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Do not buy ANOTHER software or marketing product until you read this!

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Hey there, ;)

And welcome to another fantastic and enlightening issue of The Keyword Informer.

Today’s article is going to make sure that you STOP and think before you hand out another $47, $97, $100, $200, $500 or more on the next big thing that people are selling on the Internet that will supposedly supercharge your website with a better response rate and bring more visitors by the bucketloads.

There are certainly no shortage of product launches happening out there. And one can easily spend all their savings and put a second mortgage on their house just buying products that promise to make a difference. And that certainly brings in more dough to the product sellers, not your own business (unless you’re really putting the stuff to good use).

If you’re prone to buying multiple products, there’s a really good chance (99.5%) that one product is being ignored, if not all of them because there is just not enough time to focus on one.

Yes – this issue is going to be a wake-up call to make sure you are already utilizing what you’ve got in your war chest and stop the buying frenzy.

We’ll also chat about when IS the right time to spend money on something that will enhance your online business — and it’s not what most people think.

Last week, over 25 people decided to take advantage of the deep $100 discount that I was able to offer my loyal subscriber for the Internet Marketing Center’s course called The Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet. And while that was my very first marketing course that introduced me and Jermaine Griggs on how to really market a business online which can single-handedly be responsible for making both of us millions of dollars from the insight and tactics taught in that course, this is NOT a promotion for that course.For those individuals that purchased that course, I can say it was the most positive decision those individuals could make in the future of their internet businesses.

But here’s the problem.

There’s SO much distraction on the internet.

I’m a perfect example and I shared this with my subscribers last week when I offered the deep $100 discount. I also urged those that did invest to not be like me. See…

I came fresh and brand new to the online world in late 2001 without a clue of what I was doing. All I knew is that I wanted to make money and I had NO product, NO HTML skills, NO online skills, NO clue of what a hosting account was or how to get one. In short order, I was completely dumb! :D Heck, I didn’t even know what affiliate marketing was.

The most basic skill I had was how to write a letter in Microsoft Word. That’s it.

Okay, so one of my first real purchases back in 2001/2002 was the course I was able to offer a deep discount for — The Insider Secrets to Marketing a Business on the Internet. And mind you, this was before I even had a clue of what kind of product or service I wanted to create or represent.

I got the course and was so excited, I sat down, read over 30 pages immediately and then kindly retired the course to my bookshelf where it prominently was displayed for over 8 months without being touched.

This will probably happen to over 80% of the people who purchase any product or software — and yes, even same exact course I mentioned above.

Now — while those eight months went by, I wasted my time pokin around for other ways to earn quick cash and it was probably the stupidest waste of my own precious time!

Why?

Because what I learned inside The Insider Secrets to Marketing a Business on the Internet would have catapulted me light years ahead had I just sat myself down like it was a three to six month college course and really studied and harnessed the knowledge of what was offered in those very pages.

Instead, I was distracted by this program over here that would make me $500 this next week, or some other program that proposed that I could make $1000 in 10 days.

Gimme a break!

The problem was that these so-called programs or quick hit money machines did not teach how to build a REAL business and the most powerful thing I have today. And that is SKILL!

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to tell you that the brain surgeon went to pre-med school for four years and then to med school for another three years (and probably some additional years beyond that) including the internship to actually be able to operate on a person’s brain.

Okay — so you say that you don’t want to be a brain surgeon — that’s fine.

But my main point is — just like the years of practice it takes to become a brain surgeon, it also takes great precision and skill to market and promote a business online and to market at the skill and level that some of the best marketers do. It doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t come from just one read through of a marketing course. It takes some real studying to understand the concepts that people use to make millions with their online business. But it also doesn’t mean that you have to market your business at an expert level right out of the gate.

To really get whatever discipline it is that you are trying to learn…

It requires at least three to six months of complete immersion after coming home from your day or night job and studying the book or course at night. It’s not going to be just one seminar that does it for you. You have to go home and study the materials and really “get it.”

It requires getting on email lists of those businesses that relate to your industry and matching what you read in a course to how people are actually marketing their own businesses and compare them. You need to study what these other businesses are doing and keep your wallet and credit cards stashed away while you do the research and the work.

Especially if you are just starting out.

I will readily admit that spent many thousands of hours over the last several years doing just what I’m talking about above.

