If you lost it all tomorrow and had to start again what would you do?

by MamaD
52 replies
Scenario: You wake up tomorrow and everything you've worked hard for is gone: websites, hosting, email lists, contacts...you get the hint. You have enough money to cover your expenses for a month and need to be able to make enough to cover your expenses for the next month (whatever they may be). How would you start over what would be your step by step plan to success?
#lost #start #tomorrow
  • In that situation, I would go to hotleads.com and get some business leads in a certain demo. I would then hit the phones like crazy and generate some good SEO/Social media client income.
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  • Profile picture of the author CaesarSEO
    Not really.

    Knowledge is money. If you have reached a point where you make enough money with whatever you have built over time. You have the needed knowledge and experience to repeat the process within few weeks easily.

    I would just do what I found out to make the most money.
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    • Originally Posted by CaesarSEO View Post

      Not really.

      Knowledge is money. If you have reached a point where you make enough money with whatever you have built over time. You have the needed knowledge and experience to repeat the process within few weeks easily.

      I would just do what I found out to make the most money.
      Truth!

      Internet marketing principles never change, only the application of the process changes. Once you learn, all you have to do is adapt.
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    • I wouldn't call "making enough to cover next month's expenses" success, for starters.

      fLufF
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      • Profile picture of the author TheCG
        Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat View Post

        I wouldn't call "making enough to cover next month's expenses" success, for starters.

        fLufF
        --
        When you have nothing, making enough to cover next month's expenses is a BIG success. Once you hit that mark, you finally get that it can be done and done on a regular basis.

        Glad to hear you have never been in that situation. For those of us that have, I can tell you we felt like masters of the universe.
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        • When you have nothing, making enough to cover next month's expenses is a BIG success.

          No, it's just getting by.

          Good thread already for those who are trying to keep their heads above water:

          http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...desperate.html

          Glad to hear you have never been in that situation. For those of us that have, I can tell you we felt like masters of the universe.

          You don't know anything about me, where I came from or how I became successful.

          fLufF
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          • Profile picture of the author TheCG
            Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat View Post

            You don't know anything about me, where I came from or how I became successful.

            fLufF
            --
            Or if you are...
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            Yes, by the way, I AM in the Witness Protection Program. I could tell you who I am but then I would have to kill you.

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      • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
        Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat View Post

        I wouldn't call "making enough to cover next month's expenses" success, for starters.

        fLufF
        --
        Going from having nothing to paying your expenses is a major achievment. There's millions of people who can attest to that. I've talked to many and they'll tell you it's like a block of concrete is lifted off their chest.

        Personally, if I had to start over again from scratch this is what I'd do.

        I'd make a list of things people find boring, disgusting, tedious or difficult and offer to do it for them ... for an affordable price. This is not get rich quick ... but get money quick!
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenfabian
      Originally Posted by CaesarSEO View Post

      Not really.

      Knowledge is money. If you have reached a point where you make enough money with whatever you have built over time. You have the needed knowledge and experience to repeat the process within few weeks easily.

      I would just do what I found out to make the most money.
      I think Steve Jobs could only agree with that!

      Good luck!
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      No agenda here...
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  • Profile picture of the author MamaD
    Hey everyone thanks for the responses so far, this is just a fun scenario I know it's not pretty but I'm just curious. I tend to wonder what would happen if the highly successful had to start all over again with limited sources and whether what they once did could be duplicated without their precious resources.
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  • Profile picture of the author RichardDean
    Go get a JOB for a while and have some free time.

    Richard
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  • Profile picture of the author Noel Cunningham
    Originally Posted by MamaD View Post

    Scenario: You wake up tomorrow and everything you've worked hard for is gone: websites, hosting, email lists, contacts...you get the hint. You have enough money to cover your expenses for a month and need to be able to make enough to cover your expenses for the next month (whatever they may be). How would you start over what would be your step by step plan to success?
    Once I pulled myself together I'd set up a simple site, write a free ebook to give away (to help me build a list) and have a very specific Hot Report for sale on the backend.

    I'd then spend all day every day networking with affiliates to drive me traffic and build a list and get the conversion machine pumping!! It would be a disaster situation to be in but that's what I'd do anyway:rolleyes:
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    • Profile picture of the author Looking4Mentor
      Hi,

      You would have to be a well seasoned IMer if you are going to raise $2K, $3K, $4K by next month to pay all your bills and expenses.

      If you are that desperate and still struggling to make money online... then get off the internet for a time.

      1. Sell your stuff at a garage sale.
      2. Sell your remaining stuff on craigslist.

      If you sacrifice the hard stuff, like; furniture, jewelry, collectibles- you will raise the money needed within a week/ even weekend.

