Are you screwing around or are you building a business?

Defining your business is a great starting point..

Then you need to "ACT" on your definition..

I think there is too much "Hype" and not enough real business
principles being applied by many online marketers nowadays..

And this is never a good strategy for the long term..

Threads like this are scarce...

Particularly true with newcomers is the belief that there is some special piece of knowledge that is keeping them from success. This drives actions likes buying one product after another instead of creating a systematic, strategic approach to online marketing.

In fact an online business is built backwards. Starting at your overall objective and working backwards, identifying all the obstacles that stand in the path from A to B.

Marcus Rockey

I think the main thing that people think is, that when they buy one of these pre-made sites for a low cost, and think it will just make a massive return, they seem to think it is either a get rich quick scheme, or that it will run itself and the money will come in. New people to the industry forget that anything of this nature requires, effort, time, and a plan for the future. You can't sit in your chair and expect the money to come to you, you have to go and get the money, then rest on your chair.

i think much of the problem is people want to buy a job, and at heart they really don't get the essence of working for themselves.

the key to building a business online is starting with something people search for or a place people hang out.

unfortunately many people getting into this business need to get out of the "franchise" model where everything is done for you.

- you cannot be lazy
- you cannot get all the answers in one place
- you cannot pay someone to do it for you

it is YOUR business and you must work it.

is it simple... yes :-) if you think outside the box.

I feel as though I am screwing around most of the time, although I am building a business also.

It's just that doing anything related to IM, seems to be screwing around.

The problem with IM business model is that there is too much distraction. You're sitting on a computer doing business, you can come up with a million things to lose focus like FB, checking your email, chatting and not to mention those Shiny little objects in the WSO section that you think will help you 'crack the code' of Online Marketing.

What I think should be done to become successful in this business is, STICK TO A PLAN AND TAKE ACTION!

Find a good course or better a coaching and STICK with it. Something step-by-step

Divide your work into simple tasks that you need to accomplish everyday. Make thos tasks simple and easy and bite-sized so as not to overwhelm yourself. Your mind will always play tricks on you and will convince you that you need to do this, or read that before you start working. You don't have to know everything in the world to make money online.

Set a goal for yourself and work towards it. This very important. Write down before you go to sleep to night, "I make $x,xxx per month" 10, 20, 30 times until you believe it. Believe that you can do it and you will do it, remove whatever is limiting you.

Finally, find an accountability buddy, someone you look up to and respect. Make a promise to him/her that you will finish the tasks you set everyday, or promise him/her that 6 months from now you will be making $x,xxx per month.

Make that buddy check on you and makes sure you do your work and if you don't do the tasks for the day pay him/her $5, I'm sure this will get you off your butt and make you work.

Hope that helps.

Good stuff! Yeah, Im learning its the correct mindset one must develop! Seriosly, this is a business like you said, not a hobby, therefore we need to start thinking like business owners and that requires developing leadership and communication skill. I suppose you could add management to that as well! Its tough and is not easy but man I love how I feel in the head and the way it is causing me thing think differently

Shane,
You have put together some very good points.

There are basically three reasons behind people failing online:

1)Many newbies perceive IM as get rich quick thing.So they buy every next shiny object and never bother to put anything seriously into practice.

2)It is very easy to get overwhelmed when you are just starting out.There is so much information floating around and no definitive course on internet marketing.

3)Lack of action is another prominent reason behind many failures.Many newbies get caught in the thinking that they need to be perfect before start selling anything and forget that perfection only comes with practice.

Most people who are new to IM will come with the mindset, when they see an offer online, that this is too good to be true, and it's far too easy, wherein they will quickly come to the conclusion it is a scam. They will constantly strive to obtain the 'new' money making online scheme, and forget the previous product they have brought. They won't stick, and won't take action. It's really easy to get distracted online. I know, cause I was like that.

Thanks for this thread, Shane. I'm probably repeating myself ad nauseam but I don't think internet marketing should be approached as a business in itself. It is 'marketing' ... same as marketing in the offline world so imho it should simply be a vehicle that carries your business from one point to another. If you don't even have a business in the first place, what are you marketing over the internet?

I really like the way you put this simply especially for those who are new and not-so-new to this. Thanks.