Why do newbies aim so low?

66 replies
I read a lot of posts by newbies that are creating many micro-niche sites to seo to low traffic keywords that are never going to make any real money.

Why not aim higher? SEO is hard work, why not use the time to build a bigger, better site that generates higher volumes of traffic.

Or better still why not PPC to a nice looking site that has real products? This way you control the traffic, your time is better spent managing your PPC campaigns and your efforts won't get wiped by a Google update.
#aim #low #newbies
  • Profile picture of the author Ettienne
    I have no idea, maybe it seems easier. What blows my mind is that MILLIONS of people promote Amazon products for a measly 4% commission on a $20-50 sale. Weak... maybe I just don't get it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Be_honest
      Originally Posted by Ettienne View Post

      I have no idea, maybe it seems easier. What blows my mind is that MILLIONS of people promote Amazon products for a measly 4% commission on a $20-50 sale. Weak... maybe I just don't get it.
      Some/many people not make just One site to promote amazon stuff, yes it is 4% in 1 sale, but how about 100 sale? and you have 10 sites that profitable and steady traffic that convert, it will blow your pocket
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  • Profile picture of the author Eduard Stinga
    Probably because it seems more achievable if they take small steps.
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    • Profile picture of the author ttdub
      Originally Posted by Eduard Stinga View Post

      Probably because it seems more achievable if they take small steps.
      I definitely agree with this.
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  • Profile picture of the author maxsm
    I personally this that newbies aim low because they want test their skills on micro-niche sites and once they feel confidant move on to bigger challenges.

    Originally Posted by Paul Guest View Post

    I read a lot of posts by newbies that are creating many micro-niche sites to seo to low traffic keywords that are never going to make any real money.

    Why not aim higher? SEO is hard work, why not use the time to build a bigger, better site that generates higher volumes of traffic.

    Or better still why not PPC to a nice looking site that has real products? This way you control the traffic, your time is better spent managing your PPC campaigns and your efforts won't get wiped by a Google update.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanman
    Originally Posted by Paul Guest View Post


    Why not aim higher? SEO is hard work, why not use the time to build a bigger, better site that generates higher volumes of traffic.
    I think I have a pretty good answer to this...It's because their internal belief system doesn't allow them to think that big. In fact - When starting out, thinking big can actually work against you. Most people think big, try to do things and feel overwhelmed only to eventually give up.

    But when you achieve smaller goals in a regular fashion, your mind opens up to new possibilities and that's when you won't feel overwhelmed & won't give up.
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    • Profile picture of the author dbarnum
      Originally Posted by ryanman View Post

      I think I have a pretty good answer to this...It's because their internal belief system doesn't allow them to think that big. ...

      I agree with this, and heard a speaker just this past week discussing this issue at a local event here. He was saying how independent contractors have a habit of quitting their jobs only to start freelancing, build to a certain level and then remain there year after year after year, "establishing" themselves in their comfort zones.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    While the OP is talking about a very specific process, I would like to address the larger question posed by the title of the thread.

    There are several reasons why they "aim so low".

    First, however, remember that everybody's definition of success is unique. Furthermore, you are looking backwards, while new people are looking forwards. To put it another way: hindsight is 20/20.

    New people DO NOT aim low, at least not from their perspective. Besides, what difference does it really make, so long as their goal is enough to motivate them?

    That initial, self-defined success does something incredible...

    It PROVES that it's possible.

    Each small success leads to bigger success. Each completed small goal leads to a larger goal.

    Then there is the possibility that they actually have much bigger plans, but they are only making their early (and smaller) goals known.

    Finally, some people are scared off by goals that are too large. These seem impossible, and that prevents them from taking action. So, it's not a question of whether an aim is high or low, it's a question of whether or not it will spur someone to persistent action.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author fenixpro
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      While the OP is talking about a very specific process, I would like to address the larger question posed by the title of the thread.

      There are several reasons why they "aim so low".

