Why I won’t Teach my own Sister Internet Marketing
November 14th, 2008 | 68 comments
(*edit* Just to be clear, my sister and I get along great and I have a great deal of respect for her for what she’s overcome in her life! I’m not putting down my sister in this post, I’m simply using a situation involving her as an example to teach others!)
After several years of hard times, one of my sisters got her act together, began to stay out of trouble, live a healthy life and she’s been doing it for a few years now. She’s been managing a furniture store and although the pay could be worse, it could be ALOT better too.
She asked me how she could make some money online for some extra money, so I got an article writing service going for her. She wrote a bunch of articles for a bunch of people and did well, but wasn’t really enthused about it.
After a while she got a raise at work and decided to stop writing articles for now, which I completely understood, nothing wrong with that.
However, I’ve told her several times in the past if she wanted to start a Website I’d help her do with it whatever she wants and help her make some money with it… I even registered her name domain. She never got excited about it and that domain is still empty, with it’s own account on my server.
She recently got tired of her boss and said she was ready to start doing what I’m doing online… I said, “no you’re not”
So, why won’t I help her? Simply because she doesn’t have the passion that it requires to do well online. It doesn’t take skill… it doesn’t take knowledge, that comes with time, it takes passion and determination. Those who are successful online (in business in general for that batter) are those who LOVE what they do!
People who are just happy to be building things that MAY or MAY NOT make them alot of money. People who understand that it will probably take a long time to make a good deal of money, but keep going because they just LOVE doing it!
Unfortunately MANY people who get into Internet Marketing, especially these days with the current economic conditions, aren’t getting into it because of their passion, they’re doing it because they think they can make some quick easy money and 99,999 times out of 100,000 that’s just not the case.
If my sister told me she completely understands that it may take YEARS to make good money online, although with my help it wouldn’t take that long at all 
) and she just wants to do it because it just seems really exciting, I’d be helping her in every way possible! But it’s not a passion of hers… it’s simply something she sees me making good money with, so she figures she can make some easy money with it too.
So, if you don’t honestly enjoy this whole Internet Marketing thing, I highly recommend you find another occupation, because it’s very likely that you will fail.
On the other hand, if you honestly enjoy doing this, stick with it and NEVER give up! It takes time, but when you truly have a passion for something, you WILL succeed… some take longer than others, but eventually you will!
photo credit: Tracy O
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14th November, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Josh, I agree with you 110%. Earning a full-time living online takes time and dedication. It’s a skill and a craft. Most people just don’t get that. Many people think that just by slapping up a web page with some links to Amazon, people are going to click the link and buy. Until the “light” turns on, your sister will continue to view internet marketing as a “hobby” instead of a business. Nice job in pointing that out, and thanks for sharing such a personal story.
14th November, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I know what you mean. I have a friend whose financial circumstances are such that IM would theoretically be great for her – she’s a work at home mom with some spare time and good computer skills and her husband is on a very low income. However, twice now I’ve tried to help her with a very basic IM course but she never gets beyond the first couple of days. Nowadays, I simply don’t try to help me friends.
When the student is ready, the teacher appears. If you are the teacher, your students will appear when they are ready, and not before.
14th November, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Couldn’t agree more, Josh. Practically the same thing happened with my son and daughter-in-law.
I built them a site, registered the domain name and even hosted it on my own server with the expressed understanding that they would promote it. I even gave them detailed instructions on how to do that…
Well, its been a year now and they’ve done nothing with it. Damned shame. It is a good site with a lot of potential.
You can lead a horse to water…
Mike
14th November, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Josh, this story rang true to me big time. My sister has been out of work with an injury and I have been helping her get some things together to make money online.
You are so right about the passion aspect of it. So many people think that you can make a good living online quickly and easily. Maybe its all the ebooks, etc that preach this kind of thing.
When I start to think how long it took me to master the things I know, then I start to think how many things I know that the average newbie doesn’t, it can be overwhelming.
Most newbies have no idea how many ways to make money there are on the internet and that each one takes some time to learn the ropes. That’s maybe why many newbies jump around from one thing to the next and are never successful. Forums are filled with them.
Thanks again for the great post.
