Internet Marketing with Josh SpauldingMaking Money through Ethical Internet Marketing.

59 comments

1. Juhani Tontti (12 comments.)
   14th May, 2009 at 3:20 pm 

   Josh, you hit the nail!
   I just wrote an article to EzineArticles about my most important success factor ( I`m not so successful), which is my own thoughts about myself, i.e. about my attitude.

   That is the real engine for this business. If we success to keep the attitude positive, let`s name it “The Winning Spirit”, nothing can stop us.

   Thanks Josh,
   Juhani

2. Jenny Evans Dunham (3 comments.)
   14th May, 2009 at 3:25 pm 

   Thanks for this post, Josh.

   I struggle with confidence issues too although I know how to do a lot of things. Just recently, I have been stepping out of my comfort zone more and more and just doing things one step at a time. For the first time since I’ve been online, I believe I can be successful.

   It’s great to know I’m not the only one who feels this way.

3. Kris (19 comments.)
   14th May, 2009 at 3:27 pm 

   Josh, so obvious yet so true. It’s much easier to sit back and complain about failure than it is to take action (and I’m guilty of this).

   Thanks,
   Kris

4. Marilyn
   14th May, 2009 at 3:33 pm 

   It’s so hard to know who to follow! I just don’t trust the “gurus,” with their long sales letters which I don’t have time to plow through and am skeptical of anyway. Are their claims of income trumped up? I believe nobody at face value, so it’s hard to really know! For instance, Stone Evans’ Plug-In Profits offer, is that for real? Or once you purchase the information, do you find that everybody is doing it and it’s way overinflated? I have information overload right now. I do agree with you that PotPieGirl probably has a good system, I just haven’t had the time to implement it — it’s kind of involved. Thanks for letting me vent.

5. Sandra (3 comments.)
   14th May, 2009 at 3:38 pm 

   Not many people think about the confidence factor, but it is SO TRUE. Even the Law of Attraction encourages you to – so to ‘live as if’ you were successful. That inspires confidence. Also, even though my mini websites aren’t producing the results I desire, I wake up every morning, enthusiastically adding articles as my ‘pot of gold’.

6. Alex Yeo (4 comments.)
   14th May, 2009 at 3:39 pm 

   Taking action and learning from a trusted mentor is 2 very important factors.

   In fact, I learnt my niche marketing from Andrew Hansen. I took action, make mistakes, re-learn and back into action again.

   Took me around 2 years before I quit my job and become a full time internet niche marketer.

7. Pete
   14th May, 2009 at 3:41 pm 

   Solid stuff Josh! Thanks for sharing…

8. Mark Sierra (27 comments.)
   14th May, 2009 at 3:42 pm 

   Confidence, indeed, is a huge factor in holding people back. I’m guilty of it myself.

   I think another reason is something you touched on a little. When I see a great idea, I think to myself (and I think a good number of us do), “Man, I wish I had thought of that!”

   Then either out of respect or fear of being seen as a copycat, we don’t take that model and make it our own. The fact of the matter is, all the products we see out there are pretty much the same at their core, but with different wrapping.

   Our next best money-making product may be staring at us in the face if only we take the time to put our own spin on it.

9. Anthony (1 comments.)
   14th May, 2009 at 3:48 pm 

   Josh,

   Thanks for that post. I actually read it through, not an easy feat these days. I agree with you though. My most successful activities online seem to “coincide” with peaks of confidence.

   Funny you should write about it. The other factor of course, is that confidence in yourself is not real, at least not to me, if you are not willing to spend the money it takes to get a campaign, or a project off the ground. If you hold back, you don’t have any confidence in it, or your ability to make it work; not yet, at any rate.

   Thanks again,
   Anthony

10. Affiliate Money Producers
    14th May, 2009 at 4:09 pm 

    Great stuff! I’d like to add:

    *Be amongst it! Get your stuff out there – even if imperfect.

    *Build up momentum. The initial inertia weeds out many, but if you can get past that, momentum will eventually help push you forward. Think of the Space Shuttle blasting off into space. The fuel that it takes initially is unbelieveable…but after that it takes a lot less.

