183 replies
If you've been a newbie for over a year, then you might be a redneck.

No seriously, if you are a newbie right now, then you need to stop being a newbie and start selling stuff. In fact, just get a squeeze page up and send traffic to it.

If you do that, then you'll be further along than 95% of all newbies right away.

Send traffic to a squeeze page, and you're in business. That's it.

Want to make six figures per year? send enough traffic to a squeeze page that you build a list of 5,000 subscribers or more.

I'm now fully convinced that people dont make money because of the BARRIERS they put up that prevents them from making money.

BARRIERS = mindset, making things harder than what they are, self sabotage, fears, overwhelmed, buying too much, lost, analysis paralysis or whatever the heck that is, etc etc

If you just put up a squeeze page and sent traffic to it, you'd be in the game... instead of on the sidelines wondering what to do and how to do it.

dont know where to start?

traffic to a squeeze page. that's it. start there.

focus 98% of your time on that, and nothing else and just watch what happens.

Look, the best way to learn anything is to do it. The best way to learn this business is to do this business.

Once you are sending traffic to a squeeze page, the rest is easy...just promote stuff via emails. dont overcomplicate things and if someone posts below in this thread complicating this, ignore them.

It really is that easy.

(you make it sound so easy Eric)

IT IS!

If you are not making any money, it is because you are not selling anything.

(but Eric, I have a squeeze page)

Are you sending traffic to it constantly?

(but Eric, I am using articles and twitter)

Neither have ever made me a dime. I'm not saying they dont work, but I cant speak for those methods. But, if you've been at those methods for more than a few weeks, then that's a lot of time to spend for nothing.

I would never put my income on the line where it depends on Twitter or articles. That's just me. Feel free to disagree. I dont care.

Paid traffic
Affiliates

That's what has worked for me. Again, twitter may be great for traffic, I just would not focus my effort there. SEO works too, I'm just not good at it.

So, if you wonder why so many never make any money in this business, it's because they cant get traffic... they never-ever get started anyway... they are never selling anything... they offer no services... they sell nothing... they buy everything... they never treat this like a business... they just read, post, buy, read, post, buy, disappear for a while, come back, buy, post, read... etc etc etc

...for years

and are still newbies.

Sell something!

Eric
#newbie #stop
  • Profile picture of the author cowboyrob
    Looks to me like someone has heard one too many pleas from people asking your help on making money online.

    Inspirational post, Eric. I'm sure many people here at the warrior forum will be jump-started by reading this article. Many of us around here are still struggling to find our way in to the market. But when you think about it, why is that even the case anymore? I think all of us have heard at least 10 different "can't-miss" profit formulas. The information is here, and you most likely already have that information. Put it into action. After all, you don't succeed 100% of the time when you don't even attempt to try.
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
      well, if this business is going to put food on your table, pay your bills and be your full time (longterm) income, I think it needs to build assets.

      the business should build a database of prospects and customers (whom can be sold over and over again forever).

      If you have a database of customers/prospects than you have assets. You have a business that can last for a long time.

      And, for the future of marketing online, I'd look into taking your prospects/customers and taking them offline -- out of email auto-responders. I mean, I hate depending on emails for my marketing. So, we're looking into mastering post cards, newsletters, phone calls and other avenues for reaching our prospects/marketplace and customers.

      I'd hate to get a Gmail slap, or Aweber slap, or something like that.... ya know?

      Anyway, traffic to a squeeze page, that's it.

      From there, you're in the game and can focus more on building a relationship with your list, warming them up to you, promoting other things, etc etc

      Eric
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Kelsall
        NO!!!

        I like being a newbie

        I always like to read your posts, because you don't mince words and you don't bullshit anyone. While I don't neccessarily agree with you about article marketing because it has made me some really good money...Your message is dead on.

        I was talking to a guy earlier and he said he just couldn't do it or something along those lines...

        I told him - "No, your head is telling you that you can't do it -- Tell your head to F&*K off and get on with it" - There was a moment of silence and he said "You are right!"

        It is really just a matter of "getting it" unfortunately sometimes "getting it" is hard to define. I love selling shit. My own products, affilate products, CPA offers, leads to local business, and any other thing that I can get traffic from.

        Thanks for the kick in the ass Eric...Again, your posts always kick ass.
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        • Profile picture of the author cowboyrob
          Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

          Thanks for the kick in the ass Eric...Again, your posts always kick ass.
          I concur.

          And I have to say...this made me chuckle (out loud).
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        • Profile picture of the author Kirahster
          Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

          NO!!!

          "No, your head is telling you that you can't do it -- Tell your head to F&*K off and get on with it" .

          I think that is my favorite statement ever. I just posted it to my facebook!
          Signature
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        • Profile picture of the author Darth Executor
          Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

          I told him - "No, your head is telling you that you can't do it -- Tell your head to F&*K off and get on with it"
          This is excellent advice and an issue I'm trying to deal with myself (sorry for using your post as a springboard for a mini-rant). For a while I thought I might not be able to concentrate at all, but it seems that I can indeed concentrate on pointless Internet debates (theology, politics, philosophy, you name it) or playing video games. In other words, concentrate on anything except something that makes me an income. So I tried to think it through and realized it's all in my head. Whenever I try to work I end up telling myself that there's no way this is gonna work (even though I know otherwise), that I'm wasting my time, and the result is that I get a little bit of work done and then spend 2-3 weeks doing nothing. And I can't afford to do nothing anymore. I wasted thousands of dollars on school, I live with a crazy family that's putting me in an early grave and I have no choice but to do this or just roll over and die. So, I'm gonna cut off all distractions. No more news/politics sites. No more Internet debates. No more video games. No more Facebook. From early in the morning until late at night, just e-mail, my web site, and occasionally the WF if I have a question.
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          • Profile picture of the author ExRat
            Hi,

            Ok, so everyone is just going to agree with Eric, and I imagine that anyone who doesn't, aint saying so.

            I'm now fully convinced that people dont make money because of the BARRIERS they put up that prevents them from making money.
            Yep. But if we want to understand this, we must ask why.

            Here's a starter, after a disclaimer.

            Disclaimer = I'm not saying anything is right or wrong and I'm also not bringing my own personal position into it. Is that clear? Good.

            Starter -

            Why do they put up barriers, or allow barriers to get in the way?

            No seriously, if you are a newbie right now, then you need to stop being a newbie and start selling stuff. In fact, just get a squeeze page up and send traffic to it.
            Some people are never going to be able to just sell anything or everything. Some people are never going to be comfortable doing 'whatever it takes' with the sole goal of 'making money'.

            Some people require there to be a purpose behind their effort to make money that is aligned with their view of 'how things should be' and 'how things should be done.' Some people require an ulterior motive other than 'just making money.' They want to provide something of value, and THEN make money from providing it.

            Some people want that 'something of value' to have certain, specific characteristics that are aligned with their skills, their interests and their life-goals.

            Some people, during their early learning curve, have been misled, lied to and cheated by so many email marketers that they simply cannot bear to align themselves alongside those people as an email marketer. There's a huge difference between promising a lot and delivering, and promising a lot and delivering sweet F.A. except continual, unhelpful pitches. Regardless of the fact that they know that they can differentiate and beat those people by actually giving value, they become so jaded that the barriers appear to be immovable.

            And if you tell them to 'just get started', if they are not ready, they see this as the reason why they will also end up misleading and disappointing people - without even trying to.

            There are yet more people who think that they fit into the categories above, but by working on their mindset, reading, questioning themselves etc they will discover that their perceived barriers are simply an illusion - in which case (again) - Eric is right to nudge them.

            My point? I understand that Eric is targeting a subset of people who need a kick up the backside and a reason to just get going.

            But as marketers it would be foolish to assume that everyone can simply overcome those barriers by being kicked, or by just getting started.

            If you want to either motivate, or sell to, the other subsets then you need to understand what is holding them back.

            Yes Eric's motivational post is useful to many. But once the 'great post' replies have dried up, what else is there? There are a whole bunch of people, who have nothing wrong with them, but in order to motivate themselves to build a business they need a lot more than just 'do it to make money' in order for them to overcome their barriers.

            They need to thoroughly examine their thought processes and their biases and try to unravel their conditioning in order to truly understand themselves first - otherwise those barriers will ALWAYS be in the way.

            My point again, in a different way - it's NOT that simple. The brain is complex. It often requires a complex solution. So get started on that.

            If you feel you have barriers getting in the way, take some time to learn about simple psychology, learn about other people, learn about yourself and identify any negative conditioning that you may have experienced and the effects they have been having. Then examine and understand your strengths/weaknesses, your life-goals, your business-goals etc.

            Not only will you find it easier to forge ahead with your plans, you will also find it easier to deal with the differing responses you will receive from people regarding your business/marketing efforts, and you may also remove some of those barriers - particularly the most annoying ones - the illusionary ones. They are a mind-crime.

            If you can 'just do it' regardless, more power to you. But it would not be wise to assume that the barriers holding people back are ALL simply illusions, and that all they need to do to find success is to 'get started.' If that were the case, why would so many people with purchased blueprints in their hands do absolutely nothing with those blueprints? Is it just because they are utterly lazy? Or could it be that there is something about the method that they either find downright distasteful, or that they simply can't visualise themselves doing it on a daily basis because they feel that it is either meaningless, unhelpful or purely a way to make money without any other substance?

            It might be a dog eat dog world, but it's also a world full of pussycats. This may not be such a bad thing. If we were all dogs by design, we would all be consuming each other like an ouroborous.

            Agree/disagree?
            Signature


            Roger Davis

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            • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
              Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

              Hi,

              Ok, so everyone is just going to agree with Eric, and I imagine that anyone who doesn't, aint saying so.

              ...

              Not only will you find it easier to forge ahead with your plans, you will also find it easier to deal with the differing responses you will receive from people regarding your business/marketing efforts, and you may also remove some of those barriers - particularly the most annoying ones - the illusionary ones. They are a mind-crime.

              Agree/disagree?
              Roger, I'm glad you brought this up because this may be one of the most
              important things to being successful, truly successful, that there is.

              I was going to start a thread on this subject, in a roundabout way, but
              instead, since it so applies to this whole problem, I am going to lay my
              cards on the table right here and now.

              This may be quite an eye opener to a lot of people who know me.

              Or think that they know me.

              I have never kept it a secret that the ONLY reason I got into IM was
              because I lost my job and needed the money. Make no mistake about it,
              had I still been employed, I'd probably still be employed today.

              I had zero desire to do this. Heck, I didn't even know this existed.

              As I got into IM, I did grow to love it...for a while. For a long while
              actually. Almost 6 whole years of loving it.

              But around year 5, when measurable success hit, I started to notice that
              the "love" was not quite what it was. Maybe it's kind of like what happens
              after you get married. After all, the honeymoon doesn't last forever.

              Suddenly, the more success I had, the more work it became.

              I didn't like that feeling.

              Finally, one day, when I realized that I was making enough to simply
              coast along (took me years to get there) I decided that I didn't want to
              work 14 hour days anymore. My workday is now about an hour or two tops.

              I am now enjoying my day in the recording studio, watching TV, going to
              movies with my kid and still BSing a little at this forum because I still do
              enjoy interacting with you lunatics.

              But work?

              I do as little of it as possible.

              Now, imagine me feeling that way, with my success.

              How is a person going to feel who is doing something that...

              1. They don't really love doing.
              2. Isn't bringing them the kind of income they want.

              Will they stick with it long?

              Let's be honest, you big guns who are making tons more than I am.

              You worked to get to where you are so that you too don't have to put in
              long days. You're happy working your one or two hours a day, if that.

              After all, that's what everybody's been telling me I should shoot for all
              this time that I've been working round the clock.

              My point is this...unless you're desperate, there is little chance that you're
              going to be able to put in the effort, day in and day out, on something
              that you don't enjoy doing and isn't bringing you a decent return.

              Hell, look at me. I'm sick of doing this stuff and I can do it in my sleep now.

              I do just the bare minimum to pay the bills now, which, thank goodness,
              with the mortgage and credit cards paid off, is very little.

              Do I still have the smarts to double my income?

              Sure.

              Do I care?

              No, not really...not anymore. I have finally realized that there are way
              more important things than money...things no amount of money can buy,
              like my mother's health back. I may very well lose her any day now.

              When life looks you square in the face, that's when you realize what's
              really important.

              So yeah, you can go through the motions, like Eric says (the X's and O's
              are not hard to follow) and make a living online.

              But if you don't really have a passion for it...you won't last long.

              After 6 1/2 years...I've had enough.

              30 hours work a month is now all I'm willing to put into my business.

              As far as I'm concerned...it's 30 hours too much.

              Not when there are so many other things that are so much more
              important.

              Anyway, Eric gives good advice. If you can distance your emotions from
              the process, yeah, that's all there is to it.

              If not...you better search deep down inside for that one thing that's going
              to make this, what can be a miserable business, tolerable.
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              • Profile picture of the author elaine drennan
                Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

                Roger, I'm glad you brought this up because this may be one of the most
                important things to being successful, truly successful, that there is.

                I was going to start a thread on this subject, in a roundabout way, but
                instead, since it so applies to this whole problem, I am going to lay my
                cards on the table right here and now.

                This may be quite an eye opener to a lot of people who know me.

                Or think that they know me.

                I have never kept it a secret that the ONLY reason I got into IM was
                because I lost my job and needed the money. Make no mistake about it,
                had I still been employed, I'd probably still be employed today.

                I had zero desire to do this. Heck, I didn't even know this existed.

                As I got into IM, I did grow to love it...for a while. For a long while
                actually. Almost 6 whole years of loving it.

                But around year 5, when measurable success hit, I started to notice that
                the "love" was not quite what it was. Maybe it's kind of like what happens
                after you get married. After all, the honeymoon doesn't last forever.

                Suddenly, the more success I had, the more work it became.

                I didn't like that feeling.

                Finally, one day, when I realized that I was making enough to simply
                coast along (took me years to get there) I decided that I didn't want to
                work 14 hour days anymore. My workday is now about an hour or two tops.

                I am now enjoying my day in the recording studio, watching TV, going to
                movies with my kid and still BSing a little at this forum because I still do
                enjoy interacting with you lunatics.

                But work?

                I do as little of it as possible.

                Now, imagine me feeling that way, with my success.

                How is a person going to feel who is doing something that...

                1. They don't really love doing.
                2. Isn't bringing them the kind of income they want.

                Will they stick with it long?

                Let's be honest, you big guns who are making tons more than I am.

                You worked to get to where you are so that you too don't have to put in
                long days. You're happy working your one or two hours a day, if that.

                After all, that's what everybody's been telling me I should shoot for all
                this time that I've been working round the clock.

                My point is this...unless you're desperate, there is little chance that you're
                going to be able to put in the effort, day in and day out, on something
                that you don't enjoy doing and isn't bringing you a decent return.

                Hell, look at me. I'm sick of doing this stuff and I can do it in my sleep now.

                I do just the bare minimum to pay the bills now, which, thank goodness,
                with the mortgage and credit cards paid off, is very little.

                Do I still have the smarts to double my income?

                Sure.

                Do I care?

                No, not really...not anymore. I have finally realized that there are way
                more important things than money...things no amount of money can buy,
                like my mother's health back. I may very well lose her any day now.

                When life looks you square in the face, that's when you realize what's
                really important.

                So yeah, you can go through the motions, like Eric says (the X's and O's
                are not hard to follow) and make a living online.

                But if you don't really have a passion for it...you won't last long.

                After 6 1/2 years...I've had enough.

                30 hours work a month is now all I'm willing to put into my business.

                As far as I'm concerned...it's 30 hours too much.

                Not when there are so many other things that are so much more
                important.

                Anyway, Eric gives good advice. If you can distance your emotions from
                the process, yeah, that's all there is to it.

                If not...you better search deep down inside for that one thing that's going
                to make this, what can be a miserable business, tolerable.
                Steven,

                Thank you for sharing your story with us - the REAL story.

                I'm sorry about your Mother. I saw your post shortly after she got sick and I was so touched by all the lovely replies you got. You might not believe this but I've often wondered what way things were going...

                The lessons you have learnt are very costly but also very valuable.

                Best Wishes,

                Elaine
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            • Profile picture of the author elaine drennan
              Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

              Some people require there to be a purpose behind their effort to make money that is aligned with their view of 'how things should be' and 'how things should be done.' Some people require an ulterior motive other than 'just making money.' They want to provide something of value, and THEN make money from providing it.

              Some people want that 'something of value' to have certain, specific characteristics that are aligned with their skills, their interests and their life-goals.

              Some people, during their early learning curve, have been misled, lied to and cheated by so many email marketers that they simply cannot bear to align themselves alongside those people as an email marketer. There's a huge difference between promising a lot and delivering, and promising a lot and delivering sweet F.A. except continual, unhelpful pitches. Regardless of the fact that they know that they can differentiate and beat those people by actually giving value, they become so jaded that the barriers appear to be immovable.

              And if you tell them to 'just get started', if they are not ready, they see this as the reason why they will also end up misleading and disappointing people - without even trying to.
              I want you to know that you are the FIRST person who has put into words WHAT I FEEL.

              Here is part of a message I sent to a "friend" of mine in a Social Networking
              Group earlier today:

              The one thing that made me hesitant to enter this Internet Marketing business is that there are so many sharks out there just interested in making money out of innocent people, many of whom are really desperate. I'm terrified of being associated with that, to me it's just like blood money.

              The only way I can be happy is to make sure that I always "walk the walk" before I "talk the talk".

              I really do not want to make a living out of offering people what is only a mirage. As long as I can offer them something REAL which will be of benefit to them I can hold my head up high.

              Thank you so much for your post.
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            • Profile picture of the author Matt.Lake
              Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

              Hi,

              Ok, so everyone is just going to agree with Eric, and I imagine that anyone who doesn't, aint saying so.

              Yep. But if we want to understand this, we must ask why.

              Here's a starter, after a disclaimer.

              Disclaimer = I'm not saying anything is right or wrong and I'm also not bringing my own personal position into it. Is that clear? Good.

              Starter -

              Why do they put up barriers, or allow barriers to get in the way?

              Some people are never going to be able to just sell anything or everything. Some people are never going to be comfortable doing 'whatever it takes' with the sole goal of 'making money'.

              Some people require there to be a purpose behind their effort to make money that is aligned with their view of 'how things should be' and 'how things should be done.' Some people require an ulterior motive other than 'just making money.' They want to provide something of value, and THEN make money from providing it.

              Some people want that 'something of value' to have certain, specific characteristics that are aligned with their skills, their interests and their life-goals.

              Some people, during their early learning curve, have been misled, lied to and cheated by so many email marketers that they simply cannot bear to align themselves alongside those people as an email marketer. There's a huge difference between promising a lot and delivering, and promising a lot and delivering sweet F.A. except continual, unhelpful pitches. Regardless of the fact that they know that they can differentiate and beat those people by actually giving value, they become so jaded that the barriers appear to be immovable.

              And if you tell them to 'just get started', if they are not ready, they see this as the reason why they will also end up misleading and disappointing people - without even trying to.