      First, however, remember that everybody's definition of success is unique. Furthermore, you are looking backwards, while new people are looking forwards. To put it another way: hindsight is 20/20.

      New people DO NOT aim low, at least not from their perspective. Besides, what difference does it really make, so long as their goal is enough to motivate them?

      That initial, self-defined success does something incredible...

      It PROVES that it's possible.

      Each small success leads to bigger success. Each completed small goal leads to a larger goal.

      Then there is the possibility that they actually have much bigger plans, but they are only making their early (and smaller) goals known.

      Finally, some people are scared off by goals that are too large. These seem impossible, and that prevents them from taking action. So, it's not a question of whether an aim is high or low, it's a question of whether or not it will spur someone to persistent action.

      All the best,
      Michael
      Yes, agreed.

      Forgive me if this has already been contributed, but another reason people new to IM "aim so low" is because they are new. Yup. That's it. They are not aiming low, they are just taking action with something that they are capable or at least trying to be capable of doing.

      Meaning, they don't know any better because they are new, so they are not aiming, they are just doing. And really, kudos to them for this.

      Chris Munch sent out an email yesterday without any promos in it talking about how if you haven't lost money, made a ton of mistakes, been questioned by everyone around you as to what the F**K you are doing trying to make it in IM, and a few other things,... you don't want it enough, and you won't taste the rewards of your success and push and drive even harder to get it.

      In other words, there is a learning curve and you are at where you are at in that process. Those that succeed for the most part are those that stick to it no matter what and double their efforts over and over again.

      If I build 10 niche sites that make 10ea PER MONTH after 6 months and now have a $100/month set of sites, not only did I DO THAT, but the amount that I would have learned in doing this is immense and would then possibly prepare and propel me forward to do bigger and more complex or more refined things.

      When I was first starting out online a few years ago, I had NO concept of what any of IM was. I just knew there was an opportunity online to make money and I was driven to find it and learn it.

      I started with things like surveys and incentive crap and quickly found other methods - much closer to what all of us know of as IM (site building, flipping, CPA, list building, etc). And then I had to learn and fail and learn and fail and make money and lose money and make money and lose money and the whole while I was learning how do things and make progress on my own.

      In my opinion one of the biggest failures of the teaching community in IM is that there really isn't any teaching community in IM - or rather, that the quality and systematic fundamentals needed to succeed are rarely emphasized and those that are proponents of them are hard to find amongst all pitching and selling.

      Even fundamentals like how to organize your approach and time management. How to focus and make consistent progress, etc. Many of these are glossed over and assumed, and as we all know, nothing happens when no action is taken because your head is up your email/facebook/cellphone a**.

      Kudos to those that act, period.
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      • Profile picture of the author luane
        It is the very NATURE of the NOOB! To make your first dollar...from the computer? You're kidding me, right? Remember???? To them, it is a whole 'nother ballgame and any success is HUGE.

        Kristie from Georgia
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        • Profile picture of the author slayer0x59
          Newbies aren't really aiming low. It's more of a practice run before the real big thing. Once they can handle these small things they can start to move up the ladder. If they suddenly jump up too high they might fail miserably.
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  • Profile picture of the author jackm201
    Well, outranking competitors in small niches is the way easier than doing the same in large niches, it's the most important reason.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gerald Arno
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Paul Guest View Post

    I read a lot of posts by newbies that are creating many micro-niche sites to seo to low traffic keywords that are never going to make any real money.

    Why not aim higher? SEO is hard work, why not use the time to build a bigger, better site that generates higher volumes of traffic.

    Or better still why not PPC to a nice looking site that has real products? This way you control the traffic, your time is better spent managing your PPC campaigns and your efforts won't get wiped by a Google update.
    Aiming low helps them control their fear or at least they believe that there chances of success are higher.

    There are definitely low end niches/keywords you can go for. Newbies should get detailed information about niches first. A lack of planning can also lead to a lot of frustration and pain.