Buying another product will NOT solve your money woes and will NOT instantly resolve your online business problems. When you make that second purchase after having made a first purchase, you have instantly distracted yourself from getting anything out of the first purchase that made its promise.What is ultimately required is this…

1. You must first buy a product, course or software from someone with a proven track record. Someone that has already accomplished something that you want to achieve and can show you proof. And just because someone says that they achieved something in their own marketplace does not mean it will work in your own marketplace. Don’t be fooled!

2. You must master whatever is inside that product purchase you have put your faith in. You must come to know the contents of the product so well, that you can literally recite some of the lines and pages inside the book.

3. You must be able to have having studied, read, and re-read the course or software product so well, that you have built up the confidence and can put things into action to attain the desired results. You should have in place a commitment to do whatever it takes to not waiver until you get the desired results.

Until you have mastered the concepts and principles in a marketing course or have mastered a software product, there is NO sense whatsoever to buy another product!

Period — end of story.

If you are intending to determine how to develop website traffic, do not get caught in learning how to be a top copywriter. But you must obviously have some HTML skills to put up a website. Of course, with some of the free website builders out there, HTML skills are not even blatantly required.

If you are intending on learning how to develop top search engines listings, do not get caught up in learning how to build an email list for a newsletter.

If you are intending to master keyword research with a software or service, then do not get caught up in learning how to master Pay-Per-Click search engines until you’ve mastered and completely understood the body of knowledge on keyword research.

I can tell you from personal experience…

Been there — done that!

I can absolutely guarantee that you’ll become overloaded and instantly confused learning two main skills that require total and complete focus and concentration.

Here’s a really good real live example.

I get piles of weekly emails from people saying how I would make a really good mentor for them and that if they can just get my personal help, they know for certain will start succeeding.

So this one gentleman wrote in last week and basically recited some of the things just mentioned and I could feel his distress in his email and his current pain and desire to get going with his online business.

So I replied and asked him a few questions. I asked him what he was currently doing to get visitors to his website.

And he told me… organic search engine and PPC.

I said WHAT?!

I wrote him back and told him. Listen. I’d love to help you and I know that I could point you in the right direction on what you should be doing, but I am not currently taking on any clients or doing any coaching or mentoring, and when I do, I charge $500 per hour. The only thing I do right now is offer my advice on my Live Call-In Shows that I do on weekly basis. And that’s the only place I really schedule my own time to help others right now with the rigors of my own business.

And then I candidly told him that he needs to cut out the multiple things and the excess and concentrate and focus on ONE thing as a newbie. It was clear that he was piling stuff on his plate and appearing to be VERY busy with all that he wanted to tackle.

But again — PPC or Pay-Per-Click is one thing that needs a LOT of focus to master. And organic search engine positioning (getting top search engine listings) is yet another thing that requires at least six months to a full year of concentration until you get the hang of it. There is NO WAY a newbie can learn two different disciplines at one time.

Again — the only thing this will cause is utter frustration.

I told him in very clear terms that he needs pick one thing and concentrate on that. In fact, that’s probably the best advice anyone could have given him and probably a huge load off his back.

Here’s another very popular thing online business owners do.

Someone purchases a product or software that promises huge returns and or humungous website traffic. And of course, the creator of the product or software probably honed the skill for six months to achieve the staggering results shown in the proof part of the website where the offering is made.

The one who purchases the product or software probably does not have that skill and, most likely, some other accompanying skills that the creator of the product had when developing the product, service or software that is supposed to give the huge and profitable returns or enormous traffic.

So the purchaser tries the product maybe once or twice, doesn’t get the result and then concludes the product doesn’t work. Then what happens is that there is usually a refund request submitted based on the fact that the product, service or software doesn’t work.

When, in actuality, what really has happened here is that the purchaser most likely did not have the same skill set as the creator of the product, service or software and did not try the product out for a long enough period of time to develop the actual skill to use the product or service; or did not attain a certain comfort level with the product, service or software to actually get the desired result.

Conclusion

What this article begs you to consider is to take what product, service or software you currently have that is proven in the marketplace and develop a skill with it.

Master it.

And then — only once you have developed and mastered the skill of focusing and using whatever product, service or software you’ve purchased should you go on to purchase another product.

Don’t be like the example purchaser I showed up above that goes around the marketplace and buys every software or info product that promises the world, tries it once or twice only to conclude that it doesn’t work.