      When you get back on your feet, then start investigating opportunities online.

      Jeff
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  • Profile picture of the author Fatmir
    I'd simply repeat what has worked for me.

    You cannot lose everything. You won't lose from your memory the research you've done the stuff you've learned the things you've found to be working for you.

    Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      starting over is nothing...

      Once you have the principles down of how to make money, you can just repeat the process again, and this time tweak it, make it better, and build yourself several sources of income, so that if one dries up, another source is still there making you money.

      Diversify!
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        I'd do exactly the same as I've eventually done, now, but cutting out almost the whole of the first 4 months in which I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, made every mistake imaginable and earned almost nothing at all. :p

        (I'd probably spend a bit less than the $100/$120 I spent last time around, too, to get going).
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        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          I actually would take the incident to improve on many aspects of my businesses.

          For instance, my website design. I would search at finding one I like better, perhaps with a different color scheme, theme, layout, etc.

          Or my sales page/letter. I could hone the wording, perhaps use better phrasing, maybe exclude some copy or perhaps add a few more details or specifics.

          I didn't really think to do those things before because they were working just fine, but now that I have to, I'm positive they could be approved upon. And surely, I have improved my skills through more working experience, than when I first created them.

          As for all of my content, I have folders with all of the articles, videos, mp3s, graphics, etc stored in them and labeled on memory devices. So if I lost them through hosting issues or whatever, I still have them if I wanted to re-use them.

          Over all, I'm quite confidant that I would consider it a blessing in disguise after the initial shock wore off.

          Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author GAldane
    I will continue to do what I was doing before that disaster. At first the job will be some what difficult. But with help of experience, I am sure I will manage the situation to my favor.
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    First I'd dedicate a few minutes to crying/pity party/ worry/ whatever. Because I'd have to feel like crap and it's not good to ignore your feelings. After those 3 minutes were up I'd try to access HOW/WHY I lost it all. I certainly wouldn't want to repeat the same mistake.

    My next step would depend on how dire my situation was. Losing it all could mean I just have no money coming in from IM or losing it all could mean I have no money anywhere - property's gone, savings gone, insurance cancelled, retirement depleted etc.

    If I needed to replace IM income fast then I'd start driving CPA offers the old fashioned way- with fliers.

    If I was super broke and needed a quick infusion of cash, I would host a couple of home parties (Marital aids/ stun guns/ home decor etc.).
    I still have my wholesale accounts from my ebay days and frustrated, angry,vain people make good customers and pay cash.

    I'd never try to replace critical income sitting behind the computer. If you need fast cash (within 14 days) you have to hit the streets. Fliers, postcards, garage sales, classifieds, door to door whatever.
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  • Profile picture of the author hezgotsoul
    i would agree basic internet marketing principles remain the same. you just adapt to new rules, etc. So starting over with the knowledge from my success would be easy actually
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  • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
    In this situation, we'd restore our backups! Then every one of our customers & our business would be back online!
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  • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
    The quickest money that I've made on the internet is by providing a service - in my case, writing ebooks for internet marketers, articles, and press releases. So if I had to start over again from scratch, that's what I'd do to make money right away, and I'd also use the WSO section to sell my own ebooks and promote my services.
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  • Profile picture of the author tristatemedia
    you should always invest your online income in something else. for me when i make more money. i will buy or long term lease billboards.....money maker....
    hope we never lose everything....
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    • Profile picture of the author PattC
      Put up a squeeze page and start building a list.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kal Sallam
        Originally Posted by PattC View Post

        Put up a squeeze page and start building a list.
        Very simple Huh? Yeah yeah I know:p
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      • Profile picture of the author celente
        Originally Posted by PattC View Post

        Put up a squeeze page and start building a list.
        well done! +1 one of the smartest things you will read on teh warrior forum today. WRITE IT EFFING DOWN! Trust me.

        If I was to start again, I would build a big list and offer them stuff. That is a great way to get off to a flying start, help them and you will reap the rewards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kal Sallam
    You know the saying: give me a fish I eat a meal, Teach me to fish I eat everyday? ok--always remember it.

    You can never lose everything you have achieved.

    For example you can't lose Leverage, Connections,knowledge and correct mindset combined with solid planing.

    So with Leverage and connections it shouldn't be hard to get back up as it might have been when you first started.

    Once you know how to achieve success the sky is the limit.
    It's like a road map--by following it you will get there somehow.

    I know of a Millionaire who filled for bankruptcy got back up become a Millionaire again--filled for bankruptcy again then got back up and became a Millionaire again...My point is once you know the "how" then That's it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jit Lim
    Provide a service on the Warriors Forum, get a part-time job. Create some capital first so you can pour that back to your online business without using up your money for food for the family and shelter.

