Pull Your Head Out of Your…
Quick story…
I’m in Saskatoon visiting some friends today and I was away at lunch to see a couple of my buddies brand new restaurant. I’m very proud of these guys because they told me for years, this was their dream to be their own boss and I knew, because of all the BBQ’s they used to throw, that these guys have something that this city needs….REAL good food, a great environment and fun atmosphere.
What’s the point of this story Olson?
I got into some numbers with them…
Over 250k to start the business, that means they are in debt for a quarter of a million dollars…
Plus they know they may not see a profit for at least 3 years.
But they had a dream…And I’m so damn proud of them.
Back to the point of this…Online we seem to cringe at a 20 dollar a month investment on a autoresponder? A 50-75 dollar a month budget for the basics we need for our businesses…But we all want to make money online.
Funny huh? I thought so…
The headline of this may come as a shock, but sometimes we need a stir up and shake up and a little bit of jaw dropping to get some action going. Stop with the ‘I can do this all for free’ mentality. Offline people invest hundreds of thousands into their dreams, I don’t think we should be shocked to learn it MAY take a hundred bucks a month to build a solid online business.
We have a huge upper hand though, we don’t need to invest hundreds of thousands…But they have something I wish we saw more of online…Realistic goals and plans to reach them.
Wanna shoot for the stars, invest in yourself!
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Well said Jon Well said. you hit the nail on the head with this one
The longer I’m online, the more I believe it. Because, I’ve been trying to do this the free way for nearly 4 years. The only good thing about doing this for free, is you can brag that You’ve never lost money. But, if you’re like me, simply breaking even isn’t what you want. You want to actually make money!
Thanks guys, I didn’t wanna come off as a prick, I just saw how much my buddies invested, time, energy and money into it…It was very inspiring.
I love the entrepreneurial spirit and to think some folks risk hundreds of thousands of dollars…
But we seem to hum and moan when people are telling folks about a 15 dollar upgrade at an autoresponder or what not…crazy
That’s it Jon.
There are many, many folks in the online world who have utterly unrealistic expectations of how to build a business online.
Many want it all happen overnight with a budget of absolutely nothing at all and then cry like babies when it fails to happen.
Sadly some of the experienced ‘guru’s who should know better must take some of the blame for this.
The myth that we can just go out and buy someone’s hot new $47 program, click three buttons, set-it-and-forget it while we we head off down to the beach with millions in the bank is still being peddled.
Online or offline building a business involves time, effort, energy, dedication, hard work and, yes, some money too.
The only difference we have in the online world…well we don’t know how easy we have it compared with our offline counterparts.
Good luck to your restaurant owning buddies Jon. If I am ever in the area I will come in and buy a meal from them.
Patrick.
You are dead right here Jon. More people really do need to take the time and money and invest it into themselves. Start with a plan, have a goal, and a support system always helps.
Peace
AMEN Jon! This has been a problem for years and it’s only been getting worse as more “push button” crap is released
Patrick – thanks man, it’s a plague bro. It really is. And thank you for the idea for this blog post. It was rushed, but I hope the message is heard lol
Gilbert – Thank you kindly. Yup, start with the plan, keep your eyes on the goal!
Jon – You feel my pain bro, I know you do LOL
Awesome post,
Simple and to the point.. Too many spend time investing in others
and not in themselves. Too many do not spend anything at all..
Believing the Free way will work.. and make them rich in the end…
But it only gets you so far.. then your business online become stagnant.
Growth only happens when you invest time, energy and $$.
Figure out where you want to be, make a goal then……
Promote you, believe in you, invest in you..
Hey Jon –
Some messages are best conveyed bluntly. I spent 26 years building offline businesses in the real estate industry. My last retail store front cost me $63,000 before we open the doors and $10,000 per month to operate.
I have a very difficult time understanding how anyone not willing to spent $50 to $100 per month can expect to earn a true and sustainable income online.
What you say here may be considered tough love, but it is so absolutely true.