              There are yet more people who think that they fit into the categories above, but by working on their mindset, reading, questioning themselves etc they will discover that their perceived barriers are simply an illusion - in which case (again) - Eric is right to nudge them.

              My point? I understand that Eric is targeting a subset of people who need a kick up the backside and a reason to just get going.

              But as marketers it would be foolish to assume that everyone can simply overcome those barriers by being kicked, or by just getting started.

              If you want to either motivate, or sell to, the other subsets then you need to understand what is holding them back.

              Yes Eric's motivational post is useful to many. But once the 'great post' replies have dried up, what else is there? There are a whole bunch of people, who have nothing wrong with them, but in order to motivate themselves to build a business they need a lot more than just 'do it to make money' in order for them to overcome their barriers.

              They need to thoroughly examine their thought processes and their biases and try to unravel their conditioning in order to truly understand themselves first - otherwise those barriers will ALWAYS be in the way.

              My point again, in a different way - it's NOT that simple. The brain is complex. It often requires a complex solution. So get started on that.

              If you feel you have barriers getting in the way, take some time to learn about simple psychology, learn about other people, learn about yourself and identify any negative conditioning that you may have experienced and the effects they have been having. Then examine and understand your strengths/weaknesses, your life-goals, your business-goals etc.

              Not only will you find it easier to forge ahead with your plans, you will also find it easier to deal with the differing responses you will receive from people regarding your business/marketing efforts, and you may also remove some of those barriers - particularly the most annoying ones - the illusionary ones. They are a mind-crime.

              If you can 'just do it' regardless, more power to you. But it would not be wise to assume that the barriers holding people back are ALL simply illusions, and that all they need to do to find success is to 'get started.' If that were the case, why would so many people with purchased blueprints in their hands do absolutely nothing with those blueprints? Is it just because they are utterly lazy? Or could it be that there is something about the method that they either find downright distasteful, or that they simply can't visualise themselves doing it on a daily basis because they feel that it is either meaningless, unhelpful or purely a way to make money without any other substance?

              It might be a dog eat dog world, but it's also a world full of pussycats. This may not be such a bad thing. If we were all dogs by design, we would all be consuming each other like an ouroborous.

              Agree/disagree?

              Agree. ;-)

              Although I also agree with what Eric was saying in that as long as you keep calling youself a newbie... you'll probably stay one.

              I personally hate the word.
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              • Profile picture of the author maxdog
                Originally Posted by Matt.Lake View Post

                Agree. ;-)

                Although I also agree with what Eric was saying in that as long as you keep calling youself a newbie... you'll probably stay one.

                I personally hate the word.

                Yeah I agree with what all 388 whatever people just said Just STOP IT!
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            • Profile picture of the author GrantFreeman
              Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

              Hi,

              My point again, in a different way - it's NOT that simple. The brain is complex. It often requires a complex solution. So get started on that.

              If you feel you have barriers getting in the way, take some time to learn about simple psychology, learn about other people, learn about yourself and identify any negative conditioning that you may have experienced and the effects they have been having. Then examine and understand your strengths/weaknesses, your life-goals, your business-goals etc.

              Not only will you find it easier to forge ahead with your plans, you will also find it easier to deal with the differing responses you will receive from people regarding your business/marketing efforts, and you may also remove some of those barriers - particularly the most annoying ones - the illusionary ones. They are a mind-crime.

              If you can 'just do it' regardless, more power to you. But it would not be wise to assume that the barriers holding people back are ALL simply illusions, and that all they need to do to find success is to 'get started.' If that were the case, why would so many people with purchased blueprints in their hands do absolutely nothing with those blueprints? Is it just because they are utterly lazy? Or could it be that there is something about the method that they either find downright distasteful, or that they simply can't visualise themselves doing it on a daily basis because they feel that it is either meaningless, unhelpful or purely a way to make money without any other substance?

              It might be a dog eat dog world, but it's also a world full of pussycats. This may not be such a bad thing. If we were all dogs by design, we would all be consuming each other like an ouroborous.

              Agree/disagree?
              Eric, thanks for a great post. Good stuff as usual

              Right on the money, XRat. You posed lots of great things for people to think about.

              In a retro-newbie kind of way, let me respond to that. The following is not meant to offend anyone- just something I would say if I was just getting started in IM..

              ----------

              Roger,

              I hope it isn't all about self improvement... been there-done that.

              I've focused on taking action till I can't keep my eyes open, but I'm ready to give up because it's been 3 weeks now, and I have yet to make a cent.

              I've tried every technique, built an optin list, a few blogs, got an autoresponder, and spent all my money on traffic. Still no money, and now I'm broke.

              I knew this was going to happen.

              I've been burnt by so many marketers I don't know who or what to believe anymore. Plus, when I seek mentorship from those marketers I know are doing well, they either tell me I'm "missing something" or "I'm not ready yet".

              What the hell is that suppose to mean?

              I'd do anything to make this work, but I keep failing, and people don't take me seriously.

              -Nubee
              ----------

              It's my hope that this touches on a lot of feelings people have about starting something new. Doesn't matter if its IM, or building a dog house.

              But the truth is, if you've read the begining of this "pretend" segment, is that you DO have to improve yourself in order to get where you want to go.

              The first sentence was an actual response from a customer who bought an ebook I wrote. It was about those very thing that XRat and Eric are talking about.

              You see, if you're new to IM, the only difference between you, and a Paul Myers, or Eric L, is that they think differently.

              They understand that you've got many years of limited, and often times negative thinking that's preventing you from getting out of that box, and seeing the bigger picture. We've all been there in one capacity or another.

              They, along with just about any other IM'er was in the same "mindset" as you were- putting more focus on action, but never changing your thought patterns.

              Instead of telling yourself that "you can't" tell yourself "I could if I wanted to" Instead of telling yourself that you're "failing" tell yourself "I'm learning".

              Understand this.

              This is an incredible thread about what it takes to be successful. But it will never happen until you improve your thinking into a more positive state of mind.

              Yes. It's a dog-eat-dog world. Times are tough for lots of people right now, but things are better than ever with other folks. What's a good solution?

              Decide to stop wearing milk-bone underwear.

              Grant
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            • Profile picture of the author Robin E. Anderson
              I thank you, ExRat, for putting a concept I was having trouble articulating to myself . I have seen so much hyperbole and so many misleading claims from email marketers that I kinda don't want to align myself with them. Anytime I see "Bam!" or "Pow!" or "Sale" or "Madness" used on a site, I cringe. Reminds me of the old Batman tv show.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
        Hi. My name's Kevin Riley. I'm a newbie.

        I force myself to be a newbie at something all the time, as it makes me continue to learn. However, I never stay a newbie for long. That's the trick - continually improving.
        Signature
        Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel E Taylor
    Getting started is that simple. Obviously you're going to have to keep learning growing and developing, but doing that will get you rolling.

    The only problem is most people KNOW this, but they don't do it.

    So the real question is why don't they follow these simple steps?

    Subconscious patterning. I've been doing alot of studying on this subject.

    Most people know what to do to get where they want, but on a subconscious
    level they don't want to break out of their comfort zone.

    Unless you reprogram your subconscious you'll be moving through this
    whole internet marketing thing with your brakes on. Taking forever to
    get stuff done that should take an hour. or never doing it at all.

    There are many ways to reprogram your subconscious patterning.

    But all of them require you take action through fear and discomfort,
    which most people won't do.

    One of the best ways is to say "**** sleep" and keep working.

    You'll notice your subconscious mind has many tactics to make sure
    you don't repattern it. Like getting tired when you need to be working.

    I could go on all day, don't want to steal your thread, but I think it's
    a great topic for discussion.

    Daniel
    Signature

    Self Actualization is one's true purpose. Everything
    else is an illusion.

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  • Profile picture of the author mastermoog
    Thanks Eric,

    I am a real newbie and have been following a few programs for the past 2 weeks.. i know i should get this F@#$n thing started but i seem to always want to find out more and cross reference and double check, then triple check to see if something is worth spending time on.. then going back to see if there may be a better/faster way to produce the same results.. then getting misled.. then finding another great idea that would cost less.. then.. DAMMIT NO AND THEN!! I'm out to create a squeeze page and do my best to get some traffic.. i'll learn what i can along the way.

    Thank you,
    Simon
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    • Profile picture of the author Agung Prabowo
      Newbie from Zero to Hero!

      from warrior i already made a living online, everybody should give a shoot here and stop became noobs anymore,

      warriors provide great idea and tools for yer business idea

      thanks,
      Agung
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Wolfe
    This is a great thread because I am also that newbie that you speak of. I get bogged down with too much information. E-Mail marketing, PPC, CPA, Wordpress blogs, Adsense, landing pages, squeeze pages, contextual advertising, SEO... There's just so much and I'm constantly trying to figure out how they all intertwine between each other. I guess I just need to simplify. Learn one method until it completely makes sense and then start branching out.
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  • Profile picture of the author 123rlp
    Great post Eric,

    Could you please give us some good ways to drive traffic to our squeeze page.I know there this ppc but what type of keywords do you use with ppc.If you could tell ous your best method to drive traffic that would be very helpfull.Thanks,Bob
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  • Profile picture of the author DukeNasty
    Great post! You are absolutely right though in terms of taking action. There will never be a "perfect" time to start, so you might as well start now, stop analyzing every possible reason for failure, and just get on with it. ACTION solves all problems. Again, great wake up call!

    E.
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    I'm a bit Like Riley in that sense... I like being a newbie.. but it has to be a new version of newbie every week with something new.

    That way, I know I'm learning fresh stuff and staying out of my comfort zone...

    Peace

    Jay
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

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  • Profile picture of the author One
    Thank God I'm no longer a newbie

    After 3 years running online business, I'm sure I'm paying myself a pretty big 'salary' every month.

    Anyway, I urge all newbies out there read this great post. Take Eric's words and let them motivate you. That said, stop being a newbie!
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  • Profile picture of the author madison_avenue
    Eric Louviere

    Are you sending traffic to it constantly?

    (but Eric, I am using articles and twitter)

    Neither have ever made me a dime. I'm not saying they dont work, but I cant speak for those methods. But, if you've been at those methods for more than a few weeks, then that's a lot of time to spend for nothing.
    Eric,

    For better or worse, I would guess that 90% of people on this forum are using article marketing as their main traffic generation method. If these methods are not making you a dime, what methods are you using to drive traffic to your squeeze page?

    all the best
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  • Profile picture of the author Dally137
    How can a member be a newbie for 5 years? Really how it is possible?
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    • Profile picture of the author rohesiarain
      Originally Posted by Dally137 View Post

      How can a member be a newbie for 5 years? Really how it is possible?
      This post made me laugh!
      You can make every excuse in the world to avoid success so what is your reason to succeed?
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    Want to make six figures per year? send enough traffic to a squeeze page that you build a list of 5,000 subscribers or more.
    I find it fascinating that you put up that number, 5,000. Because that was
    the magic number for me Eric. Once I hit 5,000 subscribers, that's when I
    hit 6 figures a year.

    So I have to ask, is this a basic standard in the business? Get 5,000
    subscribers and make 6 figures, more or less?

    The reason I'm asking is I've heard the "theory" that you'll make $1 per
    subscriber per month, but that only translates into $60,000 a year. I'm
    doing about $2 per subscriber so I am just wondering what the average
    figures really are or is the real truth...nobody knows?

    Just curious.

    Anyway, great post.
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
      Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

      I find it fascinating that you put up that number, 5,000. Because that was
      the magic number for me Eric. Once I hit 5,000 subscribers, that's when I
      hit 6 figures a year.

      So I have to ask, is this a basic standard in the business? Get 5,000
      subscribers and make 6 figures, more or less?

      The reason I'm asking is I've heard the "theory" that you'll make $1 per
      subscriber per month, but that only translates into $60,000 a year. I'm
      doing about $2 per subscriber so I am just wondering what the average
      figures really are or is the real truth...nobody knows?

      Just curious.

      Anyway, great post.
      I dont really think anyone can state a magic number (like 5000) for a list and say that number of subscribers equals X amount of money. I mean a list of 1000 could do as much as a list of 5000, or 20,000.

      I mean, what niche market is it? what did they get when they opted in? How did you get them to your page in the first place? What do you give them? What do you sell them? How do you brand yourself to them and create "believability" or credibility factors? and so on...

      I'd say if you have a list of 5k and it's making you six figures, then you do a good job of managing your list - and that the market you are in is a passionate one indeed.

      I think one of the best things you can do with your list is interact with them. I mean, have a tele-seminar or webinar, offer them videos, let them see you and hear you. for some that's scary, but if you can do that right, you can boost response.

      people buy because they like you, trust you and believe you. The more credibility you have with your list, the more proof factors you tap into, the more they will buy and they will come after you... asking you to sell them more stuff.

      I'm not the greatest at managing lists actually. Others here could probably give you much better advice for managing a list. It's just my opinion that "warming up" prospects and staying "top of mind awareness" can boost response ---- ultimately turning that 5k list into a six figure income.

      Anyway, Steve, I hope that helps a bit. Good question though, I wonder myself what the industry standard is. but, there are so many variables, I'd say it's pretty hard to state as a fact.
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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

        I mean, what niche market is it? what did they get when they opted in? How did you get them to your page in the first place? What do you give them? What do you sell them? How do you brand yourself to them and create "believability" or credibility factors? and so on...
        I'd say Eric is giving great advice that is inspiring...because he is a master at inspiring.

        I have purchased books from him and practiced his techniques myself... used his advice on ppc to a "T" and ended up getting click through ratio's of 20%...and spending hundreds of dollars on google advertising to make 1 sale out of 800 clicks...

        "Yay. 6 dollars."! Maybe if I spend another 300.00, and wait two weeks, I can make $12.00!!!

        I figured I must be doing something wrong...and turns out I was. Note: You can take this advice which is absolutely true, and until you have learned a whole lot of other things, chances are you will still be doing something wrong that will inhibit your success.

        In any event Eric is a master and he knows what he's doing, however after reading the quote above, you can see that this is not the advice that's gonna get you out of being a newbie overnight, because it is SERIOUSLY putting the cart before the horse.

        Newbies aren't masters.

        There are alot of preceding steps that must be taken in order to even find a good topic to create a squeeze page for..."

        My personal verdict:

        Good advice but really way oversimplified. That's my two cents. It's so easy to tell newbies how simple it is ... and end up making them feel stupid because they "didn't see the truth that was right in front them...".

        I'll take the advice personally at some point, but I know that this is more like step 5 and not step one. Fact is "There is a learning curve, and most average people don't have the skills necessary to build that kind of loyalty with their list...Most newbies will lose peoples interest faster than they can opt them in...most newbies in fact will lose half their list's interest within the first two emails they send..."

        Everyone should build a list agreed, but a newbie needs alot of things preceding list building to even get to that stage. Love ya Eric. This may not be politically correct but...it's my truth.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marian Berghes
    I watched Moffatt say something last night...

    You don't need a big list of people...you just need a list of followers...may it be 2k-5k-10k whatever...if they are interested in you and you know how to build a relationship with them...then you'll make more money then somebody that has 3x your list but he does nothing to to make them his "friends".
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    • Profile picture of the author RevolutionThree
      Originally Posted by Marian Berghes View Post

      I watched Moffatt say something last night...

      You don't need a big list of people...you just need a list of followers...may it be 2k-5k-10k whatever...if they are interested in you and you know how to build a relationship with them...then you'll make more money then somebody that has 3x your list but he does nothing to to make them his "friends".
      Great point. I can see how building up the trust and relationship can go a long way.
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  • Profile picture of the author lstoops
    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    .

    Send traffic to a squeeze page, and you're in business. That's it.

    Want to make six figures per year? send enough traffic to a squeeze page that you build a list of 5,000 subscribers or more.

    dont know where to start?

    traffic to a squeeze page. that's it. start there.

    focus 98% of your time on that, and nothing else and just watch what happens.

    If you are not making any money, it is because you are not selling anything.

    Eric

    AWESOME!! That is exactly the key - you have to sell something to make money!
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  • Profile picture of the author WilliamM
    Eric,

    You are absolutely right. It's not rocket science. If a person will start with the basics, stick to them and perfect them, the chances of success are practically guaranteed.

    Pick up niche.
    Put up a squeeze page.
    Promote. Promote. Promote.

    Certainly, there are a lot of details that need to be learned - keyword research, product evaluation or creation, analysis of competition, etc. - but these should build on the fundamentals and not stray from them.

    Thanks for the motivating message.

    William
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Good thread, Eric.

      I'm always a newbie at something I'm doing - but it's a temporary condition, not a permanent handicap!

      kay
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      One secret to happiness is to let every situation be
      what it is instead of what you think it should be.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joeez
    I agree completely. I never made a dime until I got it through my thick head that I needed a list. It really is as easy as you say:

    1. Build list
    2. Market to list
    3. Repeat
    Signature

    Get real, unbiased Internet Marketing Reviews-If it stinks, I'll let you know.

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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Buckley
    There are at least two kinds of newbies on this forum. The more common type are those who come here looking for the shortcut to effortless millions. They are grist for the mill created to separate them from their cash in return for a pocketful of dreams.

    The other, rarer, type are those who, for whatever reason, have made a commitment to learn and do whatever it takes to free themselves of their employer's shackles and strike out on their own.

    For this second type, this thread will set off bells and turn on light bulbs. They'll get it.

    "He who knows and knows not that he knows
    Is asleep. Wake him.

    He who knows not and knows that he knows not
    Is a child. Teach him.

    He who knows not and knows not that he knows not
    Is a fool. Shun him.

    He who knows and knows that he knows
    Is wise. Follow him."-Old Arabic Proverb
    Signature

    "Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something." -Plato

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  • Profile picture of the author Colin_Bird
    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    they never-ever get started anyway... they are never selling anything... they offer no services... they sell nothing... they buy everything... they never treat this like a business...
    They are waiting until everything is perfect before they start... (I've been guilty of that one)!

    Thanks Eric, great post.

    Col
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  • Profile picture of the author Success2020
    Eric i think you post this because of me...lol I think is time to start taking more action on what have learn most especially here ....
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  • Profile picture of the author hfm
    Excellent post, well said. Time to shed the newbie title and be a man.

    I always believe that action speaks louder than words. All talk and no action gets you no where. Once again, well said.

    Truly inspirational.
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  • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
    Banned
    Eric, I can agree with most of what you say. Here's my 2 cents.

    Since I am a very experienced Marketer, not an Internet person I am going to set everyone straight

    The problem with IT people, Affiliates, SEO, PPC, Site design, etc... is that YOU don't know Marketing. You know how to Build stuff.

    Frank Kern is a student of Dan Kennedy, why do you think Frank is successful? Eben Pagan, Russell Brunson, etc... guess who their mentor is? The top gurus know how to attract customers, magnetic marketing, people chase them, not the other way around.

    Forget you know anything about the Internet, seriously. What if there was no internet?

    I have never built a site, blog, uploaded videos, audio, etc...

