While I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as a complete “newbie” to the world of internet marketing, I am effectively starting from scratch to brand myself online and build a business around myself as an authority in the super-competitive “make money online” niche.
I came to the conclusion yesterday my business sucks and with that in mind, I have identified each of the obstacles which are standing between me and online success. To look at each obstacle positively I have also turned each of them on their head to create an objective which I need to achieve.
It’s not just one or two obstacles I face either – I have outlined 16 in total and I expect I have missed some out aswell. I thought I’d share them on the blog as no doubt numerous other would-be marketers are in the same situation I am.
First of all, here are the obstacles I face as an entrepreneur:
Obstacle # 1 – I do not have any short, medium or long term goals planned.
Objective – I have a detailed set of short, medium and long term goals to achieve which have been broken down into annual, monthly and daily targets.
Obstacle # 2 - I do not have deadlines to meet and am prone to procrastination.
Objective – I have a detailed set of targets which contain a series a mini-deadlines to meet for each task.
Obstacle # 3 – I am prone to wasting time online.
Objective – I have deadlines to meet and do not have time to waste online.
Obstacle # 4 – I am a perfectionist and do not like to release material which I am not 100% happy with.
Objective – Each project I become involved with has a strict deadline and I do the best I can within the allotted time frame.
Obstacle # 5 – I do not spot trends in internet marketing and/or gaps in the market in which to create products to profit from.
Objective - I have a system in place which monitors trends and alerts me on new product creation opportunities.
Obstacle # 6 – I do not have contacts in the internet marketing industry.
Objective – I have powerful, well respected contacts in the internet marketing industry.
Secondly, here are the obstacles my fledgling internet marketing business faces:
Obstacle # 7 – I do not know which area(s) of internet marketing to focus on.
Objective – I am focused on an area of internet marketing which I am an authority on.
Obstacle # 8 – I am not well known in the internet marketing niche.
Objective – I am recognised as a successful internet marketer.
Obstacle # 9 – There is lots of competition in the internet marketing niche.
Objective – I have successful joint venture product launches which brands me as an industry expert.
Obstacle # 10 – I do not have any free or cheap lead generation products.
Objective – There is a lead generation process which generates buyers of such products.
Obstacle # 11 – I do not have mid-tier products to generate further leads, income or to promote via affiliates.
Objective – I have several such products which can be pitched to consumers of my lead product.
Obstacle # 12 – I do not have a defined product ascension funnel.
Objective – I have a detailed plan of all the products to create in order to fill the marketing funnel.
Obstacle # 13 – I do not have a portfolio of products.
Objective – I have a porfolio of products which ranges in price for different levels of customers.
Obstacle # 14 - I do not have a process to create a consistent flow of products with relative ease.
Objective – I have a process which can create new and interesting products.
Obstacle # 15 – I do not have significant traffic visiting my blog.
Objective – I have several traffic generation methods to ensure new customers arrive at my blog.
Obstacle # 16 – I need to make money while this new business is still growing.
Objective – I have short term income generators in place which enable me to concentrate on the new business.
As you can see, I have a lot to work on but I am confident each of the objectives will be met. Have I missed any out? Do you have any different obstacles to me? Please leave them as a comment below!
Super post, David.
And, guess what? You have just painted a typical, textbook picture of a boatload full of internet marketers! I have confidence that you will stream through your list of obstacles and begin jumping over each and every one of these hurdles.
A note of advice from one “perfectionist” to another …
PERFECTIONISM IS NOT A BLESSING – IT’S A CURSE!
David
Great use of the Obstacles tool, thanks for sharing it. It will give me a kick to use it too because I know Obstacles are one of the things that get in my way. Hey that’s a definition isn’t it?
Things that get in my way of accomplishing the next task or the next objective or the next goal.
I still think your blog site is awesome, Mine is a little better but still needs some work.
Norm
David,
This post sums up what so many people face these days while trying to build an online business. I am a newbie and am about to launch a site in the next two weeks. This list serves as a great reminder. Thank you so much!
Angela
Hi David,
The 16 obstacles listed above apply generally to most marketers in online business especially the newbies. The methods you suggested for tackling these obstacles are wonderful and down to earth solution to these problems. As a newbie, I have been facing these obstacles without much success. I hope to apply the blueprint you have given above. I shall maintain constant link with your blog for more educative business tips.
JOTIMA.
OK, David. I am going to take a few days to read and analyze your blog from the beginning. This has been instigated from your number 6 Webinar I attended (I missed the first 5).
I can see already that you are focused, organized, and goal oriented. At least at the beginning here.
I particularly like the way your objectives are stated as if they have already been accomplished.
…and I read on.
.-= Evan Beck´s last blog ..Alex Jeffreys Training =-.
WOW!! I didn’t realize how inept I am until I read this blog. I think that this “Obstacle List” would apply to EVERY single business and not just online businesses. I think I will print out your list, along with my own solutions to the objectives.