2 More Unsexy Truths About Making Money Online

Posted May 17, 2010 · Filed Under Explanations · 918 views · 3 Comments

: Image by Tracy O via Flickr

Last week, Darren Rowse of Problogger.net published 9 Unsexy Truths About Making Money Online. Here they are:

It Takes a LOT of WORK
It Takes Time and Starts Slow
The Sexy Moments Happen – but are Often Few and Far Between
There Are No Guarantees
You’ll Fail More than You’ll Succeed
Some People Just Won’t Make It
It Can Be Lonely
Increased Success Can Bring Increased Critique
Scaling it Sucks

And I will just go on record and say right now: “Amen, amen, AMEN!”

If you haven’t read the post, go on ahead and click the link above and read it now. It will open a new window so you don’t lose your place here. I’ll wait…

If I were Ruler of Heaven and Earth, I would command everyone trying to make a living online read that post. Read it and believe it. I would also add the following:

10. DIY Sometimes Costs More Than Paying a Professional

No one is more a fan of DIY (Do It Yourself) than me. I am blessed with a wide variety of skills and talents and a healthy willingness to try just about anything once. I can build you a website, sew you an outfit, cook you a meal, replace your ceiling fan, run a chainsaw and split firewood, change your flat tire and drive you from NYC to LA without a map or directions – just to name a few.

But I can’t do everything and neither can you when it comes to making money online.

See my caricature up there in the header of this site? I paid for her…almost what I charge to build a small website, in fact. And I will admit that a part of me had a small stroke over that. But I’m glad I did it because she’s great and I couldn’t have done her (or anything close to her) myself.

If you are unwilling to pay someone for services s/he can do better than you, why should anyone pay YOU for your services?

The DIY attitude and spirit is alive and well, and I’m glad, but don’t be short-sighted. Doing some things yourself actually COSTS you more than paying a fellow professional to do it for you…like when your website looks amateurish and unprofessional because you built it yourself using free resources or you when accidentally delete it because you don’t know what you’re doing.

11. Hard Work and Spinning Your Wheels Can Look and Feel the Same

If I had a nickel for every wheel-spinning minute I’ve spent with my nose to the proverbial grindstone since 2002, I’d have $157,680 in an interest bearing account somewhere. It’s easy to be busy…more difficult to be effective in moving toward your goals.

Related to #10, this is one area where hiring a coach has made a big difference for me. And yes, I have my story of spending $3K and getting diddly of what I was promised and none of my money back (see #’s 4 and 5.) But persistence beats resistance every time.

There Is No Secret to Making Money Online

Sorry, but it’s true. There are simply a lot of different strategies and tactics others have used to successfully make money online, myself included.

As stated in #4, what works for me might not work for you, so you can’t take what I’ve done and apply it to yourself and expect my results. That equation is flawed because you are not me and I am not you.

But what you can do is get really good at #5. Try stuff. Learn when to bail, and do it early. But stick to it long enough to give it a real shot. Sound like a paradox?

That’s only because it is one.

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Comments

6303 Responses2010-05-17+12%3A30%3A45Suzanne to “2 More Unsexy Truths About Making Money Online”

Tom Volkar
May 17th, 2010 3:22 pm

"Hard Work and Spinning Your Wheels Can Look and Feel the Same" Holy Cow this is so damn true. Even doing something that works can be indiscernible from something that doesn't; until it does. That's why I'm a proponent of the massive inspired action concept. At least then the hard work is enjoyable and the odds of success go up from mere probability. Thanks for telling it like it is.
BreathingProsperity
July 17th, 2010 5:20 pm

Can I tell you how amazing this post is? Yes, I immediately read Darren's as well, lest you find a way to strangle me through the screen (!), and your add-ons here are equally important. It's so nice to hear from a kindred spirit, although I know you were trying to educate your readers as to the realities and truths of working online.

I'll also tell you, I came by to see what you're up to (as we are both part of a popular Personal Development List that did the rounds some time ago, and I like to keep my version up to date), and the first thing I noticed – and liked – was the caricature! Money well spent, as it is memorable and unique (not to mention adorable).

Thanks, Suzanne, for your intelligent writing and for reminding me I'm not alone. Continued success to you!

~ Shauna
Stephanie
July 30th, 2010 2:58 pm

I went back and read the post by Darren and can't agree more. It's about time someone writes the truth about working online; it's hard work but a lot of fun…a true journey for the online marketer.

And I love your website! It's so clean and easy to read