Bittersweet
This is hard for me to put down in print but then I thought that I can't be the only one at this stage of development as a "small business owner", that is going through what Kyle warned us all about in class.
I didn't really pay that much attention to Kyle when he was teaching us about, "Whatever you do, Don't quit". I was riding high on my new ambitions of being a Entrepreneur and having the guts to start up a new business at the ripe young age of 64. Everything was clicking and progressing so I didn't even grasp the concept Kyle was trying to get across to us, until last month.
I have been down with Lupus for awhile but still keeping tabs on what's going on here at WA. I have been really tired lately and find that I fall asleep almost anywhere I am which is quite embarrassing but is a symptom of Lupus that just shuts your body down to rest when it needs it. I have missed 3 of Jay's seminars because of that little side effect.
Anyway, back to the reason of this blog. I hate to admit this but i have not made a penny yet here at WA. I followed everything they have taught us, I think I have my accounts set up to be paid correctly, though I would like someone to check that out for me. But I have only been spending money and not making money,
Advertising killed me. Google, Adwords, Facebook, all of them. they have nickeled and dimed me to death. I am swamped with all the bills that come with opening your own business. I was staying afloat by using my Social Security check to pay bare minimums on all the accounts but everyone knows you can't do that for ever.
The thought of QUITTING has been prevalent in my thoughts for the past couple of months now. It will take me a year or two to pay off the bills I have accrued up to now but at least I will not be generating any more debt.
I have had to max out every credit card I had to make it this far and now I am over-extended and the creditors are pounding on my door. I contacted Freedom Debt Relief and am now following their program and it is hard to do. Creditors call and call a hundred times a day and I am to not make any attempt at contacting them but let Debt Relief do it for me. I hear the phone in my sleep, what sleep? When I sleep. The hounding is really getting to me and now for the first time, I realize what Kyle meant when he said, "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T QUIT."
Okay Kyle. I am not quitting, But I am downsizing a lot of things that are not necessary at the moment and revamping the way I get my message out there. I could use a little help in someone checking to see if I set up my accounts correctly to get paid, That would help me a lot plus take that doubt out of my head. It is harder than I though when you are through with classes and out on your own, so to speak. I know WA is behind me but that doesn't help me answer the phone right now.
What I am trying to say Brothers and Sisters, times can get really rough. But Kyle was right when he said not to quit. That will be your first thought. Once the shock of what is happening passes and you can think clearly again, start cutting out of your business everything that is not mandatory for survival at the moment. Consolidate, don't bother changing your phone number, I did that and they had it in 2 days. I don't know how they got it but they did. Take care of what you can and then the others the next month. Do not answer the phone unless you know who it is, lol.
Keep putting out good quality content on your website and just keep going and have faith that the system will start paying off. I am.
Deborah
Recent Comments
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I am so sorry to hear of all that you are going through Deborah and it really takes a lot of courage to open up but it probably felt like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders to share. The WA community are all here for you and to support you through these tough times. You have tremendous determination which shows in your words and everything will eventually fall into place for you to succeed. Get through this storm and the sun will be shining upon you again.
All the best and look after your health, your health is the No. 1 priority.
Caz :)
I'm so sorry that you are going through this! I have a friend with Lupus and I suffer more than one autoimmune disorder that also saps you of your energy and it doesn't matter how long you sleep, you still feel as tired as you were before.
I'm sorry about your financial worries as well. I get Social Security Disability and I have tried my best to work this business on that and not on what my husband makes. I also know I need to control my debt before my child support ends. I would like every penny I make here to go toward certain things and credit card debt is not one of them.
I have had a lot of family issues that have taxed my time and energy lately, but I have not given up. I have invested a little on advertising on Facebook, but I cannot afford to keep doing that, so I stopped.
I have not given up yet, either. I keep working on content every day. I do what I know I must to try to stay healthy. I am doing everything I can towards those family issues that I mentioned. But I have not given up!
