…then figure out what the hell’s wrong & fix it – or – STOP doing things that don’t work!
————————————-
This short outburst has been brought to you by a story I recently stumbled across on a marketing forum:
Some guy was devastated because he had written and submitted something like 900 articles to several directories in hopes of cashing in on the “fortunes” that can be had with bum marketing (pre-selling products and recommending them in your author bio, with a link).
So far, he’s made $200…
Now – maybe I’m thinking a little “short term” here, but you’d think that possibly – just maybe – after the first, say, THREE HUNDRED submissions and not seeing any good results, you’d chalk it up to experience and figure out what you’re doing wrong, or quit while you’re “ahead”…
Heck – if my first THREE article submissions didn’t bring in at least some kind of measurable responses (opt-ins, traffic, sales, etc.), I’d be concerned.
But I don’t mean to rag on him. There’s probably a number of factors at work here, inexperience and bad advice being among the chief culprits. I won’t even begin to address how ridiculous it is to invest that kind of time into “bum marketing”, where you’re building ZERO momentum, ZERO assets, etc.
The sad truth, however, is that I think the real reason that guy (and others like him) will blindly work on a proven dud for months on end is because they’re afraid of doing something that isn’t “comfortable”.
It takes mental effort and courage to take a step into the unknown, or take a small risk, or apply ourselves to learn & master something we don’t know.
In this example – things like niche selection, product selection, keyword research, SEO education, pre-selling & the fundamental technical understanding of building a simple website could’ve been the difference between making REAL money…
…or $200.
Not to mention, the ability to recognize a dud in terms of results after an initial surge of traffic.
It also takes the resolve to TRY something – even if it might fail, or fall short of our expectations initially. So many people have products, sites and projects that they’ve been working on for months and even years – where realistically, from an outsider’s perspective it could launch TOMORROW.
But no - there’s just “one more thing” that needs to get done. One more idea implemented. It’s not perfect yet.
Let me share something with you…
That’s exactly what I did for two years, and I lived in POVERTY.
Because of FEAR.
* Fear of what others might think.
* Fear of what might happen – or, more accurately – fear of what might NOT happen.
* Fear of putting myself “out there”
* Fear of doing something that might actually work, as opposed to doing things where I could internally predict the results (and the results sucked)
The sad truth – then – was that I knew all along what needed to happen. What needed to be done, and what I needed to learn in order to get it done.
But I didn’t do those things because it was subliminally more “comfortable” (somehow) just to do the same things I was already doing, externally hoping for a different result…
…while internally knowing damn well that nothing was going to change.
Can you identify with this?
Is THIS the real reason why you haven’t “taken action”?
Don’t let it be any longer.
Stop holding yourself back, and do whatever is necessary to do things that are proven to work. It’s seriously NOT that hard!
Read my post on “Affiliate Marketing Success – It Ain’t Rocket Science” for a quick action plan for 2008 if you’re stuck on where to start with proven, simple actions.
I’m going to end off with a very comforting wake-up call for many of us. It’s one that, even now, I have to remind myself of at least on a weekly basis.
Here it is:
OTHER PEOPLE DON’T GIVE A CRAP WHAT YOU DO, DON’T DO, ACHIEVE, DON’T ACHIEVE, BECOME, DON’T BECOME – OR ANYTHING!
Think about it – think about how you actually view others…
Let’s say you see some guy on the bus who trips and drops his stuff all over the floor. At this point, he’s probably hating his life, thinking that everyone else views him as a total klutz, loser, etc.
In that situation – think about your perception of the “victim”. Visualize yourself right there.
You don’t care in the slightest. Some guy dropped his stuff. Big deal. Maybe you thought about how you’re glad it wasn’t you who dropped stuff.
But then, 6 seconds later, it’s the furthest thing from your mind. You don’t care.
IT’S THE SAME THING WITH “FAILURES”.
