For those who haven't made a sale yet...

[Skroob]

Hi @Skroob,

Anything I say opposing the idea of starting now is going to be disagreed with. I do have a reason for not doing so, but it wont be seen as valid. It essentially is so that I can take myself to being a greater bodybuilder than I currently am. I also am not extremely young. I'm 25, nearly 26, and would be close to 28 before I got started on this were I to wait, but still a part of me wants to wait. It's not necessarily 2 years, that's not the metric I'm basing this on, it's just easier to say "2 years from now" as that's a metric everyone else can understand.

Also, I work every day. The only day I have off from the gym is used towards meal prep and a date with my wife every week. I do that after a full day of work. So technically I could train a single person after work, meal prep for a week, and a date with my wife, but it seems sort of ridiculous at that point.

I have a plan in place but it takes time. It really falls on me to figure out what I should be doing in the meantime. I completely agree that these two years could be better spent doing something, but I'm not sure what.

Anyhow, I've clouded up Andy's thread far too much with my self-imposed limitations. Gonna respond a bit less. Thank you all for your comments.

In the spirit of bringing this back to Andy's original thread topic: What would you do if you had to make a sale today? I'd recommend that you get that first client. I wasn't a great developer until I started mentoring someone else. You learn more by teaching than you could ever imagine. If you can push yourself just a little harder and find the time for one client, the returns you get won't just be financial.

 

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[Lex DeVille]

Every time I see this thread posted, I get a little bit closer to pausing the project I'm on and knocking out some authority guides. I think I'm an authority on everything I ever talk about anyway, may as well write it down...

Self-care guides for people with Major Cat Depression will probably do well. MCD is a real problem these days.

 

[piano]

I am probably in an emotional state where I should not write such a comment, but the whole JLE vs the world discussion is really getting to me.

It is so easy to say the issue are excuses and that it is a mindset issue. My whole experience with mindset is that it is a result of your circumstances.
Yanking your mindset elsewhere gets you excited for 10 seconds and you are back in the gutter once reality catches up again.

The suggestions I see here are non actionable bs advice. All I see is virtue signalling, nobody who really takes the profound issues seriously.

Have you read Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg?
If you implement the advice correctly (which isn't too hard since it's literally step-by-step) you can easily build good habits and make bad habits harder or remove them completely.

It's that kind of book that gets people out of a rut since it doesn't rely on extraordinary willpower or motivation.

 

[Spenny]

Reading the posts from JLE of "waiting two years" is giving me major deja vu. This was discussed two years ago, and now that is today. We're just going in circles. We've been here before & the advice has been given. It needs action.

 

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[Andy Black]

I would need to learn bubble and dm people on LinkedIn to see.

My suggestion would be to determine interest first, then figure out the rest after.

 

[Antifragile]

The more I learn about the world, the more I realize that most people deserve the life they are living - good or bad.

Mostly because the life we are living... is our own creation.

I’m loving your latest string of posts. Quality = gold. Keep it up.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Feels a bit complicated for me when I'm just thinking about making a sale, instead of helping one person.

You're probably thinking too much about "how to make a sale this week", instead of thinking "how to help someone this week".

Let's get back to the current goal you have.
You've got a collection of poems and stories that you want to wrap inside two different books and sell at least one copy this week.

From what I've seen, the problem you're trying to solve is:
- Either help someone to learn English, or
- Help someone improve his English skills

I don't know exactly what type of poems and stories you have. But, you probably got a bit too busy with the building stuff on here.

Let's pretend that you're trying to solve the second problem first. As an English teacher, you already saw the demand for this. Next, look at what solutions are already serving the market. How do people already improve their skill. Be it at school, online apps or already published books. How accessible are those solutions ?

First, look at what the already existing books are offering. Look at what they are already doing to fix the gap. And then, think about how you could do it better. Maybe the stories they got are too long. Maybe they got an ugly cover design that you could improve.

Second, look at the reviews they got. What problems did they mention ? You need to value skew here. Their problems are opportunities for you.

Lastly, just think about other features and ideas you could implement. Maybe you can also add a copy of each story translated into your native language, so the people will find it easier to understand the sense of the story. You need to add things that will help the customers even more into solving their problem.

