Haven’t Made Any Money But Trying For Years? – Read This

December 21, 2008 by Dan
Filed under: Internet Marketing

I get the same email over and over again but from different people.

I was once told that if you have to do something more than once find a way to duplicate the process or make it happen quicker. So if you sent me an email and I directed you towards this post, it’s nothing personal and it’s actually an attempt to give more than a quick 2 minute answer to your pressing questions.

This post isn’t about airing dirty laundry or making people feel bad, but rather to make it easier for me to help more people. When my Inbox gets hit with this repeat question, I answer as best I can if I think the person is serious and if it seems like they have a chance of actually succeeding.

This is my response, fully fleshed out and perhaps longer than I would normally do via email. This might be more effective help-giving on my end.

The typical email goes something like this:

Hey Dan, I’ve read your Top 10 Internet Marketing Mistakes Report, have read your blog at http://danielmcgonagle.name and am reading your emails when I have time.

It seems like you’re a person who can help me, so here’s my predicament. I’ve been trying to succeed with this internet marketing thing for (x #) of years and it seems like all the programs I joined that were going to help me ended up failing me, or I ended up failing with them.

So, do you think you can help me and if so how? I struggle with HTML and building sites and technical stuff like that but am willing to learn. Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Thanks,

Someone who may or may not take your advice

End of typical email

In response to “I’ve been trying to XX # of years without success” :

You’re not alone when it comes to doing this for several years without much success. In fact, you’re in the majority there, but seeking minority status with regards to internet marketing and internet business success.

Don’t let this prolonged period of failure or perceived lack of success get you down. Learn from those mistakes you made.

I understand if your confidence is shattered and that you might be starting to think it’s all a scam or that it’s not for you.

Internet Marketing is no different from Offline Marketing at its basic levels. You are either willing to run a successful business or you are not. This really has nothing to do with you having a business that is virtual in nature, ie. an internet business.

Which brings me to address the next point…

In response to “I struggle with technical issues and need help overcoming those so I can see my business grow, and to succeed” :

NO, your biggest challenge is not with technical issues at all, you just think that. Believe this before moving moving with a business of any kind.

Do restaurant owners fail because they can’t hammer a nail? NO
Do restaurant owners fail if they can’t push out good food? YES

Is a restaurant owner’s product the building that houses their food? Maybe, if you include ambience as part of the overall product being presented, but in most cases food businesses succeed or fail based on the quality of their product, not the building that houses the product.

As a marketer, you need to remember that this is a people business, first and foremost. With an internet-based business, you merely use the Internet as the primary medium by which you attract clients.

So, yes, your websites and overall web presence is important because they’re part of what will bring customers to you, but when you start thinking that your success is based predominantly on getting those sites built, that is just plain wrong.

Maybe you’re scratching your head right now thinking WTF is this guy saying?

First he says technical struggles aren’t what’s holding me/us back, then he says that having an online presence is important? Sound twisted…

The reason I KNOW that technical issues are not the reasons for any businesses failure is because it’s really a mindset thing that could be holding you back. Insisting that technical issues are your online business albatross or cross to bear preventing you from succeeding is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You might be thinking that the one thing you’re not excellent at yet is the one thing that is holding you back, but the fact of the matter is, anyone can learn how to build a website. As a matter ofact there are hundreds of video tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere telling you how to do this stuff.

There’s even WYSIYG editors (What You See Is What You Get) editors that make html site and page creation a snap.

XSITEPRO and WordPress are probably the 2 easiest programs and content management systems to use for site creation.

You can even buy websites, maybe even one in your niche for $50.00 or more…

Why struggle with Tech stuff when it can be done for you or you can simply overcome this minor obstacle to your success with a little focus?

The reason this is an important lesson to understand has to do with smokes and mirrors and misdirection. Imagine the “technical issues as the obstacle myth” as an illusionist is drawing your attention to something you shouldn’t really be focused on to make you think something he/she wants you to think.

To think that technical struggles is what’s keeping you back from success is a form a self-defeating and self-fulfilling prophecizing.

In response to “you seem like someone who can help me. Please tell me what, how, when etc…”:

Maybe, maybe not. Some people are not coachable and are too self-destructive and self-limiting to accept the best of help.

What happens to a lot of people in their quest for Internet Business Success is this:

They get hooked in by the promise of easy instant riches, then try more than a few of these shortcuts without much success.

After trying different programs and shortcuts for a while, something happens to the person trying these shortcuts.

That person either decides to toss out all the shortcuts and accept a reality check then buckle down to achieve some sort of progress (success!)

or they start getting negative.

If they start getting negative with their thought processes, they’re building walls that insulate them against any hopes of accepting a reality check. They might even start thinking that everyone is passing them by except for people like me who seem like they’re doing well with it.

Some people resent the successes of others and develop a “yeah, but…” attitude…

You know how it goes, when you seem some screenshots of someone saying they made 10k in 3 days using the XYZ method and we say…

“yeah, but they are connected, have a large list, know how to do ________, are good at ________ or any other type of reason that discounts their success etc…”

If you know that their success is based upon something else they built up and developed over time and with hard work, then you’re close to understanding how that same sort of success is possible for you, too.

The longer anyone continues thinking their negative thoughts, the harder it will be to change the way they think.

I do believe I can help you, yes, but that all depends on you, as everything does.

Everything depends on you ultimately. It’s all on your shoulders.

When you’re presented with what to do to succeed and you don’t do those things, what else can a coach like me do, except not worry too much about it?

I won’t build all your sites for you.

I won’t build your list for you.

I won’t write your emails for you, send the exact traffic you want to your sites for you, nor make your business decisions for you.

I’m not stating that you asked me to do these things for you, but emphasizing the fact that I can teach you the things you need to know and do to help guide you towards developing a business that works.

I can and will help you with the attainment of the proper mindset since that’s really a crucial part of the business development process.

Personal development and business development go hand-in-hand because the success of your business does hinges on how you think and operate.

I can help you with undertstanding traffic generation, niche research, copywriting, blog, site-building, and so on… but I do make it a point to mention to people when I see them working too many angles at once ( not focussed).

You can’t get really good at a lot of things at once and expect to see your business develop the way you want it to. That’s why I also help you with your focus as part of the training I provide.

If this post doesn’t address all your concerns please leave a comment below and I will expand on this.

Thanks,

Dan

http://marketersrelief.com

Daniel McGonagle

If you like my Online Marketing and Internet Business Advice, you should get my Free Marketing Tips Newsletter You can also check me out at Easily Answered.com's panel of marketing experts... Have a productive day! :)

Comments

3 Comments on Haven’t Made Any Money But Trying For Years? – Read This

Henrik Blunck on Sun, 28th Dec 2008 1:47 pm

Very good points indeed.

I just wish more people would take it to heart. So many people make a lot of fuss about nothing when in fact their own self-discipline could have gotten them far more ahead.

It would be nice if 2009 could bring more successes. Happy New Year.

Dan on Tue, 30th Dec 2008 1:39 am

Henry, nice to see you again.

Here’s to everyone attaining and maintaining their focus in 2009

Thanks,

Dan

Fred Raybould on Sat, 3rd Jan 2009 4:40 pm

It is easy to sympathize with the 98% of people who fail in Internet Marketing.
It is part of the apprenticeship we must serve before establishing ourselves as knowledgeable marketers.

Though brutal, it is really down to us as individuals to find the way forward.
Your guidance and care is rare and priceless in this tough industry, though your honesty and integrity will win you many allies in the longer term.

Web Prosperity is a superb vehicle to success and your leadership a superb support on the journey.

To join Dan McGonagle’s team

http:1webprosperity.com

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