Unless you go down in flames in your niche because you scammed a bunch of people or otherwise actually made enemies in some capacity – absolutely NOBODY will give a second thought to a project that “didn’t quite make it”, or “fell a bit short”…
Isn’t that nice to know?
The only one who’s going to “care” – is you.
And know this – it doesn’t take long until your projects stop “failing”. Soon enough, the more you actually TRY and friggin’ DO SOMETHING – the more successes you’ll have.
At this point, you let the winners ride and go with them, leaving the duds where they belong – out of your schedule. The winners will make up for your “losers” by at least 10 times or more. It is WELL worth your time to keep trying new markets, new offers, etc. until something hits.
View your online activities like a contractor would – you have no time for emotional connection, “fear”, mental blockage, etc. Just get the damn thing going, fix things that don’t work, and get it done fast.
You literally, in every possible way, have nothing to lose by actually giving this a fair shot.
Not just a “comfortable” one…
-Chris
11 responses so far ↓
1 Allen Taylor // Feb 5, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Allen Taylor
2 Roaddog // Feb 5, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Greetings, Chris, wherever in the world you are today!
I was just sitting here drinking my “frappamachaluccachino” and reading your post.
I also read that post at that forum, of which I also am a member. I agree with your assessment
for the most part.
The internet is so big, with so much potential for i.m.
How do you focus on the one thing, when there are so many ways and so much to learn?
You say don’t be afraid to try new ways (paraphrase) but the roads seem limitless.
I know where you stand, I got and enjoyed your book, it actually helped me refocus and I am following your advice. You made me believe it was possible again.
On the flip side of what your saying is, if you keep trying something new you tend to lose focus. When is the right time to give up on a particular way of doing something? You seem to be an extremely focused individual and I congratulate you on your success, more power to you!
I don’t know if it’s a phase, but “paralysis by analysis” would be an understatement for my situation. Just as in real life I like to explore as much as I can. A certain amount of fear but probably less than average,
but sometimes to the detriment of the larger picture.
I am not a writer, and I don’t know if you catch my drift.
Maybe your next book should be about the focus and how to go about it.
I’ll be the first in line!
Situations are different for different “folks” don’t you think?
This is a partial of a post I did on that other forum,
” This may be a dumb question, but man I’m tired, can’t think right now.
Same stuff probably alot of you go thru. Trying to learn all this, while balancing a full time job, a screaming kid an ex wife and as of this writing the dog is humping my leg”.
Just trying to illustrate a point.
Anyhow I enjoy your posts, keep it up
You should write another book on I.M.
Just a thought.
Peace ROADDOG
3 admin // Feb 6, 2008 at 3:18 am
Hi RoadDog,
Thanks for the response. It’s a good point you’ve got – where does one balance two seemingly contradictory truths:
* Stick with one thing and perfect it
And,
* Find out what works best, then do that
Well, unfortunately there’s no easy answer. Membership sites, authority content sites, developing ebooks, software, selling on ebay, dropshipping, etc. – they’re ALL valid, and they’re ALL potentially perfect for you.
So it’s not so much the “method” – that’s a CHOICE you have to make. I suggest going with a content site at first, and then expanding your business through info-products and software to diversify your traffic streams – but that’s just one road to travel (of many).
But the most important thing here is MARKET SELECTION and deciding on what to provide for that market (you need to give it what it wants).
See “Part 1″ of my ebook for how this works exactly – and realize that registry/spyware software and so on is FAR from being the only niche. There are thousands of directions to go.
So what needs to happen here is three things:
——————————————————-
1) Choose one market that has proven itself to be hugely profitable. There will be tons of competition.
2) Choose one PROBLEM to solve in that market. Deliver content via a product or a site. Plug-in marketing tools as applicable (aff promos, list-building, etc)
3) Start off with one METHOD (content sites, small feeder product, ebay, etc) and measure your results.
From there, as you start seeing results, then it’s all about increasing visitor/client value and optimizing things for better conversion.