    Don’t let the initial, required burst of effort scare you off!

11. Charlie (1 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:10 pm 

    I certainly agree that taking action is important. However, confidence only comes from success. Taking action and getting nowhere will not breed confidence.

12. Aisling D'Art (3 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:13 pm 

    Years ago, a co-worker applied for a job that he wasn’t qualified for… not on paper, anyway. When he came back from the interview, we asked him what he was thinking, even trying for the job. He said, “If I can convince them that I can do the job, I can do the job.”

    Well, he got the job and learned what he needed to, on the fly. He was a great success and, after five years at that job, was promoted to vice president of the company.

    Your post reminded me of that. It’s all about confidence.

    Thanks!

13. Josh Spaulding
    14th May, 2009 at 4:14 pm 

    @ Marilyn – It sounds like you’re only looking at the Internet Marketing niche and Internet Marketing products. It’s hard to know who to “copy” at first, but eventually you’ll find people who are credible and honest… lots of people go through that. Most people actually.

    @ Charlie – Absolutely not! If someone wanted to lose 100 lbs of fat, could they do it without confidence? Heck no! They start off with the confidence because they KNOW they WON’T quit… that gives them the confidence to do what they need to do in order to lose it. That’s one of many examples.

14. Justin Case (3 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:14 pm 

    Ha, Funny you should suggest that. It is something I struggle with every time I sit down to do something.

    I know I can succeed, but every time go to set up a web page or write an article I wonder if it will be good enough to do any good.

    It really boils down to just doing. What may look like a failure is just another step toward getting it right next time.

    Thanks Josh

15. Courtney (19 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:15 pm 

    You can’t run a car on an empty tank of gas and you can’t run a business without confidence. I know…I’ve tried to do both!

    I found that when I started to “put myself out there” so to speak, a lot of deep issues came up that I had to deal with and clear out of the way so I could continue. About a year later I’m ready to move forward with more confidence!

16. Josh Spaulding
    14th May, 2009 at 4:18 pm 

    @ Justin – haaah I JUST saw an insurance commercial with a guy named “Justin Case” in it. Get it? Just in Case lol Is that really your name? No offense, it’s a great name, just a funny coincidence.

    Seriously though, you’re right, just do it! All of us who are now successful were once in your position! Think about what we may have done… like watching how others who are successful do it and learning from our mistakes.

17. Tiptopcat (2 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:35 pm 

    congratulations on your success so far. Maybe this realization of confidence will encourage you to think about creating vids for your products etc.

    I have one question that is off topice re: keyword research – why is there a difference between the results returned with the google keyword tool and the SEObook that you used to use previously?

    I am still learning about trying to find worthy keywords and am a little confused by this discrepancy. Hope you don’t mind me asking.
    Ta.

18. Josh Spaulding
    14th May, 2009 at 4:40 pm 

    @ Ta,

    Thanks and maybe you’re right. I may start doing a little video from time to time soon.

    Re: your question – SEOBook pulls from another source. I honestly couldn’t tell you exactly why. I just know the Google tool seems to be more accurate.

19. Abdul (3 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:48 pm 

    I completely agree that the lack of confidence is what holds many people back in Internet marketing. I heard something from Matt Furey (popular in fitness, health, martial arts, personal development niches) the other day that really stuck in my heard. He said that confidence is more importance than competence.

    There are many extremely competent people who don’t have the confidence to use the abundant knowledge that they have. Yet there are people who aren’t very competent in an area who are able to forge ahead and succeed because of the belief they have in themselves.

    That confidence drives them start working towards their goal with the understanding that they will make mistakes along the way. Through trial and error, and through studying, over time they learn everything they need to know, and then the competence naturally follows.

20. Cheryl (5 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:51 pm 

    To Josh and everyone who has contributed – thanks! I know I am in good company. You and I are not alone in this and with determination, we will make that leap!

    I am in year three and like you (Josh) said as well as others, expanding the borders of our comfort zone and well, Nike said it – Just DO It!