    In seo, it takes time to find the right niches, so whether you want it or not you'll have to go through some pain. However, if you get coaching from successful marketers you should be able to succeed a lot faster.

    As in any other market, it's all about how good you become and that takes time.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyisonline
    It could be because they get questioned, second guessed and mocked no matter what they do...from regorged "product" creating noobs and the like. There is no consistency in the mmo buffet from which they partake. Do something wrong and a purist is waiting to rant them into the fetal position for something as simple as building a thin mns. For entertainment I buy and consume almost every product I can...trust me...noobs are lucky they can aim down range at all..let alone HIT anything.
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    • Profile picture of the author cashp0wer
      Maybe they just need to learn more until they can start aiming higher. I remember when I first started and I knew absolutely nothing. It is kind of hard to aim high when your knowledge is so low. For me, I aimed higher and higher as I went and as I learned more about IM.
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  • Profile picture of the author BozakAxel
    it's a learning curve. they need this forum to help them learn to think big, because in this affiliate space the sky is the limit!
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  • Profile picture of the author CyborgX
    I am a newbie so I will tell you why I aim low. I don't have a big amount to spend on IM. I am planning to collect them from the least I know and by the best I can do. I also have a fear to loose my money as I am new in the business. Last but not least, I'm doing small projects to gather some experience. So that the experience would ultimately reflect on my bigger projects. Thats all.
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    • Profile picture of the author MarthaJos
      Originally Posted by Tear Stalker View Post

      I am a newbie so I will tell you why I aim low. I don't have a big amount to spend on IM. I am planning to collect them from the least I know and by the best I can do. I also have a fear to loose my money as I am new in the business. Last but not least, I'm doing small projects to gather some experience. So that the experience would ultimately reflect on my bigger projects. Thats all.
      Keep up the spirit and you will touch the sky.
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  • Profile picture of the author benf
    On talking to internet newbies, on of the bigger fears is investing a load of cash and getting no return for it. As many Warriors here have raised, starting small reduces the risk in terms of time, effort, ego, and cash.

    This should be noted by those marketing products and services to newbies specifically. To increase the sales conversions rate you need to make your offerings as risk free as possible. There are several ways to do this, for example offering a money back guarantee, a trial period, to just providing evidence that your product works!
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  • Profile picture of the author David Sneen
    It is a strange human phenomenon that people will apply in droves for a job that pays $25K to $40K, but a posting paying $75K or $80K will not get applicants. The reason; people don't think that they are worth the larger amount. I see the same dynamics working here.
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    • Profile picture of the author garyisonline
      Originally Posted by David Sneen View Post

      It is a strange human phenomenon that people will apply in droves for a job that pays $25K to $40K, but a posting paying $75K or $80K will not get applicants. The reason; people don't think that they are worth the larger amount. I see the same dynamics working here.
      Job post titles may be very similar to the earnings related titles in forum and blog posts. Many marketer gurus have shot themselves in the foot by rendering their rich fishing holes to ponds full of skeptical fish with messed up lips.

      Predators push newbies to be bottom feeders after a good "fool me once" bonk on the head.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Snipes
    Originally Posted by Paul Guest View Post

    I read a lot of posts by newbies that are creating many micro-niche sites to seo to low traffic keywords that are never going to make any real money.

    Why not aim higher? SEO is hard work, why not use the time to build a bigger, better site that generates higher volumes of traffic.

    Hi Paul,

    I am a newbie and looking forward to the day that maybe I can see bigger paydays.

    Can you tell me what you started with?

    Just coming in we're not familiar with many of the things a more experienced IM person knows. We have to get our sea legs under us before we can learn to surf correctly.

    I like that you started this thread, could you please let us know where we should be starting and show us how we would start at the point you tell us?