Now, making the actual sale will depend on how good you executed all of this. After you publish the books, I suggest you grab some copies and give them to some of your students who really want to improve their English skills and are already taking action towards that goal. Give them a book and listen very carefully to their feedback.

Maybe most of them can't find themselves reading because the books are boring, and it's easier to just watch a movie or something. This is a potential value-skew. Figure out a solution. Change the stories and make the books more interesting. Act, Asses, Adjust and then Act again.

I know this scenario is a bit too simple, and you probably know most of this stuff already. But I think you got too much into the building phase (It's normal to do it like this when your goal is making a sale). The most important thing you have to consider is how you're going to help them and solve their problem. Would they consider paying for such products ? Just don't forget about the people you're serving, and before considering how you'll make a sale, think about how you'll help them.

Hope this helps !

Thank you for reaching and taking your time to write this.

It has things I hadn't thought of and lights up things I could better in.

I will post a longer, more detailed response later today or early tomorrow, according to East African Time.

True my aim is to make a sale this week. I want to get to the process of selling.

It is much better to help someone instead and get paid as a result. Make someone live better.

I will post today's progress and a detailed response later.

~Isaac~

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

I consider anything worth paying for Fastlane.
I understand that you want to do something more simple for now, and then go with a Fastlane thing.

But even to the smallest scale, like making one simple sale, I still think that you need to do something Fastline like. At the end of the day you need to help someone for a transaction/sale to take place.

But yeah, I'm not an expert in literature or writing. I think you're fine, if you say that there is demand for those poems and people have enjoyed your works.

So, what are you planning to do ? Release the two books ? What's going with the progress ?

Publish,
Get Feedback,
Assess Feedback,
Adjust,
Repeat.

It is rare for a failed piece of art, (written) to be corrected and improved. You just write more stuff and the trajectory goes up towards best whenever you put terrific effort and craft in the writing.

What's my progress
I am completing the collection of the manuscript. Adding some poems I wrote between last year and 2019 that I had not yet added to the list. They are stronger than the ones I wrote earlier.

I need to proceed from here to upload the manuscript on a desired platform and format it there. Cover page design and the like.

I have created an account with SmashWords. Turns out Draft2Digital, that I wanted to avoid has acquired SmashWords. I had to complete an account with D2D as well. Their website is not mobile friendly. I guess I will need to create an account with another platform and compare contrast the different places before deciding.

Went through a list of books on display for sale. The pricing is worth attention. I need to find out what makes a book appear fast on tje display. Because I believe there are thousands of books out there.

~Isaac~

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Hello Fastlaners

Hope you are having a great time.

I have read a number of books by Agatha Christie. I have begun to read Adam Grant's book Give and Take. It is a great book.

The gentleman I wish to partner with in designing something that will help speed up and strengthen student's acquisition of English is positive and involved. He is a sort of specialist in developing learning aids. Therefore he is handling the images that will accompany the content of the book.

I am gathering material for the book using ChatGPT and pasting it in Word.

After these we will deal with making sure the product has the ability to help someone. We will test this if possible using a prototype.

Last weekend I was at the school career, skills and talent expo. One of the parents asked me to help his son who was badly off in English.

I will do my do best and help this boy succeed.

~Isaac~

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

Some updates

Established the purpose and approach of the the book to be designed. The book should be the most flexible on the market. I post conversation later. It should also be most friendly and impactful.

Can it in 3 months or less move someone from F9 to C4 or C3 or the Ds in English language examinations? That's our focus.

Roughly mapped out a testing programme for a quick small sample of the book. Will be tested by myself since I already have guinea pigs. And also by some people we are yet to approach.

Made a selection of hot topics to high schoolers. Those topics will be used in the testing.

Agreed on speed. This is not the next MS. It shouldn't take decades to launch. It can come in days or weeks.

We are designing the material for test.

~Isaac~

 

[Awakened2022]

Maybe @MJ DeMarco has some ideas in answer to this questions. And any other person with knowledge on publishing and books. @Awakened2022 is a teacher in Uganda if I remember well. He may have a say.