    I still have some overcoming, some marketers I want to approach and such. But I really am helped when I remember that everyone in this business started at the beginning. And everyone else went through similar challenges.

    Someday I will look back and like Josh be able to say, “jump in – the water’s fine!”

    Thanks again – this is a great group!

    Cheryl

21. Tony (1 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 4:55 pm 

    If you want to know just about anything to do with marketing on or off line I can tell you how to do it. I know all about SEO from Stompernet. Everything about launching products from Jeff walker. I’ve even had a conversation on the phone with Fran Kern.

    So why the heck haven’t I done it for myself?

    I think Josh and Mark Sierra have the answer. Confidence and fear that I have already been left behind because I think everyone else already knows what I have just found out.

    At last things are changing. I finally joined a training course and found out that I know far more than most of the other newbie’s on the course. In some area’s I think I know more than the trainer on the course. So this has helped with my confidence at lot.

    My lack of technical skills has held me back for years. In years gone by outsourcing was a very unreliable option, unlike today. My imagination built it up to be a big mountain of an obstacle. I find that as long as I understand how to do something technically then I’m more confident even if I do then outsource it.

    I like the comment with the analogy of the rocket using take off fuel then going on tick over once the initial hurdle has been overcome. I’m certainly heading for a space I’ve never been.

    Thanks Josh for this confidence boosting post.

    Tony

22. Ric (1 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 5:29 pm 

    Josh, good subject. I just wrote an article about esteem or lack of it which falls into the same category.

    In researching this it all boils down to a thought, your thinking. This post you made started with a thought, the responses you get all start with a thought. So, confidence starts with a thought that you can, you can’t or you don’t want to.

    Unfortunately, as we are told many times growing up don’t do this or you can’t do that, this becomes our response to many things we are challenged with. How to fix it? It takes time to retrain your thinking, old thoughts don’t leave so willingly. Fear hates confidence and will do everything to destroy it.

    Good post, more fuel for thought…Ric

23. Forest (13 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 5:30 pm 

    Hey Josh,

    I am just restarting a list of around 1000 subscribers that I acquired a while back.

    I have been weary of doing it due to my lacklustre marketing skills…. But, I finally said to myself… Be confident and just learn on the job. Hopefully I will do well out of it!

24. Zana Hart (1 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 5:57 pm 

    I am one of those who experimented with a lot of different things and had modest success with a few of them, but when I buckled down and began taking action, things picked up a lot.

    I still lack confidence in some areas but at least I don’t lack action!

25. Lisa (8 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 6:31 pm 

    Wow, what a breath of fresh air. I’m a female and therefore more emotional, so that’s my disclaimer when I say I cried for a long time yesterday because I feel unsuccessful online. I’ve been doing various online ventures for about a year and a half and am just now starting to see some progress. Like you, I have lots of knowledge and little time, but confidence is definitely the missing ingredient. I just read almost the exact same thing in my Jack Canfield book last night – so I think it’s time for me to get a clue and start acting more confident – I CAN DO THIS.

26. Alvaro
    14th May, 2009 at 6:32 pm 

    Great post Josh!

    That is my problem, lack of confidence.

    Being around 2 years trying to do something in the IM niche and couldn’t.

    Promise I’ll take your advice!

    Alvaro

27. Tony (1 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 6:33 pm 

    Confidence is a HUGE factor when it comes to internet marketing – no matter what niche it is. Confidence breeds success and success breeds confidence. Catch 22 for some people…

28. Dawn (2 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 7:07 pm 

    You thoughts on this are so right. When we start off there is so much to learn that sometimes we forget that as time progresses we have, in fact, learned a lot.

    I know I am inclined to think of myself as a newbie even though when I talk to folk I realize that I know more about internet marketing than many.

    At some point you just have to say “I can do this” and get on and DO it!

    I don’t comment much Josh but always learn something from your thoughts.

29. Paul (8 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 8:17 pm 

    Yea…been doing what you just wrote almost exactly. Still not there yet. The hardest part is time…I just don’t seem to have enough of it. BTW Wanye Gretzky exact quote follows “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.

