page.

    From there on, just keep adding articles and things will improve.
    cheers,
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    • Profile picture of the author SammyTucker
      Originally Posted by uttoransen View Post

      hi Sammy,
      did you, by any chance, made another "make money online" or "tech gadgets" blog?
      is the 200 visitors that you have, are mostly coming from stumbleupon and other such sites... ?

      If you are on a niche and you got 200+ search engine traffic a month, i would say you are doing a great job. Now try to scale it up. Here are a few things for you to do:

      1) Add articles - try writing 800+ words article, atleast 3 a week. Try to write on topics that are searched, your title matters and so does the description. Don't focus on the keywords much, just make sure you are writing for your readers.

      2) Do guest posts - find quality blogs on your niche and try to get a guest post on those blogs. There are plenty of such blogs that accept guest posts, just make sure to send them your best content and it will be a worthy link.

      3) Keep the posting schedule and keep working hard. You will see results but they will come slowly. Don't get disappointed, perhaps in the next 6 to 8 months, you can reach 200+ daily visitors too... just keep up the hard work.

      4) Do a bit of social media work as well - Good to keep an active twitter and facebook page.

      From there on, just keep adding articles and things will improve.
      cheers,

      Actually my blog is about dating and seduction and most of my traffic is coming from search engines and blogs that I have left comments on. I really don't know much about making money online yet so it would be a little absurd for me to be blogging about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author mvirtual
    It is always hard on the beginning. You should work hard and learn as much as possible when you start your online business if you want make money. It it is not easy, but if you put some effort into it success will follow.
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    • Profile picture of the author laurenceh
      Folks,

      Building a successful business or service that makes money on a continuous basis takes hard work.

      No two ways about it. There's no secret sauces, no magic bullets.

      You need patience, determination, a large dose of common sense, and a drive to help and improve the lives of your customers.

      Very few people go to bed one night and wake up millionaires.

      HOWEVER...

      Once you realise building a business, be it online or offline takes hard work, it becomes a darn site easier.
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  • Profile picture of the author helisell
    I'm terribly sorry to step in and p7$$ on your bonfires but...it isn't
    that difficult to make money.

    The money you make will be in direct proportion to the value you are putting out.

    If there's nothing coming in....then you may now know why.

    Honestly...(I mean really honestly) are you putting out value?

    A few blog posts is NOT great value if I can get similar information elsewhere.

    Good Luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author IM Alex
      Originally Posted by helisell View Post

      I'm terribly sorry to step in and p7$$ on your bonfires but...it isn't
      that difficult to make money.

      The money you make will be in direct proportion to the value you are putting out.

      If there's nothing coming in....then you may now know why.

      Honestly...(I mean really honestly) are you putting out value?

      A few blog posts is NOT great value if I can get similar information elsewhere.

      Good Luck.

      Words of wisdom.
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  • Profile picture of the author Yulia from DNP
    Hey,
    Its nice to see that you are not giving up on that.
    Newbies who decide to try and make it online are come with unreal expectation of how their journey will look like. "FAST EASY MONEY". this is what people are hearing about all the time and the unreal promises fade away as fast as they come.
    SO, really, just wanted to say, that i can tell that you are here to stay and its great.
    This is definitely not the last frustrating post you will write. But don't you worry about that. what you will learn from that, will only help you to understand which way to go.
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  • Profile picture of the author barbling
    Making money online has to be approached like a long-term business.

    I have making money online since 1997 and have had some awesome years, some lousy years, and 2012 looks to be the best yet!

    In 1997, I was quite the newbie *but* I had the right product at the right time with the right mentor who opened the right doors for me and I cleared 250K that year.

    I cleared that as well in 2005 when I broke the Google code.

    Other years have been extremely slim or really good or, meh?

    So, for all my past 15 years of making money online, here's my secrets.

    1.) Build your list.