    I'm always up for a little help.
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  • Profile picture of the author chinadigipro
    Newbies aim low to avoid huge fall..It doesn't mean they are scared to take risks, they are cautious of each and every little step they make. It's just like a child learning to walk. Slow and study and then they run.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Wells
      Originally Posted by chinadigipro View Post

      Newbies aim low to avoid huge fall..It doesn't mean they are scared to take risks, they are cautious of each and every little step they make. It's just like a child learning to walk. Slow and study and then they run.
      This is probably the most accurate and true answer to the OP.

      It's not that they are really aiming low, they truly want to succeed in a BIG way, but they take small cautious buidling blocks of success, leading to greater accomplishments in the long run.

      As a pool player, from that perspective which basically is the same, you do not take on the best in the world just because you want to be the best, you start out in the lower echelon of players and season yourself, building your confidence and skills and move up as your confidence and past experiences of success help to build a solid stepping stone.
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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    I think its because they honestly believe that will be the quickest route to success.

    Here is another way of looking at it, something I learned from working at a bar/club. Its nighttime, bar is closing, everyone is drunk, so naturally its time to mate, why did I ALWAYS see guys go for the 7-8 looking girls and for the most part they ignore the really good looking 10s?

    I saw this happen every single night. The 7 & 8's were always the ones getting propositioned to go home with some guy. The 10's rarely got approached by anyone they might have some men hanging out around them the men usually didn't have the balls however to say "you wanna go home with me". This is a major flaw of human nature imo where guys just assume the 7 & 8 looking girls are easier to bring home. Moreso they assume the 10's get approached by everyone (when its the total opposite), so they don't want competition.

    I think this has a lot to do with how newbies approach new websites. They want whats least competitive. They aim for the thing they think noone else is doing, then they find out EVERYONE is doing it.

    Its my personal opinion that because most people aim low, you'll have better luck aiming high. Sometimes you will actually find far less competition than you think and be suprised.

    Although this is a bit harder to apply to websites as its not always true. I definitely think though with women, guys always go for the "easier to get" ones. The low hanging fruit so to speak. So same thing with websites lol.

    -Red

    ps. me personally I prefer to aim high, newbie or not.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrinternational
    Did you learn how to run before you learned how to walk or crawl?

    It's basically the same question, first you figure out the mechanics, whats involved, moving parts and such and after you figure out how it works you scale, and go after bigger more profitable projects.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
      Originally Posted by mrinternational View Post

      Did you learn how to run before you learned how to walk or crawl?

      It's basically the same question, first you figure out the mechanics, whats involved, moving parts and such and after you figure out how it works you scale, and go after bigger more profitable projects.
      I actually learned to crawl backwards first, then I learned to walk, then I learned to crawl forwards. If you listen to my parents, I never did anything in a sane and orderly fashion...it was always full speed ahead, lightning pace, to hell and be damned with the consequences.

      I am too old and fed up to aim low anymore...I've decided to take the cap off of my ceiling and see how high I can fly.

      -- j
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      • Profile picture of the author tylerherman
        Seems like you aren't talking about newbies, you are taking a shot at people who build niche sites.

        MFA niche sites is a perfectly viable way to make money.

        Amazon affiliate sites is a perfectly fine way to make money.

        There are strengths and weaknesses to any plan.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rick Britton
    I have been learning about doing digital business online since Auguast last year and so far have made squat precisely because I set out the way the OP suggests (although I set out for nice looking sites in my niche with good content). I am getting 60 to 100 uniques a day and it is a nice site but my bounce rate is high - they don't stay long although those that do tend to stay and read everything

    Anyway, as I was saying on the Ron Douglas thread myself and my partner are now creating our own unique products and projects and we are aiming to dominate a niche within our market. From there we hope to build a massive brand with lots of products and affiliates, conferences, webinars and everything else.

    However, it is only by studying business and learning and watching others that we have come to the conclusion that we might as well plan to go as big as possible. Funny thing too, the bigger I think the more the possibility seems more like probability. Listening to guys like Ron Douglas, Joe Polish and their ilk has taught me much.