James
Hmmmm, well, this Texan is wondering how you have an bbq joint in Canada? I would assume importing prime Texas beef is another monthly over-head.
Well put Jon, people do need to spend to make money like any-other }business{ offline or online…
So true Jon… As like many of other people in the TE world I have a budget, and that’s where the knowledge of what you actually need and what you can live without is important. That is where the Pizza Plan really helped me to understand that!
If you start with the basics, you begin to make money. Once you start making money, you can increase your budget to begin making more money. Can’t expect to have a successful online buisness without spending a dime.
Great post Jon!
agreed Eric =)
Making money online is a hell of a lot easier than it is offline, it took my offline business till the 2nd year to even break even, didn’t make money till the third, but anyone can start making money with their online business within the first year and a ton less expenses…
Pay for tools to help your business grow, pay for advertising, and most importantly learn to use those tools effectively, online there are a lot of people looking to buy, you can make it at least half way without even ever making a sales call, conference, presentation, or business plan. You can’t even open your doors offline without doing every single one of those.. People need to really take advantage with the ease of online business and like Sterling Valentine said.. first Set up, get Sign Ups, then Scale up… It takes money to Scale up, but the increase you get will multiply your sales exponentially.
Kent,
Boiled beef smothered in spicy ketchup may be the national dish of Texas, but it’s not “barbecue.” Drive east to McLard’s in Hot Springs, Arkansas and they’ll show you how it’s done
Jon,
Been gone all day… and just walked in to your post.
It is exactly what I has been gnawing at me lately!
Well, I will simply “ditto” your “semi-rant”… lol
Great post!
Carl
BOILED beef, spicy KETCHUP???…. seriously? That doesn’t sound like any Texas BBQ I’ve ever eaten. You must have been going to some of those yankee franchise joints. Texas BBQ rocks! But I’ll be sure to check out McLard’s. I’ve never been one to turn down good BBQ.
Anyway, back to the subject at hand… Jon, you’ve once again nailed it. People are so eat up with the free mentality that they have lost all sense of reality. If you have a business, you WILL have expenses. Period. So you either pay them and get the assets/resources/tools that you need to properly run a business or you find yourself in the “out of business” mode.
Keep on telling it like it is, Jon. People need to wake up.
Nina
P.S. Thanks again for the gift of your book “Hits, Click and Misses”.
Jon.
Always read your blog. But this one I just love. From here on I promise (my hand is on my heart) that I will promote your site.
It’s Ute-The Coach
Jon
This is a cool post your buddies think of their dream as a business and work it like one, So they don’t come to work in their underwear. I believe most people who are trying to make money online look at their online business as a hobby and try to work in their underwear what do you think would happen to your buddies business if they looked at their dream as a hobby and tried to come to work in their underwear lol
Very good post Jon, got my attention!
Deb and I started and operated several conventional businesses over the years and slowly recognized a couple of key principles that also apply to Internet Marketing. First is to love what you are attempting to do to the point that you have to succeed and believe in it enough that you are willing to expose it to the world, despite what that group of people called “They” think. Secondly, if a person is committed to succeed, they are willing to put their money where their mouth is. In other words, we vote with our money. Wisely invest in the tools of the trade. We all also have to recognize that things will happen, disappointments, tragedies, the one that we knew would blow the doors off this quits, if I could just get old so and so to join, every one is already in, etc., and etc. Life is too short and sweet to play around with it and with the lives of other people. Receiving is in direct proportion to what we give whether it be our time, our money, or our dedication and concern for those that we promised by virtually showing them our commitment by a simple referral link. I sincerely hopes this makes business sense to you folks.
Sam Burgess
Mabank, Texas
Jon, this is the wake-up and smell the coffee post you ever posted of all time.
It takes money to make money but the great thing about doing it online you can do it with a reasonable budget.
Darn, now I want some baby back ribs!!!
Amen brother!
