Who Does NOT Want To Start An Online Business?
Sometimes I am guilty of assuming that everyone wants to start an online business (if only!) when actually they are looking for a job.
In fairness to myself, my mailing list is clearly labelled “Start Your Own Online Business”, so if they sign up for it, is it any surprise that I will be emailing about Internet business tips and ideas? Obviously supplemented by the usual “Comment on life as an Internet Marketer”.
No, this article isn't to say that people have been complaining about my emails. It's more reflecting on the fact that very few people DO anything. I have paid for professionally written emails and titles, plus two different auto-responders that claim to offer excellent deliverability.
Yet open-rates are dismally low, and action rates even lower! And that's being honest.
So Why Is No-one Interested?
I have three possible theories:
- People are so blitzed by emails for ways to start an online business that they're “blind to them”
- They have tried a few, been burned, and given up
- People do NOT want to start an online business, they just need some instant cash, and would be more likely to get it from a job!
Number 1 – I can sympathize with, and every so often I have a blitz and unsubscribe from a batch of email lists – marking as JUNK those that don't have a proper unsubscribe link.
Number 2 – Well, you have two choices. You can give up and get off the lists; seriously, there's some quite reasonable stuff on TV – so they tell me. Or do something different. I think it was Einstein who said:
[Tweet “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results”]
Of course, if you read on you'll find my suggestion for “something different….”:-)
Number 3 – I think this is the most common reason. People find themselves with an emergency cash flow problem from: loss of job, big bill to pay, pension shortage…. whatever.
So they think “Blimey, now what, how will I pay the mortgage”?
And then they think…. “I know, I'll start an online business (sub-text… and be rich by the end of the month)”. As if by magic!
In my opinion the problem these people have is that they don't need a business – they need a job, because they need money and they need it now – not in the year + it takes to grow a reliable online income!
When you are completely flat broke is NOT a good time to start an online business. If you have a little money to invest in your online business, possibly, but flat broke NO!
Start a gardening or car-cleaning business (using tools you already have and knocking on doors) maybe…., but if you have no cash whatsoever to put into domain, hosting, training or advertising I think you'll struggle badly* with an Internet business. *I actually think it's impossible, but I don't want to appear TOO negative.
Make a Fast Income Online?
So when people tell me they want fast income, I tell them to put their efforts into getting a JOB instead, because income online is not fast – despite the hype you'll hear. If it was, everyone would be driving fast cars and living the life of Riley (whoever he was).
That is NOT what they want me to say, but it is meant kindly, because making a sustainable income online is not a fast way to wealth – or even just to security. A few years ago you could sling up an affiliate website, throw a few dollars at it in PPC advertising and – if you were lucky – make a decent return. Try that these days and – unless you're very savvy – your budget will have gone in a puff of smoke. A slightly different kind of magic to what you were hoping for!
You have been warned!