    I know a decent amount about SEO, I'm very good at PPC, and Website design/layout. I learned from the Masters: Opt in to their email list and receive Alerts.
    • Eyetracking Research into Web Usability Learn how to build sites correctly. I don't know how to use the software to build sites, but I'll tell you this. I can go toe to toe with anyone on how to Layout a website. What converts, what doesn't. I outsource my work and dictate the design.
    I have to admit my marketing skills are very good. I learned how to Market irrespective of any Media that is available to me. I don't need the Internet to make a killing. It just so happens I'm very good at it and right now it's the Wild Wild West days of the Internet so I can make a small fortune.

    I was studying Gary Halbert back in the 80's about marketing and direct mail. Gary Halbert is the one who hooked me on marketing. I still have the 1st manual (cheap copies from a junk printer with a terrible binder) that I bought from Gary. I think I paid $87 25 years ago. He was very blunt, talked about sex, his girlfriends, etc... I was hooked

    Since then I've gone on to study the Masters: John Caples, David Ogilvy, Dan Kennedy, Gary Halbert, Claude Hopkins, Dick Benson, etc...

    If you read the books below I guarantee YOU will know more than 99% about Marketing than anyone here on the WF and the Planet. See how easy it really is! Get these books, about $200 and read.

    My advice it to learn Marketing 1st, then buy a course like the one Eben Pagan released yesterday, then Implement. This will Guarantee success.

    Let me give you what I consider some of the best books available:

    Influence, Robert B. Cialdini, Book - Barnes & Noble

    Amazon.com: Tested Advertising Methods (Prentice Hall Business Classics): John Caples, Fred E. Hahn: Books


    https://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/st...html?sid=store


    Amazon.com: My Life in Advertising and Scientific Advertising (Advertising Age Classics Library): Claude Hopkins: Books


    Amazon.com: No B.S. Direct Marketing: The Ultimate, No Holds Barred, Kick Butt, Take No Prisoners Direct Marketing for Non-direct Marketing Businesses: Dan Kennedy: Books


    Amazon.com: To Be or Not to Be Intimidated?: That is the Question: Robert Ringer: Books


    Amazon.com: The Closers: Ben Gay III: Books&


    Amazon.com: Think and Grow Rich eBook: Napoleon Hill: Kindle Store


    David Ogilvy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


    My personal hero:
    Halbert Newsletter Archives

    YouTube - gary halbert Videos
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    I agree, Roger.

    I think (probably, wrongly but who's watchin'?).. that it comes down to your/our/his/her reason WHY... the purpose that is to become your/our/his/her driving force in business and ultimately life.

    This is not something that can be borne or manifested from a swift kick up the arse, but only comes from inspection, internal understanding and, not to go all hippy voodoo on you, but.. that reason why comes from finding/knowing oneself ...

    To know YOU is to know what drives you, and therefore you know what/how you can provide for the world... the what and how you can provide for the world, will allow you to be compensated in the way you wish to be...

    Spiritually or in a monetary value kinda way.

    Well, I know what I mean ..lol... it allowed me to find a never ending source of inspiration, and I'm thankful for it..

    Peace

    Jay
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

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  • Profile picture of the author bluefoot
    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    BARRIERS = mindset, making things harder than what they are, self sabotage, fears, overwhelmed, buying too much, lost, analysis paralysis or whatever the heck that is, etc etc
    Thanks for this point of view Eric. It's really motivating. I'll read it tonight again before I sit down in front of my computer. Maybe I'll read it every night for a week!!

    If I had more posts, I'd click the Thank You button.

    Thank You
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  • Profile picture of the author Forexwarrior
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi,

      Originally Posted by Forexwarrior View Post

      Great post!....must take your advice.

      Thanks,

      Tony
      I guess I was just inviting a 'dog' (your avatar) to come along and say that when I said -

      It might be a dog eat dog world, but it's also a world full of pussycats. This may not be such a bad thing. If we were all dogs by design, we would all be consuming each other like an ouroborous.
      Signature


      Roger Davis

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  • Profile picture of the author Marian Berghes
    Thats what alot of people want, and thats why you hear alot of people saying "automate as much as you can" cus there will come a time when you just want to make as much money as you can by working as less as you can...and the key to that is either you settle for less or you automate the hell out of everything.

    Outsorce 80% of your work, build your own software if you cant find one that can do what you want.

    Cus like Steven said...in the end its about actually LIVING your life with those money, not working to make more and more and more without actually having time to spend it as you want.

    OFC alot of people will say "I can still go out on weekends, or I can still take 2 vacations of 1-2 weeks per year" etc... its all about what you want.
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  • Profile picture of the author ToddK
    Eric....and everyone else that has added to this post,

    Fantastic Thread!! I have been at this for about 4 months now so I consider myself a newbie in that aspect. However, I do have a few things going and some squeeze pages online but aren't really seeing any returns as of yet.....this is mostly due to obtaining the necessary traffic. Most of what I have been doing relies more on SEO....which I also have a lot to learn about.

    I think where a lot of us newbies fail is in the traffic department. It is not necessarily due to not wanting to succeed.....let's face it, we are all drawn to IM in the hopes of making big money....let me rephrase that, many are drawn to the IM because of "promises" of big money.

    So we pick out something "we" think is a hot topic, throw up 3 or 4 squeeze pages then sit back and wait for the money to start rolling in. And we wait, wait and wait.

    Then we get frustrated and go back to our day jobs.

    What people have to realize is that picking a topic.....whether a good one or bad one.....is the easy part and throwing up a squeeze page is only slighter harder. Hell, with all the free templates and squeeze page generators you don't even have to know HTML, PHP or any other type of coding.

    The down right hard part....in my estimation.....is building a list and obtaining the necessary traffic. I am convinced that the only truly successful IM's are those that have mastered these 2 techniques. That and learning what to promote. As I mentioned above I quickly learned that what I thought was a hot topic was actually a downright cold topic....but that's a story for another thread.
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
      Originally Posted by sm0ney View Post

      Eric....and everyone else that has added to this post,

      Fantastic Thread!! I have been at this for about 4 months now so I consider myself a newbie in that aspect. However, I do have a few things going and some squeeze pages online but aren't really seeing any returns as of yet.....this is mostly due to obtaining the necessary traffic. Most of what I have been doing relies more on SEO....which I also have a lot to learn about.

      I think where a lot of us newbies fail is in the traffic department. It is not necessarily due to not wanting to succeed.....let's face it, we are all drawn to IM in the hopes of making big money....let me rephrase that, many are drawn to the IM because of "promises" of big money.

      So we pick out something "we" think is a hot topic, throw up 3 or 4 squeeze pages then sit back and wait for the money to start rolling in. And we wait, wait and wait.

      Then we get frustrated and go back to our day jobs.

      What people have to realize is that picking a topic.....whether a good one or bad one.....is the easy part and throwing up a squeeze page is only slighter harder. Hell, with all the free templates and squeeze page generators you don't even have to know HTML, PHP or any other type of coding.

      The down right hard part....in my estimation.....is building a list and obtaining the necessary traffic. I am convinced that the only truly successful IM's are those that have mastered these 2 techniques. That and learning what to promote. As I mentioned above I quickly learned that what I thought was a hot topic was actually a downright cold topic....but that's a story for another thread.
      I think you are right.

      And, most go after articles, social marketing and other FREE ways of generating traffic. Someone in this thread said that 95% here in the forum go after articles. Others disagreed with me about articles.

      I cant really say that articles dont work. I can say that they have never worked well for me. I mean, all I can really say is what has worked well for me or my close partners.

      I know maybe a couple people who make big money with articles or social marketing. That's just me. I only know a few.

      But, I know a ton of people (A TON OF PEOPLE)...

      repeat:

      AN ABSOLUTE TON OF PEOPLE!!

      who make big money with:

      Paid Traffic
      Affiliates / JV's

      A TON OF PEOPLE!!!

      So, disagree all you want. Throw rocks at me, complicate things... screw it all up. post your intelligent replies... go all psychological on me and prove all you want with your well thought out debates and points, and opinions. Go for it. I dont care.

      My simple point is:

      If 95% make no money... and 95% here are focused on articles, or facebook, then maybe there's something there?

      And, if I can count on one hand how many I know who make big bucks with articles, but cant even keep track (or count that high) of people I know who make bigger money with paid traffic and JV's, then hmmm... I dont know, it sells itself!

      Lets see... you can spend the next three years building up your submitted article portfolio and maybe make $2400 per month... or you can create a product, and sales process, strike a bunch of JV's to promote your launch, and make $100k in a week?

      I dont know, it sells itself.

      Or................

      What if.

      What if you spend that 3 years building up your article portfolio...

      only to find out later, that your site or offer does not even convert??

      damn. that blows. ouchy.

      Screw articles.

      It's a temporary way to satisfy your "emotion" for making big money. It's a slow ass process, that'll have 99% quit before the articles kick in making them any kind of money.

      But, I do know some who make it work.

      I just know more, including myself, who make much more the other ways.

      But, I know a lot of people here sell "how to make money with articles" and I'm sure they are about ready to kill me for this thread.

      Sorry.

      Articles suck for most who want to make money. Yes, they work. But, I would not recommend it to anyone who paid me a bunch of money to teach them how to make money in this business.

      If my best friend asked me, I'd say, stay away from articles. They suck.

      This is a business. Not some hobby where you say, "ohh look, I got 15 visitors to my site this month. wow. can you believe that? hey honey, look, I actually got some people to come check out my site. Finally. It's only been 16 months since I started this article marketing thingy. I'm going to write five more articles tonight after American Idol or tomorrow after my 12 hour shift at work."

      If you want this business to put food on your table and pay the bills, so you can live the internet lifestyle, then STOP BEING A NEWBIE.

      Eric
      PS - articles suck
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      • Profile picture of the author Gaurav Duggal
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

        I think you are right.

        And, most go after articles, social marketing and other FREE ways of generating traffic. Someone in this thread said that 95% here in the forum go after articles. Others disagreed with me about articles.

        I cant really say that articles dont work. I can say that they have never worked well for me. I mean, all I can really say is what has worked well for me or my close partners.

        I know maybe a couple people who make big money with articles or social marketing. That's just me. I only know a few.

        But, I know a ton of people (A TON OF PEOPLE)...

        repeat:

        AN ABSOLUTE TON OF PEOPLE!!

        who make big money with:

        Paid Traffic
        Affiliates / JV's

        A TON OF PEOPLE!!!

        So, disagree all you want. Throw rocks at me, complicate things... screw it all up. post your intelligent replies... go all psychological on me and prove all you want with your well thought out debates and points, and opinions. Go for it. I dont care.

        My simple point is:

        If 95% make no money... and 95% here are focused on articles, or facebook, then maybe there's something there?

        And, if I can count on one hand how many I know who make big bucks with articles, but cant even keep track (or count that high) of people I know who make bigger money with paid traffic and JV's, then hmmm... I dont know, it sells itself!

        Lets see... you can spend the next three years building up your submitted article portfolio and maybe make $2400 per month... or you can create a product, and sales process, strike a bunch of JV's to promote your launch, and make $100k in a week?

        I dont know, it sells itself.

        Or................

        What if.

        What if you spend that 3 years building up your article portfolio...

        only to find out later, that your site or offer does not even convert??

        damn. that blows. ouchy.

        Screw articles.

        It's a temporary way to satisfy your "emotion" for making big money. It's a slow ass process, that'll have 99% quit before the articles kick in making them any kind of money.

        But, I do know some who make it work.

        I just know more, including myself, who make much more the other ways.

        But, I know a lot of people here sell "how to make money with articles" and I'm sure they are about ready to kill me for this thread.

        Sorry.

        Articles suck for most who want to make money. Yes, they work. But, I would not recommend it to anyone who paid me a bunch of money to teach them how to make money in this business.

        If my best friend asked me, I'd say, stay away from articles. They suck.

        This is a business. Not some hobby where you say, "ohh look, I got 15 visitors to my site this month. wow. can you believe that? hey honey, look, I actually got some people to come check out my site. Finally. It's only been 16 months since I started this article marketing thingy. I'm going to write five more articles tonight after American Idol or tomorrow after my 12 hour shift at work."

        If you want this business to put food on your table and pay the bills, so you can live the internet lifestyle, then STOP BEING A NEWBIE.

        Eric
        PS - articles suck


        Thank you so much for your post Eric. I couldn't agree more. I spent months as a "newbie" trying all sorts of "free" methods - articles, social bookmarking etc.. you name it. I hate writing articles but i did it anyways and it pulled in a bit of traffic but nothing substantial. Now i think, as you seem to, that it is possible to make money with articles and other free sources but its a heck of a lot of work as opposed to coming up with a product and promoting it via paid traffic and affiliates (even if the latter seems more daunting). Heck even promoting on this forum (via WSOs) is a great start - low cost and a great audience.

        Anyhow, i shifted my focus and got more serious a couple of months back and now i'm practically inundated with product ideas and with several in the works already. I've learned and implemented successful PPC strategies as well. The great side effect of all this is that because i'm actually outlaying cash to promote products and to create them, it forces me to keep on my toes, stay organized and become more focussed.

        Again thanks for the post, i'm sure it will help many fellow Warriors here.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bryan Zimmerman
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

        Lets see... you can spend the next three years building up your submitted article portfolio and maybe make $2400 per month... or you can create a product, and sales process, strike a bunch of JV's to promote your launch, and make $100k in a week?

        I dont know, it sells itself.

        Or................

        What if.

        What if you spend that 3 years building up your article portfolio...

        only to find out later, that your site or offer does not even convert??
        I really like your OP let me say first, it is a good kick in the ass for sure, but, If someone went more than two weeks without nowing a product converts then I would say it's there own fault for not paying attention to their business. I don't think anyone would let a PPC add run for three years and not realize it's not making any money.

        But it will not take you three years to get an income of $2400.00 a month if you do it properly. I pulled it off and plus some in less than 6 months without doing one PPC add or paid advertisement and working a 12 hour a day job. The problem is most people won't stick with it long enough to see any results or get enough info to actually be able to make an honest decision on if something converts or not.

        I will agree with you that the bigger money IS in paid advertisement and J.V.'s but for many people, including my self when I first got started, you don't have the money to pay for PPC or ezine adds or an aweber account.

        Not only that but you don't have the money to lose to attempt to learn it. You've got mouths to feed and a mortgage to pay and taking a risk of my kids not eating would not be a smart idea. It's safer to make a decent amount of money and then reinvest it in your buisness to learn those methods that are more profitable such as those you mention above.

        Now someone is going to come along and say somthing to the effect that thats making an excuse, but for a lot of people it's the truth. Just look at all the people recently right here in this forum that have lost their offline jobs. When you know nothing as I did and as alot of other people comming into IM do, look at the stuff people run into!

        "Make 1000,000000 an hour with this simple code" blah blah blah, but anyone who has bought one of those programs who doesn't know anything about PPC, ezine adds or media buys will lose their ASS!!

        So whats safer for those starting out? Make some money using free stuff at first and then move onto the paid stuff (which again I agree is more profitable in the long run) knowing if you don't make any money, all you lost was time and not your house. Or, toss out what money you have and try to learn something that most times you arn't going to be able to learn without a good teacher or a lot of money.

        I know you hate articles, you've made that much clear LOL. But as someone who less than a year ago was a complete newbie, and I mean I knew NOTHING, you can make some pretty good money from them and it will allow you to move on to the bigger things such as you suggested above without cleaning out your bank account.
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          • Profile picture of the author djn001
            Hi Eric,

            You have hit the nail on the head with your thread - it is a perfect description of myself!!

            I discovered IM about a year ago and decided that I wanted a piece of the action. I've read about it, joined forums and discussed it, bought several products, downloaded a lot of free information, made a half - hearted attempt at the 30DC last year, I've subscribed to many newsletters etc. - and yet I still haven't taken any real positive steps to earn any money. This is totally pathetic - I realize this.

            I'm not trying to justify this lack of action, because I totally agree with you, but I suppose the barriers that stop someone like myself are:

            Too many over-hyped sales pages making IM sound a lot easier than it actually is, and when the reality kicks in it puts the brakes on your initial enthusiasm.

            So many ways to earn money on line that it is hard to focus on one method and stick to it - you are tempted to look for something better.

            A lot of conflicting information/opinions on the methods of earning money online. You may have decided on your method because you read some positive feedback from someone on a forum, then you discover another thread where that exact same method is completely rubbished by someone else.

            The realsiation that, contrary to what most sales pages tell you, you need to learn a lot of new skills to be successful, and it will take a lot of your time up initially - particularly if you are trying to set up on a low budget, or at zero cot.

            Having said all of that, none of these factors should stop anyone giving it a go. Compared to trying to start up an offline business, IM is a lot more appealing because it gives anyone the opportunity to get involved - with the initial requirements being no more than: a computer, an internet connection and a willingness to learn and work hard.
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          • Profile picture of the author flattop
            Eric Louviere... hmmmm where have I heard that name before? I can't quite put my finger on it... But Eric, that post was beautiful man... Couldn't have said it better myself. Can I quote you? If you read this Eric check out my blog post below and let me know what you think... Even if you think it sucks... Go Crusher! haha
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          • Profile picture of the author ebizman87
            I just copied this thread and saved it in my WORD processor.I'm gona keep reviewing it whenever I'm stuck or losing motivation..

            Excellent straight to the point and KICK ASS!! thread..

            Thanks...
            Signature
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          • Profile picture of the author vistad
            One way is start doing things immediately. The other way is to read up a lot of stuff and then start. I had wandered away from WF and went blog hopping using a list from AdAge.
            Some of the blogs are brilliant but there is a lot of trash out there as well. I now have a list of books to peruse which I shall. Mid July or End July I stop being a newbie. I'll then turn into a greenhorn.
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        • Profile picture of the author Zack Lim
          Hi Eric,

          Thank you for sharing this solid post.

          I agree with you that something will happen as long as we take action on it

          Zack
          Signature

          FREE Affiliate Marketing Mini Course Reveals The Fastest And Honest Way To Make Your First $1000 Online

          Click Here To Get FREE Instant Access

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  • Profile picture of the author Trixxie12
    Absolutely amazing!!! thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author MelissaChurch
    As an actual newbie, this is a great and inspiring post!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Trixxie12
    i cant stop reading this, its so inspiritional
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  • Profile picture of the author Marian Berghes
    With the proper guidance you can start in PPC also right from the start...I know people that did just that and I have friends that did just that, and most of them made it without loosing that much.

    You can go profitable FAST from PPC...its just a higher risk and you might end up with a big credit to pay
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
      Lol with Eric,

      I can see why people are drawn to free traffic, but I've since learned that the only way to make real money is through other sources of targeted traffic.

      I know first hand, because last week I put up a sales page for a new product in a new niche, and I've made nearly $900 since last Friday.

      And it took me 4 hours to write, from a blank page.

      And even if you don't have a product, you can still get similar results as an affiliate by building a list.

      The reason everyone goes for free traffic is because this aint a real business to them - they want the asset without the investment.

      And the excuse is always the same - "But if I do paid advertising, I'll probably lose money, it's too risky".

      My answer remains - "If you did your damn research, you'd slash your odds of failure by 99%".

      It still amazes me that folks don't exploit the vast opportunity to do pinpoint research online to make a killing. I mean, data is all around you, but still the research is bypassed and all that pocket money is poured away on the wrong products, sales copy, offers and ad copy.

