Its been a while since I posted, but I felt compelled to do so this morning – start of another week and heading fast towards the end of August in 2010 – end of summer for many of us around the globe and the beginning of autumn or fall.
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I turned on the laptop and went online about 7.30 am thinking that I will be greeted with some decent income news. Its one of the things I check first each morning – particularly with regards to eBay income, as the income stats are updated around 3 – 4am each morning – Malaysian time that is.
Yesterday I saw the largest amount of click throughs on my eBay sites of all time. I’ve been working with eBay for just over a year now, so that’s quite an event – to see the most click through’s “of all time” on your account. And if you read up on this blog much at all, you will know that I rely on my eBay income to make my life to be possible as it is now – no job as such, but relying purely upon my income from internet marketing to provide my day to day living.
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So needless to say I was kind of excited, but at the same time trying to remain realistic. Its coming towards the end of the month, but its still not near enough pay day to have folks spending big bucks. I’ve learned this, and it rings true almost every single month. The times to see good income from internet marketing are at the end of the month and the start of the next, and everything else in between is to be endured.
Anyhow, to cut to it – here is what awaited me… The lowest day’s income from eBay for the whole month!
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You know how this makes you feel when you are ploughing so much time and effort into doing something only to get a right good kick in the face for all your efforts?!
Its not merely time I’m putting in here, but its also money. After all, without backlinks to your websites, you’ll purely be relying on very long-tailed keyword traffic. And unless you have an absolute ton of websites, that long tailed traffic is not going to be quite enough to provide for a good monthly income. Either that, or you have hit on a gold mine product or service. And chances of that are few and far between.
But here’s the point about this scenario. And let’s face it – we’ve probably all felt what I felt this morning, right? When you feel suddenly that all your IM efforts are not paying, and you may just as well go back to the 9 to 5 job grind. I felt it 100 times and more, how about you? But the point is, unless we keep on keepin’ on, we will fail – goes without saying.
We have to realize that these sort of days are a part and parcel of this game of internet marketing – or pretty much any type of business.
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6 months ago, if I had woken up and turned on the laptop and viewed my eBay income that I saw this morning, I would have been very happy. That would have been regarded as a decent or even good day for income. Now however, I’ve moved my goal posts so far ahead of only 6 months ago, that today’s income is a real disappointment.
But I know at the same time that this will all come good. All the work that I’ve been doing over the past weeks to months will come good. I can say that with some confidence due to my IM experience.
I started re-working all these eBay sites about 3 months ago now, and over-all the results have been well worthwhile, I have to say it. Even though if I were to be working a normal job and putting in the sort of weekly hours I do, then my monthly wage would be far, far greater than it is from internet marketing – far greater!
But for anyone wondering “so why bother?”. Freedom to live where you want to live and do what you want to do and when you want to do it, without having to answer to your boss. Also, the potential for earnings – it could be argued, is far greater than that of a normal career position. Even now I’m getting closer to my best ever regular monthly earnings and I’m just warming up.
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For sure, I’ve had my doubts about IM. But I know I have to keep on pushing onwards, or I’ll never achieve my online goals - or my life goals, for that matter! I’ve got to find some strength from some place. And its not necessarily going to come from watching television programmes such as the Forbes Top 11 Richest People in the World (which I’ve just watched – bad idea!). $7k US dollars a night for a hotel room is madness!
I may go and eat that bar of chocolate that’s in the fridge – comfort food is good! I may go and grab that bottle of wine that’s sitting waiting for me and indulge myself this way – a mental high from alcohol can work wonders at getting me through to taking the next step on my IM journey. Its certainly not for everyone, but it works for me, anyhow, so that’s my excuse 
. Or I may just go outside and let my body ‘cook’ while lying in the sunshine and dream of the things that I would like to be doing in life within 6 months to five years, reset my goals.
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No matter what I do right now at this moment, I do know that I have to keep on keepin’ on or none of my dreams, none of my goals for the future and for my own life will be achievable. And with that thought in mind, its enough to push me through the current pain barrier, because the thought of not being able to do what I dream of doing is so painful that I simply could not give up on it, no matter how bad my day or week has been. I remember many, many days and nights of working in warehouses not so long ago, which were so much more painful than any day I have now, no matter how disappointing that day is!
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If you experience such disappointments with your own IM endeavours (and we all do) then you will know exactly what I am talking about. Its really tough to gather up the motivation to keep on going. But if we want to achieve ultimate success, we have to find a way to keep moving along, no matter the disappointments that we will be witness to time and again.
I wish you well in your internet marketing career!
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I love posts like this that clearly come from the heart and show the reality of what internet marketing life is really like! It certainly is a life of ups and downs – and when you see a lot of downs it can certainly be depressing. I remember when I had a $100+ day one day a couple of weeks ago, and then only earned $3 the next day!