14th November, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Awesome post Josh. My friends are always asking me to help them make money online. Though I make nowhere near as much as you, they still notice that I have extra money and that it seems to increase every month. I make sure to tell them that I will teach them but that they need to understand it could take months or even years to see some real money. This usually turns them off and they leave me alone
Anyway great post I can really relate to what you are saying!
14th November, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Boy, Josh. You hit this nail right on the head and drove it through the back side of the board.
As a “part-time” internet marketer with a “day job,” I can tell you that Internet Marketing is a lot of work and takes patience and enthusiasm.
It’s not just Internet Marketing though — I think you need to be excited about whatever you are doing to make money at it. Sure, there are exceptions, but I think it is really hard to be good at something that you are not excited about.
Great post.
Regards,
Mark
P.S. — maybe there is some middle ground for your sister where you could giver her some “starting tasks” to do. You’ll both see if she is serious without much investment. She might just surprise you.
14th November, 2008 at 5:01 pm
i know exactly how u feel bro.. i went through a similar thing with my cousin sister…!
it elevates blood pressure like crazy! especially when they don’t pay attention and keep askin the most stupid things!
i mean c’mon! if you want to learn how to do things, just try to be more resourceful and do some self learning! that’s how you get experience from IM..
but NOOOO!!! get spoonfed all the time! in fact i should take 80% of her commissions for doing all the work!
feels good to open up.. lol.. thanks for sharing dude..!
14th November, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Nice Hat. Santa ,err I mean Josh.
I have to agree. You really have to have a passion for this stuff.
The learning curve is and can be long.
14th November, 2008 at 5:17 pm
You hit it spot on as usual, Josh. Even my husband who is facing year end layoffs asked me to show him how to do what I do. How do you teach passion? You can’t but you can model it and, well, maybe that will influence the “wanna be’s”.
Like Mike said, you can lead a horse to water… But when it comes down to it, you have to make your own drink, dig your own well – make it happen.
14th November, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I’m guessing she probably won’t even read your post, either, will she?
If you’d like, you can adopt me as your internet marketing sister, lol. I’ve got 3 brothers and they all say I’m their favorite sister (nevermind their only one…)
You are right though, I thought when I first started I would be making instant $$$…now I have learned a lot and doing much better but know its only because I enjoy it I stick around…otherwise I’d have given up by now!
14th November, 2008 at 5:24 pm
It looks like Christmas has come early at your house Josh. Very festive!
Another upside to being passionate about your business is that when you love what you do for a living – you never have to work again! At least you don’t consider it as being work!
14th November, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Josh,
You’re absolutely spot on!
With a full time job as a Lumber/Chemical broker, full time Father and Husband I managed to get over all the hurtles placed before me in the Affiliate Marketing business. I’ve stuck with it for years because I love it.
Try this little experiment…if you have someone all “hot to trot” for the “fast buck” in internet marketing…tell them to learn how to get a file on a web site. Don’t mention FTP, let them to figure it out. Then ask them to CHMOD a file, if that hasn’t rolled their eyes back in their heads, and they manage to figure it out…then you might cinsider sharing some of your hard earned knowledge. That’s exactly what I do, so far, no takers
I’m one of those people who’ll be buying a new BMW M3, living part time with my toes buried in a tropical local…and it will have come from hard work, hard work, hard work, and a love for internet marketing…nothing else!
Cheers,
Mike
FLY NAVY!
14th November, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Man…great post! It’s something I’ve believed for a long time. I’ve been doing affiliate marketing for a couple of years now, and considering no more money than I’m making, people would think I’m crazy to invest as much time as I have. But you know…I just love doing this stuff! I learn something new every day, and I’m becoming more profitable every day. I’ve gained enough experience that I’m poised to take things to a new level in the next few months.
I’ve often wondered what I would say some day if a friend or family member asked me if I would help them get into internet marketing. I think your opinion pretty much sums up my thoughts. If you don’t love this field, you’re going to fail. No question about it. Course I believe that holds true for most occupations. If you love what you do, you’ll be successful at it.
Great post! Thanks
Chris
14th November, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Josh –
You hit the nail on the head with this post.
I have several family members who have watched me work from home for over 15 years with several different businesses and now IM.
They all want to have that kind of freedom (self employment – setting your own hours).
I have even helped several of them get started – but unfortunately they want a microwave business – one that is done in 3 minutes or less…if they don’t see nearly instant results they quit…even when I tell them it took me a long time.