    Paul

30. Angie Berg (23 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 9:10 pm 

    Interesting observation. I can definitely see where a lack of confidence has kept me from progressing in certain instances.

    I had a book ready and waiting to make available for sale and I just couldn’t seem to finish the sales page because of a lack of confidence that I’d get it right.

    Finally, I just sat down one night last week and DID IT, right or wrong, good or bad – it’s done!

    I think the next time I won’t obsess so much over it and just take action.

    Regards,
    Angie

31. Sam
    14th May, 2009 at 10:06 pm 

    Hi Josh,

    What are you doing looking over my shoulder in my little home office ???

    I am starting out in all of this and have been in the analysis paralysis stage, so, this article was a good wake up call.

    I must do something in a few weeks – only joking – TODAY !

    All the best…Sam

32. Suellen (6 comments.)
    14th May, 2009 at 10:23 pm 

    Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway!

    It works for any situation. We will all be glued to the spot if we don’t take the plunge and have a go!

33. Doug Younkin (2 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 12:18 am 

    Thanks, Josh. I firmly believe that you can’t learn from you own mistakes if you don’t make any. It’s that risk-taking that allows for mistakes that will also allow for success. I’ve read a lot from forums and ebooks about internet marketing, but it wasn’t until I put together a few affiliate money sites that I started to see what it took to make it happen. Just do it. That was my attitude. I know I will do some things differently for my next virtual real estate presence (like not spending so much time over details of HTML coding – I’ll find some good templates). But having done it, I know I can do it again, but next time better. This isn’t a one-shot deal. Now that I’m rolling, I know I’m NOT going to stop. I’ve got my own confidence that I’ve built myself. This is sweet.

34. Ninah (11 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 12:45 am 

    Josh, this post really hit a chord so I had to post a comment. It has been eight years since people and circumstances have been pushing me to become an online writer. From the very start, I didn’t like to write for a living but I also did not have the confidence to dive into the internet cesspool.

    Two years ago, I became a full time web content writer. On the side, I started setting up my own niche sites and blogs. I haven’t exactly succeeded yet. I’m still slaving for my daily bread. My husband tells me it’s because until now I really don’t have the guts yet.

    I am honestly afraid and uncertain but this post has made me feel real good today. I’m going to face the day with an ounce more of confidence.

35. Mike (5 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 1:02 am 

    Great post Josh!

    You’re one of the few left that I put any faith in any more. It’s nice to get info that I can really take in, digest, and really do something with.

    I’ve lost faith in the majority of the big gurus out there and look at their emails as spam promoting any crappy new product launch instead of trying to help.

    Looking forward to your next posting.
    Mike

36. Greg
    15th May, 2009 at 2:54 am 

    Yes, I must admit that confidence and mindset play a very important part in finding success in any undertaking.

    In the same vein, specifically it’s the fear of failure that have kept me from starting an online business. I keep on thinking of the things i can’t do – oh, I can’t build a website or I can’t work with graphics, or I have a lousy voice so I can’t do a video (I know,Josh, we share this one) on and on and on. This is sheer madness.

    I think the only remedy here as you point out is to model someone who is already successful and just do it. Each time I fall I should pick up myself again and try again, allowing myself to fail my way to success.

    Thanks Josh, for your post.

    Greg

37. Neil (9 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 6:06 am 

    Hi Josh

    Great post as always. I notice a pick up in my enthusiasm/productivity after a good day (a Clickbank sale, or good Adsense).

    The challenge is to keep at it on days when my traffic stats have dived and I’ve earned nothing!

38. Gavin
    15th May, 2009 at 11:32 am 

    Gedday Josh,
    Are you watching over my shoulder, cause that is exactly what’s holding me back. I feel I know enough to be able to make a quid online but lack the courage to take the action I know I need to take. Or I fear failing, or succeeding. I frustrate myself at times. Thanks I know I’m not alone.

39. Nando (5 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 11:59 am 

    Hi Josh,

    Thanks for sharing your experience. This is an issue that I myself struggled with the first few months of being online.

