The stories of Webmasters earning six and seven-figure incomes continue to flood the Internet.
Everything always looks so polished and put together once success has arrived.
In fact, you may have even caught yourself thinking, “They make it look so easy!” or “Why can’t I do that?”
While these stories inspire, they often leave a trail of misconception behind.
They also cause some people to compare their own journey to the Webmasters they admire, which can be a very destructive mental pattern.
I didn’t create this video to discourage you, but to help you put things into perspective. No matter how great the money may seem, understand everyone has their story behind the success.
Here’s mine, along with some raw facts many people don’t want to acknowledge…
No it’s not you Haiderbydesign. It’s possessed. LOL!
Hi Lisa.
Once again, thanks for your really helpful video. However, I just thought that I would mention that researches say that being “rejected” by someone triggers a part of your brain that physical pain (like cuts and bruises) also trigger. This can be a possible reason to explain why people are afraid to feel the new ground to web design.
Anyways, thank you for the video, and I look forward to seeing more!
Is it me or that lamp on top or behind your back goes woooop down after you get serious for a little bit. Laughing out loud here:) Good video, thanks Lisa!
Oh Lisa if I hit a link from your site and go back to some other site, say a month or two from now and buy, do you still get the commission? I need to know that for how my site will work too, thanks, Jo
Ah I see that flat-stomach-exercises in your traffic Building Tips, You see, you see, You pretty girls hang out together, but that’s that’s a good thang. She’s got a great site too
Learning lots of good stuff from ya, Thanks, Jo
Hi Lisa, You’re sooooo pretty, Love your site, your video, everything, I’m so proud of you, God bless you real good, Jo
Hi Lisa,
Just to know but the Sony handycam you use is that one with a harddisk inside it or with external cards. I just got one for my birthday with external cards (I think it works with SD card) but have not really used it yet.
Just curious, what do you use?
Kind regards,
Bruno
Hi Lisa…
I’m a wife, mother and a student that is so in need of money. I’m actually in the process of learning how to make my first website during this holiday. It took me days and I’m almost ready to forget about it! But, after watching this video, you just inspire to never ever give up. Thank you very much and keep up the good work!
Hi Juan
My blog is linked from my popular website http://www.2createawebsite.com so that helps its PR. Just keep building good content and people will eventually find and follow you. I have no special marketing secrets. I just do my best to put out info I feel people will value and traffic builds over time.
Hi Lisa,
Very good illustration and clear explanation on making money. Your blog has a pagerank of 4 and it is great. How do you manage that? I am still struggling with my blog. Thanks.
Hi Jesmond,
I would never suggest creating a site like this UNTIL you already have a traffic base. It’s so hard to get a site like this ranked in google (compared to an information site like I assume your brother’s is) So I would suggest you build a content information site based on your theme and THEN add the social networking part after you have the traffic.
Hi Lisa. Great video, so concise and true. I’m a web developer but oddly enough I had never appreciated the fact that anyone can make money online by getting traffic to their website…i.e. until my younger brother (13 years) started receiving a monthly check from Adsense when his blog started getting listed in Google. Since then I have been thinking of a good idea to implement on a website that would generate lots of traffic… and I’ve finally had this great and original idea (I’m not going to be disclosing it here 😉 ). The website will offer free online services (think Facebook) rather than information. Now my question is this: how easier/difficult is it to build traffic for websites offering services?
Thanks.
Appreciate the read, this is a really fabulous website, it’s truely inspiring to hear how much money you make from a part time website “hobby” because of treating it like a business and NOT a hobby!
Thanks D,
I have DW and I learned how to use it by downloading free templates at sites like http://www.freecsstemplates.org and opening them in DW and editing the code. It’s a great way to learn.