I started from scratch – I still remember making only 26 cents after my first 30 days with adsense….I sucked at the beginning….but a few years later it sure has paid off.
Thanks for the post!
Jana
14th November, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Josh,
I agree with your assessment, but working with friends and relatives has a different set of expectations too. They have a feeling of help (meaning do) rather than assist (to show and suggest). It’s getting someone with passion that is willing to own this rather than share it. The sharing is always even too.
14th November, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. I received an email from a reader letting me know that it was wrong to talk bad about my sister like this (not in those words.) Just to be clear, my sister and I get along great and I have a great deal of respect for her for what she’s overcome in her life! I’m not putting down my sister in this post, I’m simply using a situation involving her as an example to teach others!
14th November, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Josh you are so right… However there are two sides of the coin. Someone who has passion, determination, and a deep desire to succeed will most likely become successful. But remember to have a social life. Do not neglect your family, friends and your own offline social interaction with others. Just like other vices you can become addicted!
Paul
14th November, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Hi Josh, IM has to be ones passion, not a side line if they want to make real money online but it is not limited to IM.
It applies to anything a person wants to do in life if they want to be successful.
For example, my brother said to me the other day I wants to make a hit record.
He has been in the music business for many years but he has not really focused on it.
I told him if he wants to make a hit record, he had to make music his passion.
He said, I have to many other things to do, I have to earn a living, I have to pay the bills, pat the dog, watch the news, etc. I let it drop right there, some people just don’t get it.
It took me a while to understand the same advice but now it is really sinking in.
Thanks Josh
14th November, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Very descriptive post, just could be shorter
Honestly enjoy doing this, never give up and remember that it may take years to make good money online – that’s top3 things to remember.
14th November, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Hi Josh:
I have a quite a few people tell me I’m crazy for going on and on, trying to get established and earn a living online.
I’ve been at it just over a year, have made a few dollars here and there – but many, many times I just wanted to say, the h… with it and give up.
I’m stubborn and also enjoy doing what I’m doing so I stick with it – tweaking here and there, getting tips and reading.
It is very frustrating and at times you feel like you’re beating your head against a wall.
I still maintain that if you enjoy what you’re doing then stick with it.
14th November, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Thanks for sharing such a personal story. Most newbies have no idea how many ways to make money there are on the internet and that each one takes some time to learn the ropes. That’s maybe why many newbies jump around from one thing to the next and are never successful.
Thank you
14th November, 2008 at 6:38 pm
You asked in your email to have a look-see at your new header.
I only see one annoying thing. The “Get all 3 Free” graphic is fuzzy. What did you break it down to 1k?
I like the seasonal look. Nice job on keeping your blog current.
14th November, 2008 at 6:40 pm
@ Steve – hmm it’s not fuzzy here, but I’ll have my graphics guy look at it, thanks for the heads up. I was referring to the santa hat and “Happy Holidays” plug
14th November, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Once again, Josh, you seem to have found an itch worth scratching for a number of people.
I’ve experienced the same kind of thing with a number of friends and family members. In fact, I just had an experience this week. A friend used one of my sites to build a similar site (same concept…even asked for my help with graphics, etc). But I try to continually remind him that he’s a “lurcher” (so am I…), and that he seems to lack the stick-to-ative-ness required to do the boring stuff. I rode him for awhile about how important it was, and he sort of “gets it” in an intellectual sense, but generally nothing in his behavior changes. He threw in the towel on one site earlier this week…not in the sense of taking it down, but in the sense of not investing time and money at a really critical time (it’s a Christmas-related site). So I went in and fixed it for him and did the necessary work to prep it. Fortunately, it’s had a real stroke of luck in the SERPs today (5 of his 7 primary keyphrases jumped from way down in the hundreds to the front page), so if that sticks, he’ll have a great experience…despite himself.
Sometimes, it’s like those V8 commercials…you just want to smack people in the forehead.
What I’ve ended up doing with other friends is this: Instead of hammering people on what they’re doing wrong, I end up taking on some of the burden and, in exchange, putting some of my own AdSense code on their sites. So I help them get ranked, etc…and I benefit, too. I would prefer it if they did their own thing (I’m busy enough as it is), but I prefer not to drop them cold.
