Tag: Marketing Habits

5 Excuses to Avoid For New Online Marketers

There’s a catchy saying in the self-help industry that goes, “If you want it, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” While this is true to a very large extent, there are also factors such as fear, insecurity, social conditioning, etc. that play a role too.

Every year, thousands of people try their hand at making an income online. It seems so lucrative and easy. The thrill of making money while you sleep or sip cocktails in the Bahamas is irresistible. Being able to quit the job and tell the boss to shove it is a fantasy nurtured by many people who foray into the world of online marketing.

The sad truth is that the majority of them will fail. They’ll end up spending money, running in circles and never see a cent. While a lot of it is part and parcel of the learning process, the biggest reason most beginners never clear the initial hurdles is due to the excuses they tell themselves.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 of the most common excuses tossed around by beginners to explain why they’ve given up and decided that ‘it’s all a scam.’

1. I tried it and it didn’t work

This is the number one excuse of the lot. “I tried it all out… but I didn’t get any results!” So, it must be a scam, right?
Wrong! In most cases, they probably tried once or twice and quit. To succeed online, there is a learning curve. Failure is a part of success and not the opposite. You’ll need to try more and try harder.

If you published one Kindle book and expected to become the next, Stephen King, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Keep trying until you learn the ropes and figure it out. Then and only then will you start seeing the money roll in.

2. Others will think I’m dumb

This is a very real fear. It’s especially true in the make money online niche where you’re creating products and there is always the possibility that one of your product launches may flop.

All your peers’ eyes are on you. What do you do? All that effort gone to waste. You do not want to be judged by others… so you do nothing… and gain nothing. The truth of the matter is that it doesn’t matter what other marketers’ think.

When you do succeed, all failures will be forgotten and everybody will be focused on your success, and want to be your new best friend just to learn how you did it. You’re being judged no matter what. So, do what you need to do.

3. It’s not for me

Really? Then what is? There are a ton of ways to make money online. Are none of them for you?
You don’t wish to write books because you hate writing. That’s perfectly understandable. But how about domain flipping or eBay? Don’t like those either?
No problem. How about video marketing? Niche sites? Freelance sites?

You have so many choices. Find one that you like and focus on your strengths. Don’t worry about trying to shore up your weaknesses. You’re better off mastering your strengths and excelling in them. There is definitely a method out there that will suit you.

4. “But, Larry did it and he failed!”

Another excuse. Looking at someone else who failed and automatically believing that the same thing will happen to you is illogical. You may do a way better job than Larry did, whoever he may be.

Your work ethic may be much better. You may be more dedicated. You might have skills that he doesn’t have. Don’t assume that just because someone else tried and failed, their fate will be yours too. Have faith in yourself.

5. The timing is all wrong

There’s an old Chinese saying, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
American author, Earl Nightingale, once said, “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

These 2 quotes alone should tell you enough. If you want to make money online, the time is now. There’s no need to wait. Procrastination is the thief of time.

If you’re thinking, “It’s going to take me 10 months to write 4 Kindle books!”… Ask yourself this question – What’s happening at the end of these 10 months?

In most cases, the answer will be nothing. Don’t let the duration of the task scare you off. If you start today, in 10 months you’ll probably have 4 books published and making you money. You might even be a bestselling author.

If you don’t take the first step, 10 months later you’ll still be where you are, and you’ll look back and wish you had just done it.

These 5 excuses hold back thousands upon thousands of people. They can’t overcome their inertia and get started because instead of focusing on how they can do it, they’re focusing on why they can’t do it.

Action is the foundational key to all success… and all success comes after you stop making excuses. So, grit your teeth, dig in your heels and take action today.

“To achieve greatness, start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

3 Reasons Why Online Marketers Will Fail Without Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is your personal philosophy and one of the major determining factors in your life. When it comes to succeeding at an online business, your discipline will make or break you.
It is the set of the sail that will either take you to shores laden with treasures or it will crash your ship upon the rocks and bring you to ruin. It’s one or the other. There is no middle ground here. Self-discipline is everything.
Now let’s look at 3 reasons why online marketers especially need self-discipline in their lives.

1. You are your own boss

With a normal job, you have a routine. You need to report to work at a certain time and you know you have tasks to do. Failure to follow the rules and get the job done will result in negative consequences such as getting an earful from the boss or even getting fired. Your fear of the consequences will motivate you to follow the rules. Your self-discipline is derived from external sources and consequences
When you work for yourself, like most online marketers do, you’re your own boss. There’s no one to tell you what to do and all rules are set by you. While there is immense freedom here, you still need a routine for yourself.
You’ll still have tasks to complete and goals to meet. Failure to do so will mean a loss of earnings and financial stress. You need to plan your work and stick to the plan.
It takes a lot more effort to stay committed when there is no one breathing down your neck and the consequences don’t seem adverse. Yet, make no mistake here. There are negative consequences if you’re not checking your progress and results.

2. Keeps you focused

To make money online, you need to do more selling than buying. You’ve got to be a producer rather than a consumer. One of the biggest mistakes most beginner online marketers make is that they buy every product that they can get their hands on.
They do more learning and buying rather than taking any action. You must have the discipline to take action on what you buy. If you don’t have it, you’re going to spend money that you do not have on products that you do not need.
Marketers call it ‘shiny object syndrome’ but this is just another term to describe a lack of discipline.
If you decide not to buy anymore products till you’ve used and taken action on the ones that you’ve already bought, you’ll stick to it. No means no… and if you can’t keep your promise to yourself and you get tempted and cave in, it just means you lack discipline and you need to focus and work on it more.

3. Gives your life focus and balance

The hard truth is that online marketing is a very time-consuming undertaking when you’re getting it off the ground. The experts who are at the top of their game usually have the money and experience to outsource many tasks. They have systems that work smoothly without them having to be there every single day.
To get to this level takes time and most marketers are just not at this level yet. So, they spend hours in front of the computer at the expense of their health, leisure and relationships.
Discipline will ensure that you set aside time to work out and eat right. You’ll also spend quality time with your family and friends because relationships matter. Set aside some time for your hobbies too. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
It’s a common refrain by so many marketers that they never have enough time to complete all their tasks. Yet, if they paid attention to what they were actually doing and figured ways to be more productive, they’d get a lot more done in a lot less time.
Discipline will keep you away from social media and have you focused on your work. When you’re giving your work your full, undivided attention, you’d be amazed at how much more you get done. Discipline will get you there.
Hide your phone, tell your family members not to distract you, block off social media sites, avoid having food close to your workstation, etc. When you work, you work. You don’t eat, talk, surf, sleep or idle around. Discipline is rarely enjoyable but almost always profitable.
By now you’ll realize that self-discipline will take your online business to the next level. More importantly, good discipline will lead to healthy self-esteem. You’ll have pride in yourself and the confidence in knowing that you keep your promises to yourself and that you’re capable of success because you’re worth it. This is priceless and the only currency to buy it is self-discipline.