I haven't published a book, but I have been teaching English and Literature in Ugandan secondary schools for the past seventeen years.

I appreciate your commitment to producing something and making a sale as soon as possible.Keep that fire burning, please.

Since reading your post this morning, I have been ruminating on the kind of book that would meet me and my learners at our point of need given that we are now sailing in unchartered waters of a new curriculum.

If I were you and was pressed to make a sale, I would produce the book in a series and I would start with a book for Senior three and four.

Why?

These are the pioneers of the new curriculum and both teachers and students are hard pressed for revision exercises. Bear in mind that some teachers still don't know the format for end-of-cycle exams.

You could bank on that and write a book that covers Senior three and four first and then another for senior one and two.That would be two books.

The other day I came across a question paper for the Senior threes and the teacher had used the old format(and he teaches in one of the top ten schools in Uganda.)

About chatgpt being accessible to many, let me allay your fears.The other day I went home for Easter Monday celebrations and got talking with our last born about his hectic schedule. He is a valuer. I told him chatGPT could aid him and he said he was already using it.Ours is a family that reads and is fairly well educated by Ugandan standards, but in a room where there was a Rector of a Seminary, a Health Tutor,a Clinical Officer, a School Bursar and a teacher of Geography,only the two of us knew what Chat GPT was.

Maybe @MJ DeMarco has some ideas in answer to this questions. And any other person with knowledge on publishing and books. @Awakened2022 is a teacher in Uganda if I remember well. He may have a say.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Turns out it is possible to subconciously dodge making a sale, just by doing more work.

I want to add this. I want to make this. This when added will make it great. I can't launch till I have added this.

And then do research and write and do research and write and learn python and code and learn more python and code more instead of making a sale.

Turns out these hard things, research and writing and learning to code and coding become comfort zones, which we may use to dodge making a sale. We just go hide in them and we are busy building and learning with the aim of making a sale. Instead of actually reaching out to the market.

This should be an example of action faking.

Yet we could do something and just go out and talk to a client. And show the client how we intend to solve their problem.

And we build our stuff with a specific client in mind. And we give the client an offer of the solution and see whether they are willing to open their wallet. Because only then and only then do we have an actual client. Before they are just interested.

Turns out this action faking is actually what I have been culprit to in much of these thread. And other threads I have started and lost. And even before reading MJ and coming on the forum. Feedback comes echoing clearly and simply, I see but act otherwise. Again it comes in the same way, I respond by doing something else. All the while thinking I am on the money. Yet I have digressed greatly. I have dodged to make a sale with the thought that I operating to make one.

That is how I have dodged taking real action.

The problem I intend to solve is as follows.

This is how my problem stands.

1. If someone has a problem with grammar. He needs something that helps him improve his grammar, not some fancy book with pictures and whatnot. He just needs grammar activities and exercises tailored to help him improve. And consistency.​

2. If someone has a problem with comprehending English in discourse, then that person needs activities that strengthen their Vocabulary and exposes them to various word combinations in English. Various ways of expression. Pictures are indispensable only in the very early stages but the later stages need a pantheon of words in poems, speeches, stories, essays among others. They just need much more reading and thinking and responding with consistency till they have it.​

3. If someone struggles with pronunciation then the person needs a Headstart on English sounds and how to read them in the dictionary. Not some drawings of objects or whatever.​

​

Therefore, my problem is this. I mean the problem I intend to solve.
A revision book for S3 and S4. Not the UNEB past papers and answers. These UNEB past papers and answers are useful for putting those who already know on steroids.

My problem is to ensure that before people harness the power of UNEB past papers, they already know English. They can pass well already. They just need to seal it by a hard strike.

Therefore, as @Awakened2022 said earlier, my solution to this problem is a well tailored user friendly book for revision of English in 3 and 4.

Such a book doesn't even need media. Media will just be a luxury for it. Maybe a detour or rabbit hole. And this is the rabbit hole I found myself in.

Such a book just needs black and white grammar activities that anyone capable of reading can use with the most minimal effort at following the arguments or explanations therein.