      Again, not trying to brag, but why do you think I hit a home run with a $900 new niche business this week?

      It's because I did my research (which took, hmm, lets see...5 days?).



      Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

      I think you are right.

      And, most go after articles, social marketing and other FREE ways of generating traffic. Someone in this thread said that 95% here in the forum go after articles. Others disagreed with me about articles.

      I cant really say that articles dont work. I can say that they have never worked well for me. I mean, all I can really say is what has worked well for me or my close partners.

      I know maybe a couple people who make big money with articles or social marketing. That's just me. I only know a few.

      But, I know a ton of people (A TON OF PEOPLE)...

      repeat:

      AN ABSOLUTE TON OF PEOPLE!!

      who make big money with:

      Paid Traffic
      Affiliates / JV's

      A TON OF PEOPLE!!!

      So, disagree all you want. Throw rocks at me, complicate things... screw it all up. post your intelligent replies... go all psychological on me and prove all you want with your well thought out debates and points, and opinions. Go for it. I dont care.

      My simple point is:

      If 95% make no money... and 95% here are focused on articles, or facebook, then maybe there's something there?

      And, if I can count on one hand how many I know who make big bucks with articles, but cant even keep track (or count that high) of people I know who make bigger money with paid traffic and JV's, then hmmm... I dont know, it sells itself!

      Lets see... you can spend the next three years building up your submitted article portfolio and maybe make $2400 per month... or you can create a product, and sales process, strike a bunch of JV's to promote your launch, and make $100k in a week?

      I dont know, it sells itself.

      Or................

      What if.

      What if you spend that 3 years building up your article portfolio...

      only to find out later, that your site or offer does not even convert??

      damn. that blows. ouchy.

      Screw articles.

      It's a temporary way to satisfy your "emotion" for making big money. It's a slow ass process, that'll have 99% quit before the articles kick in making them any kind of money.

      But, I do know some who make it work.

      I just know more, including myself, who make much more the other ways.

      But, I know a lot of people here sell "how to make money with articles" and I'm sure they are about ready to kill me for this thread.

      Sorry.

      Articles suck for most who want to make money. Yes, they work. But, I would not recommend it to anyone who paid me a bunch of money to teach them how to make money in this business.

      If my best friend asked me, I'd say, stay away from articles. They suck.

      This is a business. Not some hobby where you say, "ohh look, I got 15 visitors to my site this month. wow. can you believe that? hey honey, look, I actually got some people to come check out my site. Finally. It's only been 16 months since I started this article marketing thingy. I'm going to write five more articles tonight after American Idol or tomorrow after my 12 hour shift at work."

      If you want this business to put food on your table and pay the bills, so you can live the internet lifestyle, then STOP BEING A NEWBIE.

      Eric
      PS - articles suck
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      • Profile picture of the author escoll1
        This is an amazing place and you all are amazing people....I get a good groomlng every time!
        I'm starting to believe that something will happen for me even if by accident.
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        • Profile picture of the author mylelo
          Wow, what a thread Eric you have hit it hard and all those responses shows just that including mine, I had have been a newbie for long time till I realised that I wasn't making any money and then is like the need to keep learning never stoped alway buying and buying more and more informational products about how to do this and how to do that, how to make more money doing this and that but never actually applying the learned concepts to anything, then one day I run into another informational product that stoped me from wanting to keep learning and made me take action, stop the learning process and take action that is what it needs to be done, when you start taking action and start doing something you are actually applying the learned and learning some more in the process. Eric thanks for your post.
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      • Profile picture of the author bemore
        Eric,

        This has to be the best advice around. Why can't all of the courses and products out there just come out and say what you have in one sentence. Excellent advice you're giving here and in your answers also. Thanks for the kick in the arse.


        Hi. My name's Kevin Riley. I'm a newbie.

        I force myself to be a newbie at something all the time, as it makes me continue to learn. However, I never stay a newbie for long. That's the trick - continually improving.
        Absolutely brilliant Kevin. Agree 1000%. Learning is the key to success.
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        • Profile picture of the author Write World
          Awesome thread. I registered on this forum a few months back and read a bunch of threads and got all excited. I never really participated in any of the threads though, and never really took any action on all the advice that was being given.

          Aside from having a regular 9-5 job, another reason I never did anything is my lack of confidence in this field (probably due to a lack of knowledge+skill... I mean literally... I was googling almost every single acronym and term). At least this thread takes care of your lack of confidence. Now it's up to me to put my foot out and start walking.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bryan Zimmerman
      Originally Posted by Marian Berghes View Post

      ...its just a higher risk and you might end up with a big credit to pay

      And for almost all newbies, not a risk they can afford to take.
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      • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
        Originally Posted by Bryan Zimmerman View Post

        And for almost all newbies, not a risk they can afford to take.
        Then they will usually fail. They will continue wasting their time for years to come. They'll then blame everyone else, become jaded, gripe and complain about their lack of success, and all the time they've put in for nothing.

        If a newbie cannot afford to do this right, and make it a real business, then I would recommend trading time for money, so that they can then afford to treat this like a real business.

        Instead of spending 2.5 years on articles or facebook, etc... create a service where you can provide value to people in exchange for your time and effort. A newbie would make much more that way IMO, much faster.

        AND, in the process learn how to run and operate their own home business too.

        For example, instead of articles, create a service where you handle tech support, or graphic art, or copywriting, or virtual assistance, or affiliate mgmt, or project mgmt, or something like that...

        Build that up and make money doing that. On the side, invest in your passive income the right way, not the pipe dream way.

        And, presto!

        You're then making passive income and there's no need trading time for money anymore.

        But wait!

        How dare you speak that language Eric??

        Are you kidding me? This is the dream of making a fortune by not having to do anything at all remember? You are actually telling people to work? As in effort and labor?? Are you insane?

        yes.

        Look article lovers. Articles work. They just dont work fast enough for a majority of the "newbies" out there to ever stick to it.

        And the truth of the matter is (as far as newbies not being able to afford it), the truth is they'll spend $100 faster on some fancy pair of shoes, or a shirt they dont need, faster than they'll invest that in their dreams.

        You have to be willing to invest in your dreams. Being able to afford something is always debatable. But, that's why 7 dollar reports sell well and piracy is prevalent

        Saying I cant afford to take the risk on paid traffic is a newbie statement anyway. and, this thread is about you stop being a newbie.

        Eric
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        • Profile picture of the author Bryan Zimmerman
          Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

          Then they will usually fail. They will continue wasting their time for years to come. They'll then blame everyone else, become jaded, gripe and complain about their lack of success, and all the time they've put in for nothing.
          "Usually" being the keyword here. Just as most people who do paid traffic will usually lose more money than they make, blame everyone else, become jaded and complain about their lack of success. But they will be a little more poorer than the one who went another route. I think it all boils down to how bad a person really wants to succeed. Is it something you want to try to do or is it something you will do. Only each person can answer that question.

          But this statement below is off base in my opinion.

          Saying I cant afford to take the risk on paid traffic is a newbie statement anyway. and, this thread is about you stop being a newbie.
          Again I AGREE with you in that the big money is where you are saying it is, but what the "risk" may mean to you may be something totaly different to someone else.

          I know I couldn't have afforded to try it when I first started. I had a mortgage a wife and a 2 year old that depended on me to make sure they were taken care of. So I didn't have a choice but to go the free way. Many newbies don't know how to do graphics or support as you suggested above. Or maybe they do, I knew nothing more about computers than just how to turn one on so thats all I'm going by. A true newbie in everyway.

          What most do know how to do is write though for the most part.
          So they write for themselves or for others to make some money.

          But, I'm just not sure why you seem to think it takes so long to create a decent income from aritcles or even free traffic sources? It sure didn't take me long to build a nice 4 figure a month income from articles. Did I bust my ass? Yea for about 2 months or so, then I took that money and reinvested it into outsourcing. Now I don't hardly touch it except for about 45 minutes a day and I have the time and money to begin to learn PPC and other things.

          But first starting out there was no way I could have done it the other way. So I'll agree with what you said a couple posts back that some are quick to spend $100 on a shirt they don't need, but there are plenty of other's who would have used that $100 to make sure there was food in the fridge for the week. Guess it just depends on your situation.
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          • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Kelsall
            Bryan, Go To Bed Newbie

            Eric, I'm going to offer this to you one last time...

            I will let you mentor me free of charge...

            Then when I become a millionaire, you can take all the credit

            Send me an email and let me know when you want to start.

            Jeremy
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            • Profile picture of the author Bryan Zimmerman
              Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

              Bryan, Go To Bed Newbie


              Jeremy

              LOL Yea, I know. Gotta be at work in 4 1/2 hours. Was wondering when you were gonna chime back in
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              • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Kelsall
                lol

                Originally Posted by Bryan Zimmerman View Post

                Yea, I know. Gotta be at work in 4 1/2 hours. Was wondering when you were gonna chime back in
                I will call you after I catch my first fish
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                • Profile picture of the author Bryan Zimmerman
                  Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

                  lol



                  I will call you after I catch my first fish

                  guess my phone won't be going off anytime tomorrow if i'm going to be waiting on you catching a fish
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    • Profile picture of the author makemoneygirl
      Thanks for the heads up. Well, that is the main problem every new in IM face when they are starting, loads of information they lost track and don't know where to start. What important is that if you know the trick, you have to implement it and see it it does really work. And you try to improve from that. In IM everyday is a learning process, and we're on a community where we can get all the best ideas we can have to succeed on our online ventures.


      All the best
      Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author penny_zf
    Hi Eric,

    Do you have a sample blueprint for your method to get out of the newbie status for most people?
    Signature

    7 Checks In Your Inbox Every Month and earn upwards of $2763.00 per month online from home. Download FR.EE Blueprints at MyFirstMagicButton.com

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    • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
      Another gem from Eric.

      I've always been a fan of free traffic, but nothing has grown my businesses like paid traffic and recruiting affiliates; nothing else has even come close.

      RoD
      Signature
      "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
      - Jim Rohn
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  • Profile picture of the author VipulShah
    This thread is a wake up call for many "newbies" out there. Can't stress it enough to just get started with marketing without having to buy from every other "guru" out there.

    That was one of my big mistake until I stepped up the plate and one day just APPLIED what I've just learned and just RUN with it
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  • Profile picture of the author vs8598
    Amazing!!!! I can't stop reading this...... Great post!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author George Sepich
    Eric, Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric, Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric, Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,
    So post your step by step solutions, we know you have them, we know you sell 'em. I challenge you to make this the most viewed ever WF post, by giving it all up!

    George
    Signature

    Need Help? GeorgeSepich.com Digital Marketing Solutions From George Sepich.

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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
      Originally Posted by George Sepich View Post

      Eric, Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric, Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric, Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,Eric,
      So post your step by step solutions, we know you have them, we know you sell 'em. I challenge you to make this the most viewed ever WF post, by giving it all up!

      George
      Dude, this will never be the most viewed thread. It needs more controversy, gossip, scandal and hate... bad news and horrible situations. lol

      Step by step?

      Here's my 11 steps to six figures online:

      Step one:

      Focus on traffic

      Step two:

      Focus on conversions

      Step 3 through 11:

      I forgot the rest of them

      Eric
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      • Profile picture of the author George Sepich
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

        Dude, this will never be the most viewed thread. It needs more controversy, gossip, scandal and hate... bad news and horrible situations. lol

        Step by step?

        Here's my 11 steps to six figures online:

        Step one:

        Focus on traffic

        Step two:

        Focus on conversions

        Step 3 through 11:

        I forgot the rest of them

        Eric
        OK, OK, OK I'm off to do some creative writing, but hope you don't mind being involved in controversy, gossip, scandal and hate. And I'm going to make you a vampire too! His name is Vanviere and he is totally evil.

        George
        Signature

        Need Help? GeorgeSepich.com Digital Marketing Solutions From George Sepich.

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  • Profile picture of the author ExRat
    Hi Eric,

    Interesting switch and indirect rebuttal.

    So, disagree all you want. Throw rocks at me, complicate things... screw it all up. post your intelligent replies... go all psychological on me and prove all you want with your well thought out debates and points, and opinions. Go for it. I dont care.
    Yep, screw all of that psychological mumbo-jumbo - just learn how to sell instead. :rolleyes:

    Personally, I think that intelligent replies are often the most helpful.

    Your reply seems to have substituted 'squeeze pages and autoresponders' for 'paid traffic and JVs'. Then you simply grabbed a made up statistic from one poster about articles and used that as if it were gospel and as if anyone who doesn't follow your plan is a bum marketer -

    My simple point is:

    If 95% make no money... and 95% here are focused on articles, or facebook, then maybe there's something there?
    Add to that the assumption that the percentage of people that you know can be simply expanded to correlate to the percentage of people on the whole of the internet -

    And, if I can count on one hand how many I know who make big bucks with articles, but cant even keep track (or count that high) of people I know who make bigger money with paid traffic and JV's, then hmmm... I dont know, it sells itself!
    Could this be because most of the people you know go to seminars in order to sell to newbies? Could it be because the people who don't, have no need to go to seminars?

    You talk about passive income -

    You're then making passive income and there's no need trading time for money anymore.
    ...while suggesting that people without investment funds should start off by trading time for money, but your assumption that anyone who doesn't follow the squeeze page/autoresponder route is purely building an 'article portfolio' is way off the mark.

    What percentage of successful warriors do you think use content, on their websites, coupled with on/off site SEO to make (semi) passive income from their portfolio of virtual real estate, which can then either be nurtured for continual income or sold on?

    But when pressed to give a little more detail of your system which you appear to suggest is the only sensible way for newbies to go, your response is -

    Step one:

    Focus on traffic

    Step two:

    Focus on conversions

    Step 3 through 11:

    I forgot the rest of them
    There you go newbies. Drop everything else and focus solely on squeeze pages and autoresponders or alternatively paid traffic and JVs or alternatively traffic and conversions - there is nothing else that you need to know. It just works.

    Forget market research or product creation, just slap the squeeze pages up and go seeking those JVs. They're just waiting for you to come along and join the party.

    I would never disagree that list building, paid traffic and JVs are some of the most powerful and fast-track methods to success.

    But to suggest that -

    a) anyone can jump into it and succeed without experience and training

    b) anyone on the forum who doesn't use those methods is either unsuccessful, trading hours for money or an article marketer

    ...is simply naive. I'm not an 'article marketer' myself, and like you, I think that some of the advice about 'bum marketing' can lead people down the wrong path.

    But I use content coupled with automation for SEO purposes which in turn produces semi-passive income - and I reckon many others do too - way more than 5% of the forum. And these skills can then be taken and applied to existing businesses who are desperate for someone who understands how to create websites/drive targeted traffic and sold for a good price. Yes, it's still focused on traffic and conversions but it doesn't necessarily need to involve an autoresponder.

    My point - if you're going to tell newbies to drop everything and start list building, at least offer them something more in the way of guidance about the other things that are required - for example, some kind of appealing offer.

    This formula on it's own (which is all that you are prepared to share) -

    dont know where to start?

    traffic to a squeeze page. that's it. start there.

    focus 98% of your time on that, and nothing else and just watch what happens.

    Look, the best way to learn anything is to do it. The best way to learn this business is to do this business.

    Once you are sending traffic to a squeeze page, the rest is easy...just promote stuff via emails. dont overcomplicate things and if someone posts below in this thread complicating this, ignore them.
    ...is no more likely to lead to passive income than bum marketing, or washing dishes for that matter.

    Would it not be wise to also offer an incentive for them to give up their email address? Would it not be wise to establish whether your chosen market is ripe for an evergreen automatic responder list, as opposed to continual broadcast emails only? Would it not be wise to try and establish a position in your chosen market where your USP provides something that is currently not being offered in that market? Would it not be wise to learn how to research and choose the right market before diving in?

    Apologies for the intelligent reply. Sorry if it doesn't feel as good as just *great post Eric*. It's a discussion forum Eric, and if you're going to throw out absolutes based purely on the percentages of the people that you know - expect some discussion.
    Signature


    Roger Davis

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    • Profile picture of the author JohnHuizinga
      Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

      Hi Eric,
      Would it not be wise to also offer an incentive for them to give up their email address? Would it not be wise to establish whether your chosen market is ripe for an evergreen automatic responder list, as opposed to continual broadcast emails only?
      Hi Roger,
      I'm going to let my ignorance show a bit here and ask:
      1) What's an evergreen automatic responder list?
      2) What's continual broadcast emails?
      3) What's the difference?
      Signature

      "you got to keep fighting, keep believing and never give up in order to succeed"
      Tim Gorman

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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

      Hi Eric,

      Interesting switch and indirect rebuttal.

      Yep, screw all of that psychological mumbo-jumbo - just learn how to sell instead. :rolleyes:

      Personally, I think that intelligent replies are often the most helpful.

      Your reply seems to have substituted 'squeeze pages and autoresponders' for 'paid traffic and JVs'. Then you simply grabbed a made up statistic from one poster about articles and used that as if it were gospel and as if anyone who doesn't follow your plan is a bum marketer -

      Add to that the assumption that the percentage of people that you know can be simply expanded to correlate to the percentage of people on the whole of the internet -

      Could this be because most of the people you know go to seminars in order to sell to newbies? Could it be because the people who don't, have no need to go to seminars?

      You talk about passive income -

      ...while suggesting that people without investment funds should start off by trading time for money, but your assumption that anyone who doesn't follow the squeeze page/autoresponder route is purely building an 'article portfolio' is way off the mark.

      What percentage of successful warriors do you think use content, on their websites, coupled with on/off site SEO to make (semi) passive income from their portfolio of virtual real estate, which can then either be nurtured for continual income or sold on?

      But when pressed to give a little more detail of your system which you appear to suggest is the only sensible way for newbies to go, your response is -

      There you go newbies. Drop everything else and focus solely on squeeze pages and autoresponders or alternatively paid traffic and JVs or alternatively traffic and conversions - there is nothing else that you need to know. It just works.

      Forget market research or product creation, just slap the squeeze pages up and go seeking those JVs. They're just waiting for you to come along and join the party.

      I would never disagree that list building, paid traffic and JVs are some of the most powerful and fast-track methods to success.

      But to suggest that -

      a) anyone can jump into it and succeed without experience and training

      b) anyone on the forum who doesn't use those methods is either unsuccessful, trading hours for money or an article marketer

      ...is simply naive. I'm not an 'article marketer' myself, and like you, I think that some of the advice about 'bum marketing' can lead people down the wrong path.

      But I use content coupled with automation for SEO purposes which in turn produces semi-passive income - and I reckon many others do too - way more than 5% of the forum. And these skills can then be taken and applied to existing businesses who are desperate for someone who understands how to create websites/drive targeted traffic and sold for a good price. Yes, it's still focused on traffic and conversions but it doesn't necessarily need to involve an autoresponder.

      My point - if you're going to tell newbies to drop everything and start list building, at least offer them something more in the way of guidance about the other things that are required - for example, some kind of appealing offer.

      This formula on it's own (which is all that you are prepared to share) -

      ...is no more likely to lead to passive income than bum marketing, or washing dishes for that matter.

