Hi Everyone,
I like to provide as much quality and practical advice in my posts to assist my readers to reach success with their online marketing, and in today’s post I will be continuing with this trend, however with a slightly different twist.
I am going to introduce some extremely important marketing concepts, that I think are more important in the long run and will play a bigger role in your overall success than immediate practical techniques.
With that said we will be discussing the Marketing Mindset of successful entrepreneurs.
If you are like I used to be, then you might read that last sentence and think, “Boring! just give me the immediate marketing tactics, I don’t care for these wishing washy, you can do it, pep talks”
If so, then I seriously think you need to challenge your thinking and read this entire post, as what we are about to discuss could be the difference between you reaching the internet lifestyle of true automated residual income, or struggling to make a few sales through Clickbank.
Indecision Is a Road Block
I meet quite a few people online and offline, who are trying to grow businesses, yet when I ask them what their goals and burning desire is, many don’t really have an answer.
Usually it is something along the lines of “I just want to get rich”. Now their is nothing wrong with that I suppose, but it’s the people that know precisely what they want and have a clear goal in mind that tend to do much better.
You see when you know what you want and you are determined to get it, and you have begun to condition your mind to do whatever it takes to get there, then fear and disappointment are not such a formidable opponent to you.
The great philosopher of success Napoleon Hill wrote:
“Do away with indecision soon and choose a definitive goal”
Once you have a clear goal that you are aiming for you will be able to focus your efforts on it, ignore distractions and only spend time on things that will help you move towards that target.
Think About What You Are Thinking About
Hill had some interesting theories, developed from his years of networking with some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. In his book “Think and Grow Rich” he states that: “Your thoughts control your actions….It is no more difficult to aim high in life and achieve prosperity, than it is to accept a life of misery and poverty”
Although I don’t agree with this statement completely, as some circumstances in parts of the world today make it increasingly difficult to achieve financial wealth, however if you live in a first world country, you may have every opportunity to reach success. What you think can play a huge role in what you actually achieve.
You may well be wondering what on earth I am getting at here, and how this post is related to internet marketing, so let me explain.
Making money on the internet can be challenging, we all know that. I am a little wearing when people offer me a magic formula that requires me to do nothing and get rich, as I am sure you are. However reaching success online is most definitely achievable, and creating a lifestyle where you call the shots and work on your terms, is well within anyone’s reach.
However your thoughts and what you believe about yourself play a big role in what you can achieve.
Yes People
One of the biggest lessons I learned in my marketing career, was to always have a ‘yes’ attitude. By this I mean having a positive outlook, so when a situation occurs that could potentially be a problem or obstacle, you look for the positive in it and immediately look for the solution to overcome it.
This is something that I struggled with early in my career, as I would often react negatively to challenges and resort to a place of learned behavior where I would somewhat wallow in the misery of the situation. However I noticed that some of the most successful people I knew online, would react very differently when they faced potential set backs, and that was that they would immediately look for a solution and move forward.
A positive outlook will keep you in a prime state to handle problems when they arise, because believe me they will arise, time and time again, and the only thing that can change is the way you manage them.
‘Yes’ people remain positive and when they face a problem they overcome it quickly and keep moving forward. Where as a negative person almost subconsciously want to stay in the problem, voice how unfair the problem is and pull as many other people into the problem as they can.
This attitude is counter productive and if you lean towards it, then it may be something worth looking at. If you remain positive and have a ‘yes’ attitude you will also find that you attract people into your life that will want to work with you, and this is another crucial element I will discuss in a moment. However if you are always negative and complaining then you will just push people away.
Positive people with a burning desire are not concerned about finding fault in other people, cutting corners, wasting time or discouraged by temporary set backs.
Making money online is all about ‘skill’, the more skill you have the easier it becomes. However acquiring these skills can take a lot of trial and error, disappointments and frustration. Your first attempts will most likely fail, as mine did, yet you must see these set backs as stepping stones to success.
It is the people that remain positive and look back at a failure as a great learning opportunity and view their position after a set back as actually one step closer to their goal, that will actually end up reaching that goal.
So my question to you is, ‘what is your attitude like?’