There is no rocket science here. It is only human blindness and detraction that affects these process.

It took a couple PMs with @Andy Black for me to come to this Awakening.

Thanks indeed Andy.
Thanks all the forum and the Gentlemen and Ladies who have read this thread.

 

[Awakened2022]

I have seen your dm @Isaac Odongo . I felt my response would do better in the general thread.

Your appreciation is accepted.

Last year, I was on the forum under a different user name and had to get my account deleted for personal reasons.

Check out the person that I am @ Anon05554,specifically, Should $240 hold me hostage?(sorry, I still haven't mastered the art of linking to previous posts)

About your book, I am still rooting for you and will willingly recommend it to colleagues and some headteachers if it holds massive value especially for the current senior threes.

A friend made a fortune by writing a guide to functional writing when it had just been made compulsory.You could capitalise on the new curriculum and get some capital for your fastlane venture.

As for me, I have found an idea in the brick-and-mortar sector that I am working on. I will start a progress thread soon.

Whatever you do, make sure you master the ins and outs of the new curriculum and use it as a skew as you market your book.
Goodluck.

@Isaac Odongo ... I encourage you to PM every person who's expressed an interest. Get on a Zoom call and see the person behind the avatar. Understand the people you can help, what you can help them with, and how you can do it. Help them on the spot. Figure out why they can't get that help elsewhere. Etc.

 

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[Robin 133]

1) What currently keeps a roof over your head?

I work for a charity. The work is fulfilling. The pay is terrible.

2) What do people already come to you for help with?

Making change in their lives and community.

3) If someone had a gun to your head and said you need to make a sale this week then what would you do?

What I'm doing, but better.

I'm slogging it out looking for leads at the mo.

I've build a landing page and am advertising on Google ads. I thought it was good but it's not converting and feedback has been so so, so I'll be reviewing it this week.

I've ordered a load of printed posters and am heading out to put these up in local businesses.

Started filming videos for YouTube.

I think the main blockers are.
1. I'm new to the industry, don't have testimonials or much authority and zero social media presence.
2. This means I can't get people into calls, if I can get them onto call I know I can sell my service and get clients results.
3. Need to better balance energy levels around my 9-5. Once my income is up I can reduce my hours.

4) If money was no object what work would you be doing?

Living in a warm climate.

Starting a family.

Helping people in the field I'm going into - 4 hours a day. The rest of my time would be taken up by being a good father, exercise and outdoor pursuits.

 

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[Andy Black]

I got a printer. He wants to first make the sample at his own cost then we talk the terms of full scale production. Has good printing and binding.

I have been tipped of the practice of printers selling books to their own clients without knowledge of the author and to the detriment of the author.

Wondering what to do.

One option is copyrighting the work. It will lead to delays. Besides, it hasn't stopped the pirating of books. It also won't stop the pirating of my book. And tracking down the books even with copyright is a huge next to impossible task.

Now I am worried. Should I just go on and get to printing? Should I take some steps to protect my book first? Apart from copyright, what other measures are there for me?

I don't know what steps I can take. I know it is not possible to stop the thieves completely but at least I should curb their actions in some way. Or should I even?

I don't know.

I could get the sample printed really fast.

I already have students paying for an extra course of English. To help them move faster than normal. They are supposed to buy this book as support material.

Are you overthinking?

(Overthinking is the art of solving problems you don't have.)

 

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[Andy Black]

Let's draw a line in the sand.

What are you doing to make a sale, this week?

 

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[Jon822]

Everybody makes it sound like I refuse to flick a switch and I keep that I have been convinced by everything at some point and am still trying everything.

I maneuvered myself into the position I am in (getting the salary I make now). I do stick to the lessons of the books.

I am probably in the top three in clocked time trying to find an angle for launching a digital product to follow the Lex-passive-income-challenge-thingie.
I have a GoalSumo.com streak that probably few have.
I try to keep my finger on the pulse of technology and instead of watching Netflix and local newspapers I look for forums and sources that explain what really goes on in the world (I am NOT saying I do a good job at that). I listen to podcast and keep consuming content like Carmacks endeavors, Lex Fridman podcasts etc.