    Imagine this scenario if you have 3 kids...
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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      I'd take what I have learned and just start over again. My focus is on writing and earning from it.

      It would be quick to start up again, rather unlike my initial efforts, because I didn't know what to choose. I initially suffered from a really bad case of information overload. Now I love to see different business ideas and even think about the possibilities the information presents, but I know where I'm going. If the new information isn't helpful to the present endeavor, I file it for consideration at some later date.

      There's a million ways to earn money writing for yourself or even a content mill for quick cash.
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      • Profile picture of the author nik0
        Banned
        I'm kind of in the progress of starting all over again, well since a few months and what I'm doing is selling a service at this forum, and building mini-authority sites monetized with Adsense, once I have a nice bunch of them sell maybe a few and start working on a bunch of product affiliate sites. One thing at a time.

        Once the money starts rolling in, invest as much as possible to grow bigger.

        ps just bought a car for 200 euro few days ago, you have no idea how happy I am to be able to drive a car again, even if it's only for a few months.
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  • Profile picture of the author nik0
    Banned
    You guys got me curious and I downloaded the free gig but I didnt buy the upsell cause I promised myself to stop buying digital products.
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  • Profile picture of the author James B
    Start all over? Wow, I would be first shocked to see what happened. But, I would start by paying $147 2 year hosting with blue host. Find a part time job or freelance your services.

    Find a free template, start using keyword research, learn how to provide legit services on fivver or other places to make money to stay above water. Make my user experience, then promote to my fellow bloggers who are in my industry.

    Create a lead magnet, free viral content, then continue to increase my network.
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  • Profile picture of the author StunningWarrior
    Originally Posted by MamaD View Post

    Scenario: You wake up tomorrow and everything you've worked hard for is gone: websites, hosting, email lists, contacts...you get the hint. You have enough money to cover your expenses for a month and need to be able to make enough to cover your expenses for the next month (whatever they may be). How would you start over what would be your step by step plan to success?
    You are asking two different things here.

    Firstly you ask how to make enough money to cover your expenses for the next month. Well here you trade time for money, pimp yourself all over the net (fiverr, warriors for hire, odesk, etc.) and cover your expenses. Many of the replies give ideas on what you can do in the time that you trade. But this is being self-employed and you need to repeat it month after month - you are working IN your business.

    But secondly you imply that you lost a business that generates passive income. This is a different thing entirely. Here you use the time that you haven't traded to rebuild your business using the techniques that you have already learned. This is being a business owner and working ON your business.

    EDIT: Personally I am not at the stage where I could be confident that in one month I could rebuild enough passive income to cover my expenses. Maybe some warriors are. But from the many suggestions of offering services I suspect that most are not.

    It is extremely important not to confuse these two. And unless you are a star performer you will never get really rich working in your business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tony Marriott
      Originally Posted by RichardDean View Post

      Go get a JOB for a while and have some free time.

      Richard
      That's definitely something I wouldn't do

      Originally Posted by Halcyon View Post

      ........... I would host a couple of home parties (Marital aids/ stun guns/ home decor etc.).
      I still have my wholesale accounts from my ebay days and frustrated, angry,vain people make good customers and pay cash...................
      I'm trying to get a picture in my mind of the kind of person that would attend all three (and I may never look at a paintbrush the same way again)
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      • Profile picture of the author ucallelse
        As long as my memory isn't wiped out with everything else, I'll start with that. I have a couple of IM strategies that are free that have made me some money, so I'll jump into those. I'll write an ebook or 4 and hit all the forums dedicated to that topic, and being that all my forum lists are gone, I'll do a search and rebuild it. If I lost all my member information to the IM forums I'm a part of, I'll get back on them and memberize myself again. And while all this is going on online, I'll be offline making some good money as a private tutor....it's what I do. I definitely know I'll make more than enough to cover my next month's expenses with all this going on at once....for sure.

        Charlie U.
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  • Profile picture of the author Solid State
    I would have found a solution to a real problem and developed a solid, product-based solution around it from day one.

    After that, the rest practically takes care of itself...with hard work, of course...

    The problem with most, IMers, it appears, is the fact that we try to build businesses around tools and technology as opposed to products and solutions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnm1141
    I would just used what I have learned through the past and recreate my websites and establish my income that I have previously lost.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    Sell a service?

    As the world grows, it will only need more and more services.

    Plus you don't need any money to get started- you can create a free page on Weebly marketing yourself and put a link in your WF sig.