Don’t be like the newbie gentleman that emailed me and told me all these wonderful things he was concentrating on, but doesn’t seem to be gaining any traction with anything.

COMMIT YOURSELF TO ONE THING (we’ll be covering this topic in the next article).

Concentrate on ONE thing and master it.

Not only will you develop a skill in the meantime, you will gain enough knowledge on one topic to actually write content in an effortless manner.

Most people only travel skin deep into a topic before passing judgment on it.

And I know that’s not you… ;)

On that note, I’ll leave you to concentrate on that one thing that I know you’re going to master in the coming year.

Best wishes,

Jim Morris, Founder

NicheBOT — “Finds exactly what people search for” — and then some! :D

Posted by The NicheBOT Guy on Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 10:50 pm 
Filed under inspiration · Tagged with

  • If you and the others are really serious and want hands-on one-on-one team work with Jim and major guru's you need to check-out Niche Rockets Development. These are Mr. Niche-Bot and his best minds who have all of this knowledge in place we're all trying to immulate. Jim, has a saying that goes like this: "Its much easier to engage those you have the training and experience in place to put your sites best foot forward allowing you to do what you do best"!

    What this means is he has his crack team ready, willing and able to eliminate the learning curve of doing it ourseves, giving us the ability to move forward in the direction of what you do best. In effect it's like hiring your own "Internet Marketing Department" without 99% of the over-head.

    Perhaps we can get Jim to insert the exact URL for us.

    Fledgling Internet Marketing Expert
  • Russ Emrick
    Timeless wisdom and excellent post, true in all areas of life! Thank you. One question:

    How does one learn this subject? There are so many resources (often conflicting), gurus, and topics where does one start: html, marketing, XXX acronym, etc. A brain surgeon enrolls in school and has a clear path: Brain 101, Brain 102, etc. What are the essential skills needed to get a profitable web business going and the 'roadmap' to do it? (ok two questions).

    I've purchased many of the materials you mention, several "blueprints." They are usually filled with jargon and assume so many basics (like you know how to create and host a website). I've scoured the web but also not gotten far. I need a curriculum or a syllabus.

    Got any help? (I know: another question)

    Thanks.
  • Diane,

    You can grab a copy of the Insider Secrets Marketing course here:

    http://www.marketing--tips.com

    You'll see that the special offer for the $100 off was here and is NO longer available:

    http://www.okayhere.com/i/100off

    Even at the regular price, the course is well worth it -- just follow it to the "T" and you'll be well on your way.

    Best,

    Jim
  • Diane
    Jim Hamstreet, I saw your note about the Smart Money Machine. Have you actually used it? I went to the website and am interested in considering it. I did email them about support issues. I didn't see anything anywhere on their site about getting help directly from them if you need it. They responded and said they have a help ticket system and some other video or something to help with getting you started. After that, I guess, you're on your own. Just wanted a further opinion as it sounds like a good idea to be able to concentrate on marketing issues and not so much technical issues. I've put up 3 websites using Dreamweaver, but there is a lot of trial and error - a lot of time spent on reading and studying to do certain things. I would much rather concentrate on marketing.
  • Diane
    Hi Jim,

    Thanks for responding so quickly. Your message was encouraging. I am still not clear, however, on how to obtain "The Insider Secrets" course you offered. You said distribution is being handled by Derek Gehl. Does he have a website where it can be gotten? Also, can it be gotten at the discounted price offered earlier, or did I miss the boat?
  • Professor Click
    Dear Jim,

    Written like someone who has mastered a subject and is on the "other side." Sharing this is a real gift and hopefully your students will take heed and listen.

    It is refreshing to read such honest words from someone who is also capitalizing on a business on the internet. Rare, indeed.