    It’s a mentally and emotionally crushing experience that can cause inertia despite knowing what to do.

    Many times you hear people say that they don’t care what other people think, but that is so not true, otherwise they would just go ahead and do what they know.

    The other two hidden factors in a lack of confidence is ‘fear of failure’ and ‘fear of success’.

    On one hand you’re afraid to make mistakes and look stupid and on the other hand there’s this underlying fear of what the critics will say once you ‘make it’.

    It’s refreshing to hear someone candidly talk about what the reality of a lack of confidence can do to a person.

    I’ve written a post about this topic and if you click on my name it will take you right to it. Hope you don’t mind me sharing that.

    Thanks for the boost of confidence you supply through your site.

    Cheers,
    Nando

40. Jackie (1 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 4:27 pm 

    Thanks for that post. Thats actually encouraging for a newbie like me. Reading your post lessens the anxiety i feel of being into online marketing for months now and with little but steady progress.

41. The Mad Webmaster (5 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 6:32 pm 

    Josh,

    I discovered a long time ago that you have to just last… to be successful.

    I never really knew what that meant until I read your blog post today.

    I often wonder how many people have the right strategy but “kick the seed out of the ground” before it starts to grow.

    Great post!

    Paul
    “The Mad Webmaster”

42. Terence (2 comments.)
    15th May, 2009 at 9:18 pm 

    If you don’t have confidence in your own abilities you will get it once you have had a little success.

    I have had many failures along the road, but soon forget about them when something finally worked. If you don’t make mistakes then you can’t really be trying things out.

    I have something of an authority site in one niche but I didn’t really mean to achieve that when I first started, it just sort of happened that way.

    Hitting top ranking on Google made me realise that anyone can make it if they do things a certain way.

    By adding lots of good content over time anyone can create a site like this, and I intend to build another authority site in another niche now that I know what works.

    The thing is, I know nothing at all about this new niche,but that won’t stop me.

    I can find tons of information on the subject to help me write my own content, and by doing this I will learn all about the topic. I won’t be an expert but I will be highly knowledgeable.

    If you really think about it, all experts were newbies once and had to learn from people who knew more than them.

    Ask Isaac Newton.

43. Mikael @ Retire Early (11 comments.)
    16th May, 2009 at 2:42 am 

    Funny think is that it was that long ago that I personally realized this as well. But I guess we’re all struggling with the same things in this game.

44. Franck Silvestre (17 comments.)
    16th May, 2009 at 6:13 am 

    As a martial artist (and fighter), I would say: mindset. Without the right mindset, you are almost sure to lose a fight.

    My fighter’s mindset helped me a lot in IM.

    Great post,
    Franck

45. Paul Hooper (2 comments.)
    17th May, 2009 at 4:31 am 

    Hi Josh,

    Very true words. I’m sure there are so many people who are SO close to making it online, but just lack that last bit of confidence to get them on that road to success.
    Thanks for the motivating post, i hope it will be a positive read far many.

    Cheers,
    Paul

46. Ecommerce Help - Tyrone Shum (2 comments.)
    17th May, 2009 at 8:45 am 

    True enough, succeed is not only achieved through the strategies and tactics you implement on your business whether you are online or offline. It is also defined by the way you see things and on how you trust yourself. Just like what you said, I believe too that confidence is one of the keys.

47. Writing Sites That Pay-$100/Daily
    17th May, 2009 at 8:22 pm 

    I LOVE this post. It took me about 3-4 years to succeed online as well! Is this the breaking point? Hmmm, i think my reasoning was half lack of confidence and half because I was getting the run around with false info online. I had to learn the ins and out of the INternet world, which I didn’t get until recently. THere are so many things to learn, such as online merchant accounts, affiliate programs, SEO, advertising methods and much more. I think some people are misled by scams and false claims. Really good post!

48. Mike (1 comments.)
    18th May, 2009 at 3:49 am 

    I make a little bit of money online, but I still struggle. If it ‘only’ takes me 3 years, I can live with that! I go through ups and downs…this post catches me on an upswing, and it’s given me a boost. Thanks.