Persistence
One of the world’s most successful businessman, Andrew Carnegie, who generated huge amounts of wealth in the US steel industry said: “Persistence is to human nature, what carbon is to steel, without it you are doomed to fail with it nothing can stand in your way”
In the age we live in of instant gratification; such as microwaves, buy now pay later, lose weight without exercise etc… our minds are trained to wanting things instantly.
This mindset in business online can pose a problem, because people want a full blown profitable internet businesses but they don’t want to work at it. They want an instant business delivered to their inbox. People with this attitude, lack persistence and tend to be the ones that fade away and don’t reach their goals.
Sometimes though, marketers promote their products, to appeal to the lazy mind, in order to stimulate the motivation needed to get people to take action, and I don’t have a problem with that, because I would rather be given a push and fail, than be skeptical and never even try, that is a much worse tragedy if you ask me. After all each failure is a just one step further to reaching my goal.
When you start an internet business you will be faced with doubts, fears, negative people, perhaps even ridicule, and you will sometimes want to give up and resort back to your comfort zone of the life without risk. However if you want to reach your goals you must be persistence, and you will get there.
Two Heads Are Better Than One
The next critical element to reaching success online, is two find like minded people and work together with them. I can’t stress how important this has been to my success online. If you try and be a lone ranger and make it all on your own, you may well get there, but I assume a lot slower than people that work smart and team up with others.
Now I am not meaning that you should go out and find an official business partner, but I do mean that you should develop a network of friends that have similar goals, whether that be affiliate websites, making money on Ebay etc… and regularly share ideas.
To quote Hill once again: “No two minds come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind”
I think that sums up my point pretty clearly. So if you are not working with other people online, then make point of starting to develop friendships in forums and on blogs. By doing this you will learn a lot faster and reach your goals more quickly also.
Think about it, if you share ideas that work and tricks you have learned with people and they do the same back for you, then you will learn things much faster.
Offer to help people and be a ‘yes’ person always, and you will find that you will attract people into your life that will be happy to work with you. I receive a lot of email from people everyday, and I can’t help but be amazed every now and then by a few of them, as the tone in some emails is quite astounding, and I can tell that they have not grasped this crucial aspect of business success.
The type of emails I am referring to read something like: “Matt where is this….”, “Matt I want my…..now!!”
I am here to serve the people on my list, and to be honest I don’t mind the odd demanding email because I understand the frustrations that people go through, however I don’t really want to go out of my way to help people like this above the norm, as to me it would be way to much of a headache.
So I encourage you to be a ‘Yes’ person and also start working with people towards your goals.
Keep Taking Action
When I was student I used to look up to an older friend/boss of mine that was an entrepreneur. I noticed something about him that was different, and that was that he would always have a go at new things and was never afraid to fail.
He owned several very successful restaurants, and one particular situation stayed with me to this day. This guy sold a particular restaurant, made a tidy 7 figure profit, and the next week I saw him at the local area street festival selling remote control cars at a stall he had set up!!!
I was amazed and I asked why he was doing that. He replied saying “because I wanted to have a go at something different, so I did!!” You see he didn’t care what people thought of him, and he wasn’t controlled by fear, and he made millions as an entrepreneur and still does.
So I encourage you to take action, and don’t be controlled by fear of failure and you will reach your goals.
As always I would love to hear from you all, so please feel welcome to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
To your success!
Matt Carter
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Hi Matt
Just wanted to say that this is 100% pure gold content. I’ve only been on your list for a month or two and I can honestly say I haven’t seen anybody give of themselves anymore than you do.
And by quoting my two mentors of choice, it’s clear we share the same wavelength.
I wish you well in achieving your goals and fulfilling your dreams.
Best
Graeme
This is a powerful and truthful statement :
“he wasn’t controlled by fear, and he made millions as an entrepreneur and still does.”
I like it.. and I enjoyed this post. Not the typical “make a million dollars” hype… but real advice.
P.S. – I picked up Google sniper and your super cools bonuses. I highly recommend it and your bonuses are outstanding.. as usual!