Hi Jon, great post. I always say this sort of thing to the ppl I interact with online. You need passion, a budget and a damn good plan of what you want to do. If you dont have those things you are wasting your time. Having spent the last 15 years making a little money off following the horse here in Australia the whole basis of that business is profit on turnover. We aim to make between 5 and 10% profit on the money we spend. That’s almost the 1st thing I tell ppl getting into online marketing. If you spend $100 and make 10% on it you will have $110 in your pocket. That’s not going to change your life. But if you start with a budget you can afford and reinvest your money wisely then you can build up a good cash flow that lets you run your online business effectively and over time it will cover your costs and then if you are doing a good job it will start earning you money. As a few ppl above have mentioned alot of ppl come online with no idea of how to set or run a business and with 348672356235 red buttons of instant wealth out there why would they listen to the ppl in here that tell them its all about hard work and long term planning!!! LOL Just my thoughts. Great thread Jon
Cheers
Martin
Thank you so much everyone for the fantastic comments. As always you guys make me smile from ear to ear.
I thought it would piss people off, but I think most folks agree that this business while it is cheaper to get involved than an offline one, it does take capital and an investment.
Thank you all for making this a great day for the News’
Yes… investment is important… but no matter how much you spend, if you don’t have “Realistic goals and plans to reach them.” you will never see success.
DA
Excellent point. I’ve found that if you are serious you must spend money, especially when you want to advertise.
I have been reading your posts for a couple of months, and you always make very good points without all of the hype, and I love the pizza plan.
Thanks Kelli – much appreciated and glad you enjoy the Pizza Plan =)
DA – Absolutely.
Every day I get people asking if they can get it for free. If it was all free, there would be no “business”.
I own a small machine shop and was already in the habit of spending money on the tools and supplies necessary to run the business, so it was a no-brainer when I came online that I would need to spend money in order to operate this business properly. However, I see a lot more people trying to do everything as cheap as possible than I see trying to do it professional and business like manner. Excellent point tho, Jon.
OMG Jon,
My sentiments exactly!! If you are really serious about having a successful online business you need to invest SOMETHING for Pete’s sake….seriously!
I am forever amazed that people don’t realize this. Thanks for putting that out there
Caroline
I just read smiley’s email and your blog …lol …..
Forget the 2012 presidential debates …I want you 2 in the same room…
TOm
I Ditto Carl’s Ditto.
Here is how I see the problem. People do join something and spend money but, in reality, have no clue what it is or why they joined it. It just looked cool and like it would hand them money.
The truth is this: money will have to change hands for a profit to be made. BE SMART! Know what you are spending your hard earned cash on and know how you are going to use it. Set a Budget and stick with it. Make a plan of action and get to work. Eventually you will see your income grow and you can increase your budget.
Side note: I still like Free Programs which pay me. I don’t use them to as my primary business. But, for people who have a very limited cash fund, you can make enough from Free Programs to pay for the tools you need online. I, personally, make enough from 2 free program to pay for my Traffic Wave and my Splash Page Maker. I just can’t turn down FREE Money!
The way I see it, there are just No Excuses for not having the proper tools in place.
“Stop with the ‘I can do this all for free’ mentality.”
Actually, there is no free. There is always a cost, but the ‘free’ stuff often just costs you time. It can help you get so far, but spending wisely on the right tools and advertising can get you a lot further, a lot faster.
Looks like you may be preaching to the choir here, Jon.
Or perhaps the choir members are the only ones leaving comments. (smile)
You are absolutely right. There ain’t no free lunch!
Similar to your Pizza Plan, I started with a small budget. Did not even try to make any money for the first few months. The money was secondary to LEARNING and building TRAFFIC.
That budget was $50 per month. My expense budget now is… wait for it… over $800 per month.
Seems the more I spend on advertising and marketing, the more profit I make. Go figure!
Of course this has been gradual, and I continue to scale up gradually. Looking forward to the day when my expense budget is $3,000 per month.
It’s like taxes. If you have to pay $100,000 in one year to the tax man, that was a VERY GOOD YEAR.
It always tickles me when I speak with someone who is really excited to get started with their own business, and when I mention a few of the items necessary to succeed, they balk at the cost.