I have founded my company. I have set up the development environment. I have read about mission statements, I have a solid inner score card. A few years ago the "you know enough, start providing value" message and was fully on board.

What I am saying is that I have not been able to crack this nut. When I list what people call limiting beliefs (I am not smart enough, I don't see things that others call obvious, I am trying to expand my comfort zone but it is causes a pain that is roughly like cutting your arm off, I can't breathe, I'd need four hour blocks to work on something meaningful and the day job doesn't leave room for that etc.) I try to find the sticking point, I don't blame anybody and it does not mean I say this as I sit in the corner and sulk. I thought it might be an interesting data point or even case study for a few that are interested in hardship cases, so to speak, but apparently everybody agrees that I just want to insult the forum gods, which was never my intention.

Here's the thing though -- you've said that you've been working at this for decades with nothing to show for it. Lex's post you referenced explained how to setup an online business in 30 days or less. If you've been "grinding" for decades, you're doing something wrong. You're action-faking or you're consuming way too much material instead of actually doing something. And by "doing something", I mean attacking a problem that is right in front of you. Not continuing a GoalSumo.com streak or listening to another podcast. The whole point of this post is to identify a barrier you're having (specifically to getting your first sale) and crush it. You need to actually go do this. I am genuinely rooting for you but you have to be the one taking action. There is no podcast or website accolade that is going to magically do it for you. Ultimately, the athletes win or lose the game; not the cheerleaders.

 

[Andreas Thiel]

Let's draw a line in the sand.

What are you doing to make a sale, this week?

I will contact my advisor and ask if she knows if I am golden (legally speaking). We need to decide what the business is about when founding a company. My company is officially about providing subscriptions for SaaS solutions.
Not sure if I can legally sell digital products without making a change.

While waiting for the response, I will use Midjourney to put together a reference book for artists focussing on faces (ethnicities and expressions). I'll try to get that up (as a PDF?) on Etsy. I think I saw that they currently allow AI generated content.
I have created a ton of images like these:

 

[Tomco]

These might help:

• Stop Building Stuff
• Clarity of Purpose (Get Your Goal Right)
• Who have you helped?

So basically, stop thinking about the what (build an app) and how (programming languages) but who (others who are similar in my situation) and why (overall kindness to others, since I've already been there so I could help ease the situation for them).

This could be achieved by fixating a singular large goal (Help others) where the other steps fall into place (great example btw on the chain, helped me to change my posture as well!). So then I should interact more to help more.

So, now my focus needs to be to help others more often then.

 

[Tomco]

Lots to take in from this one, let's see:

Who will you help, what will you help them with, and how will you do it?

This question is a challenging one...

I guess this is the specific problem / specific person scenario Tony talked about.

I think I'll focus on people with a specific problem, specifically, want good results but don't know where to start (hence why I shared recipes, why I tried YouTube as well).

I'll do it by explaining (either written or verbally) in simple terms that they are familiar with

Is what you're doing now helping anyone?

Yes, at least I think so.

The YouTube thing I started, I got some likes on a video that I took seriously and put in extra effort.

Those recipes I compiled together, colleagues come up to me telling me how I saved them time and effort.

Can you invoice anyone for what you're doing?

I think this could be another mental hurdle blocking the way. I don't feel like charging money for what I do. Need to work more on this one as well.

Thank you!

 

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[Andy Black]

I have an idea for a restaurant for people with autoimmune digestive problems but I need help finding start up financial help because I don't have any money of my own.. can anyone help point me in the right direction for a good startup business loan... for people with a min credit score of 600

What worries me is you want to get a loan for a "startup idea". Have you made any sales yet to people with autoimmune digestive problems?

 

[WJK]

In two years from now I will be in a much better position, not worse. The product I intend to sell (myself) will be sold astronomically easier with what I will have then than if I tried to sell myself now. I appreciate the uplifting words but I try not to be swept away by sensationalism. This "GO GO GO HUSTLE GRIND RISK IT ALL NOTHING TO LOSE LIFE OR DEATH" mentality is truly overplayed. I think it's foolish to quit my job and dive all in. Why not wait, continue with the job, start once I'm ready whilst still working the job?