In the case of another family member (one who is not trustworthy), I have built a site for them and put their AdSense code on it. So any money it makes goes to them rather than me…so I don’t have to pay taxes on it. But they are simply not mature enough behaviorally to do any of the work on their own. So it’s more of a gift situation (parents of older kids will be able to relate).
But it is quite interesting how few people seem to have “what it takes” to do this thing. It seems to be that many people lack the vision for this type of passive income. They think it would be nice…but they’re overwhelmed or unable to juggle all the priorities…so they just never lift a finger. I agree with Caroline about the teacher and the student. They have to be capable of taking a long-term view. It’s not teachable. You have to wait them out. They either get it or they don’t.
14th November, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I had the same conversation with several friends. After trying to help them, I realized that it was just frustrating both of us. Time is better spent doing what you love.
Brian (a.k.a. Professor Homunculus at MathMojo.com )
14th November, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Great post Josh. I have been plugging away at this internet marketing thing for several years, re-inventing my methods and goals as I went. You are right on the money about the determination and passion it takes to make it in this biz. Thanks, I need to be reminded from time to time.
14th November, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hi Josh,
The Get Three Free is fuzzy on mine too (mozilla).
As to passion. Well, yes – and knowing what to do as well.
14th November, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I agree.
My husband does not understand why I am so passionate about it, I can’t explain it. I just love it
Kelly
14th November, 2008 at 9:09 pm
OH MY GOSH! I have explained this exact thing to my brother and recently my sister.
I beleive it is exactly as you stated. People look for a quick fix. Little do they understand if you are not dedicated to it, and passionate about your efforts online..chances are you’re already dead in the water!
It had taken me years to see decent money coming in regularily from my main website.
Since I know the potential-I am now concentrating on different avenues and websites to bring in more income streams.
Some people just don’t get it–it is HARD work…and experience, knowledge and a whole lot more.
You know how many times I have heard people say ‘I think I’ll Just set up a website and start selling stuff’
LOL…
Much more to it than that…and it doesn’t occur over night..
Nice post!
14th November, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I agree with you that it’s not much use introducing people to any sphere of activity unless they have the wherewithall to ‘do’ it: how many deadweight downlines have we built on the way….
I’d just add the observation that motivation comes from positive feedback. What’s always gotten me going is the buzz from making sales / customers / meeting people / finding people & groups I can learn from or engage with etc etc…
I only started out wanting better / easier money than the much maligned J.O.B. situation..
Maybe your lil’ sister could get motivated with a bit of experiencing results?
14th November, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Paul, That’s funny, and is the exact reason I don’t involve any of my own family in Internet Marketing.
Keep up the good work!
14th November, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I partially agree with you, but with some exceptions. Let me give you my own experience to explain what I mean.
I started about 2 years ago looking to make some extra spending money online in my spare time. I had no idea where to begin, etc.
Once I finally found a legit training program (package) that taught me exactly what I needed to do, I started through the process.
Now I have a passion for online marketing! The more I have learned and experienced, the more my passion has grown and my excitement has built.
So, I don’t necessarily think a person has to have a passion for the industry to start out. Some self discipline and determination to persevere may be enough for some people (like me) to get started – the passion can be a by-product of the experience.
14th November, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Hello Josh,
What an interesting post. There are soooo many things that much click together for you before this will work…It takes Passion to learn to put it all together…
It’s like finding all the pieces to the puzzle.
You may be able to build the site…Or have it built…
But then you have to get traffic….
You may learn the traffic techniques…but can you convert it?
And until you put all the pieces together…chances are good that you will fail.
But to find all the pieces you have to have passion. It does not happen overnight…It has to click…you have to have that aaahhhh moment…
For me it took 4 years of total passion…reading and studying everything I could get my hands on…
It is so worth it though…and when I think of all the info I have stored in my brain…it would easily equal a PHD…and I still need more…
“Life is easy if the road is flat…I encourage you to find some hills”
15th November, 2008 at 12:27 am
Hi Josh,
I agree with your posting to a large extent. I too have tried to teach others or get them to work with me to build a bigger online business, only to find that nobody seems to be interested in making money by havign to work for it.
However, in the case fo your sister, you MAY find that if she has motivation, like being out of a job and needing to make some money, and you provided her with the tuition that she has ASKED you to provide, that she actually develops some enthusiasm and love for it.