I wonder why people who know it takes a huge hunk of change to start a traditional brick-and-mortar business, are the same who think an online business can be built for free.
I partly think it is because so many sites offer the free membership with the chance of making a commission, so most people must think that they won’t need to spend any money.
When I speak with someone who expects to make something from nothing, I ask them this. “If you do not upgrade, how does the person who sponsored you make money?”
Usually, about half of the way through their justification for not spending money, most of them see the point I was getting at.
Shawn
Hi Jon.
I wasn’t going to say anything because it still bothers me. But I will anyway. A couple of months ago an almost referral started ranting at me on Skype over a 2.00 a month program upgrade. She was saying how some people don’t have money to spend that’s why they come on line, to make money not spend it. I made the mistake of saying, gee who doesn’t have 2 lousy bucks to spend. I always seem to say the wrong thing because it made her even madder. That conversation just made me feel so bad. I feel like I am doing some sort of wrong by promoting things that cost money. But the thing is you really need to spend some money to build a business. Not all of the tools are free, and some of the ones that are, are crappy. I know, I have tried some. I often wonder how many others on the te’s feel the way she does. It seems like everyone wants it all for free these days!
There, I got that off my chest. I just hope I haven’t said anything to offend anyone again.
John,
While I agree and understand what you are saying here,I have one issue with the overall.
I am a more than capable person with many skills. I work with my eye’s, hand’s and mind to build, repair and maintain things.
There is no man made item that is beyond me.
I know the importance of TOOLS.
That being said, while I to/also commend your friends for following their dream,(a hard one, I’ve been there with others, about 1 in 10 make it). No one is going to hand me a 1/4 mill. and say good luck. nor do I really what them too. I’ve never had a loan in my life. If I can’t pay for it I don’t need it.
What I’m getting at here is every project I’ve taken part in has given me the ability to up-grade when able with out penalties.
Only two yrs. ago did even learn how to use an email account, now of course I know that I need to know all the coding, despite what others may say. Fortunately this is also free just requires time, an expensive commodity by my standards.
This all may seem like a rant,(in a way I guess it is) but I’m too far along to stop now,(what a waste of time). So I will keep plugging along till I make these baby steps to the bottom of the stair case.
OOPS! YES, invest in yourself. The free tools do not work all that well, well lets say not as well as the higher quality one. don’t ever forget Time is money. How you get paid for your time is determined by how good your tools are and what you do with your time. Something I need to work on.
Alright back to work this took too long (an other skill I need to develop,typing)
Jim
Can’t say it enough Jon! Investing in yourself is always the best option. I don’t understand why so many people think the internet is so much different than the offline world! I am glad that there are others out there trying to get this point across!
I hope that your buddies business goes well, that is quite a bit of risk to take on!
Hey Jon,
I’ve started like many, thinking I could kick start my online marketing “career” with zero investment and then I figured out I needed a website.
Spent some time messing around free blogs (wasting a lot of time) until I realized I wasn’t being taken seriously and had to take the next step and go for my own domain + hosting.
Then I spent a lot of time trying to save money whenever I could until I finally realized that’s not the right mindset.
Starting any kind of online business needs and requires some ahead planning along with investments involved as well.
I’m pretty sure it can be done with zero investment because I did earn money as an affiliate from free blogs but that takes a lot of precious time and whenever you get burnt or scammed you’re going to be even more frustrated than in the beginning (I was).
I really can’t stand freebie junkies anymore, I’m so glad that traffic exchange owners/experts are aware of this and sharing the right mindset with their users/surfers.
I really liked this article Jon and I hope I can start connecting with more guys like you and other traffic experts too.
~Sergio
PS. I just was on the live traffic exchange conference for the first time, you people really rock, keep up the good work!
Thanks Sergio, much appreciated sir. Great that you came out and enjoyed it. We always have fun at them =)
Thanks for the tips. looks like they worked for you, I haven’t read all the comments but i’m pretty sure that’s been said already.