I do have a plan. It's less vague than "2 years" from now but I use that time frame as an example as it's easier to understand from the outside looking in. In the meantime I intend on improving my shape and competing at least once. I'm willing to let this take time.

Is it monotonous to reserve myself to being a Security Guard for the next 2 years? Absolutely. But I genuinely look at bodybuilding as my one and only goal in life at the moment. One that I eventually intend to monetize beyond $100k a year. I live and breathe nothing but bodybuilding. I research it all day, read, watch videos, think about it, prep for it, train, and talk about it. I know in time that I will be successful in the field as I'm completely devoted. But I wish to be my version of ready, and that isn't now.

I realize this is the fastlane forums, but it also depends on what your idea of success is. For example, if I could make a Security Guard salary being a bodybuilder full-time, I'd consider that success as I'd get to do what I love for a living. I know there's a chance for an income far greater than that but my bare-minimum ambition is in close reach.

I agree with the guy who says to do it now. You have no idea what can happen in the next two years. I could list the bad things that can happen, but I rather concentrate on the good stuff you could put together during those years. UNLESS you have a plan to use the security job to have the time at work to complete a degree or something. I've seen students take that type of job because they man a front desk or a chair and spend all of their time studying while getting paid to sit there.

 

[WJK]

It does not feel like you are pointing in any direction. You are pointing at me and saying what I do is wrong. No pointers.

You posted last month and you were pretty depressed. How are you doing? Better? Did you get some help?

 

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[Andy Black]

What were you selling?

First when me and my brother started, we sell trending products like a whitening facial as a dropshipper. Where we got sales from a proven viral fb ads (from the video the company provided-we just tested it and change the music and edit a little bit) . Until the cost break even and we stopped.

Then we tried pillow, bedrooms products until it got viral for bad marketing becausw we did bad comparison with a famous pillow company in my country. Then we stopped.

But tried again, this time by helping people. By being their freelance marketer. They give me some capital to start running fb ads and I helped them sold pretty okay. Its a children's book comic with a video. Until the cost of fb ads raise up again. I had to stopped. Before it gets worse. #lost for the company.

Then I work.. But just trying to get back to the business grindin as part time. Bought a lot of courses. Until I found one that might change my life. Its tony and dean graziosi's product. Selling digital products.

So I tried to build my own course, and tested it in FB ads again. Thank God it made few sales!. But the cost got higher and made me lost and in debts for the credit cards which used to finance the FB ads again. Its a digital product called 'true talent' (i found from a book just edit the formulae and try to make my own product) . Trying to teach executives to find their true talent and make money out of it.

Tried to follow up the customers but they don't reply back. Just blueticked me.

Then, I felt my product might be hard to sell.

So next, I tried to sell other people's product again with my brother. It's a product selling digital product, which is selling canva templates and teaching people how to make money online. My brother did made sales. But with lost or almost breakeven. Because he followed the course (he bought it first and then implement it)

Since I just quit my job, and my digital product has nowhere to be sold to.. Means no income, I had to use the database my brothrr had when he run the fb ads at lost. I tried to follow up them using the testimonials that the company have given(which is the company selling canva templates and teaching marketing, make money online).

To be surprise, we got sales! But we charged much higher.

But its just the cost are getting higher for the fb ads again. Made us.. Failed again. Once again.. All those happened in like almost 10 years.

And now I'm behind all my commitments, waiting for the job application to work in another country to settle my debts.
..................

How much we're loosing per sale?
I think its like.. Approximately 4x the selling price.

..................

I'm curious why Facebook Ads and not Google Ads?
Tried before but it got nowhere. Lost too. And because FB ads have the trashold where its like a credit we can owe fb for awhile. That's actually the main reason. We thought that we can use the credit and makes good money and pay fb when we got the profit. But its not the case. We used up more or less our salary to pay for it and the rest is still a debts under the threshold and under my personal credit cards.