    Best of luck,
    Sheilah
  • I have already put to practice what I learned from this article. Just yesterday there seemed to be a good offer - a free CD of some sort that would give me valuable information on an IM discipline for just the out of pocket cost of shipping. I was filling out the information including my payment info, when the lesson from this article made its way from the back of the lobe to the front, and I aborted the purchase. Focus is now my mantra!
  • Graham in U.K.
    Hi Jim
    I to have accumulated hundrds of free ebooks that I haven't had the time to read them all- I've also bought a lot of stuff and haven't focused on them properly - mainly because I'm on too many email lists and have not been productive with my time.
    This will now change!
    A great article and I will try hard to focus from now on!
    thanks
    Graham in the U.K.
  • Jim:
    Timely message. The principles you set out is the same for everything that one wants to master. My 14 year old son plays the bagpipes and has recently gone from a grade 5 piper to a grade 4 piper. He has the honor of going to the world’s completion in Scotland this year. He receives accolades on his performances and often is told he is a natural or fortunate to be gifted. How untrue. No one sees the hours of practice and lessons he does that got him to this point. Zach first played the piano and sax to find his true love of pipes. I am proud of him.
    I have spent thousands on learning to market online. I have yet to hit it big and only recently learned the hard lesson of focusing on one discipline at a time. Unlike many who have ventured here…I refuse to quit. I only have two membership sites I treasure one of which is http://www.nichebot.com Success will be mine.

    Thanks for the reminder of focus!
  • Tushar
    Hi Jim,
    This is a great article and helpful to me. I have been through this situation you mentioned in the article.

    Tushar
  • Hi Jim,
    Wow! Excellent! I wish I had read that before I became one of those 'ADHD'newbies. Sometimes I open my file marked 'Library' and open some of the free software programs or free ebooks, and have no idea what belongs to what! There are PLR's and RLR's and ABC's!!
    I'll be promoting this to every new person I know.
    Thank you,
    Susan O'Dea
  • Jim,

    What you just posted is sooooo true. Several years ago I decided that I wanted to become an internet marketer. I had a traditional network marketing business which was in stall mode and I thought that I should look at the internet as a new venue to promote my business.

    I became an overnight internet freebie junkie ... and I am sure that I hold the world record to the largest free (and some not so free)e.book library - I know, others claim to hold that record as well. I thought that if I learned and applied the free information, I would be able to put together a system and then voila! It would be so simple.

    Born of stubborn mind I continued with this madness for longer than any sane individual ought to but then there is some question as to how much of my sanity was left intact as months merged with years.

    Finally the penny dropped. I scraped up the money and actually bought an internet marketing course. It was basic and much of the heavy lifting was done for me. That was the smartest thing I did. I launched a new online business. I am still applying the course. Fortunately it was online and of course I have all the modules. I frequently go back and review and it is amazing how much clearer the concept is each time. There is still much I can improve on but I feel that hey, I have finally graduated from kindergarten and am ready to tackle grade one. Its been a year (and I fell off the wagon more than once), but I bought another course. I think that this time I will be able to learn and implement at a faster rate and I ainta gonna get off that wagon any time soon.
  • You are now quoted and recommended for this post!
    Happy 2008 and keep the great work and service up.

    Without Fun There Is No Success!
    http://www.semmy.name
    Semmy Stumpp
  • Jim,

    I have spent the last six months doing just what you said NOT to do. In just the last two or three weeks I had come to the same basic conclusion that I needed to quit trying to chase the money (and the promises of money) and settle in to do the basics.

    Like Ronald mentioned in his comments, I am cutting back on newsletters because they are too enticing for me. But I will keep the ones that provide thoughtful content, such as yours.

    Thanks for confirming what I was thinking.

    John
  • Honestly Jim, your article has been so timely & appreciated! It has given me much needed motivation with how to proceed at the start of the new year.

    It's true that sometimes we need to hear our own truth echoed in someone else for it to be heeded-another good reminder to believe in ourselves.

    I'm glad it's okay to be where you're at-especially when that is at the very beginning. And wherever that is must be the right place-as long as you're focused on one thing at a time.

    Warmest thanks
  • Hey Jim,

    just this afternoon I was checking all the blueprints and other ebooks sitting on my desktop (half of them not read yet and many others only half)and I did the commitment not to purchase any other as long as I haven't read those.

    We always think we could miss something important and don't see that EXACTLY THIS is the reason we DO miss it.

    So your article came just at the right time to underline my commitment - THANKS! And this leads me directly to your next article :o)

    Best wishes
    Dougi
  • Well Jim, A-men--thats al I can say. You are totally right. I started much like you over a yr ago--invested a lot-got up a nice site with bought help--only to get little traffic. Upon looking at the whole PPC THING--I knew I would never have the money to make my site a success. So I stopped in my tracs--got no extra help from my bought expertice folks--AND thamkfully found a few folks like you.Then till now I'm in a new learning curve--still not making any money but I know I am on the right track--Thanks Jim
  • Gregory Turner
    Jim,


    Thanks, thats the best free advise I've gotten all year,maybe ever!I'm a beginer and this kind of advise is just what I NEEDED.


