This annoys the crap out of me
I know I haven’t posted here in quite some time, and for that, I apologize. I just don’t seem to have enough hours in a day to do everything I want or need to do. 
But I’ve been meaning to write this post for a very long time, and it really needs to be said. So today, I set aside other tasks so that I can get this off my chest…
One of the most bothersome things to me is when people ask for help with their internet business, then they don’t use the advice they’re given. Now, this has always bothered me, but writing this post today came about because of something that happened over the last few days.
My business partner, Kathe Lucas, and I have a fantastic 65 page ebook called “7 Steps to Online Income” that we give away completely free of charge. It’s geared mostly towards new internet marketers, but even seasononed veterans can learn a thing or two.
A few days ago we sent an email to the 7 Steps list members asking what they need help with so we can write appropriate articles and product recommendations for them.
Thankfully, most of the replies we received were good questions - how to create a squeeze page and such - stuff that we’ll be able to use in our emails to TEACH, which is our goal.
But about 1/3 of the responses we received absolutely FLOORED us - people said they need help “starting at step 1″ or they have a website but need to “know how to promote it.”
These questions and comments wouldn’t be unreasonable IF our “7 Steps to Online Income” report didn’t already explain those things. It was painfully obvious that these people didn’t read the report, let alone implement the methods that it teaches.
So we ended up sending our list members a “rant” email today to try and get them up off of their duffs and DO something that will earn them money. And I felt that a portion of the “rant” (re-worded a little bit) would be perfect for this post that I’ve been wanting to write for so long. 
Here it is:
Making money online isn’t hard, but it does take drive, determination and persistance. If you don’t possess those qualities, then unfortunately, you won’t get anywhere.
YOU have to take responsibility for helping YOURSELF.
NO ONE can hold your hand EVERY SINGLE STEP of the way.
Even if you pay out the nose for a personal coach, at some point, he will stop holding your hand and YOU will have to do the work, YOU will have to do the marketing, and YOU will actually have to run your own business.
Yet, so many people are either not willing to learn, or not willing to DO what they learn, and they want to blame someone else for their failure to succeed.
It’s time to take responsibility and either stand on your own two feet… or fall flat on your face.
I know that there’s a lot of information out there, and that many of you suffer from information overload. And the truth is, I do, too, sometimes.
But the cold, hard facts are…
If I didn’t take action on SOMETHING that I learned over the years, I wouldn’t be making a full time living online now.
And neither will you.
PLEASE take some action today, whether it’s setting up a blog or writing articles to get your website url “out and about” the internet. Just DO something that will get you started on the right track.
THAT is the true “Recipe For Internet Marketing Success.”
May 13th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Hi there Denise,
I absolutely agree with you 100%. It is crazy how people want their hands held with every little step. Creating an income online is really not that hard at all.
The only way I can get things done on a regular basis is to keep a “to do list” by my computer with small jobs that I can accomplish quickly so I feel that I have done something worthwhile. I break my tasks down into little chunks to help me otherwise, I can get lazy and then I start reading the latest and greatest ebook and get sidetracked.
Your post and “rant” is dead on.!!
take care,
Krysti
May 13th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Thanks for the comments.
Reading them reminds me that I am one of those having a tough time getting started.
Life happens but action is what determines where one ends at.
For me the action part isn’t the only problem I’m facing. The biggest issue is to create a plan that is workable when I have no real focus on what or where I need to end. That elusive goal.
I think that what I need to work on is either find an accountability partner to keep me on track or find a process that is simple to follow, specially when you end up with several crisis on your hands.
Anything else is just an excuse.
So, thanks for the blog! it was worth reading and thanks for your patience!
joe
May 13th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I totally agree with you Denise, there are so many people who seem to download a report or e-book just because it’s free and leave it collecting dust on their hard drive.
They are usually the same people who complain saying that the product was useless because it didn’t make them a millionare overnight by doing nothing.
I myself am like you in the way that I can’t seem to find enough hours in a day but I also realise that it’s my own fault and I need to change my tactics to make my hours more productive,
About Joe’s comment further up the page We all get sidetracked now and again and tend to loose focus on what we are doing especially when the people around us are doing all they can to de-motivate us and I have the same problem there.
The one saying that sticks in my mind in those difficult times is what Winston Churchill once said “Kites rise higher against the wind, not with it”
That’s only a sentence but it somehow gives me that little extra push when I need it but like you said the only way to get anywhere in Business or in everyday life in fact is to take ACTION and just do it.
Thanks for the post and have a nice day.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Hey Denise,
You are so right.. you have to apply what you learn.. some people even think the more they but they products will just create themselves I think.. but you must take what you buy and turn it into your own product if it’s a PLR or the sort or even write your own little product using openoffice.org.. but the point being is just do something and it will work…
Roy Fielding
Mentor
May 13th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Hi Denise,
First of all I can’t believe I came to a blog and now I am making a post. I usually do not go to blogs when links to them are received in an email.
Most of the time blogs are too cluttered for me. But, your email subject line really had me interested.
I do agree with you completely. It really amazes me that there is such good information being given away every day for free and people do not even read the material.
There are who knows how many giveaways going on every week and all a person needs to do is download all the products that may answer the pressing question a person has about their Internet business and then pick the one that most completely answers their question.
