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Internet Marketing Frustrations – A Response to a Client Email

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I wanted to take some time today to give an earnest response to a very heartfelt email we received a few days ago from one of our readers (let’s call him Tim). Normally I do this in private, but Tim touched on so many topics that I felt were so relevant to many of you that I asked his permission to anonymously post it and reply publicly. He agreed. So first off, here is his email.

I fall into a few categories.

1. a new marketer with only a few affiliate sales under my belt

2. working for others on THEIR internet marketing efforts

3. lack motivation and vision to fully immerse myself in my own business

4. 20 years old, I know a lot ABOUT internet marketing, different schemes and styles, business models, etc, but I’m stuck.

5. I’ve succumbed to a few “get rich quick” courses and not opened them (yea, I’m that guy) /facepalm

6. I don’t believe in myself or care enough about my own future to actually invest a substantial amount of time in my business.

7. Proficient in using SENuke and X, probably the easiest legitimate automation software out there, and I can’t seem to consistently set up campaigns for my own efforts (see above points).

8. On the cusp of change with no one but me to push me.

9. actual category: disillusioned, depressed, extremely intelligent young man with a self-important entrepreneur mentor and no plan of action to speak of.

Anyway, your honest newsletter and reviews are a breath of fresh air. It’s good to remind your readers of the value you bring in your honest feedback of products and internet marketing, but make sure you don’t inflate the ego of your messages (keep in mind you’re just one of many, many marketer emails that everyone is getting every day, many of which are just garbage that we don’t feel like unsubscribing from (god knows why)). I don’t think you guys have much of a problem with that, but it is always something to be aware of.

I know there are many people like me out there who simply don’t have the motivation, self-love or self-discipline to do something solely for themselves, especially something like a full-fledged SEO campaign for- whose? wait, MY business!?

The most important feedback I can think of is this: make your mission to prove to your readers that they can actually do it. Give them the vision, don’t just show them the light at the end of the tunnel (affiliate sales screenshots, yuck). Give your readers so much reassurance in their own ability to succeed that they realize what I have; that the only thing stopping them is not starting. Don’t give them any room for self-doubt. Politely but loudly make them realize that there isn’t any guesswork to success, just work.

Tim

The first thing that I want to tell Tim and others like him out there is that Mike and I do understand this – intimately. The fact is that any successful entrepreneur will go through all of these phases – self doubt, frustration, disappointment, depression. There is a part of Internet Marketing that causes isolation to some degree and that can have a dreary affect.

First off Tim, relax – take a breath and step back for a bit. The great thing is that you’re 20 years old so you have lots of time to figure this out (as it apparently seems you want to do). That being said, just because your mentor is heavily into this industry and very good at it, doesn’t mean that you have to follow in this lifestyle. Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone.

Entrepreneur Lifestyle – A Blessing? Or a Curse?

Some of the very blessing of being an entrepreneur are also the very curses as well. For example, the fact that you don’t have a boss. That’s not a situation most people can handle. I know that sounds odd because 95% of everyone you ask will say they want to be their own boss, but the facts are cold and the truth is that most people don’t do well without the structure that a job and management provide.

It’s not easy being your own boss. First off instead of just doing your job, you’ve got to build a business – and that is a very different process altogether. Even if you’re only looking to do this part time, you still have to set goals, focus your efforts and execute a plan (oh, you do have a plan, right?). Last but certainly not least is discipline. Working by yourself requires tremendous discipline to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done – not as easy when you’re your own boss. One of the things that has really helped Mike and I is that we are business partners and can rely on each other. One steps in when the other is slacking, one kicks the other when necessary and we generally strive to work together towards the same goals – albeit, not without some kicking and screaming every once in awhile but that’s all part of the process too.

Not for awhile yet, but towards the end of the year (probably) Mike and I will be opening up a more formal coaching program to help struggling entrepreneurs. It’s not an easy battle and it’s kind of like boot camp (something I have a little experience with – I don’t miss that for sure) – only the strong survive. But here’s the thing, just because it’s not easy doesn’t mean it’s difficult. What I mean is that the process is not fundamentally difficult to do, it’s just that most are not able to stay on track and stay committed to their goals (and that involves staying focused).