    Greg
  • Jack
    Hey Jim. When I first started reading this I said,"oh my God, Jim was into the cabinet again and is getting windy". ;0)
    Actually, it turned out to be a good article. My two takes were, don't focus on the finish line yet, focus on the task at hand. Once you have your plan in place, follow the steps. Once your plan has been completed, get ready to tweak, and tweak, and tweak. Of course the tweaking never stops. And the second take was stop looking for the golden answer. There are no easy steps. However, if you can modify your plagiarism of a successful product or service, you're half way there.
    Keep up the good work.

    Jack
  • Integrity is the first thing to consider when selecting partners, business associates. Jim Morris spoke the truth when he said a) focus one thing and make it work b) only then should one buy another product(s).
    Of course, this is not the most astounding statement ever made. But the basics are THE building blocks of success in any business - online or offline. One of the greatest coaches in football history, Vince Lombardi, started his training season holding a football and stating "gentlemen, this is a football." Execution is everything in any endeavor. Someone who tries baseball, football, basketball and soccer will be mediocre at all -- but, perhaps one.
  • Hello,

    Thanks for all of this information.
    Yes, focus will become in focus from now.

    Regards,
    Ulla
  • First off, my thanks and deepest appreciation to all those that took the time to comment about this article.

    Sometimes, it's so important to hear things from others that we can relate to and echoes inside of us -- and just hearing it can give us the necessary guidance.

    I took a break from writing the next article which is about to go live entitled "Resolutions are OUT; Commitments are IN!" It's the continuation to this article -- call it the brother or sister. ;)

    M Pratt,

    I totally agree with you that Article Marketing includes various details such as writing the article, learning how to submit it, writing a persuasive author's resource box and much more. So when I say to concentrate on one thing, I mean to concentrate on ONE entire discipline. That one discipline may contain various counterparts.

    The next article will bring that into much more clarity.

    And yes, of course, there are other important components such as website building for the articles. But the main focal point of a tactic should be to hone a real skill, something like Article Marketing as a long term strategy to generate traffic.

    From the survey I took of NicheBOT subscribers, the biggest gaping whole for most people is not getting enough traffic -- and by traffic, I mean targeted website traffic of interested visitors.

    Diane,

    Yes, absolutely! "The Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet" is updated yearly and still covers TODAY's marketing techniques. I would not and could not ethically recommend anyone to buy something that is not updated or up to the current techniques that should be used. However, some of the CORE principles in the old 2001 version still applies today. This marketing course should be in any webmaster's library and should be studied at a minimum of 6 months to completely understand everything it comprises.

    Let me just say this... "The Insider Secrets" is a WHOLE GAME marketing battle plan. And that's why it's been a best seller for well over 7 years running. Nuf said.

    As you may or may not know, the late Corey Rudl authored The Insider Secrets and after his passing, Derek Gehl has taken over and now oversees the course's updates and distribution.

    It has been complete streamlined, in a step-by-step fashion in a manner that can be followed and fully executed upon.

    I have personally reviewed the latest 2007 run of the course and will actually be doing a video review on each chapter of the course so that people make certain to understand it is right for them and that it is essential market their site in the most efficient, highest conversion manner possible.

    I will post more a little later, but I want to make sure to get out the sister/brother version of this article that is set to go live shortly.

    Best,

    Jim
  • Diane
    I really appreciated the sound and honest advice in this article. Jim, the course you speak of - "The Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet", you obviously used awhile back when you started. Has it been updated to cover today's marketing techniques/ideas and do you firmly believe if one puts in the necessary study, reasonable success can be obtained? I am very interested in the course. The week you sent the email with the deep discount my husband lost his job, so I held back. Through some overtime at work I will be able to make the purchase. Would I still be able to purchase the course with a discount or I blew it and missed it?

    I think having the course coupled together with your wonderful live call-in program would really work for me. Sometimes I am afraid to make a purchase because there is no verbal support - you are not able to actually speak to the person you made the purchase from. But, with your live call-in program, it takes the fear out of purchasing as I have the comfort to know I can call for help on areas I don't understand.