    So although still a newbie in terms of time on the internet and lack of money made, I am not thinking like a newbie ever again!

    thanks for your time folks
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken McRae
    As you can see, the answer is not that simple, but somewhat complex in nature. There are a multitude of different potential reasons. One reason is that they've been taught to believe that micro niches and mn sites are profitable, under certain specific conditions, and can be scaled up, or flipped easily enough for a quick profit.

    There is a healthy variety of opinions out there, regarding niche marketing, and how to best dominate any given niche. Unless the newb knows how to divine the truth, s/he is left to explore them all, or as many as possible, and through trial and error, find his or her own way of success in niche marketing. Sadly, the vast majority will quit long before they ever taste success.

    Most will quit, for one reason or another, but I suspect it is largely because they don't understand that success is first governed by verifiable empirical laws; and two, that it is the result of a creative decision, just the same as failure is. We all create our own lives by the decisions we make everyday!

    I won't bore you with a delineation of the laws of success, but certain things should go without saying, such as that quitting is the sure way to failure, just the same as perseverance is the sure way to success. How many times do you suppose the Wright Brothers failed before they achieved flight? Quitting was never an option for them.

    They understood that each failure brought them one step closer to success, by a process of elimination. Each time at bat taught them one more way that wouldn't work, and it was just a matter of time before they would hit their great grand slam!

    We could say, in one sense, that the Wright Bro's failed their way into the history books! Their failures far out-numbered their successes! At least up until the day they first achieved flight.
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  • Profile picture of the author Blimeyoreilly
    Why do newbies aim so low??? What is the point of this thread other than just reminding us all how much game playing is made on the newbies. Whatever the newbies are doing impressive or otherwise is because this is how IM steers them. So if you novices are disappointed in any way, just do the world wide web a BIG favour & stop the BS just to make yourselves a few bucks. Why are you novices such a bunch of 'know-it-all' failures when it comes to aiming high yourself? Newbies are bombarded by so much disappointing material it is no great surprise that they just want to start somewhere realistic & build from there. Novices however, learn over time how best to make an effective living but then expect the rest of the world to bow down to them while they wallow in their ego-glory. Whoever you are in IM DO NOT BE-LITTLE THE NEWBIES IN ANY WAY, they are the life blood of the IM industry & you novices ought to spend more time controlling your negative campaigning, which influences the practices of IM tomorrow.
    What negative campaigning?:
    The Guru blame game
    The unrealistic high figure promises
    The constant pointing out what is wrong with IM just to promote yourself
    This constant "look how much I am making" show off emptiness, just to bag the materialistic wannabies
    ...Just have a good look at ALL that is promoted out there BUT more importantly HOW it is being delivered. How one marketer will speak negatively of what is IM just to promote themselves. There is little care about the long-term future for IM but more about how best to manipulate it for selfish gain (all the while growing numbers join IM to repeat the same echo of poor IM).

    Why do newbies aim so low? ...because they have tried all the BS that worked for others, but those others seem to fail to realise & neglect to mention (perhaps deliberately) that the reason they can do something more effectively than the newbie is because they have 'ESTABLISHED' a name for themselves.
    Therefore, your question should read, "WHY are newbies so smart & realistic these days?" (while you would prefer them to be in a hurry to take on more of the BS they already suffer - just to benefit the minority for that short-term profit).
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  • Profile picture of the author Shounenbat
    1. Cost - Some of us have very, very little money to work with (I have about $20/month to spend on hobbies, and to sacrifice that towards IM with no promise of a return is hard), and we'd like to know that it's going to pay off. Most of the time it doesn't.

