Tell Me: What’s Holding You Back?

Hey Guys,

I have a quick favor to ask of you.

But before we get into that I just want to point out that, in the last 24 hours alone, roughly 6,231 people have watched my latest video, “Startup To Freedom”. I seems as though people are starting to send the video to their friends and family.

So not only could you learn a lot from the video, but you could also look at it as a lesson in viral marketing! Cool.

Now since my inbox has been flooded with questions and comments about momentum, I want to try and answer them the best they can. But before I do that, I want you to submit a question to my blog so that I can have a clear picture of the common obstacles that are preventing people from gaining momentum.

Here is the question I’d like you to answer:

Q:What is the biggest obstacle that is preventing you from gaining the momentum you need to bring your business to the next level?

Submit your answer on this post…

And yes this means you!

It will only take 30 seconds, and it will help you identify the constraint that is preventing you from growing your business.

Then, later on this week, I’ll be releasing something that will address the common obstacles you’re facing. I already have some ideas, based on the feedback so far, but I’m very interested in hearing from you.

I’m looking forward to your feedback.

To Higher Profits,
Rich Schefren

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Written by: Rich Schefren on February 25, 2007.on September 16, 2008.

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Comments:

http://www.conorhannah.com Conor

I thought the presentation was fantastic. I never normally write comments but just had to tell you what a clever chap you are!

(Trust in you went down slightly when there was a flash to your green screen background – I though you were in a meeting room – after that I was wondering where you were. I felt a little bit tricked. So that could be worth bearing in mind for your next video).

A great job! Whens the next one!
http://www.kenvarga.com Reggie Niles

Hi Rich,
My biggest obstacle is coming to rest on who my ideal customer is. That has been changing recently as I find out more and more about our prospective ideal customers. Once we decide the make up of the ideal customer, we should then be able to move forward rapidly.

Thanks for everything!
http://www.amber-studios.co.uk Jez Jackson

At last the truth.. Nice one Rich

My biggest obstacle is exactly the point you made on momentum. Ive a good few customers now for my web design and development services but I find most of my time is sorting out silly problems, writing quotes, following up, marketing my business, actually creating the websites, doing the books……

The next faze is big marketing push – hire and outsource.

Jez
http://building-blocks.biz/ Judy Young

I wish anyone like Colleen would join my website, that way I could contact them and let them know that “there is no secret, there is no the one”. Stop spending money on anything until you have life in order. You already have what it takes to succeed. Choose a person or product you believe in and then advertise…advertise daily & by every means available to you, you will find success. Success is not always measured by money or fame (but either does not hurt). Sometimes we have to take baby steps…we aren’t ready to run yet…some of us don’t even want to run. Slow and steady wins the race.

“The only obstacle’s I have are the ones I choose to put in my Path”
http://rubensmartbusinessstart.com Ruben

My biggest obstacle is wanting to bring on someone to help with the busywork but not having enough to pay them to do it.
John Dege

The greatest obstacle in starting any business is generally speaking the expense involved,there is hardly a business going where no capital is required.On top of that is also the fact that I am a procrastinator, which hinders me doing things that need to be done.
http://www.marykay-sweetallure.com Amal

My biggest obstacle right now is to find the customers who would buy the products. I tried feww different ideas, yet not able to grow.
http://www.automaticbuilder.com/youranswer John

The biggest obstacle is just plain ‘ME’! Can’t seem to put 2 and 2 together to get the correct answer=business! Also, running out of time! Great products, I and my bride of 52 years use daily and retain more wellness and energy then many others our age. I am passionate about the products and want everyone to experience improved wellness, weight reduction at a sensible pace and mental clarity. Have been trying to find that niche–which has to be there-of like minded people.
I say that this company is where ‘Health & Wellness Meet Science & Tecnology!
BUT, what do I do NOW to have a chance for success?
copywriter

Dear Schefren,

Can you please show us, copywriters, how we can build a real COPYWRITING biz instead of merely owning a job that require us to “show up” before getting “paid”
semih karabay

Presentation is really great, it is obvious that much effort has gone into it.
It gives a clear picture of what is ahead for someone who is planning to set up a direct response business.