I think the key is to remember why you are doing this – and you do a very good job of outlining this in your post. With an internet marketing career you are trading security for freedom, but I would choose the latter any day of the year!
Michelle recently posted..CB Journal Day 21- Getting More Longtail Searches
Hi Michelle, thanks a lot for your reply!
Ya, some days this month I’ve felt really down actually – and I don’t really know why either. Burned out a fair bit with the social media stuff, which has had a real knock-on effect of me becoming almost entirely reclusive with regards to internet presence and socializing online. I hope folks will forgive me for that.
But at the same time I’ve been full on with eBay (while you’ve been full on with Clickbank) and to have a day where click thru has been awesome but income has been awful – very odd indeed!
Yes, I remember you discussing the day/s where you got your first $100 day and then the next day was proper dismal. Roller coaster or what! But I for one can see (and know for a fact!) that what you are doing is going to pay off in the mid term, and pay off big time in the long term, come what may. I think its having that sort of confidence in your one’s own abilities regardless the bumps along the way, that really does help out a lot in achieving our online goals.
So this rather rude bump for me is not pleasant at all, but at the same time its merely a reminder of the “joys” of internet marketing. Its neither here nor there really – I know full well that my methods are working, just as you know your methods are working also, so who cares about the odd glitch, right Michelle?
Inspiring post Jo, its been a slow one here as well.
Its nice to see someone open up to how they feel so publicly. I’m not usually a blog reader but find myself coming back again and again to yours. I have even used my real name and not bothered to get a back link while commenting
I am just coming through a nasty depression right now (stress related with work) and have used my time off to put my efforts into IM (and spend time with the family!), following this week I was feeling a little down in the dumps as I only managed to bring in about £250, but its nice to see (not in a horrible way!) that other people also experience these “phases” of IM. Highs and lows.
Keep up the good work mate.
Stu
Hi Stu, in the typical British way, we are brought up to keep hush hush about our income or salary level. And we are also brought up in the traditional manner or stiff upper lip at all costs, regardless the fact we are troubled within. I think its all wrong – I see you nodding in agreement? We should be encouraged to share with other people around us as chances are there are many others who feel very similar to what we do. As a kid I always struggled terribly with this concept of keeping everything inside – this is how I was brought up and this is how my school taught us to be too. So now – at least to some extent, I’ve gone the other way – now more the rebel than ever before!
I’m sorry about your troubles at work Stu – even more the reason why you must make internet marketing a success! A great motivator, even though the circumstances are pretty awful. I’ve found though that if I think about my rather dreadful past then that certainly does motivate me all the more – even when at times, I have felt like I’m hitting my head against the internet marketing wall.
I had this really strange dream early this morning. I don’t tend to remember dreams but this one I do. It was about having the choice of going back to studying at university, with the obvious motive being a good career at the end of it, or to stick with internet marketing. I had chosen university and a doctorate and all my family and friends were aware of it and very supportive. At the very last minute I disappointed everyone (as I always seem to do anyhow) by turning down the opportunity of university and instead sticking with internet marketing. You see Stu – I even dream about internet marketing these days
But the point being – if I now had the chance to go back and chuck all my diplomas and degrees etc etc in favour of internet marketing, you better believe I would not think twice about it!!
Keep at it Stu, as I’m very sure you will. All will come good soon enough!
Jo
What a lovely kitten you have there! I’m 200% a cat person, and I specially like large breeds like the Maine Coon. I have a few living with me and they make my days a lot happier. =)
Regarding the bad IM days, I can relate too. But when I remember what my life was like when I was stuck at a 9 – 5 job I hated, it makes me even more motivated to make this all work. You see, there’s no going back for me. I suppose it’s the same for you. So the only way is forward!
You know October – December are good months, so it’s a matter of hanging on until shopping season begins. And then, planning smartly what to do with the extra cash (for me it would be to reinvest on sites that will peak during spring).
There’s always a plan B (I have thought about it myself), such as running a WSO or a thread on Warriors For Hire section. I’ve been thinking about doing some blog headers or WordPress theme customizations. You could make UAW submissions, linkwheels, on-site optimization etc. You know, only for a while, until sales pick up again (you know they will).
Don’t give up Jo!
Selena @ Niche Blogging Diva recently posted..The Amazon Experiment- Action Plan For This Year’s Shopping Season
Oh, I almost forgot: have you heard back from that guy regarding the Twilight Posters site?