-RS
Hi Matt,
My favorite of your posts thus far! I am one of the people who believe in having the right mindset. I was in a leadership position for about 4 years when I was working for an American Company in the Philippines and I learned a lot about leadership and mindset. I have something that I call “The Mindset Trio”. This is the 1st time I am going to share this so I hope it is okay. Here it is for your other readers:
1st member of the trio: “Vision Mindset”
This is where everything starts out. Online marketer or not, if you are someone who is after something then you should have a vision mindset. What this means is that you have to be able to identify your goal with a realistic timeline of achievement. You have to clearly see in your mind where you want to be.
2nd member of the trio: “Process Mindset”
This is where you identify the processes and steps you need to take (and complete) to get to where you want to be. You may have a vision but if you do not identify the steps you need to take to get to where you want to be, then your vision is useless!
3rd member fo the trio: “Success Mindset”
For me this is composed of 2 things – Focus and Persistence. In life not everything goes as planned. And on your way to reaching your goal there will be a lot of distractions. Those shiny objects that make you feel like saying “this is what I need! It’s so easy!”. But the fact of the matter is, there are no magic formula just like what Matt said. Stay focused! Keep your eyes on the prize so to speak. Along the way in trying to reach your goal you will be faced with problems, challenges, roadblocks, hurdles or whatever you call it. It is a reality. What matters is that you find a way to go through it and keep moving forward.
Stay blessed!
Regards,
Renato
Matt Carter Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 6:46 am
Hey Renato,
Awesome comment there dude! Thanks for adding value
Cheers
Matt
Matt, Thanks for the post! It’s a great reminder about mindset and taking actions. Thanks again, Ken
Matt Carter Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 6:43 am
Hey Ken,
Great to hear from you again my friend. Hope you are kicking some big goals in your business too, let me know if you need any help
Cheers
Matt
Hey Matt..
I couldn’t agree with you more my man! 😉
I have had such a challenging time requiring the skills necessary to build my online business. I have had sooooo many failures and setbacks.. but they were there to teach me how to do it right!
I am still small by all accounts.. but I feel it in myself that things are changing each week in some way… I have been unemployed for 9 months now due to recession… I work really hard on my online ventures and this is going to pay off some day!
I hope to have an inspirational story to tell others some day! 🙂
Cheers my friend! Really enjoyed that!
Sean
Hi Matt,
I loved your post. It was totally correct!
I have enjoyed and learned a lot from
all of the lessons you sent me through
the emails too. I appreciate the value
you have added to my internet life
experience by sharing your wisdom.
Thanks again,
Victoria
Matt Carter Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 10:50 am
Hey Victoria,
You are most welcome and thank you for your feedback. Please let me know if there is anything in particular you would like a post about in the future.
Cheers
Matt
Matt,
Great info. I find it especially hard to develop relationships. I get involved in projects and I just don’t take the time to get active in forums and such. I really need to start connecting more!
Thanks for the “nudge.”
Diana
Matt Carter Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 10:52 am
Hi Diana,
Yeah I know what you mean, I get involved in stuff too and sometimes find it hard to focus anywhere outside of that. But i have noticed that networking has actually been the number 1 thing that had fast tracked me the most.
Thanks for your comment
Matt
Hi Matt,
Wow, this is just what I needed today. I usually don’t feel discouraged but today I was having some doubts. Your post just reminded me to keep up the good work, maintain a positive attitude and focus on my goal.
Lately, I have been longing for someone to share tactics with who understands the business, I having been going at this all alone. I read books and visit SEO forums to help with the development of my product and website. Your post has given me the incentive to go find other Internet Marketers. In November, I will be attending a training seminar for Google AdWords; perhaps I will meet other aspiring Internet Marketers at this training session and form a group. I really enjoy your blog.
Thanks,
Dawn
Matt Carter Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 10:54 am
Hi Dawn,
Great to hear from you!! yeah I know what it is like to feel discouraged, as I a have been through some tough weeks building my business, and to be honest some days I have felt like throwing it all in, but I kept at it, and eventually it gets easier, but support and sharing ideas helps immensely.
Hope top hear from you again soon,
Cheers
Matt
Great article Matt and I can relate to it so much, I am 57 years old and started getting involved in internet marketing in August 2008 when my health deteriorated and prevented me continuing in my already established business of Property Maintenance.