      Would it not be wise to also offer an incentive for them to give up their email address? Would it not be wise to establish whether your chosen market is ripe for an evergreen automatic responder list, as opposed to continual broadcast emails only? Would it not be wise to try and establish a position in your chosen market where your USP provides something that is currently not being offered in that market? Would it not be wise to learn how to research and choose the right market before diving in?

      Apologies for the intelligent reply. Sorry if it doesn't feel as good as just *great post Eric*. It's a discussion forum Eric, and if you're going to throw out absolutes based purely on the percentages of the people that you know - expect some discussion.

      Roger, I was going to PM you to tell you this privately, but I feel this
      is something that others should hear as well.

      The more and more that I read your posts, the more and more I realize
      just how wise you are. It's quite obvious how well put together your head
      is and how well you think things out.

      Folks, whenever Roger posts advice, comments, or even criticism like this,
      I personally think it would be a very good idea to listen.

      When I first read Eric's initial post, I was admittedly drawn in by the great
      way that he writes (he's probably one of the best copywriters on this
      forum) but Roger makes some very good points that I didn't think of when
      first reading. I usually do miss these things as I too usually just look at
      the surface of a statement or argument. Maybe it's because I'm getting so
      tired of thinking...something, thank Goodness, Roger has no trouble doing.

      Roger, thanks again for painting a clear picture of this whole thing. I've
      said it many times. I'd love to see you and Paul Myers in a room together
      for just 1 hour hashing out some topic of interest in regard to Internet
      marketing.

      If recorded, I think it would be worth more money than any $97 ebook
      anybody has ever purchased.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tom B
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post


        Roger, thanks again for painting a clear picture of this whole thing. I've
        said it many times. I'd love to see you and Paul Myers in a room together
        for just 1 hour hashing out some topic of interest in regard to Internet
        marketing.
        All you would hear is beer bottles clinging and a bunch of giggling. Who knows, they may be able to sell a recording of it as a wso.
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        • Profile picture of the author Tom B
          Banned
          Roger, great reply. SEO and content is great but most newbies will get discouraged before any of that stuff starts making them a profit. The motivation will be lost and they will already have made up their mind that "THIS STUFF DOESN"T WORK".

          IMO, the stuff Eric outlines, while not in depth, will lead a person to success far faster than article marketing or seo.

          After that then the sky is the limit for them.
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          • Profile picture of the author discrat
            Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

            Roger, great reply. SEO and content is great but most newbies will get discouraged before any of that stuff starts making them a profit. The motivation will be lost and they will already have made up their mind that "THIS STUFF DOESN"T WORK".

            IMO, the stuff Eric outlines, while not in depth, will lead a person to success far faster than article marketing or seo.

            After that then the sky is the limit for them.


            Yeah this is so very true. But honestly, with SEO people need to think Long Term Investemet. Similiar to your 401k or IRA !!

            I have been in this game for 15 months now and have done a little bit of everything. PPC, Article Marketing,Website Flipping, Blogging.....And honestly I have concluded the most profitable for me and the one that fits my style best is Blogging. And making money thru Adsense and Affiliate Products thru list building on my Blogs.

            The thing about SEO and building a Blog/Website is that if you have the patience and long term vision you will almost be GUARANTEED of long term Passive Income. That is if you stay in the game for at least 2 or 3 years and provide fresh, unique content every month to your Sites. Of course , you have to do proper on page and off page SEO, but it aint rocket science.

            Iam convinced that buying up VIRTUAL REAL ESTATE is the way to go for many newbies.

            Shoot even if you aren't an expert writer you can still do this. Buy you a domain, get a free Blogger Blog, and post content about a Topic you are interested in and can be monetized. Slap on some Adsense ads and a few Clickbank Products. Put content in it once a month or so in your spare time and write a few Articles to get backlinks and in 5 years ,viola, you will be getting some passive income checks in the mail once you build up Authority with the Search Engines.
            Once again, this aint brain surgery folks.

            Yeah its not overnight riches but you are investing for the future. There are just too many people that come in here wanting to make quick, sick money in a few months or weeks. Maybe it can be done ,but I say go for the slow steady approach. Buy your real estate (domains) , let them age , build your 'Trump' Empire on the Web !!

            And your children and grandchilderen will be thanking you for many years to come
            Signature

            Nothing to see here including a Sig so just move on :)

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        • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
          I see both sides of this. What I took from the spirit of Eric's and Roger's posts follows. Hope I didn't mangle the meanings.

          Eric:

          Get up and do something productive that works.

          Quit wondering why you aren't making any money if you don't have anything for sale. Start with something simple like squeeze pages.

          Don't complicate it but just get started. Find out as quickly as you can if what you have will even sell.

          If you want to always be a broke newbie keep doing what broke newbies do. If you want to bring in the big bucks do what the guys who make the big bucks do.

          Roger:

          Good advice Eric has given there for many who need it.

          Now what about:

          Those of us who want to build something lasting and meaningful and not just a have a bunch of throwaway products or domains?

          Those of us who don't want to do what the big guys do if it's what they are doing to me?

          All those folks that are going to slap up a bunch of squeeze pages (versus slapping up a bunch of "useless" articles) and still aren't going to be able to make it? What then?

          All those big guns that use or teach free traffic sources like articles and Facebook if they are so "newbie"?

          *****
          Thank you Eric for the kick in the pants that many of us need. Thank you Roger for your thoughts.

          I really don't see a disconnect between the two view points except for this:

          Nobody ever answers questions such as Roger's. Nobody. Ever. Never.

          Just about every time these kinds of things are asked, in just about every thread, the poster is derided for guru bashing, for not being thankful, for making things complicated, for being a loser, for being a wannabe, etc.

          Much of what is said here and other places is based on get as rich as you can as fast as you can doing whatever works no matter who doesn't like it or who it may hurt. And if you get "busted" then just open another PP/Adsense/CB account or just get another domain or use one of your pen names or...

          Why can we never have a real conversation about this sort of stuff? Why can't we discuss the pros and cons? Why can't we go beyond absolutes? Does Amazon use squeeze pages? Does Franklin Covey have long sales letters only on 100 different sites for their 100 different products? Does Geico email every day only in text emails?

          Of course none of us are them and they may play by different rules. My point though is that there is more than one side to all this yet most anytime another side is mentioned it gets shot down.

          Thanks for both of your posts.
          Mark
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          • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
            Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

            I see both sides of this. What I took from the spirit of Eric's and Roger's posts follows. Hope I didn't mangle the meanings.

            ...


            Thanks for both of your posts.
            Mark
            Another brilliant mind heard from. Thanks Mark.

            Here is the problem, the way I see it. And please note, this is ONLY my
            opinion and not fact. So please don't anybody start throwing rocks at me.

            For the most part, except maybe for those few who come into this
            business with a solid business or sales background, we each come into
            the IM arena with a blank slate. We know absolutely nothing. At least
            this was my case.

            Now, this has its good and bad.

            The good is that we don't already have any preconceived notions about
            what will or won't work. We're open to try anything.

            Once the process begins, depending on how much patience we have with
            whatever method we choose, we then come to conclusions about
            whatever method we use based on our own experience.

            In other words, we automatically become prejudiced either for or against
            something depending on our success with that thing.

            This does not necessarily mean that the thing itself does not work. It only
            means that it did not work for us, either because we did it incorrectly or
            we didn't give it enough time.

            The problem is then compounded once we find something for us that does
            work and we begin to have success. The problem I am speaking of is our
            desire to spout the gospel according to us on how X Method sucks and
            Y Method is out of this world fantastic.

            The truth, as I have experienced in 6.5 years of marketing online is
            somewhere in between with almost every method of traffic generation
            or anything else involved in starting and running a profitable business.

            I've built a 6 figure income mostly on writing articles, but that's mostly due
            to the fact that I have thousands of articles out on the Internet.

            How many people are going to have the patience, skill, or, if they can't
            write, the money to outsource all that content?

            So for some, article marketing can very well turn out to be the biggest
            mistake they ever made.

            Pay Per Click?

            How many people have lost fortunes using this so called "great" paid
            advertising model because they simply can't choose keywords correctly
            and can't write a 3 line ad to save their lives?

            JVs and getting affiliates?

            I wish to God the latter was so easy. It's not.

            JVs? Hard to do if you can't get out and socialize. Yes, rubbing elbows
            with the big guns will certainly help a lot. As a matter of fact, if you
            have even half a brain but get out to a seminar and show the big guns
            that you're serious, it can very well mean the beginning of big things for
            you. These events have changed lives. I know people personally who have
            had their lives literally turn overnight.

            But...you need to have something to show these people when you get
            there. You're not going to get your big break by just sitting at the table
            and guzzling beer all night. Of course unless the guys you're with just
            happen to like guzzling beer.

            But again, if you're confined to your home, it's a little tough to do. You
            then have to rely on forum communication, Skype and email. And let's be
            honest. It's just not as effective.

            I can go on and on about all the different forms of marketing that there
            are, but I think you get the point. Each person is going to have their
            own take on it and thus, give their own viewpoint on what works and
            doesn't work.

            Again, the real truth is somewhere in between.

            And how much money you ultimately make with your real truth is going
            to depend on the quality of what it is you're doing.

            Put up a squeeze page and get opt ins and ultimately make sales?

            I wish it were that easy. I can show you plenty of squeeze pages I
            designed in the early days that didn't do squat. And even today, there
            is vast room for improvement in my squeeze and sales pages.

            No doubt whatsoever...I'd be tripling my income if I just got off my lazy
            and cheap behind and hired a pro copywriter for my squeeze and sales
            pages. But, I'm cheap and lazy (hey, at least I admit it)

            Mark, to answer your question as to why these questions that you
            mentioned in your post aren't answered, it's because, IMO, they can't
            really be answered...at least not definitively. Why? Because everybody
            is going to have their own frame of reference. Nobody is going to totally
            agree with anything that anybody says...thus the reason for the very
            disagreements in this thread.

            So where does this leave the newbie who is still searching for a clue?

            This is my suggestion, if you can afford it.

            Approach somebody who is having success online (make sure it is
            verifiable success) and ask what they charge for coaching. Tell them
            exactly what it is you're looking for. If they're worth their salt and if
            they're honest, they'll let you now if they can help you or not.

            Now, this isn't going to guarantee success.

            Why?

            Because some of the things that this person has done to get to where
            they are may be things that you will be unable to do because you don't
            have the skills to do them yourself and don't have the money to outsource
            the work to somebody else.

            For example, if John Doe made his success simply because he's an Adwords
            expert and spent $1,000 a day on an Adwords campaign, well, he may
            be able to teach you how to use Adwords correctly, but how much money
            you make is going to directly depend on how much money you can afford
            to sink into a ppc campaign. There is just no way around it. And please, I
            don't want to hear "go take out a loan" or "go get a part time job" to pay
            for it. Because for some people, that's not an option.

            For the successful marketer who made his fortune on JVs, how did he do
            it? Did he have to do some things (like travel all over the world) to make
            it happen? If so, will you be able to commit to the same work ethic?

            Again, this is why I say, what works for John Doe may not work for you.

            There is no one size fits all no matter what anybody says.

            Anyway Mark, that's my opinion on this whole issue...for whatever it's
            worth.
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        • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
          Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

          All you would hear is beer bottles clinging and a bunch of giggling. Who knows, they may be able to sell a recording of it as a wso.
          Giggling?

          Sounds like there will be much more than just beer bottles clinging - OH!!!
          Signature

          "Human thoughts have the tendency to transform themselves into their physical equivalent." Earl Nightingale

          Super Affiliates Hang Out Here

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      • Profile picture of the author GrantFreeman
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Roger, I was going to PM you to tell you this privately, but I feel this
        is something that others should hear as well.

        The more and more that I read your posts, the more and more I realize
        just how wise you are. It's quite obvious how well put together your head
        is and how well you think things out.

        Folks, whenever Roger posts advice, comments, or even criticism like this,
        I personally think it would be a very good idea to listen.
        Gonna ignore most of the negative stuff in this thread the best I can, and just say, Steve, I think you're right about Roger.

        He's been an inspiration to me since I joined.

        Rog, please do me a favor and stop giving so many thought provoking ideas. You're making my head hurt, and quite frankly you're sounding more and more like Mr. Myers.

        You're scaring me. Cut it out!

        Grant
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    @ExRat

    You're such a n00b, Roger.. don't you know who Eric is?
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

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  • Hello Eric

    Sorry about my dumb question - what's a squeeze page?
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  • Profile picture of the author Sagar Mehta
    The message I picked up from the OP is that it's ok to be a newbie but you need to keep growing from there.

    Being a newbie is the first step to becoming a guru. But STAYING a newbie won't get you anywhere (maybe some windfall income here and there but nothing consistent)

    Sell something. Anything. The basic idea being that every method works for one person or another and there's no "THE METHOD" to earn money online or setup your business. Everything is a model which you can experiment and pick your favorites.

    Sagar
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexkandr Krulik
    Great post!
    Involving affiliates is a very good approach. I personally ll the time starting selling my products when my affiliate program is ready. And in many cases when i did not make any sale of my product affiliates generate hundreds.
    Signature

    Alexandr Krulik author of Magic Submitter ,
    Magic Article Rewriter and Easy Backlinks. The best time saver tool in niche.


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    • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
      Eric,

      Maybe 1.6180339887% of newbies get blocked because
      they find some of popular business models promoted by
      experts distasteful. This causes much confusion, angst
      an soul-searching resulting in a chronic inability to move
      forward.

      I've written my own simplistic summary of my favourite
      IM business model below:


      How To Become An Internet Marketing Millionaire In Six Easy Steps:

      1. Make $1,000 in a month and write a book called
      "How To Make $1,000 In One Month".


      2. Sell 75 copies at $27 each and then write a book

      called "How to Make $2,000 In One Month".


      3. Sell 107 copies at $47 each and then write a book

      called "How To Make $5,000 in One Month".


      4. Sell 207 copies at $97 each and then write a book
      AND video course called "How To Make $20,000 In One Month".


      5. Sell 214 copies at $397 each PLUS a forced continuity

      newsletter. Write a book, video course and mentoring

      programme called "How To Make A Million Dollars In One Year".


      6. Sell 501 copies at $1,997.


      Congratulations! You are now a millionaire.


      P.S. Disclaimer: I have absolutely no idea how to do Step 1

      P.P.S. I was going to sell this as a WSO for $197 but this info
      is too powerful and too important for newbies to price it out
      of their reach.

      Martin
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  • Most of the people just don't have what it takes and are not willing to put in the effort, intellect and guts to make it work. They want to make money on autopilot following an ultra super-duper secret they found on a $47 ebook without actually understanding WTF they're doing. That's why the majority of the people don't make money online: they just dont realize this is a business and that taking a half-assed effort just doesnt cut it.

    Traffic + Conversion (+ Brains + Guts) = Success
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonl70
    A year or so ago, the only topics more popular the "bum marketing" were wso's for "struggling bum marketers".

    I saw that, and noticed the forum was neck deep in struggling article marketers, and said to myself "screw that".

    It was pretty obvious to me how the 'utlra successfull' did their thing: they were emailing me about products - both their own products and (very often) other peoples products. No one ever came to the forums and complained about the guru's flooding the article directories during the latest product launch..

    So, when I decided to finaly get started the first thing I did was pick out a CB product to promote, put up a squeeze page and started building a list using ppc.

    I was turning a profit within 24 hours.

    Could this be because most of the people you know go to seminars in order to sell to newbies? Could it be because the people who don't, have no need to go to seminars?
    I admit - that's an interesting observation.. I don't think it's a matter of marketers going to seminars to market to newbies, but more a matter of those who use JV's and affiliates as a big part of their business are more likely to be out there networking and rubbing shoulders with a lot of people, whereas the go-it-alone folks are much less likely to be doing so.
    Signature

    -Jason

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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi Jason,

      I don't think it's a matter of marketers going to seminars to market to newbies, but more a matter of those who use JV's and affiliates as a big part of their business are more likely to be out there networking and rubbing shoulders with a lot of people, whereas the go-it-alone folks are much less likely to be doing so.
      That was my point really. Eric was using the percentage of his friends to make a point, I was replying that he doesn't know the others because they keep their head down - but they are here - lots of them.

      If we're talking about passive income, we shouldn't ignore SEO - I would wager that more people make passive (or semi passive) income from this than make it from autoresponders - in this forum and outside of it.

      Eric also threw twitter/facebook into the mix (making the point that it is a waste of time) - but I see a lot of the guru set selling products related to this, based on claims that they successfully market through those sites - Jack Humphrey, Colin McDougall and a long list of others who crop up on many of the web 2.0 IM products. I too don't spend much time on these networking sites - but Eric was saying that most of his associates earn their money through lists only.

      But if I talk about SEO, I'm not referring to these sites. I'm talking about gaining organic site rankings and keeping them while moving on to the next site.

      Hi John,

      1) What's an evergreen automatic responder list?
      2) What's continual broadcast emails?
      3) What's the difference?
      1) a list where you can load it up with messages and links, tell it how regularly to send each message to new subscribers, then set it and forget it and go off and drive traffic for new subscribers. You may have to update the links/info occasionally.

      2) a list where no messages are preloaded, each one is written and then sent out on spec. - never to be sent again.

      3) An example of 1) would be a list about 'how to win the lottery'. You load it with articles, with links to products that have been (and will continue to be) active and current in the market. Often, for your own products that you control - the products and the information are 'evergreen' (IE valid now, and in a years time, for example).

      An example of 2) might be an IM list that promotes the latest launch - you don't know what the next launch is until a month beforehand, and once they have sold out you don't want to be promoting them anymore. So you only send out broadcasts (instant message type emails).

      Of course, you can also combine the two. You do both processes through the same system (EG getresponse/aweber) but use them differently (or combined).

      Does that help?
      Signature


      Roger Davis

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  • The beauty about driving traffic to a squeeze page and to set an autoresponder sequence is that you see the results right away, so you can tweak the process on the fly. Plus, since it's so quick, you can figure out what works and what doesnt and easily export the whole thing into another niche.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi,

      I'd genuinely like to see Eric add a little more for the people that are motivated to follow his plan. Not because I think he can't, but because I think he can.

      There's another 'kick in the backside' report on this subject that I have always liked reading by a certain Mr. Says and the report resides in the war room. It's not new, but it contains some interesting 'barrier removal' tips along with an autoresponder method - it's called the ultimate affiliate strategy (not Chris R's conduit report, Allen's one).
      Signature


      Roger Davis

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      • Profile picture of the author Tom Ryan
        Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

        There's another 'kick in the backside' report on this subject that I have always liked reading by a certain Mr. Says and the report resides in the war room. It's not new, but it contains some interesting 'barrier removal' tips along with an autoresponder method - it's called the ultimate affiliate strategy (not Chris R's conduit report, Allen's one).
        I really liked that report as well. It's simplistic and straightforward, it opens your eyes to what is possible.
        Signature


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  • Profile picture of the author RecurringRevenue
    Thanks Eric and all. A lot of good thoughts.

    When I read Eric's opening post I laughed. It's so ridiculously simple true...

    Traffic...List...Offers.