Sometimes, it takes actually making a bit of money to create that enthusiasm, showing them that they can actually make a positive improvement in their lives.
Keep up the great work and thanks again for sharing.
Barry
15th November, 2008 at 12:49 am
Excellent point. You can see this trend in the sheer number of people that start blogs, podcasts, twittering, etc and just drop out because of their lack of passion.
15th November, 2008 at 1:38 am
Thanks for this post. I am encouraged to keep working at this “Internet marketing” thing. Indeed, the learning curve is steep but I am enjoying it.
15th November, 2008 at 2:03 am
Wow–sometimes you get a message right when you need it! I just set up a quick niche site for my daughter who is planning her wedding. I thought it would be a great way to “bond” and she would learn something. She likes writing so a wedding blog seemed like a good idea. Well, I’m going to have her read this just to make sure this is really HER project and not mine. Thanks for the heads up
15th November, 2008 at 3:35 am
Great post! I definitely agree that early on the work is incredible, and like anything in life, if you’re truly passionate about it, then you are far more likely to succeed than if you don’t. A lot of passion and stubborn determination will get you to the places nothing else will. Thanks for finally putting this out in the open!
15th November, 2008 at 4:45 am
Hey Josh, well as a relatively new IM’er I can really relate to this post. I was one of those people who almost gave up. IM looks like it should be money for jam but when faced with FTP, nameservers and all that jargon not to mention hours of hardwork for no result it’s very easy to walk away. But alas, I have the ‘love bug’ for IM and you are so right; without the passion and love for it people won’t survive it.
Only last night I thought about how many times I nearly walked away… I realised that due to my passion to succeed and my love of the concept of working online I was able to dig my way through some of those terrible black holes I found myself in during the early learning curves that I endured…now I find myself out the other side feeling super exicted about a $5 Adsense day, lol! A far cry from the kind of income you and many others make but a major mental breakthrough for a newbie who has slogged it out for .20c Adsense days and cried about the lack of sleep that .20c cost!
Thanks so much for your post and of course for your coaching forum that has been the linch pin in me being able to endure the ‘harder days’ of my initiation into IM.
15th November, 2008 at 5:19 am
I agree with you Josh.
If you have desire to succeed in your life
you can do it. Oherwise you will fail is simple.
Mario
15th November, 2008 at 6:19 am
I think people who are not desperate for cash initially are the ones who succeed. You are so right.
It takes time but IM is just doable with time. I also tried to assist a few people and its just not everyone’s cup of tea.
15th November, 2008 at 6:46 am
Great post, Josh. Absolutely spot on. My brother and I are doing this together. It has taken time, passion, determination and tons of patience. This sure is no get rick quick scheme. But, if you stick to it and follow a plan, you will succeed. I love what I am doing.
15th November, 2008 at 7:50 am
Hi Josh
Great post. I like the way that you look at the whole attitude required for internet marketing success and not just a narrow technique or product.
Neil
15th November, 2008 at 8:43 am
To do anything at all you must do without the approval of an boss, and without the camaraderie of fellow workers: you must be the leader and not the led. Many times I have met people who have lost their jobs who say at first they are going to strike out on their own, and who soon find they can’t cope with the freedom and loneliness of self employment.
After these things the greatest passion must be for money. My richer friends care about money more, count what they have more often, and are much more likely to see things in financial terms.
Passions for particular things – such as turning your hobby or personal interests into a business – can often be a disaster. If you can, copy what successful people do.
Its hard. I am in a business which does well and which uses my talents, but its limited in size by external forces. So I am looking to the internet for the rest of my liveliehood, and wonder actually whether I am sufficiently passionate about money.
15th November, 2008 at 8:49 am
Hi Josh,
I agree with what you said above.
99% of the time people who jumped into the IM scene fail miserably.
I’m pretty sure that it’s because they think they can make lots of money quickly and easily, when in fact this is simply not the case.
Good decision by you not to teach your sister! She would have thought that making online money was easy eh?
Cheers.
Welly Mulia
15th November, 2008 at 9:40 am
Hi Josh
When I started my website, I really underestimated the time it took to get noticed by the SEs, then to start moving up the ranks as the keywords got noticed. I also had no idea how much work went into getting links set up, and get listed on directories and article sites.
