Every journey begins with a single step...
By Derek Gehl
What are you doing on
April 11-13th?
You may recall that back in the beginning of January I challenged you to make 2008 the year you finally got a business started online. Well, the first quarter of the year is now over, and I really would like to know:
... Are you making money on the Internet yet?
How much have you accomplished since January? Are you proud of what you've achieved -- or frustrated by how little you've done?
If not, do you feel like you're constantly burning rubber and going nowhere?
You need to ask yourself:
Why?
There are 5 main reasons you may be suffering from "failure to launch"...
#1: You're Overwhelmed and Don't Know Where to Start
So many different experts say you have to do THIS first, or THAT. And you absolutely MUST buy THIS product, and THAT service -- and here's one that you can't live without! If you've been on a list of the mega-launches lately you'll know exactly what I mean.
It's enough to drive you BATTY.
My advice is do some research and
find a proven, step-by-step method that walks you through every stage of building a business, so you know exactly WHAT you need to do and WHEN.
... Then
stick with that system and follow it straight through from beginning to end -- without getting distracted by all the other possibilities out there.
Keep it simple and follow the basics... otherwise, you'll find yourself trying to run in a dozen different directions at once... and going nowhere fast!
#2: Fear of Technology
I see it when I talk to people at my seminars...
... I suggest they learn to do it themselves first -- so they can do as much of their own site management as possible -- and their eyes get that "deer caught in the headlights" look.
All I can tell you is, don't be afraid to learn something new! That old saying,
"old dogs can't learn new tricks" doesn't apply here.
If you know how to use the computer to write letters... send emails... and surf the Internet, then you have ALL the skills you need to start an online business.
... You just need to know how to put them to good use!
Think of technology as a tool to take your ideas and bring them alive.
Find tools specifically designed so that
ANYONE can learn how to use them -- even the raw beginner.
So don't let fear of the unknown stop you from taking action!
#3: Too Many Solutions to Choose From -- And You Don't Know Who to Trust
You sign up for a few online marketing newsletters, and download a few free eBooks -- then BAM! The
product offers coming flying at you so fast and furious,
it's like you're in a meteor storm!
And while you're busy sorting out which does
what, you're ALSO being told that you've got to buy a domain name... and hosting services... and web design services (if you're not going to design the site yourself)... and possibly copywriting services (if you're not much of a writer)... not to mention a shopping cart and ordering system...
And then on to Web 2.0, blogging and marketing systems that you absolutely must have to make it big
...
... It all leads to paralysis.
The best way to avoid this dilemma is start with the basics. Get your first website up and running -- it makes all the difference.
#4: Spending WAY Too Much Money, Way Too Quickly
This goes hand in hand with the last problem... With so many offers bombarding you daily, it's easy to
fall into the trap of buying a bunch of different products all at once.
"It's a good investment in my business," you tell yourself.
But then you discover that some of those products only work for people who ALREADY have a money-making website... while others don't really fit your business model... while others are simply
a huge waste of money!
... And the next thing you know, you don't have any time or money left to do the things you really DO need to build your business.
Resist the urge to whip out your wallet at every opportunity!
Like I said earlier, your best chance for success is to buy ONE step-by-step solution that walks you through every stage, and only buy other products when you absolutely KNOW you need them.
Everything you purchase needs to align with your goal.
#5: Holding Out for That "Million-Dollar Baby"
Many people dream of an Internet business that'll make them hundreds of thousands -- or even millions! -- of dollars a year. And they think that it's colossal waste of time to spend a single second on a business that'll make them anything less than that.
Wake up and smell the coffee, people!
Your first business probably WON'T generate a six-figure income right off the bat. (Yes, it CAN happen... but it's far more likely your first business will be in the $1,000 - $20,000/year range.)
And you know what? That's OK! In fact, it's
better than OK.
Every single Internet millionaire I know got started by building just ONE small money-making website. And then another website that made MORE money, and another that made even MORE money -- and so on, and so on.
And that's the best possible way for YOU to grow your online business.
With each website you build, you'll know more and be able to do it better -- which means each new site will make you MORE money than the last.
*But first, you've got to get off the couch and get started!*
Remember, every journey begins with a single step -- and the path to online success is certainly no exception.
However,
that doesn't mean it has to be an uphill slog!
This April,
I'll be releasing a series of videos that'll walk you through the steps you need to take to build your own Internet business in record time.
... So keep an eye out for upcoming issues of my newsletter! I'll have more information next week.
In the meantime, I'd like to know
what barriers have prevented YOU from leaving the starting gate. Have your business efforts been hampered by one of the 5 reasons above -- or has something else been holding you back?
Tell me about the challenges you currently face-- and I'll try to address them in upcoming issues of this newsletter.
Click here to leave me a comment on my blog -- and let me know what you think!
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