Hey Lisa
Nice video…I currently own my own small business (not internet related) and was looking to expand into creating various websites for additional income and hobby. I created my 1st website approximately 8 months ago, after coming to 2createawebsite 1st. I’m not quite sure how my website will make out but it has definitely been a great learning process and am currently loking at various ideas for other websites. I would like to thank you for putting out good info. for the ‘small’ peeps like us. I will continue to visit and hopefully become somewhat more savvy on websites in the coming years. Can’t get any less savvy 🙂
I do have one question if you don’t mind answering…..
My current website is on a template format. I really want to learn more HTML/CSS to be able to design a bit better. Most templates are pretty blah! I am thinking about getting Dreamweaver. Do you use and/or like Dreamweaver? I heard it takes a while to get used to? Any recommendations on that type of software?
Thanks!
Hi Lisa
I have not set up any thing yet but getting a rough idea of what it willbe. PLease can you email and advise is it a good idea to Patent the idea before i create the website.
Many Thanks
Nick
Okay, i’ve came up with the idea of making a motorcycle website for learners. However i am totally clueless about most of what i am about to do.
In short i want to make a website with alot of pages on how to use a motorbike, where the clutch is located etc, and a list of 50-125 cc bikes for learners to start on. I am seriously passionate about this, and i’m in college, so its not like i haven’t got the time. Indeed i have, i just don’t know where to start, what to do or even anything about website creation. I’ve watched your video’s and i understand most of the principle to website making and the frame of mind you need to be in. And to be completely frank, I had the idea without even knowing that you could profit from it, so its not like when i thought about it i was “desperate for money” as you put it, Please help, and could you e-mail me back? Thanks, Much regards From Terry.
mam i want 2 talk with u about website creation.plz send me u r email ID 2 my ID.am 18 old
Lisa, I love your truth. I am an internet network marketer and I hear the same questions and do my best to let people know that passion is what drives business on the net. With passion, how ever long it takes, the success will be worth it.
Tracey Walker
http://www.TraceyWalkerOnline.com
Hey Lisa!
Really enjoyed this video discussion. Very REAL.
I’ll be back. 🙂
Excellent point, Andy!
Passion coupled with common sense, the ability to learn from mistakes and fine tune your path to success. I have the passion, now mostly working on the other things.
One useful quote I heard somewhere was that to make an income online you just need to know a bit more than the average person about something that they are likely to pay for to save time getting what they want.
Lisa, wow, you are just such an amazing breath of fresh air. Each article and everything (article, link, everything!) – just makes me want to devour all your info. I have been attempting this business for almost 2 years now – and I have read everything (ok, not everything of course) – but have spent full days and evenings on IM info.
This site is fantastic, organized, helpful and wow… just wanted to say thank you. What a great job – and you have such integrity.
So very much appreciation!!!
Susan
Thanks Jacqueline! Don’t worry, finding your voice takes time and probably took me a few years to develop. The important part is that you are having fun and even though it took me a few years to get going, I always had fun and that’s what counts.
Lisa, your blog is becoming one of my favorites. I haven’t found my own voice yet, but I’m having a blast doing so. 🙂
This is amazing.
Your video is the story I tell others every day – it’s actually really eerie 🙂
Your time frame is also strikingly eerie!
Rome was NOT built in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. Rome takes time! That favorite “guru” also was years in the making not an overnight success. Work is required, and I agree it’s “work” that is fun! But do not fool yourself, it’s work. 100% all the time.
You’ve done an incredible job with this video, and a huge service to others by making it.
Another great job! I’m so glad I found your blog!
Anonymous, what are your top traffic sources? It’s hard for me to answer without knowing what your site looks like or what you’re trying to do with it. Could be anything from not getting enough relevant traffic or not enough traffic to your site period. Search engine traffic is often the best targeted traffic and it’s free so if you haven’t mastered SEO you may want to read up on how to get your site ranked in Google.
Hehe. Dead on. I failed 9 websites before I finally did it right.
2000 hours+designing the website………200,000+ ads by Google….starter edition, Yahoo site builder
Only 243 cliks…….whats wrong?