So, you are right – it takes passion, commitment and tons of hard work to build quality content, to get all the SEO factors right, to get noticed, to build traffic…and so on. Nobody should start unless they really want to get to the end!
My site is about options trading, but it has taken so much work to build the site that my trading has taken a back seat!
Thanks for your useful blog – I have learnt lots of really important stuff from your postings.
Regards
Rob
15th November, 2008 at 9:50 am
Josh, I 100 percent agree with you on this.
There certainly is no shortage of ways to make a very good living using no other marketing channels than the Internet. But what people tend to forget is just that fact – the Internet itself is not a business, it is a media.
And as you say it require at least as much determination as running any other kind of business. What irritates me sometimes is that some people tend to think that, just because you conduct your business online, it somehow isn’t “real”.
When such statements are made by individuals who have no idea and are just a little bit jealous my only reply is always a slightly mischievous smile. But for people who actually are earnest about running their own online business I sincerely recommend listening to advice like what is given in this blog post.
Oh, and good luck to you sister – whatever she decides.
15th November, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Thanks for this post Josh. A few years ago I read a book on self development in which a startling truth about people’s interest in their work was mentioned. It was : “If it is not easy, it is impossible. ”
It means that if you love your work, you’ll be passionate about it and it will become easy for you. However, if the work appears not easy to you, it means you don’t have any passion for it and the work will become impossible for you.
Passion and interest are two key elements of any task we undertake. Your post so beautifully reminds this truth to all of us.
Regards
Eklavya
15th November, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Josh,
Another great article. Simple things never are. I have been successful with one of my websites. I have wanted to build a group of people doing the same thing. I paid for a couple of them to learn with a Site build it website. None of them even came close to getting their site built. If it appears easy every one will try. If it succeeds and theirs doesn’t you are just lucky.
Working toward the future is fun. Last month I made it halfway to my goal. Hopefully in the next year I will make it to my next goal.
Rick
15th November, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Josh:
I’ve been trying to make money with my site for a year now. You have to enjoy web site optimization, writing articles and learning about ways to increase traffic. You have to do these things to in order to succeed. Thanks for all of your advice.
Linda
16th November, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I totally agree with you. It doesn’t matter what business you are in , if you are not passionate about it, you will not do well.By the way like the new layout…not sure about the santa hat though ha… ha.
16th November, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I really enjoyed this post Josh and the added comments as well. Since I am retired my family do not take my passion for internet marketing very seriously, I love it though and have four websites set up using Wordpress.
Eleanor
17th November, 2008 at 2:08 am
wow its a great post!!!!thanks for sharing your personal story….i love it!!!!!!!!!
17th November, 2008 at 4:56 am
Hi Josh,
Thanks for your honest posting. This was what I needed today and it helped me reinforce my ‘inner feelings’ about Internet Marketing. Even J. Vitale mentioned once that, “often times people misunderstand that those so-called overnight successes was an actual result of years and perhaps at least 3 decades of persistence”.
I’m going to have to leave you here with this comment for now. But the fact is, Internet marketing takes every effort from the heart, soul and mind as any other things we are passionate about. For instance, if you’re so passionate about tuning your car or making your pot of flowers bloom more lovely white petals, then that’s what you need to incorporate into your own life – and in IM.
Kudos brother and to all,
Vern
17th November, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Josh, thank you for that post. I really do enjoy working on my website, but sometimes it does get overwhelming, and I wonder if I’m doing the right things.
17th November, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I could not agree more! When you dream about your work, and loose sleep because of your work and try to figure out how to make the mousetrap work faster and better and with more hands off time for you, that is when it’s a passion and when and only when it will succeed.
My husband and I owned Invisible Fence of Idaho in Boise for 5 years. His exwife started it, won it in the divorce, and after she failed miserable and didn’t do any business for a year, 5 installs, she sold it back to her exhusband, my husband now, and he started running it. Over the years my heart wasn’t in it at first. Then I got a passion about what I was doing and how I was helping people and their dogs. There were weeks at a time that all I did was shower, eat breakfast, drive to customer’s homes and tell them how I could help them. It drove me, it compelled me, I laid awake wondering how I screwed up that sales call or what I could do to get more business.