    2. When we're unsure of our skills, the best thing to do is start small. I, for one, know that if I went into a competitive market, I'd sink to the bottom!
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  • Most people won't admit but they are afraid of success.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    sometimes it just takes a little success to prove to themselves and those around them that big things are possible.

    i am certainly not advising anyone to chose obscure keywords for low commission products as a long term business plan, but seeing a little success is very powerful from a motivation standpoint.

    in business, you are usually paid in one of two coins... money or experience. If you have little experience and try to shoot for big money early on, you chances of failure are high.

    i think taking on a small win-able project early on is a great way to get experience that you can later use to attract more money your way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Blimeyoreilly
    I read a lot of posts by newbies that are creating many micro-niche sites to seo to low traffic keywords that are never going to make any real money.

    Why not aim higher? SEO is hard work, why not use the time to build a bigger, better site that generates higher volumes of traffic.

    Or better still why not PPC to a nice looking site that has real products? This way you control the traffic, your time is better spent managing your PPC campaigns and your efforts won't get wiped by a Google update.

    Hey mister?! SEO, PPC, Keywords...
    So do you actually remember understanding ALL three topics as a newbie to any great effect?
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken McRae
      Originally Posted by Blimeyoreilly View Post

      Hey mister?! SEO, PPC, Keywords...
      So do you actually remember understanding ALL three topics as a newbie to any great effect?
      No, I can't! And from what I'm hearing, the latest Google Panda and Penguin updates have TKO'ed a good number of SEO masters of disaster, and left them on their asses seeing little stars spinning around their head! For whatever it's worth, it looks as if the Google Panda and Penguin were intended to make the masses depend less on SEO and more on paid traffic (i.e. Google Adwords, specifically). Google is just trying to grow their advertising business, and hold their ground against the new up-and-coming PPC giants, like Facebook, for example. I suspect that just as soon as the SEO masters have gotten back up on their feet, Google will rewrite the rule book all over again, and the big bad Panda will slap them back down, into the dirt, until they learn to stay down; and to run to the Google Adwords machine for some extremely competitive and over-priced traffic!
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  • Profile picture of the author fenway2k
    Just as we look at a child's behavior as being a reflection of the parent's character, if you see newbies aiming so low, then it's a reflection of what they are learning.

    But really, there are a LOT of factors in answering this question. The biggest factor IMO is affordability. Newbies simply cannot afford to jump in and pay people to create a product, build a website, start a PPC and/or Facebook ad campaign. So they simply start with what they can afford - downloading free reports, paying $27, $47, $67 for a course that teaches them to think and act small.

    Have you forgotten how discouraged you felt when you spent your last $67 dollars for a course only to find out in the course that you really needed another $497 to get it going? I remember it like it was yesterday and that's' why I try to give a million dollars worth of content in everything I say so no one has to pay as high a price as I did when I got started.

    We all need to remember that the newbies are the lifeblood of our business, so we owe it to them to treat them like the precious commodities they really are.
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  • Profile picture of the author billpullman
    people need to learn from their mistakes so they know what not too repeat!

    we have all been there one time or another
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  • Profile picture of the author Billy Levin
    Excellent post.

    "Aim high incase you fall short."
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  • Profile picture of the author Dragonfire Wealth
    It's more of a milestone, rather than a final goal, things are easier to accomplish in steps.
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  • Profile picture of the author AGP
    I believe its more about taking small steps when you start out, having real achievable goals. Learning at every step, having a sense of achievment when you reach you goals.

    Once you have found your feet you can aim higher.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimGreen1
    The phrase "One step at a time" comes to mind...
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Bleach
    As a relative newbie myself, I think starting small is just an easy way to test different methods and get timely feedback. I'd rather develop 3-4 smaller sites trying different income streams (adsense, amazon, affiliate, my own product) and using different traffic generating techniques than put all of my eggs in one basket right from the start.

    By starting smaller with more diverse strategies I don't have to wait as long to see what works and what doesn't. If I spent all my time on one "master of the universe" project that flopped, I wouldn't have a clue as to why I failed. Spreading out my efforts over a few smaller projects increases my chances of success (even a small success can teach you a lot).