    Your soonest response would be greatly appreciated. Do you respond here or directly to the person submitting the comment? I did not see any responses to any of the above comments so I am assuming you respond directly.

    Thanks again for your unselfish sharing and desire to help others in life get ahead.

    Diane
  • Nancy
    This blog tells the honest truth. And it gives permission
    to not be in such a hurry or feel pressured. We'll all
    "get there" soon, and will be the better for having studied
    the material we believed in enough to pay money for. The
    material I purchased from IMC and NicheBot is all I need
    to be sucessful.
    I also liked your Christmas greeting. (And I applaude you
    for saying "Christmas" and not "Holiday.") The message it
    gave was also a good one which should be observed.
  • Becoming successful means quitting. You must have the courage to quit everything that you're mediocre at doing, to focus on your core competencies, until you are the best in the world at what you choose to do.

    If you persevere beyond where the reasonable person would quit, due to lack of talent, lack of commitment, or weakness of spirit, you will be rewarded by achieving expert status. And once you're there, you can never stop learning or growing, for your competition is just one click away.

    So take this advice and focus on what needs to be done, not just in the future, but what needs to be done tomorrow. Before you stop work for the day, write down five things that you absolutely must achieve tomorrow. Then number them in the order of their importance.

    When tomorrow comes, focus on your list. If distractions come, ask yourself, if you can apply this news immediately to your business model, will it save you time, or make you more money, in your niche, right now... today? If not, dismiss it quickly and get back to focusing on your tasks.

    And finally, don't forget to reward yourself for every achievement along the way. At the end of the day, look at the list, of what you've achieved and realize, your goal will come... one successful achievement at a time.

    Michael Campbell
    Internet Marketing Secrets Newsletter
  • M Pratt
    Focusing on only one thing sounds great...but...the way I see it in order to actually run an on-line business you CAN'T ONLY FOCUS ON ONE THING,let me explain...
    Take article marketing for example, you need to learn, 1)how to write effective articles/copy, 2)you need to learn effective keyword research, 3)you need to learn keyword placement in said articles/copy, 4)you need to learn about linking, how optimize articles/copy, about author bio boxes, duplicate content,the market or target consumer that your actually writing to, so you see there is A LOT to learn in just simply writing an article. That DOES NOT include building your web site(s),that you are using article marketing for, and ALL that involves. It DOES NOT include montenization of the site, after all thats the whole idea, and ALL that involves,(payments-returns-product delivery-etc...),etc...etc...etc...
    So there is really A LOT to know/learn about doing business on line, even if you "focus on one thing".
    I understand that one should not do two technics PPC AND podcasting, but to focus even on one thing there is alot to learn, because that "one thing" is tied to AND dependent on other areas of an on-line business to be successful.
    Thats just my two cents.
  • Jim,

    You could not be more RIGHT about this.

    This very problem is what plagues so many people in this market.

    I belive in FOCUS

    F - Follow
    O - One
    C - Course
    U - Until
    S - Successful

    In fact, I believe you can make 10 times more money promoting just one product or service in 3 years than you ever would promoting several products or services in the same period of time. I've proved that out in my own business.

    I DO believe in multiple streams of income, BUT ONLY AFTER you've mastered one stream and you've turned it into a gusher of income.

    Thanks for your intelligent observations Jim. You are a true professional.

    David Frey
    CEO, Marketing Best Practices Inc.
  • Andrei Popovici
    Hi Jim,
    I had the feeling from the beginning that I might have come across the real thing when I subscribed to your NicheBOT site.I leave in Romania and gradually I developed the awareness about the keywords search importance and Internet Marketing in general.
    Only this article alone can put thousands of people on the right track and save them maybe thousands of dollars in money and hours waisted by not understanding the psychological connection between investing in a product/service, mastering it and ultimately making money out of it, after all the intermediate stages have been passed.
    Thank you for being around!
    Andrei
  • Jim,

    I initially subscribed to your newsletter and read much of it with excitement. Later, subscribing to other ones, I began avoiding it for the sheer frequency of your emails. Today, I decided to take a shot and read your "Do not buy ANOTHER software or marketing product until you read this!". I was blown away.