    No matter what you're doing, build your list! Back in 2005, I was ranking in the top 10 for any keyword imaginable (remember Google Adsense for 'mesothelioma lawyer' back then?), but did NOT bother to add optin forms.

    Been kicking myself ever since.

    2.) Benefit your customers.

    Over-deliver on your products. Give customer-care followups. Every now and then, give a free gift to your list members.

    3.) Become an authority in your niche.

    That's kinda common-sense - if you're the go-to person in your niche, well....everyone goes to you!

    4.) Write products and make it worthwhile for affiliates to promote you.

    The plain fact is, by yourself, you will NOT make it into the big leagues.

    You need to make it worthwhile for affiliates to promote you. That means that when you're starting out, offer 75% or 100% affiliate commission.

    Your affiliates will profit with money and you'll profit by growing your list.

    It will take time and it will take effort but it will definitely pay off in the long run.

    Hope that helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Warriors
    For me, making money online is easier than any "job" I've ever had. It's been a long time since I had a job, but as far as I recall, at pretty much all jobs, your employer wants you to keep yourself busy with stupid bean counting tasks that are not only every bit as tedious as SEO backlinking and other IM tasks, but actually way worse, because they aren't even building toward any actual goal.

    yeeeeeaaaaah.

    I'll take the tedious parts of IM over the tedious parts of office work any day.
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    • Profile picture of the author MoneySavingLisa
      Honestly.. I believe that it is hard work, and I've made money unintentionally and easily out of my hobby of saving money. Last month I made a little over $277.

      I think it depends on a lot of factors. I purchased maybe 2-3 WSO's that were totally worth it. I think as a newbie, that's almost a necessary step. I know more know than I did when I started my website. Persistence is key, and typically people don't even start making money in two months time. Yes, my dream is to make money online now that I unintentionally have been but I'm still learning too. I def would be surprised to make anything from micro niche sites anytime soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author GSMarketing
    Of course it's going to be hard work to establish an online business if it was easy everyone would do it with huge success. The hard work should not be seen as a deterent though nor should it be pointed out to potential online entrepreuners as one. The hard work is a given.

    I believe the main thing that holds people back is a fear and impatience in not seeing results quickly (when they are working hard). Even more so if they have responsibilities such as a mortgage etc. Unfortunately I see online business as that which people turn to when they get desperate and want to make money fast. They come in without a plan and invariably don't see results quick enough even if they put in hard work. That's why there are so many threads about how to make money fast, what to do if you are desperate etc. If people approached this like a normal business in the real world they would be a lot more successful.

    Thanks

    G
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  • Profile picture of the author steve-wilkins
    too true! I personally made no money in my first year of internet marketing! I actually lost around $7000!

    However with patience, persistance and dedication I now live the life I always wanted and work for myself and have recently acquired brand new offices in which to expand my business.

    If you are new at internet marketing then please remeber one thing, all the information you need to succeed is out there if you have the persistance and dedictaion to find it, take it onboard and use it! Google can be your best freind if you want it to be so if you are going to do anything in 2012 I wuld suggest getting off your ass and finding the information you need to help you suceed online. Oh and I mean that in the nicest possible way

    I also understand that not everyone will find it easy to succeed online on their own and if you happen to be one of those people then I would suggest doing what I did 3 years ago and find yourself a suitable mentor from who you can learn from, copy and implement everything they do until you areat a level that you can go it alone.

    Whatever you decide to do, may wish you all the best for 2012!!
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    • Profile picture of the author SammyTucker
      Hmmm. Not bad advice. Where do you find such a mentor? Just look until you find someone willing to help you?
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      • Profile picture of the author steve-wilkins
        Originally Posted by SammyTucker View Post

        Hmmm. Not bad advice. Where do you find such a mentor? Just look until you find someone willing to help you?
        You can simply type something like ''internet marketing mentor'' in google and do a search but make sure you check their backgrounds thoroughly before deciding. I personally used John Thornhill as my mentor as he offers a a full years mentoring and even offers a trial period. See my sig for more info if interested. Alll the best
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  • Profile picture of the author rrm
    Originally Posted by SammyTucker View Post

    It's harder than you want it to be.
    For most newbies, from what I've seen, this is true. For some, succeeding might come naturally and be relatively easy. For others, it can be profoundly difficult for a variety of reasons. Many struggle for a long time. But whether success is easy or hard, it's definitely harder than most of us want it to be.