    Once I know what works and what doesn't, I can scale that up at will.

    As to why people sell Amazon, I think that's an easy one to answer. Most of us don't have our own physical products to sell, and info products outside already saturated niches are not easy to create or promote. Nor do we want to invest in buying physical products to re-sell because we don't care to make that kind of risky investment in both inventory and manpower. Amazon sells practically everything, so we have a huge range of products to promote without any real overhead or the hassles involved in order fulfillment. Plus, people automatically trust Amazon.

    That's why we "aim low": faster feedback, diversity of techniques and products and lower costs.
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  • Profile picture of the author KevinDahlberg
    I wish I would have "aimed low" 9 months ago when I set out to learn this stuff. Instead I aimed high and saw very little success. If I had focused on easy to rank keywords and slowly worked my way up to the big ones, then I might be making money online instead of still trying to make my first buck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr Nick
    Its all to do with mindset and the fear of failure. Someone just starting out will more likely target 'a sure thing' than spend their time on something that there is a risk on, I think this changes though as experience grows and they change from a 'no loss' mindset to a success mindset
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Al
    I think that's a very broad brush statement. IMHO I think it's very much down to the individual and how they're motivated.

    Personally I believe a lot of people fail because they set their sights too high, unrealistically high and go for push-button income and home runs right out the gate. When just making your first sale, then a sale a day etc etc would be a much more realistic and motivating goal.

    It'd be like the 300lb guy who wanted to look like Brad Pitt in Fight Club. A good goal but maybe he should start with getting to 200lbs.

    My 2 cents.

    P.S. On a bit of a tangent, I'm more motivated by a fear of failure than the lure of success. The thought of not being able to look after my family is more of a motivation that the thought of a Ferrari sitting the garage. Just how I'm wired.
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  • Profile picture of the author Suzanne Morrison
    I don't think there is anything wrong with doing that - so many people set their sights far too high, get disappointed when they don't see good money within a few weeks or months, then quit.

    The small project not only allows a newbie to make some money with low risk, it also allows them to climb a fairly big learning curve and then take what they have learnt and scale it up to make more money.

    Cheers,
    Suzanne
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  • Profile picture of the author mollymarkiewicz
    Beginners aim lower due to lack of knowledge and fear (false evidence appearing real) of failure. Sometimes you have to take a giant leap and trust your gut instinct. I got lucky, met a few friends online that are honest and always willing to help with any question I have. Remember, no question is ever to dumb to ask, SO JUST ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS POSSIBLE.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rough Outline
    Because they're new, THEY don't know they're aiming low until they see what others are doing or what they could be doing.
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  • Profile picture of the author prem khaira
    Banned
    Because they haven't been introduced to the Warrior Forum yet!
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  • Profile picture of the author JD Ways
    Great question? I would think because it's easier to outrank the comp? Also it's an easier business model to wrap your mind around?
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  • Profile picture of the author jonmay
    I think it is Fear. Fear of making a mistake. So they think trying a small niche is better to get the "kinks" out then graduate to bigger niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jennifer82
    A journey of miles begins with a single step
    Step by Step , since we all know, SEO seems a marathon
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    Great question, I would suggest the answer is...

    1.Aiming lower keeps the risk low. While I'm all for working smart and that sometimes means starting small, to be a successful business person you MUST aim big...I've not yet seen a successful business person who aimed small. Fact is many newbies don't really have that drive...they value security and caution more than creating and growing with calculated risk. Not all, but many.

    2. There is a TON of material targeted at newbies supporting the thoughts in #1. I prefer to model Branson, Gates, Zuckerberg, Jobs and others to learn everything I can from the way they made it big...keeps the bar very high.

    3. They are not thinking of this as their primary business - making $100K or more from their online business is not a MUST in their life. Fact is many would be happy to see a couple of extra thousand to take a vacation. Their wishes and dreams may be high, but their expectations are low...which means they will struggle to ever exceed their expectations.