Focus, Focus, Focus – But on What?

I’ve mentioned focus a couple of times. But focus on what? That’s the real question. You have to first have a set of goals before you can focus on them and they have to be specific and useful not stuff like “I wanna make $5k a month” – that’s not a goal, that’s a dream. A goal requires a time frame for completion and can be sub-divided into tasks that will lead to its completion. Goals also need to be realistic. If you’ve never made $1 online, setting a goal to make $10k a month is not realistic. You need to start small and build upon your successes over time and not try to rush the learning process.

Now we can get to focus. The fact is that many of us are just hooked on information, information, information – as if that will be the key to our success. But rarely is lack of information the problem. Most of you out there reading this post already possess enough information to get into the first tier of Internet Marketing success. I call this the Mortgage Success plan. It is where you’re still doing this part time but you’re making enough money to pay your mortgage – whether that’s $950 or $2,300. Once you hit that plateau you’ll feel and enormous sense of accomplishment and begin to actually believe in yourself to take it to the next level. Anyway, your lack of success if rarely about knowledge and is usually much more about the business basics.

What’s the Plan, Stan?

Do you have a plan? Do you stick to that plan? Do you have a well researched market and offer that will be viable in that market? Do you spend your time working on the tasks that will help you achieve your goal or are you busy chasing the dream of the “magic bullet” buying up every $37 Clickbank product you see? If you can’t articulate your goals into a written plan, well, you’re likely to be chasing your tail for a long time.

From reading Tim’s post I see two conflicting vantage points – one is that he’s not really even sure that he wants to do this and two he’s frustrated with the lack of success. I suspect the first comes from the fact that he works with a mentor in this field already and so he may be undecided about whether or not he really wants to be an Internet Marketer and honestly, that’s the real issue.

Know Your Why

Before you can have success in anything – you’ve got to want it – you’ve got to almost need it. Your “why” (why you want to do it) has to be your driving force to propel you to success. It is no surprise to see the struggle when the why just doesn’t come through. I would suggest focusing on that right now and the rest will figure itself out. When you find your “why”, you won’t need others to push you.

My “why” is just 11 months old – my precious new daughter – and other two children (13 year old son and 6 year old daughter). But what really gives me strength every day is my loving and supportive wife who’s smile and undying support are a constant source of inspiration. Enjoying my life with them is what drives me. You need to find what drives you, once you do, you won’t have to push yourself – it will just come natural.

Of Course You Can Do It, But Will You?

To address your last point Tim about being able to actually do it, well I don’t doubt that at all. If Mike and I can do it, anyone can – one day I’ll publish our story – but trust me, we’ve overcome many, many obstacles to get where we are. But my bigger point to you is if not if you can do it but do you really want to? Right now I think you need a little soul searching on that topic. Once you have that, if Internet Marketing is something you decide to pursue, well, the rest starts to fall in place.

The first steps you have to take are to create a plan for your business. Take it seriously and not just a hobby. Pretend that you have to sell this plan to an investor and you need their buy in. Approach it with budgets, timeframes, measurable goals and track everything. Most importantly set realistic goals and go after them with laser targeted focus. As you yourself said in your closing, this is really about doing the work and having the right plan.

Closing…

If we continue to earn your respect and following, keep a lookout for some more eBooks coming in the future that should help you guide yourself along your journey – we are documenting our journey now to help dispel a lot of the BS that proliferates this industry and show you how you can realistically transform your life in 12 months or less with the right plan and the right mindset.

Good luck and keep us posted here and let us know your progress… We’re really like to hear from others that are just getting started as well, so please comment below and let us know what part of this message struck a chord with you. Mike and I will be creating some more beginner level material in the months to come and understanding your needs is a big part of the process…

 

Tags: affiliate marketing for newbies, feeling lost in internet marketing, frustrations of internet marketing, newbie internet marketing frustrations