    That's the entire info-product business in a nutshell. That's it! You can make millions from that with EVER learning about 1 click upsells or product launches.

    I'm working on an experiment that I hope to remember to post back on in a few months that focuses on this simplicity.

    A friend told me the other day that he wanted to get started online. I thought, "Great. Another newbie that wants to learn internet marketing. The great mystery and intrigue of auto-pilot dollars has engulfed him."

    He asked a dozen questions and I called time out.

    "I'll be your partner in this if you will do EXACTLY what I say."

    He agreed.

    I told him he would not need to learn web design or even what an auto responder was. Told him I would handle that side.

    His job is to do ONE thing. Find affiliate partners. He's NOT ALLOWED to learn any of the crap that distracts. He's emailing, mailing and on the phone. That's it.

    Online business is so stinkin' simple it's a joke. It's almost embarrassing.

    And I do not mean that in an arrogant way. And certainly not to disregarding the challenges some are facing to build their online biz. But for the most part they are not building a business. They are putting up web sites and hoping someone will show up. But they are NOT killing it trying to get REAL partners.

    So... buy rights to a product or create one that you KNOW affiliates would be HOT for. Give them a copy. Let them see how great it is. If they say, "It sucks." Ask what to change and tell them you will be back in a week with next version.

    Affiliates...List...Offers is the perfect model for me.

    Mark Robbins
    Signature

    I focus on ONE online business model - Recurring Revenue (RR). If I can help you in any way just post a RR question or PM me.

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  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    Roger and Eric,

    You have both made some good points.

    Eric you have made me look again at starting some PPC. We have never done any.

    We have built our successful company from scratch on the internet and never spent a dime on PPC.

    All of our success comes from some nicely built, well optimised websites which bring in free traffic.

    Now could be the time to really start to speed up the expansion and even though we are not newbies, sometimes it's good to get a kick up the ass.

    Roger, you continue to be a very bright cookie. You have made some intelligent points which were clearly thought out, so thank you for that.

    (By the way I can't help thinking you look like Kevin Peterson in your pic).

    Keep up the good work Roger.

    Regards,
    Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author rondo
    I agree with Eric. Keep it simple. Just get a page/site up and drive traffic to it. Give away a branded report if you don't have your own.
    A cheap web hosting account will give you $50 in free ppc clicks so you can practice without risk. You can advertise in lots of forums and marketplaces for cheap or free.

    Articles, Squidoo, SEO etc can be done later.


    Andrew
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
      Good job Roger. Once again you have proven yourself to be quite good at arguing. I mean, you are quite talented and savvy at finding all these little angles, picking things apart and showing off your arguing skills.

      I'm impressed that no matter what the topic is, no matter what the situation is, you can come right in and challenge everything that's said.

      I do think you might be *the one*.

      The savior of all the warriors who are getting taken advantage of by the gurus and experts right? I mean, if someone comes into the WF who has achieved some success and offers up some advice to help folks, here comes Roger with his *rolling of his eyes* and throws rocks.

      Here comes Roger standing up to the gurus.

      SUPER ROGER!

      Here comes Roger challenging everything, spinning all he can.

      My question is why?

      Why Roger? Why do you do that? Does it make you feel higher and stronger? Is it because you care so much about Warriors that you are the "protector" of their good fortune?

      Are you protecting them against bad advice from people like me??

      I mean, who am I to give the Warriors any kind of advice right? By God, lets listen to Roger instead. Follow his advice for making money online! Heck, follow Roger's advice and you too might become a good --- arguer.

      And wags, my advice has nothing to do with me being a copywriter. Are you saying that "I write fancy" and because of that I am selling the forum on bad advice?? Why dont you and Roger get together and go bowling or something.

      So, it seems to me that Roger's advice is to do exactly what I'm saying not to do. He's saying that you should earn your money by:

      Roger's advice:

      -- write articles
      -- twitter
      -- facebook

      So, follow his advice if you believe in Roger.

      Eric's advice:

      -- paid traffic
      -- affiliates & JV's

      The choice is yours, positions have been taken.

      But wait. wait a second. Is that really Roger's position? Is that his advice? I mean, he is arguing my every single point, so it must be his position right?

      Or, maybe, just maybe... he's just arguing for the sake of arguing right?

      So what is it Roger? Is that your advice, or are you just arguing?

      Eric
      PS - I apologize for posting advice here on the WF. I should have known better. I'll go to being a lurker soon. I've actually been on vacation, and while sitting around sun burned, thought I'd post on the forum here. I really have no desire to post advice only to have it picked apart and challenged by some "arguer" who is arguing for the sake of arguing. why would I? why would anyone? I actually feel stupid for doing so. I'm like kicking myself for trying to help. Those days are quickly coming to an end here for me here.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tom B
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post


        Why dont you and Roger get together and go bowling or something.
        Can I go bowling as well? I can argue with you if it means free bowling.


        P.S. Why are you being so mean, Eric, by taking your picture down. We will never get the hot girls coming back to this forum.
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Hi Eric,

          It appears that you are so used to having your own way and never having anyone dare question anything you say, that if someone dare to do it, you react like a spoilt child.

          Why don't you read the actual words that I said and see how you are completely incorrect about the nature of my response?

          You've done precisely what someone else described (Mark) -

          Nobody ever answers questions such as Roger's. Nobody. Ever. Never.

          Just about every time these kinds of things are asked, in just about every thread, the poster is derided for guru bashing, for not being thankful, for making things complicated, for being a loser, for being a wannabe, etc.[snip]

          My point though is that there is more than one side to all this yet most anytime another side is mentioned it gets shot down.
          PS I don't know Mark, have never spoken to him.

          But as you have made some assumptions and decided to put your opinion of my comments, I will answer them (replace this with 'arguing' if you choose).

          I'm impressed that no matter what the topic is, no matter what the situation is, you can come right in and challenge everything that's said.
          Incorrect. Take a look at the forum. I post a few times per day. 99% of the topics don't have a comment from me. I choose to post in threads where I believe that my advice can be helpful.

          The savior of all the warriors who are getting taken advantage of by the gurus and experts right? I mean, if someone comes into the WF who has achieved some success and offers up some advice to help folks, here comes Roger with his *rolling of his eyes* and throws rocks.

          Here comes Roger standing up to the gurus.
          If it happens to be that the people who spread the most mis-information or alternatively, the least helpful information (in terms of this thread - get autoresponder, send traffic) then it will also happen to be the 'gurus' threads that I end up commenting in the most.

          If it also happens to be that these gurus create a scenario where most people are scared to comment because -

          a) they will receive a response like yours above (as predicted by others)

          b) their cronies will join in the assault (hasn't happened here yet because you are not a guru, just an associate of * [rock alert])

          ...then I see even more reason for someone who tells the truth as they see it AND doesn't give a damn for the rocks being thrown back, to state an opposing point of view.

          Here comes Roger challenging everything, spinning all he can.

          My question is why?
          I disagree with the spinning comment. Please quote some of my spinning if you can.

          Why do I challenge things? Because -

          I choose to post in threads where I believe that my advice can be helpful.
          Why Roger? Why do you do that? Does it make you feel higher and stronger? Is it because you care so much about Warriors that you are the "protector" of their good fortune?
          Yes I do care - I have a social conscience and I have gone through the process of being a complete newbie, learning the ropes myself (on my own) and being ripped off and lied to many times in the process by sellers and gurus.

          Unlike a large percentage who's response is to simply 'join the club' and become a snivelling sycophant, I choose the opposite - to point out misinformation and self-promotion when I see it.

          If you find that distasteful or objectionable, it points to something - the ONLY way anyone could find it objectionable is if the points I have made make their points moot, and they don't like having the holes in their argument exposed.

          I mean, who am I to give the Warriors any kind of advice right?
          You have the same right as me to do so. Key point - it works both ways. It's a discussion forum. Anyone who objects to the discussion of threads they have started is not looking for a discussion - they are looking at the forum as their personal advertising platform. *I* find that attitude objectionable. The fact that your PS is threatening to leave, makes a clear point about this - can't advertise without questioning, will take my ball elsewhere.

          Roger's advice:

          -- write articles
          -- twitter
          -- facebook

          So, follow his advice if you believe in Roger
          Anyone who can read can see that that statement is ridiculous. And you accuse me of spin? Hypocrite.
          So what is it Roger? Is that your advice, or are you just arguing?
          Neither Eric. Please control your emotions and re-read my posts. It's quite clear and obvious.

          PS - I apologize for posting advice here on the WF. I should have known better. I'll go to being a lurker soon. I've actually been on vacation, and while sitting around sun burned, thought I'd post on the forum here. I really have no desire to post advice only to have it picked apart and challenged by some "arguer" who is arguing for the sake of arguing. why would I? why would anyone? I actually feel stupid for doing so. I'm like kicking myself for trying to help. Those days are quickly coming to an end here for me here.
          I don't want to suggest that this PS was predictable, but there's an as yet undiscovered tribe, on an island somewhere in Polynesia, who just knew that you were going to say that.

          Let me be absolutely clear Eric - if you want to understand my points, just read what I have already said earlier. There's no need for me to repeat it, I tried to make it clear right from the start.

          If that is your response to it, then that is your response. I'll leave it to others to decide and for your cronies to come along and throw some more rocks.

          To the neutral - please look for rocks in my post, I only see one that was deliberately thrown *. Surely I'm allowed one in response to the many I just received? I avoided rolling eyes in this post to make up for it.

          PS - Interestingly, it's responses like Eric's that actually motivate me to overcome my revulsion at the state of the IM marketplace and the acceptance of many of the IM masses of all of this BS. It actually makes me want to enter this market and answer these people in the only suitable manner - in my way, on my own, without cronyism, in a public demonstration of how to be successful without treating customers, prospects and forum participants as if they are mindless fools who only respond to lectures, coercion and don't have the capacity or will to question, answer back and think for themselves.

          PPS the above paragraph is MY response to your PS.
          Signature


          Roger Davis

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      • Profile picture of the author George Sepich
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

        PS - I apologize for posting advice here on the WF. I should have known better. I'll go to being a lurker soon. I've actually been on vacation, and while sitting around sun burned, thought I'd post on the forum here. I really have no desire to post advice only to have it picked apart and challenged by some "arguer" who is arguing for the sake of arguing. why would I? why would anyone? I actually feel stupid for doing so. I'm like kicking myself for trying to help. Those days are quickly coming to an end here for me here.
        Don't let those days come to an end Eric. You are a very smart, and also a very down to earth guy. From talking with you a bunch over the years, I know you have both a great sense of humor, along with a great passion for success and making money. Don't make the mistake that other well known Warriors have made by getting disgusted or peeved off, and leaving the forum, only lurking, or asking to have their account deleted. They all came back. I think the shitweasle would be disappointed if he couldn't read your posts from above, and hopefully he will come to you in a dream and tell you to tough it out. Go watch the movie "Airplane" 50 times in a row, and come back to your old self. Don't let the *******s grind you down.

        George
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        Need Help? GeorgeSepich.com Digital Marketing Solutions From George Sepich.

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      • Profile picture of the author scrofford
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

        PS - I apologize for posting advice here on the WF. I should have known better. I'll go to being a lurker soon. I've actually been on vacation, and while sitting around sun burned, thought I'd post on the forum here. I really have no desire to post advice only to have it picked apart and challenged by some "arguer" who is arguing for the sake of arguing. why would I? why would anyone? I actually feel stupid for doing so. I'm like kicking myself for trying to help. Those days are quickly coming to an end here for me here.
        Eric, you are awesome! Don't stop trying to help people just because they p**s in your cereal! Dude you know what you are talking about and I for one really appreciate the help and advice you have given here!

        Come on dude you are stronger than letting someone get under your skin about something like this! Your advice rocks and you have proven time after time it works. Don't stop helping people here just because someone doesn't see things the way you do or they just want to argue!
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    • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
      Originally Posted by rondo View Post

      I agree with Eric. Keep it simple. Just get a page/site up and drive traffic to it. Give away a branded report if you don't have your own.
      Andrew
      That's what I did for a friend recently using the Butterfly script (not that it was necessary to use the butterfly script)

      I took an old, but timeless and relevant report on affiliate marketing that was
      brandable and that also came with a prebuilt squeeze page.

      I used an OTO that I had rights to sell.

      Then I put a couple of related affiliate offers in the members area (on the download page).

      And then sent some traffic to it.

      My friend is $500 richer and doesn't even know what his site looks like yet!!

      He also has about 300 confirmed subscribers on his list.

      I have yet to add some autoresponder messages, but will soon and that will
      most likely double what he's made so far.

      I pretty much set up what John Reese calls an affiliate commission engine.

      It's really simple.

      But at the same time I can also see why people don't ever start.

      They are terrified of the unknown, of failing, and of succeeding because of their
      poor self image. (not everyone, but most)

      Jason
      Signature

      "Human thoughts have the tendency to transform themselves into their physical equivalent." Earl Nightingale

      Super Affiliates Hang Out Here

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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Would like to say for the record that I think Eric is "The Bomb". I just felt that it could intimidate a newby who has no idea how to make a squeeze page, or how to even choose a topic, keywords... The truth is this though...you can find that all here at the warrior forum.

        I make good money online (fulltime) with a sort of internet marketing tactic that has nothing to do with generating huge traffic..., it's more about small traffic and big ticket sales. Lot's of emailing back and forth with customers...

        However, I am going to implement Eric's described system to the "T" thank you... I have read his materials, and have to say that he explains ppc in a much more digestible way than (God Forgive me) even Perry Marshall. Seriously lost at least 2k on that first round of campaigns, just didn't know when to stop kicking a dead horse, and go back to the drawing board.

        Perry's stuff was just kind of overwhelming to digest. Info overload.


        The one sale that I did make testing Eric's ideas was one more than I got trying to learn it Mr. Marshall... who is a PPC "Godfather". Only lost 300 on my first campaign after listening to Eric, but DID get a ray of hope. It was my fault for not using a landing page wich he suggested over and over... tried the direct link method because I wasn't confident at building websites... Finally built a landing page, and for some reason "goog" shut down my campaign.

        Eric lays it out in layman's terms with no fluff.

        So when I say that it is not so simple for a newbie to understand unless they already have previous knowledge. It's not because I don't respect the man. I could have saved $500 spent on ppc courses and another couple thousand in trial and error if I would have bought his course first.

        That being said: I still lost money (hundreds) even on my 2nd round with ppc (after reading Eric's course).

        Any way you slice it , it's not exactly a peice of cake for a newby. (no pun intended).

        There is a learning curve. The greatest probability is that you are gonna lose your butt the first few try's no matter what... there is always the exception of course (for all you debaters out there).

        Sometimes it takes awhile to recover from your losses and get back up on your horse...that extends the process. Like muscle building; the faster you can heal the faster you will grow.

        That being said, it's worth it to learn. I personally am gonna give it another go in a few weeks, because that's where the "Auto Pilot" money is. My current biz model is 100% internet, but far from auto pilot.

        I'm going back at it again soon, since I have been back into the warrior forum lately, I'm feeling inspired to get back to that "Auto Pilot" dream. I really believe that this time it will work! If not, I'll heal again, and try again.
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  • Profile picture of the author LB
    The biggest problem I have with article marketing is that it's all a "maybe".

    Maybe I will write an article that Google will like.

    Maybe Google will rank it high in the search results.

    Maybe people will click on it...and then maybe they will read it and then MAYBE they will click through to my actual site where I can make money.

    And of all that MAYBE happens then MAYBE someone won't swoop down on my ezine articles and rip off all my winners and knock me out of my spot. Just MAYBE.

    If you are making money from articles then good for you, seriously!

    For me, it's sort of a lottery where you do a bunch of work and just MAYBE you'll get what you're shooting for.

    Paid traffic and JVs will get you the traffic and then you need an offer that converts...that's the trick.

    This is not directed at anyone here, I know there are some pretty accomplished article guys here...I just feel like it's a huge gamble for the average newbie. To top it all off, most people are using articles to promote affiliate programs...such a gamble.

    P.S. If you can't get JVs or pay for traffic...it's probably because your offer doesn't convert...and all the articles on the world won't help you!
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  • Profile picture of the author ShawnC
    I just pictured the 'slow clap' - you know when everyone sits in silence at the truth of it all, and then slowly the applause builds up.

    Good post Eric - the takeaway for me int hat is DO SOMETHING. GET STARTED.

    People are conditioned that they need someone to show them HOW. It's how we're brought up through school.

    But it's all been figured out by someone on their own, without someone else showing them HOW. So it's possible to figure it out, EVEN if someone else already did! Go ahead, don't be afraid to re-invent the wheel!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    Eric,
    You are one of the ones that I always read your posts. You have helped me and many others with your insight and wisdom. And it is appreciated. I hope you don't leave because of this.

    Having said that I'm still not sure why a real discussion can't be had. I believe there are legitimate questions people have that aren't questioning anyone's knowledge or anything negative like that.

    An example of a legitimate question (in my opinion) is "What about those professions, like healthcare, where providers could lose their license by doing xyz? Is that still what they should do just because all the big guys do it?"

    With the offline push, because of your stature, many may take your advice 100% without question and hurt someone they are trying to help by recommending they start an affiliate program or do JVs.

    All I'm saying is that it would be much more help, without much more effort, to have a discussion instead of "just do it - it works - don't ask why or how or question the truth of what I've said". That's normally what happens though - not just here but most anytime questions come up with a bigger gun.

    Thank you for your help and advice. There is no question that someone needs to get started, have stuff for sell, and that PPC and affiliates/JVs are great (if not the best) ways to get good and quick traffic for many or most people.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author michaelpotter
    I was just going to do a new post about how i am close to giving it all up, nearly a year and no results! when i saw this post from Eric. Is that fate, the magic moment? will i now attack things in a different way? Well I have taken inspiration from Eric's post and the helpful replies, so onwards and upwards,
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Eric, up until about 5 minutes ago when I woke up, turned on my PC and
      read your reply, I had the most respect for you.

      That's all I have to say.

      Now I have some work to do.
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      • Profile picture of the author Chris W. Sutton
        I've drank the Eric Louviere/Fabricio Cruz Kool-Aid and am about to dive into paid traffic so I guess we'll see what happens first hand.
        You have GOT to be kidding me!!! Who in their right mind would drink Kool-aid created by those two?

        Actually, Eric and Fabricio are two of my favorite people. You can like Eric's advice or you can NOT like Eric's advice. The truth of the matter is that he has "been there and done that" and he is good at what he does.

        I have watched Eric go from being offline to climbing the IM ladder of success and he HAS succeeded. I KNOW his methods and they do work. The problem with a LOT of stuff out there now is that it comes from people who are "wannabes" that have never made much money. They are hoping that YOU will help them make their money.

        I learned a long time ago that if I want to be successful in whatever I do, I need to follow those others who have a proven track record. IM ebooks and software are a dime-a-dozen and most of them are just so-so at their best and just plain garbage at their worst.

        You want to know who is real and can help you to achieve success? I'll give you four people... Eric Louviere, Kevin Riley, John Taylor and Paul Meyers. There are others but I consider these guys to be up near the top. Study them and follow what they do and you WILL be successful.