A great video. A lot of people need to really understand that you dont just become rich doing this overnight. (or even over a thousand nights). Time and dedication are the keys.
I especially agree with what you say about failing. You really do learn a lot from realising your mistakes and approaching the same scenario in a different perspective there after.
Great stuff!
I am starting to use these principles on my blog that covers shocking and disturbing news items:
http://shatteredparadigm.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the video Lisa. It has inspired me to go out an d build my own website world. I have going to try and break into the online business empire!
I love your video!
It says everything that I have always believed about building businesses and making money. It doesn’t matter if your business if offline or online it still takes working smart (and hard), time and energy to build a business. I talk with people all the time that are looking for the quick buck – not getting that it doesn’t happen overnight and the web isn’t a place to make a quick buck!
Thanx for this!
Melanie
I’ve been working on the Internet since 1998 too, not all the time or continuously because I live on a boat and don’t always have access to it. I’ve built lots of sites just for fun and a few for other people (in the days when it was not all so complicated) and lately I have been working as a freelance writer, creating content for other people’s sites which is also a lot of fun. I have always enjoyed myself so much online and I still find new and great things every time I switch on the computer. This video definitely ranks as great advice! More power to ya, Lisa!
go to niches that arn’t saturated at all
Thank you so much for making this video. This is exactly what I need to hear while I’m in the process of launching my business.
If you’re new, having a fresh approach to a topic is soooo important. And I think that’s why so many sites never get off the ground. They end up re-wording what’s already out there so they can’t compete because people have read it all before.
That doesn’t mean you can’t choose topics that have already been done but you should definitely put another spin on it. For example, there are numerous iPod sites out there with basic info on the product and accessories you can buy. Boooring.
A better idea would be to create a site that reviewed all the latest mp3 players across all brands. It would target all the people who like to keep up on all the latest players.
Of course this is a lot of work but that’s the whole point. Making money is a lot of work and when you choose a subject you’re interested in, you don’t mind doing the research and keeping your site up to date.
Sites that do well offer fresh, up-to-date information in an organized fashion. It’s obvious through their writing that they’ve done their research and they are passionate about what they write about. They obviously know who their primary audience is and they write content that appeals to them.
When you’re new, standing out and being different is super important and often underrated. The net is super saturated so to make money you have to do more than just re-phrase what’s already out here.
Thanks for the reply, Lisa.
I would also like to know that how important is it for a upcoming website to build a web content which keeps up with its competitors in its niche as compared to building quite exclusive contents which others dont have to offer , like a ‘brand of its own’?
Hey how important is the inbound link for a new site?
Avipar, good question. Just like any other business I experienced my ups and downs in the beginning. But you have to understand I started 10 years ago so many of the things I experienced were due to tactics that can no longer apply to today. So much of that would be irrelevant for today’s Webmaster or blogger.
But what I do want to say is that as a new blogger or webmaster you have to expect low or no traffic for the first few months. That’s perfectly normal…. especially now that things are so competitive out here. Assuming you continue building and getting inbound links the search engines will start to pick you up. You may get excited and suddenly traffic will drop again.
This is normal because rankings do fluctuate when your site is new. The engines are “feeling you out” so to speak. But it’s important to keep building and growing no matter what the search engines do. Slowly but surely traffic will become more stabilized. And while this is all happening you should also be looking for ways to diversify your traffic and not solely rely on the search engines.
One key thing for me was developing my own voice in my niche. When I first started out I was a bit frustrated because I couldn’t get the traffic. But as I continued to learn and write more content, I began to develop my own voice (the “keep it real” mentality). That’s when I realized that’s what people want to know… the real deal, the honest truth. So I started writing more articles with that kind of spin. Some people are fortunate and figure this out right away but it took me some time, and I think that’s normal.
The key is that you don’t give up and keep trying to find ways to reinvent yourself in your niche, no matter what it is.