Then apply what they read. Read the material once and then start at the beginning and start doing what it says to do.
How hard can that be and it does not cost anything to do. The magic word that people need to have their dreams come true is…
ACTION
It is easier to wine and cry on forums and blogs which is another reason I do not like blogs.
I just won a contest on one blog and it took me about 1 hour of ACTION while there were dozens of people making excuses as to why they couldm’t make a video and post it to a video site.
I had never done this kind of video either but it only took me an hour to learn and do.
Now I have learned something very valuable because I plan to do 4 prelaunch videos for a new software product I will be launching in a month or so.
That is how it is done. Take ACTION on one little project until it is completed. Then the next time it will be much easier to do.
Time to go back to work now. Very good post Denise.
Best regards,
Steve Yakim
May 13th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Hey, Denise,
You guys are the Best!
You give tremendous value;
Your service is great.
You’re a breath of fresh air
in the IM marketplace.
Keep up Your great work!
Thanks,
Norm A.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:27 am
I can understand your frustration. I mean, if would be like giving a homeless person some money for food and shelter, who then spends it on booze, and then complaining about not getting enough to eat.
Although…
I found the part where you say people need to help themselves, very interesting, because a lot of internet marketers are very hypocritical about this.
I wrote an article about this very thing a while beck and it’s at ezinearticles. Part of the title is “myth #24″.
Here is what a lot of them will do. They will cry over and over again about not being responsible for any of their customers or subscribers, succeeding online, BUT…
and this is where the hypocrisy comes in. They will be all too glad in taking credit for one of their customer’s or subscriber’s online success, saying that their ebook or free report, or whatever, was instrumental in that person’s financial success.
I’m sorry, but nothing could be further from the truth. They may have got an ebook or report from guru X, but guru X did not perform the tasks outlined in their document(s). Their customer or subscriber did. They did just what you said. THEY helped themselves, not some internet marketing mega guru.
I mean really. The gurus can’t have their cake and eat it too. If they are going to refuse to take blame for someone’s failure (and they should not have to, I agree), then they can’t turn around and claim they were partly respoonsible for that person’s achievements. =D
So yeah, I agree with you. People need to help themselves, but then when they better themselves in the process, no guru has any reason to pat themselves on the back for that person’s success.
Misato Katsuragi
May 14th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Opps
The part that read:
“They will cry over and over again about not being responsible for any of their customers or subscribers, succeeding online, BUT…”
should have read:
“They will cry over and over again about not being responsible for any of their customers or subscribers, NOT succeeding online”
Sorry for the typo. ;D
Misato
May 14th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Hey Denise,
I am sorry for the long post. But, I just have to comment on the post above me……….See a section of it below;
Here is what a lot of them will do. They will cry over and over again about not being responsible for any of their customers or subscribers, (Not)succeeding online, BUT…
and this is where the hypocrisy comes in. They will be all too glad in taking
credit for one of their customer’s or subscriber’s online success, saying that their ebook or free report, or whatever, was instrumental in that person’s financial success.
I’m sorry, but nothing could be further from the truth. They may have got an ebook or report from guru X, but guru X did not perform the tasks outlined in their document(s). Their customer or subscriber did. They did just what you said. THEY helped themselves, not some internet marketing mega guru.
Now,I don’t think the post above me is in his/her right mind. You see, had that person not got the ebook or video tutorials to learn what he just did to make his success, than he would still be where he was…….
So, yes why can’t the “Guru” take a little credit for what he just helped this person with? Sure, he my not have done the work but, he still pointed that person down the right path and most of the time gave him/her the tools and knowlege to succeed…Without the knowlege he/she would be in the same place as they started.
You remember, the saying “God helps them who helps themselves” Well, there you have it……..At some point this person would have to help themselves. This does not mean you should take the credit away from the teacher…….
Without him/her you would still be wondering and crying..”Where should I go”, What should I do”, I can’t make any money online”. Give me a freakin break. Now because this person has takin action and started making money, he wants to take the credit away from the “Guru” and say he did it “All” on his own……..What a crock………
It’s sound like this person is a me…me…me…person……These people are always trouble anyway…. This is just my option….from dealing with “me..me..people” they give my a headace everytime I deal with them, thinking of no one else, but what they can get out of someone today!
Again, this is just my option that life has showed me, through the years.
Thanks for all you have done for people, you guys/gals are assume. keep up the good work………You do deserve credit!
Ron
www.ace-web-marketing.com
P.S.
Take “Action” and you will see things come together”
May 21st, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Okay, maybe I worded that not quite right. Yes, you could say that a guru sold something that was of help to their customer.
I guess I also wasn’t clear about the hypocrisy either.
You say a guru should get credit for a person’s success if they sell something that proves helpful, but…
then they should also take the blame when they sell a product that doesn’t help the customer in any way, or even makes their customer worse off than they were before they used the seller’s product, but do you think they take the blame for any of that??
Yeah, right! I thought not. So they can’t be hypocrits and take credit for stuff that helps. That was my point.
I also think you are stretching it just a might also. I mean if you write a book and it becomes the best seller, do you really give credit to Epson for the printer, Kinko’s for the copy, Bic for the pen if you had to use one, and credit to everyone who sold you anything you used to write your book??
I mean really. That sounds dumb, doesn’t it. But that’s what you are saying.
Misato