“Getting Started Series” (Part 1a) – A Newbies Journey to Making Money Online
In part one of my “Getting Started” series I want to share with you one of the key secrets to making money online. Seriously, if more people knew this secret and followed it each day, there would be so many more people making money online. The great thing about this secret is it actually works in anything you do in life, but unfortunately (for some reason)… even if people know the secret, most don’t use it on a consistent basis.
Now many Internet Marketers (but not all) don’t want you to know about this secret, because… if everyone knew the secret, there would be a lot less people buying their “Get Rich Quick” products, and they would be making a LOT LESS MONEY.
So are you ready to know what the secret is? The secret is… “MAKING MONEY ONLINE TAKES HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER BUSINESS”. That’s the secret!
That is an important lesson to remember, as I have known so many people (over the last 10 years that I have been doing this)… that thought making money online was suppose to be easy. Let me give you an example of a typical unsuccessful online entrepreneur’s journey, so hopefully you can avoid a similar fate.
For this example I am going to give this “wanna get rich quick entrepreneur, without much effort” the name… Johnny.
Johnny has been reading lots articles and seeing news stories lately on how all these people (young and old) are getting rich online by starting these simple Internet businesses. Well Johnny wants to get rich too, and he hates his regular 9 to 5 job, so he decides to investigate what people are doing to make all this money online.
So Johnny jumps on Google and does a search for “Making Money Online”. Well there are just a ton of results that pop up, but one catches his eye. Over on the right side he sees an ad that says, “I make $25K a Month Blogging on the Beach with My Laptop and so can You!”. He thinks to himself… “Now that is the kind of business I want to have” and he clicks on the ad.
He is taken to this great looking website with a picture of this guy sitting on the beach, with a Mai Tai and a beautiful woman next to him, and a computer on his lap. Also on the page is a photo of his multi-million dollar mansion, with a few of his exotic 100K-plus cars parked out front.
As Johnny reads the long sale-page, he becomes almost in a trance on how easy and fast it was for this guy to start making 25K a month, and Johnny knows he is a lot smarter than that guys is, so this should be easy. On top of that, there are a dozen testimonials telling Johnny how great this course is and how they are all making a ton of money too, as a result of taking this course.
As Johnny scrolls down the page farther he comes to the “FREE Bonuses” section where they are offering over $1400 in free eBooks and videos (10 extra products total) if he purchases the course by midnight tonight. Now Johnny is really intrigued, as all the bonus products sound AWESOME and he really wants each one.
Finally Johnny makes it down to the section with the price of the course, which is only $47. “Wow”… Johnny is thinking. “The course is only $47, and it is going to teach me how to make over $25K a month online, plus I am going to get over $1400 in free bonuses, which are also going to help me make even more money online. Then on top of that, they are offering a 60-Day “No Questions Asked” Money Back Guarantee. How can Johnny say “No”?
So Johnny clicks the “Buy Now” button, pulls out his credit card and places his order. In most cases this would not be the end of the ordering process. Most of the time when buying these types of products Johnny would be introduced to several up-sell promotions before he actually ever gets to the product download page, but we will save that story for another day. For this example Johnny is just going to purchase the “How to Make Money Online Blogging” course (with the free bonuses), and that’s it.
Once the order has been completed Johnny is taken to the product download page. Since everything is in digital format… each product needs to be downloaded individually. So Johnny downloads the course and the other 10 bonus products to his computer one by one… which seems to take forever!
Finally all the products are downloaded and Johnny can open his making money online course on blogging. As Johnny reads the course from front to back he grows more and more excited on how easy it sounds to start making money. He actually reads it twice to make sure he doesn’t miss a thing. That night while he lies in bed, there is not a chance he is going to get a wink of sleep… as his mind is just racing with different thoughts of how he is going to be so rich, and he envisions all the cool things he will be buying in the next couple of months when the money starts rolling in.
(Click Here to read what happens with the rest of Johnny’s first online venture)














