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Are IMers slowly becoming disillusioned?

by JimMichael
15 replies
I see a lot of posts where people have worked solidly at IM for 6 months, and post to say they have just made their first $100.

Certainly not knocking their hard work, I commend their spirit and drive - but most people can earn $100 with a lot less effort in other jobs.

With the culture of IM, do you feel those working within it are working far too hard for the return?

I bashed away at affiliate marketing for a few months and made $160 (probably around 200 hours of work). Then I launched a business away from IM, still working from home, and beat my employed income three-fold.

Looking back, things like affiliate marketing were going to take dozens of hours to earn a dollar. However, a more traditional business was able to earn me dozens of dollars in an hour.

What do you think?
#disillusioned #imers #slowly
  • Profile picture of the author billyme
    I don't think it's a case of making $100, it's that their making their FIRST $100 (as you've stated). That being the case, their upfront investment of time and possibly money wasn't about making that $100.. once they make that, it's a sign they've got the resources to make it to the next level (less work for more money). It's a lot of upfront investment and it's definitely not for everybody.

    Dave
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    • Profile picture of the author Devin X
      Banned
      I agree with Jim. I spent countless hours as an affiliate and only made a few thousand within my first year. i know that's better than most, but everyone kept telling me that I was better off working a JOB since I was trading so much time and not getting much money in return.

      I didn't listen because I'm making IM work. No way I'm ever working a JOB again unless it's on my own terms.

      Anyway, it wasn't until I created my own products that I began earning good money online. So I completely relate to what Jim's saying. And yes, I believe many people are becoming disillusioned by the reality of IM today.

      I have many friends and acquaintances inside and outside of IM that have unrealistic expectations of it, and only get more upset when I tell them my own story...most people won't wanna put that much time and effort in so they are ready to quit.

      I'm not sure how this will change either, since the rules to the game are always changing, and with the prospect of legislation coming in the picture...i don't think things will get easier for us.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sillysoft
    Well first you have to understand, a lot of these people who dont make a lot right away are new to the game. So it takes time to learn the trade and to me there are a lot of components to IM that you need to learn.

    In my case Im tired working almost 20 hours a day making the "man" a lot of money while I get thrown some peanuts here and there. So I want to use the skills I have to make all that money for myself.
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    • Profile picture of the author JimMichael
      I agree, the learning curve is and was huge.

      For me though, I wasn't cut out for it. Was happier to use a different model to make money.

      You have to pat the guys on the back making the $150,000+ a year through AM, although I do believe they are few and far between.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    I think your comments are pretty accurate.

    Many people don't really understand the opportunity cost of their time. In truth, most would be better off turning off the computer and getting a minimum wage job.

    However, the allure of working from home and controlling your own destiny is just too strong to pass up for many.

    Most people are not trying to start a business, they are just trying to make money. That is why they fail. They don't understand the difference in the two.
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    • Profile picture of the author JimMichael
      Originally Posted by David Keith View Post

      I think your comments are pretty accurate.

      Many people don't really understand the opportunity cost of their time. In truth, most would be better off turning off the computer and getting a minimum wage job.

      However, the allure of working from home and controlling your own destiny is just too strong to pass up for many.

      Most people are not trying to start a business, they are just trying to make money. That is why they fail, they don't understand the difference in the two.
      Totally agree my friend!

      Passive Income does not exist in my books - if it did, nobody would work a regular job. I find you meet thousands of people trying to build a passive income, always waiting for that 'turning point' - but you meet hardly anyone actually making it.

      ...if you do find someone claiming to, they are probably trying to sell you a product!

      The best chance of success is to run a real business. This can't really be done in someone's spare time.
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      • Profile picture of the author Sillysoft
        Originally Posted by JimMichael View Post

        Totally agree my friend!

        Passive Income does not exist in my books
        Dont say that, you just ruined my dreams
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        • Profile picture of the author JimMichael
          Most people increase their workload and don't see the $$ increase, so how can they ever expect to either increase or maintain the level of $$$ by doing little to no work at all?

          Those images of big cars, island vacations and cocktails on squeeze pages are there to make you do one thing....to click 'BUY'.
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          • Profile picture of the author ShayB
            In the "real world," Businesses often take years to turn a profit.

            There is a huge learning curve for any kind of business, and there is an investment made in any business. It typically is either monetary or sweat equity - but there is some price that will be paid.

            There is no such thing as an overnight success. Anyone that is touted as such has laid a groundwork that took months or years to construct.

            Singers are a good example of this. Though there are some that are touted as an overnight success, they have spent years singing in small, private venues to get experience and possibly earn a modest living before they were "discovered."

            The great thing with IM is that you can start with very little monetary investment, and work your learning curve around a day job or freelancing.
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            "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Penberthy
    I feel you're missing a valuable point:

    With any business affiliate marketing takes time to learn and get into. That person would not have not only made their first $100 online but now also build up a wealth of knowledge about marketing and now after finally making some money they can rinse and repeat what the are doing right to generate more income. The next six months could be six figures for them, who knows?

    It's learning the skills to make money that's the hard part, once you have the required skills it's about how much money you make and the time you put in to see it happen! .

    Jon
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Penberthy
    Also it's pretty safe to say that people who claim they have been in internet marketing for 6 months or so and have made nothing or very little have been holding down full time jobs at the same time as trying to figure out internet marketing and what they call "been in internet marketing for 6 months" is really just 20 minutes a day browsing around 1 click software that don't work and that's the very reason they haven't made any money to date.

    Jon
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    +1.

    Problem is rookies simply can't (won't?) use the info available today to kick start online projects in different markets - most of the time they target the usual suspects...
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    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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  • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
    I have been at this now for 7 months. I started knowing absolutely nothing and to date I have made just over $2600 from what I have learnt on the forum. Most of that earning was in the last two months.

    There is just so much to learn, but I have realised that the learning is not enough in itself. You have to build up a reputation of quality and ethics. People will only buy from you when they trust you.

    Trust building is the part that takes the longest in this and any other business. Sometimes that can be frustrating and you feel like you are getting nowhere.

    Di
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  • Profile picture of the author Sillysoft
    Also remember, in the real world most startups fail by year 3. So its hard to make success on and offline.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Warriors
    This is why I'm not going to sell products in the MMO niche. Internet marketing tactics are f'in great, and they've changed my life in so many ways. But I really don't want to be in the game of making money by teaching people how I got them to give me money. Going forward, I think I'm just going to keep building my freelance business, and maybe write a few books about freelancing.
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