    BTW, I’m going to try the automatic article submitter through your affiliate link – I’m looking forward to it and the two bonuses you offer.

49. Bob McClain (6 comments.)
    22nd May, 2009 at 4:59 pm 

    That’s excellent advice. And you don’t need to look at internet Marketers to see examples of copy-cats winning in business. Home Depot, Menards, Lowes and perhaps a dozen other regional outfits are all successful. But only one of them was first. The others simply copied what worked and put their own twist on it.

    Look at your gas station/quikmart chains. 7/11 may have invented the concept but there are plenty of imitators taking a nice fat check home every week.

    McDonalds. How many fast food chains simply imitated McDonalds formula and, again, put their own twist on it?

    Dreamers create a new concept or idea. Most of them crash and burn and take down the people that were foolish enough to invest in that “dream.”

    Successful people copy a winner and just try to improve on the idea.

50. Brent Crouch (31 comments.)
    25th May, 2009 at 4:51 pm 

    Great post Josh.

    IMHO, I believe a lot of people don’t succeed because they are looking for instant success and instant results.

    What percentage of society do you think would keep plugging away like you did for three years to get the results you wanted? My guess is it is less than 1%.

51. Bill Romer (1 comments.)
    9th June, 2009 at 7:48 pm 

    Awesome post, Josh! I love hearing about that moment when someone’s life and/or business changes.

    The same has often happened to me when I created my own products – interesting.

52. Charles - Big Idea Blogger (1 comments.)
    15th June, 2009 at 8:56 am 

    Awesome post! Now I’m even more clear of what’s hindering me. I need to do more of Ready Fire Aim so that I’ll have more confidence. Thanks!

53. 3 Success Factors Every New Internet Marketer Should Know | AffiliateMarketingWahm.com
    24th June, 2009 at 2:03 pm 

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54. Karen (1 comments.)
    30th June, 2009 at 10:46 pm 

    Thank you for the bucket load of encouragement. I agree that confidence has wonderful powers.

    As a tailor, I used to get my work nit-picked by one men’s store owner until I learned to take a deep breath when I grasped his doorknob, then walk into his store like a tigress.

    Imagine my astonishment and relief when instead of picking, he took to praising my work. I managed to get back outside before I guffawed.

55. Doug (2 comments.)
    1st July, 2009 at 8:09 pm 

    Josh,

    That’s great to hear, I think we hear too many of the “how quickly I made money” stories, that reality is a hard row to hoe. But I’ve many stories of success in the internet marketing field taking several years for real success, which motivates me even more, believe it or not!

56. Matt Hayden (1 comments.)
    7th July, 2009 at 2:15 am 

    Yes, confidence is vital. It seems to apply right across the board, in any field. Time and again I’ve seen people succeed much quicker than others because they had strong confidence.

    I think it does two things: One, if you have confidence you’re much more likely to act; to “take the plunge”. So if your approach is right, you’ll see benefits quicker. And that gives you even more confidence!

    Also, having confidence means other people will believe in you, and are more likely to cooperate with you, which means you can more easily make your ideas come to fruition.

57. Jaime Lim (5 comments.)
    6th December, 2009 at 3:17 am 

    Every little “victory” does a lot to boost confidence. Each time I see my article or a blog post landing on page 1, I gain more confidence knowing that the lessons I learned from those who have unselfishly shared what they know is guiding me on the right track. You gain confidence to move forward when you know you are not groping around blindly.

58. Butch Martinez (3 comments.)
    15th June, 2010 at 9:34 am 

    Hi Josh, I agree with you that confidence and believing in yourself is one of the most important ingredients in succeeding online, and in any field of endeavor, for that matter. Hopefully, we can all be inspired by your example and attain success in internet marketing! Kudos and God bless.

59. Martin Security (4 comments.)
    29th August, 2010 at 11:51 am 

    Great post. Confidence does indeed go a long way in bringing success . . .

    . . .and a little success goes a long way to give you confidence.