Thanks Lisa for your comments. I found your website earlier today and have watched several of your videos. I appreciate your realistic and honest approach. I started my blog today primarily for dads (and moms) who stay at home. Thanks for your advice.
Chris
.-= Chris ´s last blog … =-.
well I totally agree with the point made by Takeoffzone and the points raised by Lisa in the video (great video I must appreciate).
well, the ‘mantra’ of all success is not quick and easy. I too come across a number of these sites which claim of turning amatuers into pro by midnight by offering their ‘Success manual’s .I too couldn’t make out the tricks played by them but now I realize how fake these claims are.
Well I am also a person in early stages of the website building process and understand the importance of patience, but sometimes it demoralizes me on not getting enough response for my job.
Well Lisa ,I would also like to know from you the different stages that a website or a blog undergoes (phases, periods) before becoming successful or somewhat recognized it its niche, something inspiring to keep me going.
Amen to that…lol:)
Well said, Takeoffzone!
Since the dawn of network marketing, the so called ‘gurus’ of the field are ready to showing you a big commission check implying that all happened overnight. What they don’t disclose is the amount of money they’ve spent on setting up their site, advertising, and the time, money and effort involved on building their long list of leads. If the ‘Gurus’ were honest disclosing what’s behind their ‘secrets’, it will be very hard for them to sell anything.
‘Gurus’ have misled people with their long one page sales site offering you their “big secret manual to success”, usually for $37, $67, $147… into thinking that the earnings they’ve achieved (many instances fabricated) are the result of an almost effortless activity. What they do not disclose is that the origin of their revenue, and the amount shown as prove, comes from selling those silly, crappy and useless e-pamphlets to inexperienced beginners, desperately looking for a way to earn some bucks online. – Javier.
Takeoffzone, wow, I am with you on this one. I’ve seen so many one page sales ads that make the scrollbar on the screen TINY.
They have yellow highlighted text, lots of graphics, tons of testimonials, and about 100 instances where you can click a gold start and buy the product.
I’ve seen so many, they must work in some manner – but I’ve never felt good about them. If a product is really good one should be able to offer a demo/free trial that is upgradeable via purchase, or simply discarded because of not liking it.
Someone who is being successful selling their ‘secrets’ is always a red flag for me because that person should just be using their ‘secrets’ to increase their own business. But they just have a big heart and want to help others right? 🙂
Anyhow, it is still good to see the success of others and know it is possible.
.-= Jeremy Johnson´s last blog … How To Be A Hot Nerd =-.
Thanks for the wonderful advise. Great encouragement…We don’t have to have skills but we at least need to somewhat grasp marketing. For some it takes longer. For others shorter. But for all it was passion-driven hard work! Great advise.:)
I have plenty of ideas down the road…
BTW, you look great.
Terrific Video! – you make a very articulate case for sticking with the process – even when the results aren’t always showing up….. Your site is sharp, too. Thanks.
I enjoyed this video. Your website is wonderful. Watching the video is like talking with your best friend. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Epiphany and Erika!
Rishi, I use a Sony HD Handycam
Fantastic video, Lisa! I think you’re absolutely right. I also believe that what you articulated so beautifully is probably the #1 reason why many new Internet marketers fail. I’m hearing people in forums saying things like they’ve been working on their site or marketing a product or program for 3 LONG weeks and now they’re giving up because they’re not making any money yet. It’s takes time and commitment people! And, as you said, there’s usually some failure involved too (that’s definitely been true for me). Personally, my advice goes hand in had with yours – choose something you love and then focus on it, make a commitment, and then take consistent action. It’s the best path to success. 😉
What kind of video camera do you use to create your videos?
So you’re saying if I put in 10 hours a day I can make $5,000 a month? What about $2,000?
Just kidding:) great video. I love how you’re using it and trying to come up with ways to do it for my site.
Erika