    There's no science breakthrough in it, but what makes it so valuable is the honesty of the advice, from such a renowned professional. Many marketers will tell you there's this to read, that to buy, all those things to learn, and flood you with information. But your cold truth is what really hit home. We can't learn them all, especially not simultaneously! And it definitely takes time, effort, FOCUS, DISCIPLINE. This is something not all salesman like to mention, preferring the "instant-results" illusion.

    You really opened my eyes not to overload myself because really, distraction and frustration walk side by side with that (and mastery becomes an even longer shot). Reading such article from someone like you really does take a load off my shoulders. It doesn't take a genius. You don't have to be awesome. It doesn't need to be ready and full speed ahead the other day, week, of even month.

    Thanks.
    Bern
  • Hey Jim,

    You hit the nail on the head once again. Very timely and frank advice for anyone who wants to stop 'poking around' and concentrate on learning and DOING the right thing to reach ultimate success online...

    Truth: What you've shares is not about what we must follow to succeed online, but it holds true for all human endeavors. Even in relationships, business partnership and marriages.

    Anyway, I think I should also confess that I fell into this insane trap myself - very times - got bashed by scammers before getting my acts together.

    Thanks man.
  • Jim,

    I always read your email. Your advise is upfront and always useful. I can say the same about your friends Scot Standke and Tim at Niche Rockets. For over a year I subscribed to Niche Rockets and received your Nichebot products as part of that package. Never have I enjoyed so much good advise. I was also greatly impressed by the willingness of everyone to HELP others, often without asking for any compensation. Just wanting others to succeed like they have.

    What I was missing was the technological skills to use the information I was receiving. Really, I couldn't even set up a web site. Tim's boot camp was outstanding, but I didn't know enough to make it work. I finally canceled my subscription because $97.00/ mo. was enjoyable, but not profitable.

    I'm now retired from the real estate development business but not ready to stop working. A home-based business which I can run from my home, or on a boat, or while on vacation is exactly what I want. Somehow, and I really don't know how, I discovered Wayne VanDyke's Smart Money Machine site. It is truly a Business-In-A-Box. I can get a web site up and running in about an hour including autoresponder, A - B split testing, etc. I can now spend 95% of my time on Traffic and Conversion rather than spending 95% - 100% of my time on learning technology. It's like having a techie sitting next to me 24/7 !!!

    You are exactly right, immerse yourself in a program that works and stick with it until you've mastered it.

    If you and Scot have room for me, I'll be back with your programs before the end of 2008.

    Jim Hamstreet
    jimhamstreet@hotmail.com
    Sammamish, Washington
  • This is one of the most helpful,centered, focused articles I have read in a long time. I actually settles you down. I have been doing the same thing. I have not been buying products, but I have been inundated with so many choices that I am having a hard time choosing which process to begin first. I think I will choose the one I am currently working with and let the rest stand in line.
    Thanks for your time and generous insight.
  • harold jones
    The Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet. Is the discount avaiable.
  • cindi
    Thanks for the great article. I have found myself more than once caught in this cycle. I am looking forward to working with my own arsenal of proven products which includes IMC's Internet Marketing Course and seeing it through in 2008.

    Thanks for your insights!

    Happy New Year
  • Jim,

    Have you been spying on me?

    Ted
  • Wanda
    Hey Jim,
    Thanks for the discount on "Insider Secrets."
    I was one of the ones that took advantage of the offer.
    And yes, I am guilty of not focusing on one thing and looking for the latest and greatest new quick and easy method or software.
    Your blog today was timely and on target. I plan to take it to heart, study and learn from what I have.
  • Jim

    Thanks for the kick in the pants I needed to start the new year.

    I have been floundering with information overload and need to do just what you suggested.

    Dave
  • Jim

    Reading your article seems you are talking about me. That is exactly what is happening, so many products, so many techniques and no one dollar inside the box.

    Let's focus on one thing at a time.

    regards
    Renato
  • Jack Jones
    This is a very good example of "A Word To The Wise" saying and would be a best start scenario for anyone wanting to get a start on the internet but not so welcome for the get rich quickers who sell some of the products.
  • I couldn't agree more. I AM making progress but my progress is slower than it could be because I get inspired by something new and carried off ina new direction before fully completing my last project or working through the last course I bought.

    I'm prioritising and have made a deal with myself to only tackle the next area of expertise when I am up and running with my current one. No more purchases for me until I have read and used what I already have.