Klaus @ TechPatio on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 12:15 pm
GREAT story Doug – especially because I’m sure it’s TRUE in way too many cases, unfortunately. I hope some of those Internet Marketeers with that kind of sales-page will think twice about it after having read this story (but I doubt it…)
Well – I’m looking forward to seeing how much money Johnny gets to make online his first month

Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..Learn How To Launch & Make An Income From Membership Sites
Doug Dillard on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 3:11 pm
Thanks Klaus. This story is probably pretty accurate for MANY people starting online businesses.
As for Internet Marketers changing their marketing techniques because of this post, I doubt that will happen either. To be honest, there are actually LOTS of great information products out there that Internet Marketers are selling which can help people make a lot of money online. The problem is that a large percentage of the people buying these products never follow-through with everything in the course and stick with it. If they don’t get instant success… many just give-up. A large percentage of people never even actually look at the course… which I find a little crazy, but I have bought books over the years that I have still not cracked open.
Now there are a ton of crappy products out there as well, so people definitely need to be picky on what they purchase.
Christie on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 12:19 pm
Doug that story is FUNNY because it’s so true – and I also look forward to seeing what happens to Johnny next. We don’t seem to want to hear that it’s going to take lots of time and work. Like we don’t want to hear that the “secret” diet is, “Stop eating so much!”