Over the years we grew our business by 60% each year. That is unheard of! By the end, my husband was injured and could no longer help me in the business and I was making more money with my “hobby”, internet marketing, so we sold that business for 3 times the money than his last business with his exwife that easily did 3 to 4 times the business in a year.
All that blood, literally, sweat, very literally, and tears, far too many to count, it was ingrained in my fiber and it became my burning passion. It succeeded only because of that.
Now, I sleep, eat, drink internet marketing. In those low times when I think, sell the dang thing and find a job I am reminded that there isn’t another job that I would ever feel this passionate about and know when I finally do fall asleep that I have helped someone who can’t do something for themselves.
It is a great way to do business and one I am personally glad was forced into my lap. Thank you Josh for always being my guru, you rock! Happy early Thanksgiving!
Rhonda, who is grateful for it all today
17th November, 2008 at 5:52 pm
It is amazing how working in IM gives you ADD. You do this and then the next thing all because you want to do it all. You can’t, my bank balance proves that.
I have just released a membership site with a partner and she hates writing articles so I asked for blog posts. I then rolled off 5 relevant posts for her and she and I were shocked. She just typed them up and the worlds were pouring out of my mouth.
My passion is back – but I want to do everything, tie me down someone.
I will get there as the incentive and love is there for the job, not just for the money. My husband will not touch it. He is an accountant and thinks it is all a scam or the fairies bring the money when you are asleep.
Well fairies – bring it on.
Di – the fool on the hill.
17th November, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Spot on, Josh. I teach my students the same thing. Passion is everything in any business, especially IM.
Cheers!
18th November, 2008 at 5:53 am
Hi Josh,
I have several friends who are the exact same way as your sister. They’ve seen the success stories and want to get rich quick. A few of them asked me to help them out with their website, but they weren’t willing to do any research for themselves at all. They depended on me for absolutely everything. Just recently, I got fed up with helping them out and told them that they were on their own. There’s passion and there’s also laziness.
18th November, 2008 at 8:42 am
Josh,
I totally agree with you, no matter what you do, you need to have passion or else you won’t go far.
That is the reason why so many fail in internet marketing because this is not their passion.
Thanks for that personal sharing.
18th November, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Even those that have passion for this sometimes get discouraged. Any tips on how to overcome temporary doldrums?
18th November, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Two questions to overcome the doldrums.
1. Do I want to do this?
2. How do I make it as much fun as possible. (If the answer is that I can’t – go back to q1.)
My 2 cents.
19th November, 2008 at 6:11 am
Yup, internet marketing is definitely a tough journey due to its fierce competition online!
22nd November, 2008 at 12:28 am
My sister recently asked me to get her started building a website. She sees the success I am having and wants to do it too.
The problem is that I don’t think she realizes how much work it will be. Most of my sites are content sites and I write a lot of my own content. I once asked her if she would like to write some articles for me and I would pay her (she need some extra cash to pay a dental bill). It was like pulling teeth to get her to complete 10 articles.
Well, she is coming over this weekend and I will help her set up a WP site and show her how to add articles to it.
I don’t want to cause any friction with her so I think I will just let her figure out if it suits her on her own.
Or just teach her about outsourcing
Justin
3rd December, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Hi.
I just came across this post. I kind of view it on the other side of the picture. I think with anything in life, to keep at something full steam you need to have some kind of love or passion for it, just so that it can bring you that excitement you look for each day.
With online marketing, I believe though that you can be smart about it, treating it like a strict business, and not have the demanding “love” for it and still be successful.
I personally do not “love” IM with a passion but I do enjoy making a passive income that allows me to enjoy things in life that do excitement me. I worked hard to a point where I was earning enough so I could outsource the work and see be successful. All it takes on my part is to keep things in control and stay aware.
Adam
7th December, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Hey Josh
This is something I can relate to. I have been trying, but not succeeding to get my mother and sister involved in our business, with a view to set them up on thei own.
But as the saying goes – you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink – not that I am calling my mum or sister a horse
Cheers
JJ
21st May, 2009 at 5:22 am
Excellent post. You put into words what I have been noticing for some time. It is so, so, true.
27th May, 2009 at 2:12 am
[...] article that really made me think. The article was written by Josh Spaulding and was called “Why I Won’t Teach My Own Sister Internet Marketing“. In this article (again, if you haven’t read it…DO SO), Josh talks about one of [...]