The Toughest Question Ever
This is one of the most valuable emails I’ll likely ever send you, but…
…it comes with a warning.
And I give you this warning because I am genetically-deficient in the art of “beating around the bush”.
In place of that, I was given a double dose of the “straight talk” gene, and as a result, my forthcoming nature may offend you at some times, particularly today if you feel like our dear reader who wrote in and said:
“I feel like I am doing everything right, and am implementing all strategies, have stuff on youtube, facebook, twitter, have outsourced the tech stuff, google analytics etc but I am still stuck in the catch 22.
“Can’t get affiliates without sales, can’t get sales without adwords. SEO not working due to google changing algorithms, articles not working as can’t have links…HELP? I need suggestions to break the catch 22.
“I’m the Queen of ‘practical weight loss for busy people is niche’ showing readers how to get everything food done in 20 minutes.”
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Ok, now if you’ve been on my list for a while, you probably know what I’m going to say, but to soften the blow on new readers who feel like they too are in this situation, I’m going to rephrase the question.
In fact, I’m going to ask myself this same question. And I’m not “making this up”, I really do feel this way:
“Craig, I have a website called InternetIndependence.com and right now it has 6021 subscribers, but the content is amazing and I’ve been doing everything you say, so I really think it should be more. Help! Thanks.” – Craig Ballantyne
Answer: Well hello Craig, thanks for your question. I had a look at your site, and I must say, your content IS awesome.
It might be the best writing I’ve ever found on a site devoted to internet marketing and website businesses. You are also very handsome and I imagine you are quite charming. People must like you. A lot.
That said, here’s the problem Craig. You simply haven’t been remarkable enough to earn more than 6021 subscribers. I appreciate that you’re working hard, but a lot of people work hard.
But the truth is your message is NOT compelling enough. Your offer is not good enough. And that means your conversion – to your mission – is not great enough.
That’s why you’re stuck at 6021 subscribers.
But…the good news is you can change the situation. The bad news is you will have to seriously question yourself, your ego, and your actions.
WARNING: I’m about to ask you a really tough question that is going to demand soul-searching and serious contemplation.
Listen, there are thousands of people teaching “internet marketing” and “how to build a website business” online. That means there is a lot of competition.
You can’t expect to just set up a site and start sending out a few emails and suddenly have 100,000 people on your mailing list begging to be your customers.
It doesn’t work that way. So you need to ask yourself this, the MOST important question you’ve ever asked yourself…
“What have you done to DESERVE traffic and sales?”
Sit yourself down, take a deep breath, be brutally honest, and ask yourself WHY do you deserve to get the traffic and sales that you desire?
And if you can’t come up with a list of at least 7 powerful and justifiable reasons, then don’t get frustrated, but start working on a plan that justifies the existence of your business.
I also want you to keep going with the following important set of questions:
– Is your product and content truly unique?
– Do you and your unique product fill a gap in the marketplace?
– Do you have massive credibility?
– Does your sales copy convert better than most other products in your market?
– Are you outspoken and different and NOT saying the same old thing that every other expert is saying?
– What do you offer that is DIFFERENT than everyone else?
– Why would you stand out in a crowded marketplace?
– Have you contacted all of the joint venture partners that could possibly refer readers to your website?
– Are you committed to contacting at least one potential affiliate EVERY day?
– Are you working at getting links back to your site every day?
Listen, SEO is not hard. You can’t blame google for “changing it’s algorithm”. It’s not like they ONLY changed it for YOUR site.
They changed it for everyone. Yet some folks are still #1 in the search engines. SEO is not broken.
In fact, there’s no shortage of incredible SEO information on this website that you can use for free.
So having said all that Craig, you need to…
1) Be remarkable
2) Follow proven systems for networking and attracting traffic
3) Demonstrate to the world that in a crowded marketplace, there are extremely good reasons that readers should choose you over all those other options
4) Create a compelling offer that converts better than your competitors
5) Never, ever, EVER give up.
You need to set aside at least 15 minutes now, and then again at your most creative time of the day to list out everything that makes you, your website, and your product unique and valuable.
And that Craig, is the politically incorrect truth.
I hope that you’ll take this the right way, because I’d hate to lose you as a subscriber.
And I appreciate the fact that you’ve read my advice and implemented it…but fundamentally, there remains one elephant in the room.
The truth is…
What you are doing is just not good enough.
If you’re a fighter, and I know you are, then you’re going to grab a few pieces of blank paper and a pen, barricade yourself in a room without distractions, and mind-map everything that you can do to start earning what you deserve.
Stay tough lil’ Craiggy.
Your friend,
Craig Ballantyne
“Know where you’re going. Create a personal vision or mission statement.” – Frank McKinney