I am glad that you have not, either!
Anita
I’m sorry to hear about your illness and your situation, Deborah. The only bill I get regarding my business is my annual premium payment. I’m using the free versions of everything and don’t plan to upgrade anything until I start making money. I’ve been here about 9 months. Hang tough.
Grant
Thank you Grant. You mean I am not the only one not making any money? I thought I was the only one. I'm sorry, but that kinda makes me feel better. Thanks Grant. I'm not alone.
Sorry to hear all this Deborah, especially your illness you are dealing with. As the others have said, don't pay for advertising, just keep writing good content, hang on to your money and ride the wave of time out until you get yourself back on track. You will look back one day and know Kyle's advice that you have taken was correct...you can say "It was very tough at times but I didn't quit!" .
I like to say when traveling somewhere, "It's all about the story you bring back", the good, the bad and the ugly. Always be glad when you make it back so you can share the experience for years to come.
You will get there!
Hello Deborah, sad to hear about your illness and its side affects. There are two additional things that Kyle suggests. The first is to look for sites that help you develop your business for free, (Canva, free image sites). When you can afford to upgrade you do. The other advice I paid attention to I believe Jay also mentioned in his Webinars, and that is to not sign on to any Affiliate programs that are asking you to pay. The excitement of starting our own business can take us over the hill and hurt us in the long run. I hope all turns out better in the long term.
Echoing @sporkypie, Don't pay for advertising. Rely on SEO. Yeah, it takes longer, but doesn't cost anything and you can affect it by the volume and quality of the content you create.
Sadly it's way too easy to spend a lot on things like AdSense and Facebook ads without knowing all the nuances of how to get a response. I've seen a lot of folks spend a fortune on ads promoting Clickbank products, enticed by the high commissions. They have to offer those high commissions because the products are so hard to sell!
Focus on content. Pay down your cards. Hang in there and you can indeed succeed.
I'm sorry to hear that you're coping with serious illness while in the midst of stress of trying to build your business. I agree with other commenters - don't pay for advertising. Focus on generating good long keyword rich content. Get comments. Wait. My oldest posts are the ones that rank highest so it really is a matter of waiting it out.
Thanks, it all kinda hit the fan around Thanksgiving and by Christmas I was ready to head to Nigeria are somewhere. But, I got a grasp and started to work on just staying afloat and putting out content. I have a post about ready so back to work.
Don't pay for advertising. Particularly Facebook ads, in my opinion.
Sorry to hear about your health problems.
I am on SSDI and making that last all month is a challenge.
Write content, lots and use free social media. There is good information and training here on how to use that for nothing but time.
I'm sorry you that life is throwing so many challenges your way right now.
If you haven't already done so, stop paying for advertising. Focus simply on writing and posting as much good quality content as you can.
I like your message though....refuse to quit.
You are in my prayers.
Thank you, Sondra.
I have canceled everything except the ad I am running right now for free. As soon as that’s up, it’s out to.
I admire your strength. I'll be watching for your update where you are looking back on this period and being so thankful that you persevered.
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Can identify with your overspent dilemma. And if you continue with your current marketing approach expecting a different result, then Einstein's definition of insanity will make itself very clear to you.
Take a personal vow to deal with those who solicit your time (a non-renewable resource) and your money on a reciprocal basis. Read Trump's 'Art Of The Deal' just to employ some sound business tactics from his more settled and sane entrepreneurial past. Those soliciting your involvement and support should be willing to promote your business to their niche supporters. If they cannot or will not then you do not have a reciprocal arrangement; keep going with your volunteer mindset, but do not look for business growth/profitability with those deals. Soon you will be communicating with a small cadre of dedicated 'winners'.
Such is my resolution this second time around (2018). The term they throw around in this industry is 'scalability' ( a formula that has proven to return a measurable amount per marketing dollar spent ).
Thank you Doirah. I have halted all social media advertising until further notice while I access my options going forward.