        I was going to add Rod Cortez in there but he just drinks too much!

        Take care!
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        • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
          Originally Posted by Chris W. Sutton View Post

          ....o add Rod Cortez in there but he just drinks too much!.....
          Chris, flattery will get you nowhere.

          Now where's my martini glass?
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          "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
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          • Profile picture of the author HeySal
            Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

            Chris, flattery will get you nowhere.

            Now where's my martini glass?
            Oh Wow, Rod - I've got it. I borrowed it when I read what Chris said about following what Kevin and Paul do to make myself successful. You can have it back now.
            Signature

            Sal
            When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
            Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author JeffLam
    Why is it only selling something which will make you money?
    Signature
    *********************
    Secret Technique Effortlessly CATAPULTS YOUR Opt-In Rates By: 100%..200%..Even 400% Higher!
    >> Interested? Click to find out more.. <<
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    • Profile picture of the author virtuallywork
      Originally Posted by JeffLam View Post

      Why is it only selling something which will make you money?
      Well, I believe that it goes back to when we first started trading. In order to get something--you had to give something of value. That way, no one loses out and everyone gets something valuable in return for handing over something valuable.
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Bestel
    This thread makes me wonder...


    ...wonder what side of the bed Eric must have got out of before he posted his last comment?

    ...wonder if the spirit of debating has been lost on some folk as they begin to believe in their own hype?

    ...wonder if Eric is really the guy I believe him to be and wondering if he'll be able to swallow some pride and admit he over-reacted on this occasion?

    ...wonder how long it will be before the thread gets deleted after enough idiots report it for reasons I won't be able to fathom?


    Other than that, it's been a cracking read (for the info and discussion, not the squabbling)

    Thanks guys.

    Peter
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Hi Peter

      Originally Posted by Peter Bestel View Post

      ...wonder how long it will be before the thread gets deleted after enough idiots report it for reasons I won't be able to fathom?
      I hope that doesn't happen.

      While it's great to have rousing, call-to-action posts that deservedly garner a string of thanks, I've found that the most valuable and thought-provoking threads tend to be where two (or more) opposing views are debated with reason and conviction by open-minded marketing enthusiasts. For me, that's the essence of an active forum reflecting the rapidly evolving development of what we term internet marketing.

      Sometimes, reading the various threads, it can be easy to slip into an insular mindset and forget that many of us inhabit only a small corner in the vast hall of online business. For every marketer making a killing with a squeeze page and info product, there are countless others earning fortunes via auction sites, VRE, retail sites, online services, B2B, niche authority sites, freelance services, blogs etc who may never have even heard the term "autoresponder".

      It isn't doing "newbies" any service to not even acknowledge that there may be other ways to succeed online. Your own way, whatever it is, may be the fastest and most effective for you, but it won't be as effective for someone whose instincts and personality may not be so in line.

      It would have been interesting to expand and continue this debate - I think that might have happened if the gist of what Roger said in post #34 had been the OP and Eric's post had been in response to that - but when one party starts to get defensive, it tends to stifle worthwhile discussion. Ah well.

      Thanks to all for a fascinating thread, nonetheless.



      Frank
      Signature


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  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    Eric and Roger,

    It is unfortunate that you are somewhat upset with each other.

    Has anything ruffled both of your feathers that helped contribute to this. Perhaps you should both take a look at that in case that has happened.

    It sounds as though this kind of thing has happened before.

    Anyway, I hope you guys can resolve your upset with each other. If not then so be it.

    I think you both can and do contribute things to this forum.

    You guys have years of experience in this field and the fact that you are willing to share some of it is great.

    Sometimes when you become good in your field one can get frustrated with people who know less than you. It can be hard to communicate with people who don't get it. This can lead to frustration and sometimes one loses his patience and let's rip.

    I don't think this is what has happened here necessarily, more like two boxing heavy weights slugging it out, or rams having a good old rut as it is now ramming season ;-)

    I enjoy reading valuable information and hope you guys can continue contributing.

    I think what most people are looking for is genuine help. I think most people are willing to spend money to get it if something works.

    What people don't want is to be ripped off, over sold, over hyped on something or spoken too in a condensing manner.

    Sadly, many products and guru's don't live up to most people's expectations.

    Sometimes things can get heated on a forum. That's just the way it is. So long as people are being honest and genuine, so what, there will always be differing arguments and sides to a story. That's what makes people evaluate for themselves.

    We all must take responsibility for our own futures. Let's make it a bright one!!!

    Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author Heimir Finnson
    Hi Eric, great post.

    But most newbies don't know a lot about paid traffic especially PPC, hence most of us (newbies) use article marketing because it is simple and free. I personally don't like using articles to drive traffic even though 50% of my traffic comes from articles.

    Is there a good course, book or coach out there that you recommend for a newbie PPC advertiser?
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
      Originally Posted by Heimir Arnfinnsson View Post

      Hi Eric, great post.

      But most newbies don't know a lot about paid traffic especially PPC, hence most of us (newbies) use article marketing because it is simple and free. I personally don't like using articles to drive traffic even though 50% of my traffic comes from articles.

      Is there a good course, book or coach out there that you recommend for a newbie PPC advertiser?
      I learned alot about Adwords a few years ago from John Reese's Traffic Secrets 1. I recently picked up Perry Marshall's ebook on Adwords that was recommended to me by no less than 5 different marketers who I highly respect their opinions. He sells the ebook by itself or you can get it by subscribing to his print newsletter as a bonus item.

      Perry's a straight shooter and delivers great content even in his free ezine, so that's where I'd suggest you head next... sign up for his free ezine and go from there. perrymarshall.com (non-affiliate link).

      Good luck,

      Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfred Shelver
    Eric Great thoughts for us Newbies ..... you should write and submit an article all about this, and maybe use twitter and face book to generate free traffic. (kidding could not resist)
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  • The truth is that most newbies get lost along the way in too many "should haves, could haves, maybes, ifs and buts, etc". Flourish stuff like tweeter, viral marketing, MySpace, automated blogs, etc is what makes most newbies lose track of what's really important in this business:

    Targeted Traffic + on-page conversion + backend (mailing list, recurring, etc) = Online Success

    Eric was pin-pointing this very fact, and thus his ultimate statement: "stop being a newbie!". Stop wasting time on stuff that might or might not work and focus on what's PROVEN to work time and time again. And... what's proven to work time and time again? simple: traffic+conversion+backend.

    You need no more. Kudos to Eric for bringing newbies back to Earth.
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  • Profile picture of the author mike116
    This post is great because it not only provides the proverbial kick in the pants, but it is also educational for a newbie like myself. It's educational because in reading all of the posts I'm picking up bits and pieces of techniques and ideas I can be using, or concentrating on, as well. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Ashari
    Ironic that an OP that started out saying "stop bitching and take action"... literally turned into the exact opposite.

    There is pleanty of bitching, but there doesn't seem to be much action.


    ...No I'm off to go read all of the other posts... :p

    regards

    Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Green
    This is a great post Eric. I think just as effectively you could just say Do SOMETHING! Take Action! People just sit there, reading, networking and it drives me nuts. Get out there and Do Something for your business. Something that is progressive and will help you build on you business. How hard is it? It is the fear of success or the fear of failure, figure it out, and get over it. You have to do something to make money. You aren't going to make money by reading and chatting with a friend.

    DO SOMETHING! TAKE ACTION! Stop Being A Newbie!

    Mary Green (im off the soapbox now
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  • Profile picture of the author HACurry
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author HACurry
      Banned
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      • Profile picture of the author ExRat
        Hi Grant,

        Thanks, I didn't know you thought that.

        I sincerely hope that Eric sees how much he helped people and ALSO realises that I was not trying to refute his point entirely, but rather widen the discussion. I believe if you read my first post(s) that is clear. I agree with Frank that these type of discussions hold more value than most. I hope he comes back and puts his stud photo back.

        Once again you have proven yourself to be quite good at arguing. I mean, you are quite talented and savvy at finding all these little angles, picking things apart and showing off your arguing skills.
        It's not the first (or probably the last) time I've been called a masterdebater.
        Signature


        Roger Davis

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        • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
          Hi Roger

          Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

          It's not the first (or probably the last) time I've been called a masterdebater.
          Splorf and a half

          Well, you can certainly hold your own.



          Frank
          Signature


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          • Profile picture of the author Trader54
            Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

            Hi Roger

            Splorf and a half

            Well, you can certainly hold your own.

            Frank
            To thank someone for a post complementing one on
            their ability to argue after all that has happened kind
            of proves Eric was right. It wasn't to add to the
            quality of this thread but for arguments sake.

            What a way to ruin what was the start of a good
            thread just to stroke your own ego.
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            • Profile picture of the author Tom B
              Banned
              Originally Posted by Trader54 View Post

              To thank someone for a post complementing one on
              their ability to argue after all that has happened kind
              of proves Eric was right. It wasn't to add to the
              quality of this thread but for arguments sake.

              What a way to ruin what was the start of a good
              thread just to stroke your own ego.
              I think the joke Roger made was a little hidden for some people. That was the reason Frank made the response he did. It was pretty funny if you saw Roger's joke.
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              • Profile picture of the author ExRat
                Hi Rod,

                Thanks.

                Hi Trader54,

                Thomas is right but it isn't your fault. I considered whether to add a disclaimer for non Brits, as it is in our blood to call each other w*nk*rs if we are acting a bit like one. I added the joke to try and lighten the mood, while pointing a jibe at myself and 'framing' it as if it had been a hidden jibe from Eric.

                I also considered shrinking the 'de' to make it clearer - masterdebater. I hope that it's clear that Frank was doing the same - making a joke and pointing a further jibe at me. Ego stroking via self ridicule is beyond even* me.

                * ;-)
                Signature


                Roger Davis

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                • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
                  Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

                  Hi Rod,

                  Thanks.

                  Hi Trader54,

                  Thomas is right but it isn't your fault. I considered whether to add a disclaimer for non Brits, as it is in our blood to call each other w*nk*rs if we are acting a bit like one. I added the joke to try and lighten the mood, while pointing a jibe at myself and 'framing' it as if it had been a hidden jibe from Eric.

                  I also considered shrinking the 'de' to make it clearer - masterdebater. I hope that it's clear that Frank was doing the same - making a joke and pointing a further jibe at me. Ego stroking via self ridicule is beyond even* me.

                  * ;-)

                  Wanking, masterdebater, and stroking I may be in the wrong forum.
                  Signature
                  Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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        • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
          Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

          It's not the first (or probably the last) time I've been called a masterdebater.

          What about a cunning linguist? :p
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        • Profile picture of the author GrantFreeman
          Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

          Hi Grant,

          Thanks, I didn't know you thought that.
          Edit: I do. You're posts get me thinking. That's a good thing.

          I sincerely hope that Eric sees how much he helped people and ALSO realises that I was not trying to refute his point entirely, but rather widen the discussion. I believe if you read my first post(s) that is clear. I agree with Frank that these type of discussions hold more value than most. I hope he comes back and puts his stud photo back.
          Isn't that what makes a great copywriter? Someone that is constantly learning the skill of being a good "knower?"

          Being a student of "Ad Influence" (One of Eric's great books), and looking at all possibilities about a subject, and then applying those new physch skills with what Eric shared in his OP is what it's all about to me.

          • Clearer thinking (ability to focus with positive and clear intentions/phsycology)
          • Applying these thoughts to marketing techniques
          • Taking action
          • Follow through

          That's why I was taken back a bit when he said what he did about making a good argument. Funny that you quoted that here, because that's what was on my mind.

          Eric, I left you out of the mix, and I apologize. If it matters, I don't think of you any less. If you're having an "off" day, no worries
          It's not the first (or probably the last) time I've been called a masterdebater.
          Ha! Almost soiled my milk-bone underwear

          Grant
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  • Profile picture of the author ToddK
    Bryan Z....great reply! I was just about to respond to Eric's post on the 20th with pretty much the same comments you made.

    Many of us "newbies" need to find alternative ways to market other than using PPC, Banner ads or any other form of paid advertising.

    Listen, I fully understand that in order to make big money quickly I need to spend a decent amount of money upfront and for every dollar I put into PPC I "hope" to get at least two or three back.....but the optimum word is Hope.

    And I am all for jumping on someone else's bandwagon and promoting JV offers.....but I digress back to my first post. You need a list to promote to. The alternative is Solo Ads but again, we are getting into the "spending money for something you are not sure is going to work" area.

    If I am going to drop money I would rather spend it on a domain and webhosting fee's. I can then at least build a nice looking site and flip it for $100 a few weeks later.....or even more money if I can get traffic to it quickly and monetize it.

    As I mentioned in my previous post I have only been at this for a little over 4 months but I have recently re-evaluated where I am and where I want to be within this Industry. Yes, I would love to create my own product but I also don't have several months to research, plan and develop.

    So the bottom line for me is that I will continue to learn and grow within this industry and hopefully be able to make a full time career out of it....
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  • Profile picture of the author ToddK
    Hey Steven,

    You stated a few posts back,

    "...After 6 1/2 years...I've had enough. 30 hours work a month is now all I'm willing to put into my business. As far as I'm concerned...it's 30 hours too much...."

    If your looking to get out all together I would be glad to take your business over and pay you a nice monthly fee for doing nothing at all....except handing the resigns over to me ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    I think a lot of lessons can be learned from this thread. People rarely talk about marketer bias but we all have it. People tend to gravitate to the methods that have worked for them. I know I sure do, which is why I don't tell people there is a "best way", I only tell them what I've seen work for either myself or for others.

    I have respect for both Roger and Eric and I see both their points. Now, the ad hominem attacks are almost always unnecessary and never further anyone else's point. They always bring down a promising thread so I'm glad to seeing people getting back on track. Knowing Eric and Roger the way I do, I know they were both only trying to help in their own way.

    Lastly, I want to add that we should never, ever forget that everyone was once a newbie. I've been at this for a decade now and I still remember what it was like. I was confused by the dearth of information, the misinformation, the plethora of different systems, and having to go through all of it and trying to implement it in a structured way. The only thing that has changed since 1999 is that there is more of it than ever before. It's not easy being a newbie. Sure, many newcomers go for the quick buck and probably don't have what it takes, but there are those that do. And since everyone learns differently and at their own pace, we should bear that in mind when people come to this forum asking for help.

    By the way, I love you all man!!!!

    RoD
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    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
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  • Profile picture of the author dndoseller
    Well this post just kicked by butt into redoing my main site to highlight the list sign up more.

    For all those asking I get 70% of 600 uniques a day traffic through Google because my blog posts and main site pages are heavily keyword optimized.
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  • Profile picture of the author lb1234
    I agree with Eric, you got to stay out there long enough to sell something and test the waters. Hoping and dreaming has never put any money in nobodys pockets. If we dont treat this like a business of marketing to others then actually placing the product in front of them to buy. then how will they even know you have what they need when you just sit on the side line and never take chances to actually sell something. Yes after a year, you should have a wealth of knowledge to make it happen for yourself.
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  • Profile picture of the author deanfz
    Hey Eric,

    this is a good buttkicking post(:. It really is. I have two friends who also wanted to start to make money online. But the problem was, that they were reading stuff and buying stuff for months. Once they bought something they read it and thought OU THATS GREAT. But then they saw again something else which got their attention and they bought it too. They ended up buying 5 products and using none of them. Finally they to take action a week ago.

    Now they can really start to build an online business weather its with affiliate marketing, cpa, article marketing...

    Greetings
    D.
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    Hey don't look at me... I'm just cleaning here.
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  • Profile picture of the author virtuallywork
    Stop being a newbie..That is an interesting title.

    I wonder if anyone has connected these two dots regarding your title: How Do You Stop Being A Newbie?

    And Maybe the Best Answer :

    Learn From The Best and Get Success Knowledge.

    Just liked your title and saw those "dots".

    My professor used to ask us if we are connecting the dots..It stuck with me.
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  • Profile picture of the author chrssy76
    ok eric... i am a complete newbie at this internet marketing. just joined warrior a couple days ago(don't even have any friends yet). yeah i offer a service in my biz(still new at it too) and i've been looking to get it on the internet but like i said i am completely new. not 100% sure what a squeeze page is. if it's similar to a capture page then i have an idea. i enjoyed what u wrote and it's given me food 4 thought and i'm ready 2 get started. i joined warrior to learn from others...so thanks for ur words!
    Christina
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  • Profile picture of the author gotteeth
    Great post.

    I was thinking about this topic today. I myself suffered from the "bright shiny object syndrome," and I never made any money until I learned to focus on one task to completion.

    And your right, it's not that hard to make money. I see so many people going after the latest and greatest sneaky way to trick the search engines, blah, blah, blah!

    If you spend the same amount of time building something of value and learn to drive traffic correctly, you'll have an evergreen project that will make money for years to come.

    I know for a fact...and I have the BMW to prove it

    Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Murphy
    Eric is always spot on with his comments, pulls no punches and has built a kickass business based on his knowledge.

    I had some success with article marketing but I found (find) it excruciating to post articles and try to time the right and hope that the gods of article acceptance over at EZA were in a good enough mood to get them approved and all that crap.

    I think the bottom line is that the big dudes don't sit around and churn out 12 articles per day on "birdcages" or whatever. They use paid traffic.

    That said, paid traffic scares the sh*t out of most newbies and many experienced marketers as well. Bryan makes good points on this and turning your earnings from article marketing right into paid advertising isn't a bad idea at all.

    I've drank the Eric Louviere/Fabricio Cruz Kool-Aid and am about to dive into paid traffic so I guess we'll see what happens first hand.

    I'm knee deep into a couple Adwords books at the moment and I will say, the person that comes out with a GOOD clear, well written book on Adsense for newbs will be popular kid for sure.

    If I don't lose the farm, I'll write the damn thing myself!
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  • Profile picture of the author writergirlk
    Very wise advice! Thanks for sharing it. I personally need to take the next step and make a product and I know this... Promoting affiliates is fine, but the next step is definitely having a product.
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  • Hey dude that is the absolute best way I have ever heard it put. I wish I had of just read that post before I spent 1000's on courses. I have my squezze page up now and a member site and its all starting to happen but that was exactly all I had to do get a hosting account and wack up a squezze page and drive some traffic..

    Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author mylootnow7
    I like the opening line dude :-> but anyway as far as my 6 yrs experience online havent been peachy but I'm addicted to working hard at it to make something work. Basically, it's not easy as you say it is, Eric, throwing up a squeeze page and pull a list outta thin air. A lot of half-truths online make it so hard for the newbies to make a biz work. It's no longer mental but overwhelm info overload that keeps us back. If only there was a TRUE STEP-BY-STEP system out there...

    thanks for listening
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    • Profile picture of the author Chris W. Sutton
      You want to know who is real and can help you to achieve success? I'll give you four people... Eric Louviere, Kevin Riley, John Taylor and Paul Meyers.
      Oh wow, I didn't realize when I wrote that that I was also creating a list of the "four people most likely to be found in a pub or bar!" When I referred to "watching" them, I was referring to watching what they did online... well, actually, that wouldn't work either because that list could probably also be the "four people most likely people to visit the porn sites!"
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      • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
        I'm glad to see people getting benefit from all the different perspectives. A few years ago when I first jumped into PPC I lost a couple grand, even after reading a couple guides on how to do it (mainly because I didn't follow the basics). But that money that I lost wasn't a complete loss because I learned a bunch of nuances regarding PPC. Yes, it was an expensive education - in the short term - but in the long run it was one of the best investments I ever made.