Did you make any sales without running ads?
Nope. Maybe because if its free marketing its gonna cost us some time where My commitments cannot wait for that to happened. At least that was what's in my mind and my brother didn't quite agree with free marketing because it's time consuming and he had no idea how to do it the right way.

If you're now working a 9-5 then what's your plan to continue making sales?
Right now before goin to the interview this Monday, Me and my brother still grinding in for our last hope using our last threshold for fb ads and try to implement whatever we have learnt, by selling the digital product about making side income using just whatsapp.. Via webinar live using Russell branson expert book startegy which is to run ads and gather them in a group whatsapp community and then make a live webinar presentation next thursday and pitch to make sale. (that's our last hope)


Will you sell the same product or do something different?
Something different. Its our own product. Which we found while we implementing the courses that we bought which was the company selling canva templates and marketing online.

P/s: Sorry for the long reply. Hope its understandable . English is not my native language. But Im givin my best.

Thank you so much Andy.

Selling Canva templates sounds like it could be good. All the other stuff looks like money chasing. I wouldn't sell products on how to make money online if I've not made money online yet.


"What's the first thing you should do when you realise you're digging a hole? Stop digging."

If you don't have the money to buy FB ads then don't get deeper into the hole by continuing to run them?

Saying you don't have time to market organically is a mistake imo. Marketing is where you find out what people want to buy and how to sell it to them. Get your hands dirty and get into 1-2-1 conversations with people.

Maybe check out the "Who have you helped?" link in my signature.

 

[Andreas Thiel]

I have many ideas that I know could be worth a lot, but I find no way to bootstrap any because I can't find an appealing feature set for an MVP that can be developed on the side. Figuring out payment processing that complies with all the laws is one of the hurdles that makes me want to kill myself.

1.) My day job that takes up 8h + each work day
2.) I would want that guy to pull the trigger, my life sucks
3.) I am mostly a ghost, at work I am tolerated as a cog in the software development machine
4.) Hire people who are smarter than I am and who can tame complexity - but not sure I would be able to sell my vision

 

[Lex DeVille]

I am probably in an emotional state where I should not write such a comment, but the whole JLE vs the world discussion is really getting to me.

It is so easy to say the issue are excuses and that it is a mindset issue. My whole experience with mindset is that it is a result of your circumstances.
Yanking your mindset elsewhere gets you excited for 10 seconds and you are back in the gutter once reality catches up again.

The suggestions I see here are non actionable bs advice. All I see is virtue signalling, nobody who really takes the profound issues seriously.

Then change your circumstances...

 

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[Skroob]

Self-care guides for people with Major Cat Depression will probably do well. MCD is a real problem these days.

JUST PUT THE CAT IN THE BACKPACK, LEX, HOW HARD COULD IT BE?

 

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[Tau Ceti]

I have many ideas that I know could be worth a lot, but I find no way to bootstrap any because I can't find an appealing feature set for an MVP that can be developed on the side. Figuring out payment processing that complies with all the laws is one of the hurdles that makes me want to kill myself.

1.) My day job that takes up 8h + each work day
2.) I would want that guy to pull the trigger, my life sucks
3.) I am mostly a ghost, at work I am tolerated as a cog in the software development machine
4.) Hire people who are smarter than I am and who can tame complexity - but not sure I would be able to sell my vision

I just wanted to let you know in case that you are still struggling with the payment processor, that there are services out there that handle all the tax compliance for you. I don't want to hijack the thread but if someone is interested I happy to share the one I use for my SaaS. ( I am not affiliated and I don't get a commission if you sign up)

It's called a merchant of records and they take a higher commission on the sale (5%) but they deal with all the taxes and GST, collection on your behalf so you can focus on selling and not complying with the laws.

Happy to share in private or here (although this is not the purpose of this thread)

 

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[mikecarlooch]

I'm happy to try e-com, cold-email for copywriting services, anything really. Don't know where to begin with this.

I feel like you'd really resonate with Alex Hormozi if you haven't checked out his content.

He built a massive business in the gym space

 

[Lex DeVille]

If you can't figure things out you suck.

Fine. Whatever.

Maybe nobody else will tell you this, but you are being the biggest bitch.