When that’s done, then you EXPAND your business by testing other additional methods. One method at a time.
That’s the name of the game.
Decide where to start, how to start – and then actually START.
Take care,
-Chris
4 Pages tagged "measurable" // Feb 6, 2008 at 8:15 pm
[...] bookmarks tagged measurable If At First You Don’t Succeed… saved by 5 others jimdaa20 bookmarked on 02/06/08 | [...]
5 Morgan // Feb 7, 2008 at 4:11 am
You got it, hit it until you hit it !!! and learn to lt go !
Say Chris what are some of your favourite blogs and RSS feeds you are subscribed too?
I am sure there are many others out there that will love to know what sort of resources you keep yourself up to date with etc….
Thanks a bunch for your value
Morgan
6 cheetu // Feb 8, 2008 at 1:29 am
Chris,
My Greetings to you,
I was guided from Ken Evoy (I Love Him) my first venture has succeeded little in 7 months and making $700 every month BUT,
As you said I am not on farrari yet, and was pretty confused about my next site,
What to do?
Which market?
loads of research?
Where is the real money?
My own products?
Affiliate marketing?
Any easy approach?
Lots of questions in my mind and huge confusions and then I got you, who has faced all this and developed this great concept of lazy marketer (loved this name, please ‘TM” it) I got all the answers of my questions, blown away all confusions.
Thanks for writing such a great book, I have developed 1st site of lazy way 3 applications and next site is under development, they will generate good revenue I KNOW IT…
Sites are still fresh and yet to rank, it will take few months.
A BIG THANKS TO CHRIS…
Cheetu
7 Davion | Secrets of Affiliate Marketing // Feb 9, 2008 at 3:52 am
Hi buddy, you said it all. Most people like to be spoon fed. That is why “miracle pill” solutions sell so well!
Personally, I feel that you have to dare to EXPERIMENT, EXPERIMENT & EXPERIMENT! to succeed.
That was what I did for 1 over year before seeing things turn around. But most people give up trying pretty fast.
Even if you do not create something out of the box, at least learn proven techniques and improvise them.
In the affiliate marketing world, everyone has the potential to succeed. Never say die!
8 "The Mad Webmaster // Mar 23, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Oh man, Chris.
How true.
Geez…
It reminds me of the three stooges (ok… I’m old and it’s still my favorite).
“My head hurts when I do this” (banging head against wall)
Moe: Quit doing it.
Curley: Feels much better!
The ole “try and try again” stuff ranks up there with “save your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves”.
I still have my piggy bank from when I was a kid and still no dollars in there yet.
Keep up the good work.
Paul
“The Mad Webmaster”
9 Gareth Thomas // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:10 am
Chris,
There are many ‘ping’ systems out there, but which is the best, which one produces the most response?
Or should I sign up for several of them?
Gareth
10 Larry James // Jun 16, 2008 at 6:49 am
Hi Chris
Love the ebook and have read it and acted on it by building a site that has been up for around a month. (http://www.happylarryregistrycleaners.com). It has 131 good quality inbound links as I write, so the link building is going well.
One thing that no one has touched upon is the ‘Google Sandbox’ – or Google waiting to see if your site is trustworthy and has longevity before indexing your pages in the natural listings for all your key search terms. By my reckoning, it could therefore be between 3-6 months or longer before any new site built using your methods becomes properly indexed by Google.
Is this a fair assumption – or is the Google Sandbox just a mythical beast with as much relevance as a unicorn?
Thanks!
11 Fernando // Jun 23, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Chris,
Thansk for the candid expressions. I couldn’t agree with you more especially since it wasn’t long ago I was in that same state.
However I’ve come to realize that no one is going to come out of their personal circumstances to hold my hand.
As a result I hold my own and have taken the gloves off and rolled up my sleeves.
Since you were willing to kick ash, Your Success Is Deserved.
To Your Continued Success,
Fernando
“The Twilight Warrior”
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