        I took Eric's OP to simply mean to stop over-analyzing, stop behaving like a newbie, and take the plunge and start selling something because you're not going to make any money until you sell something. And I added my own 10 pesos by reminding the WA veterans to never forget how freaking confusing it can be when you are a newbie. The dearth of information that's around today is simply staggering.

        Originally Posted by Chris W. Sutton View Post

        Oh wow, I didn't realize when I wrote that that I was also creating a list of the "four people most likely to be found in a pub or bar!" When I referred to "watching" them, I was referring to watching what they did online... well, actually, that wouldn't work either because that list could probably also be the "four people most likely people to visit the porn sites!"
        C'mon Chris, you of all people should know that I'm the last person on this planet that needs to watch that crap! Riley, well.........

        Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

        Oh Wow, Rod - I've got it. I borrowed it when I read what Chris said about following what Kevin and Paul do to make myself successful. You can have it back now.
        Thank you, now I'm going to party like a rock star.

        RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Now see there, Eric. IF I WERE a newbie you would have upset me terribly, because I didn't know what a squeeze page was when I was a newbie - not all newbies know what the heck a squeeze page is and you forgot to tell us - just started carping everyone out for not having one up.

    Honest to God, techies can be sooooooo thick. :rolleyes:
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    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
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  • Profile picture of the author mrsray
    this is one of the best threads ever .... thanks everyone!

    that's what the forum is for ... opinions from everyone
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  • Profile picture of the author Cornelius G
    Eric - great advice, you must have been thinking about me. I have been in this "black-hole" for 1,000's of hours and just cant get my sales going. I know many of these IM formulas, but I guess lack focus. Yet its more than just distractions, I belief its a block in the"mind" that short cut success every time. So FRUSTRATION is an understatement.THK
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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Stephenson
    HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA.. Great job man. So simple, dont make it hard. Focus on building a list. Get your site up with aweber or something and your ready to go.

    After that test test test and keep in contact with your list
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  • Profile picture of the author Luckies
    I think that the post of Eric, is great!

    I like his style, and I really don't get why some people are be offended by what he wrote...

    Thanks for the motivational post Eric.
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  • Profile picture of the author lnardi01
    It would be nicer if I could get a real nice template, so it looked real fancy just like you big boys have, with money to pay for graphics and make your "stuff" look so hot and buyable.....I need to learn how to get my templates squished into a squeeze page.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by lnardi01 View Post

      It would be nicer if I could get a real nice template, so it looked real fancy just like you big boys have, with money to pay for graphics and make your "stuff" look so hot and buyable.....I need to learn how to get my templates squished into a squeeze page.
      Go to Homestead | Build, Make & Create Your Own Website - FREE! Website Hosting & Website Building Software (not an affiliate link but should be) order their basic program and play around with the buttons for a few days. You can create great websites with it with no HTML knowledge, and it's very cheap for so much value. Free Trial. Nobody starts out a big boy, even if you have alot of money... it's just more money to lose in the learning process. I started with ZERO.
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  • Profile picture of the author robinandtravis
    Thanks Eric,

    Sage advice. As a newb going on 3 weeks, I'm glad we stopped by so early. You may have saved us 9-12 months of pain.

    PS: Maybe we'll see you in Austin sometime.

    Robin and Travis
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
      This thread again??

      Ok, I think articles work. Anything works. Heck, smoke signals and carrier pigeons can work too. Somethings are faster than others. I think if you have zero money to invest in traffic, then you should focus on affiliates and JV's.

      Or. Articles, traffic exchanges, classified ads, web 2.0 platforms, twitter, blogs (especially blogs), etc etc

      All those things can work.

      I'm just giving my opinions here in this thread... my beliefs... my advice... and of course it can be debated or disagreed with. I understand that. My frustration that's apparent in this thread has nothing to do with all the people who chimed in and disagreed with me. I respect that.

      I can easily put myself in others shoes. I do that all the time to sell stuff. I get it. I'm married. I understand the opinions that differ from mine. I'm reasonable.

      I'm saying here that if YOU were my best buddy and you came to me for instruction and advice as a newbie, and you were serious about this business - with passion, I'd never tell you to go out there and focus on articles, or web 2.0 platforms.

      Sure, you can use those things, but dont depend on those for your mortgage or long term business success.

      (I know, articles work. that's not the point)

      The point is that articles can take a long-long time. And, most newbies will give up by the time those articles kick in. There are better routes to take. But, articles and web 2.0 stuff works. I know they do. A couple years ago, I myself advised people to use those things because I saw results myself. That was then.

      This is now.

      So, I'd recommend instead of putting in all that effort writing articles and submitting them, I'd do this instead.....

      Create a report (write yourself a report instead... 20 pages or so and make it a pdf)

      Next, get a fancy ebook graphic created. Make sure it's nice. Personally, I love the ebooks that look like software boxes.

      Next, create a salesletter that sells that report for say, $20. Put a paypal button on it and sell it for twenty bucks or so (the salesletter does not need to be professional, or perfect... keep it simple and to the point)

      Next, create a squeeze page that gives that report away for FREE as a special limited time offer. It can be a super short squeeze page... above the fold.

      Next, take your pdf and your ebook graphic and go fishing. Fish for JV's.

      Let me explain...

      If your niche market is "how to lower high blood pressure", then go find sites that are similar, or ask yourself "Would the prospects or customers of this site here ALSO be interested in lowering their blood pressure?"

      For example:

      Yoga
      Arthritis
      Organic foods
      Diabetes
      Weight loss
      and so on...

      There are MILLIONS of sites out there to go after.

      Next, email them, or call them and tell them this:

      I see you have a product on diabetes. I have a product on "how to lower your high blood pressure". It sells for twenty bucks. But, I'm willing to let your customers have it free as a bonus for buying your product.

      you can put this ebook graphic on your website (I can even do that for you if you want), and then offer it as a bonus to your buyers. That will increase the value of your offer.

      After they buy your diabetes product, just give them this link (link to your squeeze page).

      BAM!

      You have subscribers coming in for free. AND, guess what? They are buyers.

      Do that with 50 or 100, or 200 sites and I guarantee you, you'll forget f*^en articles.

      Later,

      Eric Louviere
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      • Profile picture of the author YseUp
        Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

        This thread again??
        BAM!

        You have subscribers coming in for free. AND, guess what? They are buyers.

        Do that with 50 or 100, or 200 sites and I guarantee you, you'll forget f*^en articles.

        Later,

        Eric Louviere
        Eric thanks so much for posting that. I'm a relative newbie (started a year ago with a blog and made $300 but even then I knew that wasn't the road I wanted to go down, it's just creating a job for yourself). Everyone on this forum talks about article marketing and though it rings true, it seems like a lot of hard graft for little return.

        Finally, I know several full time IM'ers, one recently made $15000 in 1 month (to me that's an amazing amount to me) and NONE of them do article marketing.

        I have the raw materials to implement your implement the above plan (squeeze page, report, ideas to flesh it into an e-book). This is the blue-print I want to implement.

        Thanks again!
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      • Good thing Eric is advocating for going back to the basics of internet marketing:

        1) Create something valuable: a PDF report, a video series, a small piece of software, whatever

        2) Give it for free through an attention-grabbing (professionally designed) squeeze page.

        3) Drive FAST traffic to it: PPC, JVs, WSOs, etc. I mean FAST! forget SEO, articles, automated blogs, etc. That takes ages to kick in!

        4) Organize a smart plan to market back-end affiliate products to that list. Or even better, promote your own products!

        Simply, effective, time-proven... and it works. Why do people waste time with Tweeter, blog farms, ezine articles and other obscure ways of marketing when the classics still work just fine?
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        • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
          Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate View Post

          Good thing Eric is advocating for going back to the basics of internet marketing:

          1) Create something valuable: a PDF report, a video series, a small piece of software, whatever
          You don't even have to create the report yourself!!

          Here are some things you can do instead:

          - Find a report that was already written on the subject with Giveaway or Private Label Rights
          and just put your name on it.

          - Find Private Label Rights articles on the subject and arrange them into a pdf report

          - Compile the best articles from those that did take the time to write them and arrange
          them into an ebook (keeping author bios in place although the perceived value won't
          be as high with a resource box below every chapter )

          - Pay somebody else to write the report FOR YOU. (ghostwriter)
          Signature

          "Human thoughts have the tendency to transform themselves into their physical equivalent." Earl Nightingale

          Super Affiliates Hang Out Here

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  • Profile picture of the author John Boyd
    Just joined the WF recently - there is some real quality in some of the posts in this thread. Thanks Eric et al - keep it coming.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizideas
    Bravo!! Next time you're Dallas, drinks are on us.
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  • Profile picture of the author rwestpnw
    Hello Eric!

    I LOVED that post! When I was first starting I set up a squeeze page and drove traffic to it with article. What did I know? That particular startup went nowhere but i learned html, ftp, aweber optin forms, e mail sequences, article marketing and a whole bunch of other stuff. Because I just DID IT!

    Riley West - An Internet Marketer In The Making.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChicagoStyles
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author schnisz
      Originally Posted by ChicagoStyles View Post

      well im a newbie who makes 3000 a month
      Would you mind sharing a bit about what you do?
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  • Profile picture of the author jhongren
    Hi Eric,

    Fantastic post!

    I caught your last few words "start selling something"

    It is when there is a product to be sold and a sale made,
    then there is money coming in.

    As simple as that.

    Product + Sale = Money in Your Pocket

    So go get going and make a product.

    It can be a simple report or ebook.

    Take action and money will go into your pocket.

    About 15 pages or more.

    It just take about 1 week if you set your heart to it.

    To your success,
    John
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron.
    Heck, even a newbie can get a good affiliate product and hoplink from Clickbank, write 10 articles and advertise in a eznie with a subsriber list of 20,000 and make a few sales. You don't even need a computer to do that. This could be done for $100.

    You can do this from the public library.

    Make a few sales and reinvest. Repeat process.




    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    If you've been a newbie for over a year, then you might be a redneck.

    No seriously, if you are a newbie right now, then you need to stop being a newbie and start selling stuff. In fact, just get a squeeze page up and send traffic to it.

    If you do that, then you'll be further along than 95% of all newbies right away.

    Send traffic to a squeeze page, and you're in business. That's it.

    Want to make six figures per year? send enough traffic to a squeeze page that you build a list of 5,000 subscribers or more.

    I'm now fully convinced that people dont make money because of the BARRIERS they put up that prevents them from making money.

    BARRIERS = mindset, making things harder than what they are, self sabotage, fears, overwhelmed, buying too much, lost, analysis paralysis or whatever the heck that is, etc etc

    If you just put up a squeeze page and sent traffic to it, you'd be in the game... instead of on the sidelines wondering what to do and how to do it.

    dont know where to start?

    traffic to a squeeze page. that's it. start there.

    focus 98% of your time on that, and nothing else and just watch what happens.

    Look, the best way to learn anything is to do it. The best way to learn this business is to do this business.

    Once you are sending traffic to a squeeze page, the rest is easy...just promote stuff via emails. dont overcomplicate things and if someone posts below in this thread complicating this, ignore them.

    It really is that easy.

    (you make it sound so easy Eric)

    IT IS!

    If you are not making any money, it is because you are not selling anything.

    (but Eric, I have a squeeze page)

    Are you sending traffic to it constantly?

    (but Eric, I am using articles and twitter)

    Neither have ever made me a dime. I'm not saying they dont work, but I cant speak for those methods. But, if you've been at those methods for more than a few weeks, then that's a lot of time to spend for nothing.

    I would never put my income on the line where it depends on Twitter or articles. That's just me. Feel free to disagree. I dont care.

    Paid traffic
    Affiliates

    That's what has worked for me. Again, twitter may be great for traffic, I just would not focus my effort there. SEO works too, I'm just not good at it.

    So, if you wonder why so many never make any money in this business, it's because they cant get traffic... they never-ever get started anyway... they are never selling anything... they offer no services... they sell nothing... they buy everything... they never treat this like a business... they just read, post, buy, read, post, buy, disappear for a while, come back, buy, post, read... etc etc etc

    ...for years

    and are still newbies.

    Sell something!

    Eric
    Signature
    "Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody"
    -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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  • Profile picture of the author penny_preston
    I agree with you. I'm a newbie to this forum but not to internet marketing. The secret to success is implementing what you learn. While learning is important, there is no point is learning if you don't take action.

    Good post, Eric.
    Signature
    The PLR Connection
    Reviews of the absolute best in PLR products

    Insider secrets on how to make money with PLR
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    • Profile picture of the author Cassie18
      Wow - loved reading this thread for sure. Will bookmark and revisit this often. I really appreciate all the valuable info I am receiving from WF.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohanB
    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    If you've been a newbie for over a year, then you might be a redneck.

    No seriously, if you are a newbie right now, then you need to stop being a newbie and start selling stuff. In fact, just get a squeeze page up and send traffic to it.

    If you do that, then you'll be further along than 95% of all newbies right away.

    Send traffic to a squeeze page, and you're in business. That's it.

    Want to make six figures per year? send enough traffic to a squeeze page that you build a list of 5,000 subscribers or more.

    I'm now fully convinced that people dont make money because of the BARRIERS they put up that prevents them from making money.

    BARRIERS = mindset, making things harder than what they are, self sabotage, fears, overwhelmed, buying too much, lost, analysis paralysis or whatever the heck that is, etc etc

    If you just put up a squeeze page and sent traffic to it, you'd be in the game... instead of on the sidelines wondering what to do and how to do it.

    dont know where to start?

    traffic to a squeeze page. that's it. start there.

    focus 98% of your time on that, and nothing else and just watch what happens.

    Look, the best way to learn anything is to do it. The best way to learn this business is to do this business.

    Once you are sending traffic to a squeeze page, the rest is easy...just promote stuff via emails. dont overcomplicate things and if someone posts below in this thread complicating this, ignore them.

    It really is that easy.

    (you make it sound so easy Eric)

    IT IS!

    If you are not making any money, it is because you are not selling anything.

    (but Eric, I have a squeeze page)

    Are you sending traffic to it constantly?

    (but Eric, I am using articles and twitter)

    Neither have ever made me a dime. I'm not saying they dont work, but I cant speak for those methods. But, if you've been at those methods for more than a few weeks, then that's a lot of time to spend for nothing.

    I would never put my income on the line where it depends on Twitter or articles. That's just me. Feel free to disagree. I dont care.

    Paid traffic
    Affiliates

    That's what has worked for me. Again, twitter may be great for traffic, I just would not focus my effort there. SEO works too, I'm just not good at it.

    So, if you wonder why so many never make any money in this business, it's because they cant get traffic... they never-ever get started anyway... they are never selling anything... they offer no services... they sell nothing... they buy everything... they never treat this like a business... they just read, post, buy, read, post, buy, disappear for a while, come back, buy, post, read... etc etc etc

    ...for years

    and are still newbies.

    Sell something!

    Eric
    Stop being a newbie - by Eric

    I'm so new I dont even know what a "Squeeze page" is or SEO or PPC........
    or how to create a Squeeze page?
    I bought a web address (no web page yet) and I'm rearing to go...........just dont know were to?
    Could somebody please advise me where to knock for the first 3...(most basic) steps or somebody for a system
    Kind Regards
    johan
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  • Profile picture of the author mavischan
    Inspirational post, Eric. I'm sure many people here at the warrior forum will be jump-started by reading this article.


    I am the first to start!
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  • Profile picture of the author quickregister
    Hilarious dude! Yeah, break your cherry already will you? I like the call to action. Just sell something anything. Build a list and start selling. I notice, however, when I get all "bootcampy" with newbies it never goes well. They usually resent it. This is why all the "make money 15 minutes from now sitting on your derriere watching tv" sales pitches work so well. This is what many people want to hear. Very frustrating to try to help people who have this type of mentality.
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  • Profile picture of the author touchandfeel365
    thanks Eric! very useful for me! I agree with you,don't always watching, doing something ,sell something
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Louviere
      I was chatting with a warrior stud today on skype... and we were talking about how important it is to create your own list... your own products... etc and how Article marketing got slapped a bit, and how to do that right and how so many did it wrong.

      It reminded me of this thread here... and another one I wrote where I got slammed silly for blasting "article marketing" as a primary business model.

      He mentioned that articles still work well, with proper link structure, etc.

      I'd love to learn more about what the article marketers are doing differently now, compared to before the slap, and how they may have changed their business models since then.

      BTW, reading through this thread... man, there's a lot of good stuff here.

      Respectfully,

      Eric Louviere

      PS - I also remember how pissed off I got in this thread too. lol
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  • Profile picture of the author asim566
    I believe in free internet marketing tactics
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  • Profile picture of the author realnetworker
    Lovely, lovely... and here I am - between a rock and a hard place - no longer green enough to be a newbie, but still needing to hit it big!

    I'm still working hard, learning, and NOT giving it up!!!

    Thanks for posting, everyone - this stuff is much needed!

    ~ Ruth Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author FredBeers
    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    BARRIERS = mindset, making things harder than what they are, self sabotage, fears, overwhelmed, buying too much, lost, analysis paralysis or whatever the heck that is, etc etc
    Eric. I just wanted to thank you personally. That rocked.

    That's where it is dude. That's the point of failure. That's where true failure is. Doin something is NOT failure. At the point of action, failure no longer exists. It's just a figment of our (newbies) imagination.

    This might make you mad, but hopefully its instructive. Hopefully it gives enough of a kick in the pants for others to get moving.

    I am a newbie (course, I have put myself to the task currently) and I have been one for literally 27 YEARS... I AM THE POSTER CHILD OF THIS.

    I challenge anybody to this fact. No BS. The God's honest truth. A 27 year long loser. Sure, I've done some stuff. Even consulted with some people along the way who actually did what I told them and had success. BUT I never did anything for myself. I've helped do some editing for a big 6 figure launch. I've helped with various tasks behind the scenes with a big name marketer.. WHATEVER... I've never COMPLETED anything for myself.

    Why?

    Originally Posted by Eric Louviere View Post

    BARRIERS = mindset, making things harder than what they are, self sabotage, fears, overwhelmed, buying too much, lost, analysis paralysis or whatever the heck that is, etc etc
    I'm with you guys. Let's STOP BEING NEWBIES. Today. I've got about 1 and a half hours to work with. I'm gonna log of and try to put a squeeze page together and come back here and show it off.

    Dan Kennedy says it takes about 6 months of being in a market and studying it to become an expert. ANY MARKET. The only thing stopping you or I on being an expert in our market of choice is action. Act like a leader and you'll become one.

    Eric. I hope Ross doesn't mind. But I'd like to invite you to the theLeadSociety.com
    Signature
    The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win. Otherwise, why be a warrior? It is easier to count beads. - Miyamoto Musashi (Book of Five Rings)
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