Selena @ Niche Blogging Diva recently posted..The Amazon Experiment- Action Plan For This Year’s Shopping Season
Hi Selena, I’m on very early this morning cos I woke up due to a mozzie buzzing around my head intent on feeding on my blood. Speaking of which – the guy never did get back to me regards to Twilight posterz. Maybe just as well for him – the thing makes no more than about 20 cents a day on eBay sales
So you are the person to go to when there is a kitty problem to deal with then, right Selena? I understand these Persian types (possibly other breeds too, I imagine) are not natural drinkers. Hence their kidneys tend to fail due to lack of liquid intake. Well, this one is very bad for that. She never takes in water, and only gets it through her foodstuffs – she’s an avid eater, so its kinda easy to ensure that her food is liquid imbibed, so to speak. But I am concerned if this is enough liquid, particularly in this warm climate. What’s your take on this please Selena? I was initially forcing liquids down her throat but this is not a long term option.
I’ll have to look up Maine Coon. Sounds interesting!
I agree – certainly I’ve found early November to around about 23rd December to be excellent for sales (then all dead there-after until early February, which is not a pleasant thought). I just don’t feel at all comfortable about having to ‘hang on’ for things to take off. Its similar to having to hang on in there throughout each month until the end, simply because that’s when sales get going. Its kinda like wishing your life away all the faster, and I’m old enough as it is
I think the only remedy for this therefore is, to build up either enough sites, or enough optimized webpages (which is what I am currently intent on doing) so that even the bad days are actually good days, if you get me… For example, right now a hundred dollar day would be seen as a good day for me. So how about that in 6 months time that were actually seen as an average day rather than a “good” day. Know what I mean, Selena? The only way is ‘up’ cos I can’t get my mind around anything else right now. I suspect I watch far too many of these glossy holiday programmes for my own good, really.
I agree – there most certainly is a plan B. What with your skill set, you would have no problem making good money there. I did use my own plan B not too long ago – writing for clients mainly via the Warrior Forum. But geez, its a grind! No doubt it could get to become nicely lucrative, but I’m the sort of bloke who is in the habit of turning down the big money (SEO’ing for folks and companies) for want of satisfying my own needs in this life. I’ve had enough slaving for others – making other folks rich while I remain on the poverty line. Not that SEO’ing for others would have me on the poverty line, mind you! But its just not “freedom”. Still answering to the whims of someone else who is controlling the purse strings. I’ve been approached quite a number of times about SEO coaching too. But again, it just does not tick my boxes, even though I advertised for doing that too not so long ago.
So slave labouring over my own sites is where its at Selena, and I think you agree with that also as we are of a similar mindset here.
Any chance of seeing some pics of your Maine Coon cats Selena?
Have a nice evening!
Jo
Jo,
Can you drop me an email (i think its provided with this form!) I just wanted your opinion on an ebay store I have started to make – I, like, you was refused by them the first time – my freebie site wouldn’t sell their products which I can understand.
Re cats drinking – mine only drinks from a running tap!! had to get a little water fountain for him – he only eats posh cat food as well… he probably hopes more than anyone that this IM takes off – or its back to tesco value cat food for him!
Cheers
Stu
Stu, they say that the best drivers are those who pass their test on the second attempt
I’ll email you back shortly.
Thanks for the tip re drinking from the tap. I’ll try that! Posh cat food as in… IAMS?? I’ve been feeding this little thing on similar stuff to what I eat, with exception that I am a pure veggie (apart from the tiger prawns, that is). So she gets her meat and veggies with rice and pasta for lunch and dinner. And for breakfast – well what else – Frosties – theiiiirrrrr grrrreeeeaaaat!!
Well, I’m not a cat expert, but I did learn a thing or two over the years. Actually all cats have a tendency for kidney problems, some breeds more then others. It’s not only a problem of how much water they drink, but also what they eat. It’s best to stick with dry cat food whenever possible, because human food is not good for them (specially processed food with lots of salt or sugar). It forces the kidney and they’re more likely to have problems when they are older.
Canned cat food helps a little with fluid intake, but they are high on fat, so go easy on those. My cats tend to drink more water as soon as I fill their bowl with cool, fresh water. After the water is there for a while, they don’t drink as much. So I clean and re-fill their bowl several times a day.
What Stu said about drinking from the tap is very true. My cats loove to play with running water and they always drink a little while doing that. So on very hot days I open the tap and let it run a little bit and they gather around and play and drink it.
I’ll find some pictures of my Maine Coons to show. They’re huge now (the oldest, a female, is 22 pounds).
Regarding “Plan B”, I know what you mean — I don’t want to “get stuck” doing work for other people, while I have so much to do for my own sites. That’s the only reason while I haven’t already published a thread on Warriors For Hire! I get frustrated when I can’t work on my sites!
Selena @ Niche Blogging Diva recently posted..The Amazon Experiment- Action Plan For This Year’s Shopping Season
Hi Selena, thanks for your feedback regards to kitty cat diets. I’ve been buying some fresh chicken and turkey so its not like tidbits from the family table type of things I feed this one. I know its very advisable to keep a balanced diet for cats, as it is with any animal, but at the same time I want to vary it nicely, rather than feeding her from the tin all the time. Or for that matter – feeding her buscuits and nothing but buscuits, which I know some folks do cos they think that’s a nicely balanced diet and good for oral hygiene besides.