Since August 2008 I have needed to pull myself together and stay focused on many occasions because it was so easy for me to think I was too old and on the downhill run for this kind of technology, but I have stayed with it and must say have surprised myself in what I have learned.
I still haven’t earned any money online but the learning experience has been outstanding and I am now really looking forward to establishing my ‘retirement plan’ if you know what I mean?
Many thanks Matt
Phil
Great Post, Matt
I’ve been struggling to get started online for a few years – and felt so alone with my burning desire. I didn’t know anyone who had even heard of internet marketing let alone what it is.
But times change and and am meeting up with others where I live in Devon, SW of England.
With one guy we have begun collaborating and have got an ebook about stopping smoking together, which I am getting up online next week.
And have got introduced to a friend of a friend who is going to be visiting me in a few days. I think what I really appreciate is that personal face-to-face contact and the chance to share what you are doing and what you are wanting to do.
And things are changing with my outlook – I am embracing the whole idea of being an internet marketer and being a success.
And seriously thinking of advertising locally for others to join us.
Mike
Matt Carter Reply:
October 25th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Hey Mike,
I’ve been to Devon! Nice place.
yeah it is hard at the beginning, I am not going to pretend its not, as I struggled for a while when I started. But it sounds like you are doing the right thing by gathering like minded people around you.
Talk soon,
Matt
Hi Matt;
I just wanted to echo the sentiments expressed in the previous few comments…..”what a wonderful post”.
To be quite honest, when I read the opening and you mentioned how you’d like to talk about the mindset one needs for success, part of me groaned and thought…’what a load of old hog-wash’….but I’m so thankful I read on.
I guess your post has served as a very timely wake up call, as I’m fairly new to internet marketing and have recently found myself jumping from one program to the next. I guess alot of people can identify with this pattern but now its up to me to take what I can from your post and apply it….so thanks ever so much.
Just one other thing….I wanted to let RENATO know how much I got from his comments. I’m so glad you took the time to share your thoughts with us…. I must have read you comments at least 3 or 4 times and the Mindset Trio is something I will definitely be applying as I move forward, not only in Internet Marketing, but also in my life …………so “cheers for that Renato”.
Anyway….onward and upward
You guys , take care
Gerald Ball
Matt Carter Reply:
October 25th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Hey Gerald,
Awesome to hear from you. Yes you are right that it can be a problem jumping from program to program, as you become a jack of all trades but a master of none. Sounds like you have your head screwed on well though, so I have faith that you will do well. Also I agree Reanto made a fantastic comment.
Have a great day
Thanks for your blog. As a fellow marketer/product developer in the consumer goods space, I can’t tell you how right you are about having a yes attitude.
From time to time, myself and even members of my project team have been caught in the trap of negativity. This blocks progress towards solutions and getting results. An important question I’ve learnt to ask in it be done – this helps get people into problem solving mode.
Carol
Matt Carter Reply:
October 25th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Hi Carol,
Yeah I couldn’t agree more. Its a strange thing, and I have noticed that some people lean more easily to the negative, and I think it must be due to their upbringing, as this was something I had to work on, and still do to be honest. Have a great day!
Appreciate the sound advice on this article and the site over all.
Its unlike any other internet marketing site.
Hey Matt,
Yes, I agree with everything that you have said in this post.
It’s just like working out to get into the best shape of your life… you have to start small, keep learning about different exercises and workout techniques and how plus what to eat. Then you take action on what you have learned and keep going until you have a great six pack to show off.
Or you can picture it like you are just learning how to ride that cool new bike that your parent bought you… you dream about it, think about it all the time. And you keep trying even when you fall over again and again but you keep going never giving up… then once you have learn how to ride the bike you start doing trick and stunts… then boom you are the next X-Game winner.
Haha those are just my thought about this post
Matt Carter Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hi Steven,,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I like the way you put it
Matt
Hi Matt,
this is simply great.
Good work.
Thanks for putting this up
Oj.
Matt Carter Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Hey Oj,
No problem at all, glad to share some stuff I have learned with you
Matt