    Or you can go to Yard sales at the end of the day, take everything that wasn't sold off of their hands, and sell it on eBay.

    Or offer services on bigger freelancing sites.

    -Lotsa stuff you can do!
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  • Profile picture of the author nickdamodda
    Move to Vietnam, have networks run my rebills. Sit back and enjoy life because I'm greedy and have low morals.
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    • Profile picture of the author goindeep
      Buy some cheap stuff from China and sell it on eBay
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      • Profile picture of the author GorillazGoods
        Originally Posted by Andrei Rotariu View Post

        Buy some cheap stuff from China and sell it on eBay
        The thing about that strategy is that while some people have made money that way, I've heard of many people getting in trouble with the US Customs Border Patrol. This is due to the simple fact that many things coming out of China are cheap knockoffs or counterfeits. If you are going to use this strategy, make sure you don't try to buy "cheap" name brand items on China with the expectation of making huge profits on ebay.
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  • Profile picture of the author daveabeck
    There is a lot of different point of views at what people would do if they lost everything over night. Personally for myself I would go back a get an aweber auto responder again and create a capture page and start the list building process.

    Promote valuable and educating content to my growing list in the morning and then shoot out an broadcast email with an affiliate offer at night to get cash flow coming back in.

    Dave Beck
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  • Profile picture of the author Usmile
    If that will happen to me, I will not waste my time crying over those things, instead I will take the chance to start something new and fill all the lapses I have done in the past. I know it won't be easy but since I got no choice then I have to do it. All I need is motivation and perseverance.

    Thanks,
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    • Profile picture of the author Ben Armstrong
      I'm still relatively inexperienced and the methods I currently use don't bring in a hefty immediate income. So I'd spend 5-6 hours a day writing articles by using sites like iWriter, oDesk, Warrior forum and eLance. I'd spend another 5-6 hours a day building up websites and lists that generate a relatively passive income. I'd scale down the article writing as more money comes in from the other methods.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Barrs
    Originally Posted by MamaD View Post

    Scenario: You wake up tomorrow and everything you've worked hard for is gone: websites, hosting, email lists, contacts...you get the hint. You have enough money to cover your expenses for a month and need to be able to make enough to cover your expenses for the next month (whatever they may be). How would you start over what would be your step by step plan to success?
    LOL - I just hypotheticals that are real.

    A few years back I *did* lose it all; went through bitter breakup and ended up with my furniture and that was it! And if you can believe it my website was hacked about the same time (not related I'm sure) and I lost all the lists blah blah blah.

    I took a few years off!

    Then 2 years ago I decided to get started again. It took me 10-days to make my first dollar back online. Now I"m full time again.

    What did I do? I recorded an audio series about it called "Getting Started Online (Again!)". It was based on my own seminar series The 3 Ways to Build a Successful Home Based Business".

    Both used to be a free giveaway but now it's for members at Maximum Success University. But I'm sure if you look around you'll find someone still giving them away.

    Paul Barrs
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    **********
    It's Simple... I don't "sell" IM anymore, but still do lots of YouTube Videos
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  • Profile picture of the author PhilB
    I agree - provide a service to start with while money is tight, like copywriting on Odesk/ eLance.

    Then go back to building your list. So create a new squeeze page at least. Give massive value to your list, free - then hit them with affiliate offers that you've checked out.
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  • Profile picture of the author misstan
    i think if we have blogs on blogspot, the chances of getting hacked is quite low right? if we lost everything we still have our blog.
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  • Profile picture of the author Yawg Dawg
    I would go to Skip McGrrath's website and learn ebay and sell stuff on ebay and keep selling on ebay. And while doing that I would make videos and post on youtube everyday with an affiliate link for CPA Offers and Amazon Products.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eric Seiler
    Day 1: Drink heavily
    Day 2: Recover from drinking heavily
    Day 3: Come up with a plan
    Day 4: Start executing on plan
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  • Profile picture of the author martyJames
    this is very relevent - with LOTS of people getting there money sites dropping in rankings due to de-indexing of blog networks , many ARE going to have to start again...
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  • Profile picture of the author stuff2
    well starting over is not new to me I have a pity party, I try to figure out what happen. did a war brook out hit. then look around do others need help. I would pray. my world is not rule by money. so rebuilding slowly would not bother. May be cause I have chronic health problems that being grateful for what I have and being content.
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  • Profile picture of the author gasman
    First and foremost I would try and figure out why I lost it all. Without knowing where I went wrong there is a good chance I could go wrong again and then I'm right back where I started. I would find my mistake and fix it. Then I believe I would be alright and be able to come back strong already knowing what I know.
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