    Jeff
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  • What's wrong with starting small? Baby steps is the key to any game worth mastering.
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    Nothing wrong with starting small, as long as your expectations are in line with your wishes and desires.

    Each day I work with people who's wishes for a certain result are WAY out of proportion with what they really are certain they will achieve. We typically achieve what we commit to with certainty not what we wish or dream of.

    All in all I find internet marketing newbies expecations are low but their wishes are high so they set themselves up for almost certain under-achievement

    Jeff
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  • Profile picture of the author Geography
    I think that is is good to keep it small and simple until you know a little about the game, then advance to the next step.

    When you have enough skills to create a plan and stick to it (even if there are other shiny objects around you) then you can take on a larger project and aim really high.
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    Understand what you are saying - don't jump overboard wihtout your floaties the first time you hit the water...at the same time, you must have a bigger certainty in mind otherwise you won't even have the dedicated, committment and perserverance to continue when things get rough (as they always do in business).

    Any business is not a straight line so you have to put yourself in a place where you start with something big in mind, you are certain you will achieve it and then each building block is but one step on the journey...that way when you hit obstacles it is easier to keep up your momentum and confidence.

    Jeff
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  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    They don't know how to spam yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author GSMarketing
    Paul,

    I noticed you've started this thread but not returned, if you do, could you suggest what you think newbies should be doing and the best methos they should be working at to generate money?

    Cheers

    G
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Guest
      Originally Posted by GSMarketing View Post

      Paul,

      I noticed you've started this thread but not returned, if you do, could you suggest what you think newbies should be doing and the best methos they should be working at to generate money?

      Cheers

      G
      I think newbies should start with a single project and research the hell out of it until they understand the user, the product and the merchant.

      They should then create a site that looks professional with no adverts, no gimmicks and a central call to action. I would put 5 USPs and a short description of the product.

      Then I would do a small adwords campaign with highly targeted adgroups containing a small number of keywords.

      If the conversion rates are good and the site is generating a profit I would expand on the campaign and start working on an SEO strategy. If it is not working I would try and make it work.
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  • Profile picture of the author eplanellas
    I think one of the reasons a newbie starts small is because of the transition that they have to make in their lives. They are not used to the demands that internet marketing places on their lives and feel that they just do not have the time to commit. After all, they have not made any money yet and still have bills to pay. If they work on a big project and pour all of their attention into it they might get scared that they will not be able to pay the rent. The only way some newbies would take on such a large commitment is if they were guaranteed to see good profits in a short amount of time. They are probably hoping that there small efforts will fill in the gap between their income and need and as it grows they will be able to spend more time and take on larger projects.
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Hansen
    Newbies aim low because they are just starting up. They would like to take few steps for what they do to however improve their newbie skills. Later, they would then improve. As well as their aims. It's better to start up with something small and grow slowly but surely.


    Let me know if I can help you Warrior to Warrior.

    Good luck
    Peter
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  • Profile picture of the author Randy27
    outranking competitors in small niches is the way easier than doing the same in large niches, it's the most important reason.
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  • Profile picture of the author BipinJo
    This is really true and it is the fact of Newbie's. What I feel is that these people think that business will develop only gradually and so they sow the seed and wait for it to spring out all by itself. This is wrong in doing a business. Lot of hard work and focused attention on business can bring any start ups to reach higher level in a short period of time.
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  • Profile picture of the author michaeljcheney
    Remember - we're all just experienced newbies, no matter what level we're at. You must never stop learning and having that newbie outlook that every opportunity COULD be worth pursuing, you just have to get better at discerning which ones to take up and which ones to ignore.

    So why do newbies aim so low? Because IM is a freakin minefield and with so many potential options at the beginning the easiest thing can quite often be the one where much of work (and profit) is taken off their hands!

    It's a steep learning curve of course but something everyone needs to go through I believe.
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