I read that tinned cat food has roughly about 70 – 78% water content, which is around the same to what they would eat in the wild. So this seems already a nice volume of water intake they would get from this sort of food. But as you mentioned, no doubt there may be other additives in there that are not necessarily ideal!
I tried the filling up of the bowl with fresh water time and again, but to no avail. I have also read that Persians are among the worst breeds when it comes to drinking, hence apparently they are even more prone to kidney failure than other breeds. The other cat I had was a Persian too (he looked exactly like that cat in the James Bond movie – From Russia with Love), although I never had him as a kitten. He died of kidney failure, albeit he was 14 so that’s a pretty good age.
What I did today was, instead of running the tap (this little one gets freaked at running water) was to add in some fresh water to her food. She loves food so much (too much) that I know she would eat it all the same, regardless it had water added. I think this is the trick I’ll need to use with her. But the idea of drinking running fresh water is nice. Cats seem to prefer to drink from rain water – do you find that with yours too?
22 pounds – that is one big cat! I presume she likes her food?!
Yup, I would not be able to function right nowadays if I could not work on my own websites for any length of time. In fact, we’re going off to Bangkok for a few days in early October and I’m really concerned that I may only get about an hour or so a day online when I’m there. What a nightmare! It will be all hands on deck as soon as I get back to Kuching however! So I fully understand and agree with you Selena regards to avoiding working for others at almost all costs! Only when needs must and that’s it!
Joseph,
It is refreshing to hear that others go through the same up and down emotions that I have experienced from time to time. I was very burned out during the month of July and basically took the whole month off. My situation is different in that I work full-time and am not dependent upon internet income for the necessities of life.
Pushing through the rough patches, however, is what will get you ahead of the crowd. When I played football (American football) in college, our weight-lifting coach always said that the best gains were made when you didn’t “feel” like lifting since lesser individuals would just skip it all together. So getting out there and getting the job done when you would rather not is part of what sets apart those who are ultimately successful versus those who just wish for success.
Kidgas recently posted..Goals for Rest of 2010
Hi Jo,
I’ve had some low IM days, too. Thanks for the transparency; great way to connect with everyone. It’s good to know that even people who have been doing it for awhile go through those days.
Yes, comfort food helps!
Come back to BizChickBlogs! You kept me going and now you’re not there anymore.
Cheers,
Jo
Tia recently posted..How You Can Change the World Blogging
Hi Kidgas, I could not agree more with your previous coach! Pushing through the tough times is a winning mindset! The thing is however, I kept on pushing and pushing – even when I was having days of verging on the “burn out” and eventually I think its all caught up with me.
However, what I’ve done is turned my attentions to what is actually bringing in the money (albeit some days of recent are far from ideal) and have had to cut out almost entirely everything else in the process. I’ve got more of a daily ritual now than I’ve had for a long time, albeit a very loose ritual in that I can pick and choose when I wish to tackle which aspect of the business.
And the results of this change in my process?
Well, folks are not spending so much – not as much as last month anyhow. But, the amount of visitors to my sites over-all is the most its ever been, and that’s with another 6 days to go this month. So something must be going right, and this is itself is motive enough to push and push even more.
I do think about taking on something part time Kidgas – another job. Can’t be a bad thing as it keeps you fresh with regards to internet marketing. But when I think about devoting time to something else other than IM and get all tense. Odd, really.
How has August been for you? Are you good and fresh now after your month off from this business?
Take care!
Joseph
Hi Tia, yes I know I’ve not been on your blog for a few weeks now – sorry about that! I’ve been hiding, and not entirely through choice. Things kinda crept up on me somewhat.
Nevertheless, I’ve written up another short post for this blog and that will go up soon, so things seem to be taking a bit more shape regards getting back to “normality”. I’ll be back on your blog very soon, no worries!
I tried to click thru only yesterday on your post about the new Thesis Theme that I saw on Facebook, but my internet connection these days is rotten – everything crashed, so I never actually got there. I’m interested to read your take on the new set up.
Hope things are going good for you Tia!
Jo
I agree with you comfort helps! Chow on! Goodluck Tia with your endeavors! Keep munching!
Swimwear Australia
Yeah Jamie, comfort can get you through to the next day, which can then be hugely productive, so its a pretty decent strategy to employ
Hey Jo,
Keep on keepin on man is all you can do! I strongly agree with the guy who talked about his coach. It’s the same for anything in life whether its guitar, football or internet marketing. You’ll get there!
Rob
Yup, gotta keep on keepin’ on if you want success, at the end of the day. Mind you, with the post I’m about to put up Rob, I sometimes wonder…
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