Christie´s last blog ..How to find your inner passion
Doug Dillard on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 2:57 pm
Thanks Christie! That’s the perfect analogy too. People know what it takes to be successful… it’s the actual going out there and doing everything it takes to accomplish that… that they have the hard time with.
Teen Blogger on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 12:56 pm
What a fantastic start. I actually had the same kind of situation, untill I made mistakes and started learning from them. Since then on I realzied nothing was easy and everything takes hard work and dedication.
Great Post.
Teen Blogger´s last blog ..Top 5 Critical Mistakes Bloggers Make
Doug Dillard on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 2:53 pm
Thanks! Yes… most people make a lot of mistakes along the way (I have made a ton), but as long as you learn from them and keep plugging along, working towards something… success will eventually come.
Boomerblogger on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 1:23 pm
ooohh Doug, you said those evil words, those ones all in caps should have been at the bottom. As soon as people read that part about the hard work and dedication…you lost em!
That’s why the scammers do so well, people will believe just about anything if it’s presented well enough, and even if it’s not. Remember that “James” scam that EXJohn talked about?
Boomerblogger´s last blog ..This Halloween Trick Or Treat In Your RV
Doug Dillard on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 2:50 pm
I was going to save the secret until the end of the story, but the people I want learning from this story are the ones that don’t mind a little hard work to succeed. The ones who don’t make it to the end of the story wouldn’t benefit from reading the whole thing anyway.
Asswass on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 1:26 pm
Hey Doug I think I have a solution for guys like Johnny: Create your own “Get Rich Fast” scheme and fool others for their money.
Asswass´s last blog ..Meet WOPZILLA: Hiburrito’s #1 Member
Doug Dillard on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 2:47 pm
Sure Alfredo, that is definitely an option for Johnny… but that would take a lot of time, money, and hard work on his part to get that started… and Johnny just not that smart or motivated. I am sure it has crossed his mind though
werner on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 4:38 am
Great story!
I could not have told it otherwise.
In a way its quite sad how there are so little people online that made a success for themselves, unwilling to help someone else succeed. Or if they decide to help someone succeed they charge a huge sum for their advice which in most cases are worth what?
Thanks again cant wait for tomorrow.
werner´s last blog ..Being a Great Affiliate markerter involves last but not least…
Doug Dillard on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 5:41 pm
Thanks Werner! It is a little sad, but I have found that most people on the web (especially bloggers) usually enjoy helping others out… which is one of the reasons I really enjoy blogging.
Thanks for stopping by, and for commenting as well. We do appreciate it!
Sire on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 6:00 am
Sounds a bit like me. I remember paying for my first get rich scheme, although I didn’t get as excited as Johnny about it. I knew it sounded too good to be true, but figured I’d throw my money away and gave it a shot. Lesson learned, that’s for sure.
Sire´s last blog ..A Poem For Halloween The Night Of Frights
Doug Dillard on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 3:10 pm
Sounds a little like me when I first started too. I wasn’t blogging… as there was no such thing as a blog back then… I did have similar feelings for sure.
earningstep on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 6:47 pm
what a nice story here. look like i can learn something from this… thanks for sharing this doug
earningstep´s last blog ..Optimize your own blog style – increase your blog quality instantly part three
DiTesco on Thu, 15th Oct 2009 5:27 am
Awesome story, although I’ll leave the “conclusion” of my comment after I read the next part of it, lol. Wait, wait, don’t leave, Ok, $47 may be a little too much for you right now, so here’s the deal. If you buy it now (next five minutes – one time offer), we’ll whack in a 25% discount plus … Sounds familiar?
Fortunately, I have read enough of this (even in the beginning) to know that the true secret is exactly what you mentioned above, no more no less. Anyway, heading over for the conclusion..
DiTesco´s last blog ..Blog Action Day 2009 #BAD09
Brad Harmon on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 4:22 pm
Doug,
I have my credit card ready, but where do I sign up?
I am amazed at how many people sign up for these get rich quick programs.
I always have to wonder why they are willing to share this secret with me. If it is so profitable and so easy then why not tell your family and friends and keep all that wealth?
Will be intesting to read the rest of this.
Brad
Brad Harmon´s last blog ..Will Christian Entrepreneurs Be Able to Squeeze Through?
Doug Dillard on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 5:51 pm
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Brad.
I have actually spent MANY THOUSANDS of dollars over the last 10 years on all sorts of money making courses… and to be honest most have been pretty good. There have been some bad ones and I have been much better in the last couple of years of making sure to get a refund if I didn’t think they were of value. But with most of the products… I usually get way more out of them than it cost me.
Of course, most of the information nowadays can be found online if you do enough research. I usually would rather have all that information in a nice little organized package myself, so I usually don’t mind shelling out 10 to 50 bucks. But when it gets closer to $100 or over… I tend to put a lot more thought into my purchase.
jan_geronimo on Mon, 19th Oct 2009 7:56 am
That thing about blogging till wee hours in the morning is so true. But then Johnny and I parted ways in the expectation department.
I’ve the good fortune of reading good bloggers who don’t sell false dreams of instant wealth. I’ve not been sold any talisman, magic bullets, or any of those false promises.
I still blog into the wee hours, but not because of more Adsense earnings. But because I like it. I like it even though it has become another full-time job with little to no pay.
Nice series. You got me hooked that I read it all. “,) I’ve come from Ditesco’s blog. You’re featured in his 6th Weekly Echo.
jan_geronimo´s last blog ..New Twitter Social Proof: Are You on Everyone’s List Yet?
Doug Dillard on Mon, 19th Oct 2009 8:58 am
Hi Jan… thanks for stopping by and commenting! I am glad you learned the “expectation” part before you started blogging, as that one is quite often the dream killer. Glad you liked the series!
Thanks for letting me know about the Weekly Echo post… as I had not seen that yet
Ms. Freeman on Mon, 19th Oct 2009 10:34 am
Doug you hit the nail on the head. Bloggers know the secret but like you said many are unwilling to implement it.
Great Post!

Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Don’t Be a Spammy Sammy!
Hesham on Mon, 19th Oct 2009 6:30 pm
It seem to be a nice story Doug, let’s see how thing will end with Johnny

Hesham´s last blog ..I am Buying Thesis Membership so Post your Affiliate Link on this Post
Typhoon on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 4:03 am
Doug, Were you a Story Writer Earlier? What I have read till now looks very interesting and constructive.I’m now moving on, to read the next part…
Typhoon´s last blog ..IngBoo – The Intelligent Distribution Channel for Changes on the Web
Rian on Wed, 28th Oct 2009 12:41 am
I’m a newbie blogger too hehe, Hope we can share insights.
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