    Ron
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    It's not enough to want it... you have to want it enough.

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  • Profile picture of the author Troy Broussard
    It really all starts with, as others have said above, what you are offering. To gain traffic from Google via Organic search you have to "earn" it. You do that with lots of great unique content and a lot of backlinks to your site. The fact is that the Internet, just like everything else, is becoming more and more competitive and Google only wants the "cream" to float to the top - so you have to be that. You have to be one of the best sites in your niche. Now, all that, of course, assumes you're talking about organic traffic.

    The "build up" phase (the time it takes to getting profitable online) is what, in my opinion, is beautiful about Internet Marketing. It's simple yes, but not easy. And for that very reason it truly separates the men from the boys when it comes to being successful. Anyone can throw up a site in 10 minutes yes. But making a full time income is a totally different story and takes a tremendous amount of perseverance and determination, much less getting to the six and seven figure milestones.

    And then there's the other thing... why is it that just because you don't have a boss so many people think that it is "easy"? The fact is that many people need a boss and being able to structure your own work day, goals and weekly tasks is not something that everyone is cut out to do - and that's okay too...

    Good luck and stick with it...
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael951
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      Yes, funny thing about IM, is if you work hard, learn as much as you can, and work towards being the best you can be, then success eventually catches up with you.

      Or put it another way, after a reasonable period of effort, you do the best you can do, and you start making money from it, then if necessary you put all your effort into this one thing and it becomes profitable, in the true sense of the word.

      Then after that breakthrough you attain success far more easily and quickly than you have before, or attain a six figure income.

      I have been at this for 4 years and counting, and can testify to the hard work and failure, with the occasional small success, to keep you going or keep you believing that this online thing actually works!

      And ignoring the ravings of your friends and family, l have heard or read about several of the most successful IM,ers out there, and they all have had most of their friends call them names that l couldn't say here, as well as keep clear of them, etc.

      Makes sense that you nearest family member, who is working hard in a job, is seeing you not succeed for years on end as insanity, etc.


      Same thing happened to Edison, and he changed the world!!!


      I am at the tipping point now between success and failure, or l believe that success is only a matter of steps away. Obviously there is a lot of hard work between me and real success, but that is ok.


      So work hard, be the best you can be, put your blinkers on, (if necessary) and success will automatically happen!!!


      Shane
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  • Profile picture of the author tjcreation
    Making money is always hard work - whether you have a "regular" job or work for yourself. You need to always remember to treat what you are doing as a business. If running a blog is not satisfying, remember there are many, many ways to make money online. I believe everyone should explore all options that may make them happy in their business. An old offline example that I have always remembered refers to the gold rush. "It was the one's that sold that shovels that made the money - not the gold diggers."
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  • Profile picture of the author Emily Meeks
    If you focus on how hard every step of the way is, that's all you're ever going to see. Working towards your goals becomes a chore - then tendency to get overwhelmed, drag ass, etc etc etc

    You built your blog, you're increasing traffic. A lot of people don't even get THAT far, so consider that a Success.

    How can YOU expand on that Success? Starts with perspective.

    I'm not going to pretend that shifting perspective is any walk of the park - years of mental conditioning (particularly if it's nasty) vs foreign idea... you can bet which side will win, unless you consciously give your energy to that shift in perspective.

    It can be done.

    You've already got a few accomplishments under wing. Provided that this is what you really WANT to do, stick with it and expand on your achievements. Ask yourself... what will YOU focus on?
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    In all that you do, know your True INTENT...