    Lynne Lee
    http://christianlifecoaching.co.uk
  • A HUGE THANKS Jim,

    I am one of the guilty ones you described in your issue of Keyword in Informer. What a brain opener.

    As 2007 comes to an end, I will definitely keep focused in the coming new year on what you wrote in the article.

    What a great piece of advice,for free!
  • I have been thinking along the same lines as you when it comes to new products. I study the newest product to kick start my online business, then 5 pages into it the author talks about other products you should have to make his product work better or faster.

    If they would include that information in their sales copy you probably wouldn't need their product to begin with.

    You should block out some time to study. I do pretty well if I take my laptop camping and there is no way to get an internet connection for 3 days.

    Maybe I'm just easily distracted..but no internet access usually helps me to get through a lot of material.

    Ken
  • Ronald
    Love your advice Jim.

    I read deeper into what you are doing.

    What looks like a sales letter for your product is actually a piece of genuine insight. Stop. Focus. Master. Monetise.

    Sure it would be nice for you financially if Stop happened after purchasing your product but I get the feeling that that is not you prime motivation.

    I think what you are saying is "It is time to stop spending and start earning" and that is a process not a purchase.

    A few weeks ago I stopped purchasing and then went one step further - I started culling out the newsletters I subscribe to and getting myself off a lot of lists.

    I have also decided to not touch my sites until 24th march (Easter). That is not going to damage my traffic because they got bugger all anyway.

    My inbox now takes way less time to manage and I am putting that time into a specific area of research - keywords -for the next four months.

    I am a lot more relaxed, I don't feel overwhelmed, I can feel the withdrawal is allowing me to see things more clearly and I have my spending and debts under fragile control.

    When I come back to my sites I will have mastered keywords because I am putting a lot of time into that one area.

    Along the way, I am picking up subtle clues about my own sites because I have pulled back to become an observer and there is no self-imposed pressure to perform.

    I can feel myself shifting from panic to productivity, from 'chucking stuff at it" toward a more calculated, sound, and business mastery approach.

    From your perspective, the downside of "Stop" is that your readers will get off you list and your business decline.

    Possible, but, even if I do unsubscribe now, I will remember the guy who told me to "Stop purchasing" because the integrity behind that message indicates your real concern is to get people to build strong online businesses.

    As I build keyword mastery, then mastery in other areas, the guy who had the integrity to say - "stop purchasing" will be the first guy I turn back to when I am looking for another step to master.

    A heartfelt thanks Jim.

    Ronald

    PS I have subscribed to your Keyword Informer newsletter because that is my area of immediate focus.

    Thanks Jim,
  • Well said indeed, Jim!

    Thanks for sharing the "secrets" to success with us.

    This message is indeed golden and should be followed to the "T."

    It seems as if you were instructing me one on one when I was going thru. your message in the article.

    Thanks very much again.


    All the best to you and all yours.
    John
  • Hey Jim,

    Great post. Very timely too. I know I suffer from this online ADD/ADHD (oh look there's a butterfly....). It all comes down to focus. I've chased the latest next best thing without really mastering anything and have nothing to show for it really.

    So 2008 is going to be different. One plate spinning at a time, till that plate is spinning well on it's own, then another plate can be started.

    I guarantee that there are people out there just like me (and the way you used to be) that have so much stuff cluttering up the hard drive that if they just took one of those programs and stuck it out they would find success finally. Unfortunately most people, myself included give up on that program and start chasing the next one just before any success comes and go off ranting about how there's no money to be made online. When all the time the money is just one step away, one lossy step away.

    Sorry for being long winded, but it was a great post. I appreciate what you had and have to say keep up the good work.

    Jeff
  • Great article, Jim!

    I pertty sure that I am guilty of some of the things that you'd mentioned in your article. And being an information freak like me, I feel obligated to know a little bit about everything that is related to Internet marketing. Starting now, I hope to spend less money on those under $10 deals on the Warrior Forums and other forums.
  • Hi Jim,

    This is like one of your most sound and practical advises I've read all year.

    You might not even realise this but most top marketers are not saying the same things as you.

    Probably because they're quite afraid that their next product launch will be ignored. What you've done is just "upped" your readership interest by a few notches!

    Good going on this solid article and hope to read more inspirational stories like these as time goes by.

    BTW, any live examples of what helped you get past your first "money making hurdle" back in 2001 or 2002?

    looking to hear from you,
    Vern
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