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  • Profile picture of the author lagger
    Thats why I started with the low hanging fruit, then worked my way up.
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  • Profile picture of the author paul_1
    I agree with the rest... Making money was never easy at first. You have to have that goal that will keep you on track. Otherwise, you will surrender earlier that you'd expect. It's a difficult journey that you need to learn. But once you figured it out and you get the hang of it - it will be one of your sweetest success you can ever feel
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  • Wow! Guys is it really that hard to make money online? For some maybe but for me it's not that hard! The thing is you have to learn what to do to make money and then you have to do it! It's really is that simple! Now if it takes you 12 months to learn what to do and another 12 months to do it then it might seem hard to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author SammyTucker
    You guys are very inspirational. I haven't given up hope. I may have had only 200 uniques last month but it wasn't hard to get that many and my bounce rate was 6% and over 9 pages viewed per visitor so I obviously have good content that keeps them there reading. I haven't had any optins yet though. I am going to change it up and offer something else as a give-away.

    And this month I am shooting for at least 400 uniques. See if I can't double it up.
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    • Profile picture of the author lagger
      Originally Posted by SammyTucker View Post

      You guys are very inspirational. I haven't given up hope. I may have had only 200 uniques last month but it wasn't hard to get that many and my bounce rate was 6% and over 9 pages viewed per visitor so I obviously have good content that keeps them there reading. I haven't had any optins yet though. I am going to change it up and offer something else as a give-away.

      And this month I am shooting for at least 400 uniques. See if I can't double it up.
      Well brother if you post an article on my article directories ill help you out and run a senuke campain on them, that will help you with some link juice and maybe get you some traffic.. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author timb98133
    No it’s not easy, but it’s worth it in the long run. The trick is to NEVER give up!! Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author mimi k
    We've all been through the struggle and started out as newbies...don't be discouraged keep it up!
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  • Profile picture of the author Eduard Stinga
    If you keep doing this, in 1-2 years from now you'll see that what you did so far could have been done much faster. It's called experience and it takes time to get it, but there's no shortcut really.
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  • Profile picture of the author lukedidit
    Well if you don't get anywhere you could always take up trying to sell info to other internet marketers.
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  • Profile picture of the author jardi
    Banned
    seo its an old difficult world! try out something else, and dont expect to become rich in one single day, seriously!

    positive thoughts means just one thing: positive income!
    wish you good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author JeromyS
    It seems to be that when you really really need it to get off the ground is when it is hardest. Look to some of the gurus and notice how they seem to generate money every time they send an email. Look at big product launches and they win the prizes (more money and swag). There is a saying that I have heard many of times since entering this industry. It is hardest to make your first dollar, after that, it typically gets easier.

    Hang in there, have faith and keep working!

    Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author tropvik
    Originally Posted by SammyTucker View Post

    I am a newbie myself. I started my blog about 3 months ago. I have just now got over 200 unique visitors for December, and I still have not made any money. I build back links regularly, and my traffic is increasing but it is not as easy as we dream it will be. Be sure it is something you truly want to pursue and dedicate yourself too before wasting any money on your marketing adventure because it is not going to happen overnight and you will spend much of your time frustrated and almost discouraged.

    Sammy
    I recommend you guys check out Jim Collin's good to great.

    Related to this post, check out the chapter that talks about:

    The Flywheel Effect

    The Doom Loop

    Although that book is more of a corporate read, i found those principles to make me take independent project with lots more patience and diligence since i go in expecting the challenge.
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    • Profile picture of the author cherchar
      Making Money Online takes a lot of guts and willpower. What got me at first was that I'm not so tech savvy. So learning all the technical stuff like setting up WP or a website isn't always an easy task. There are lots of steps to learning down the road, and I kept feeling like I was stonewalled. I think if you stay focused, it's the one key that will keep you on the road to success in due time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Ong CW
    IM is just like exercising. It is going to be hard and painful in the initial stages but you become stronger if you carry-on and ends up being easy at the end of the day.
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