However presentation is about “What to do” and my questions are about “How to do”. Just write the 10 steps and put “how to” at the begining and you have all of my problems. Most important ones are :

1. How to find the opportunity ?
2. How to break out of being frozen ?
3. How much planning & research is enough ?

And also a question about the course (yes I am in)
I have 512Kb DSL connection and video does not play smoothly.
I let the video play with sound turned off and listened to the mp3 at the same time so that I can capture the slides. But this is an inefficient way !
How do you plan to solve this ?
Molly

First, thank you for your extraordinary video. It was a gift.
Your question regarding the biggest obstacle preventing me from gaining the momentum I need to bring my website to ANY level? Simple:
1) finances to learn, say, Flash and to upgrade my knowledge of Photoshop and web design
2) fiances to buy the required hardware
3) finances to build a virtual team
I take responsibility for this financial situation, yet finding a resolve remains a mystery.
Graham from U.K.

Hi Rich
My problem is where to start, information overload, spent a lot of money on info that tells you all the different things you can do – but doesn’t tell you how to!!!
Lots of boring audios that you listen to – but turn out to be longwinded sales pitches for the next Guru product. Have you noticed that when the latest product comes out (all hyped up) you get a flood of emails from the so called Gurus -all pitching for the same thing and offering “unique” bonuses if only you buy from their link, and you get countless emails from all and sundry.
I’m fed up with wasting my time going through loads of emails/ audios/videos
trying to find something that will show me the actual steps to take in order to start my own internet business. I want to do it – not keep reading about it.
Please show me how so I can get started.
I also think Collens note 25th Feb sums it up for most of us.
regards
Graham
Margaret

What’s holding me back? Lack of time, money, and traffic.
http://www.sitesell.com/ya_think.html Joy

I’ve been having trouble trying to post here…

What holds me back is how I view myself. In my mind, I’m not a business person. I dabble in a lot of things and have knowledge about a lot of things. But I just don’t have the vision of me running a business. Before I read all these entries, I was going to say it was that I don’t have a unique solution to any problems. But I think I do (I know how to help people), but I don’t see it as a business.

I think a lot of us are not even to the level Rich is talking about: “Startup”. We need a lot of things before we even get to there.

All those people who need time management, focus, goal setting, prioritizing, plan of action, personal development — should take a look at http://www.simpleology.com . It’s a free course that will hook you up!

And those of you needing basic internet information, have information overload, need traffic, website building — click on my name for a solution that takes care of the technical details for you, so you can concentrate on the part that is your passion.

And the many of you still whining about needing a step by step plan: you heard the man; you’re in the wrong game. Stay in employee mode and forget about being an entrepreneur. Maybe you could contact some of the other folks on here that need outsourcing or employees.
http://www.doitlikethebigdogs.com Damien

First of all I dont have a question or an answer.
I belong to “the other side”, the side that Rich belongs.
I create kick-ass money making websites for COMPANIES and provide coaching/professional advice to them.
So I have a different perspective of things, since I ve done almost anything in terms of business online, either for me, or for other individuals & companies that I worked for or with.

The reason that I am replying to this blog is that I find it VERY interesting (and kinda spooky) that stuff that Rich talks about is on a book that I havent published yet. Why? because VERY few people talk about this stuff. Why it had to take so many years, for somebody to speak out the PROPER ways to do business online?

And the fact that only a well known successful person like Rich does that,
makes you wonder:
a) Are the “gurus” a bunch of weasels or just greedy/stupid “used cars salesmen that spam the crap out of your mailbox?

b) Is there a REAL “secret”, or the newbies just do all the mistakes in the book first, and they read the book later,, and the “gurus” make money from the next wave of newcomers over and over again ? Cause if one software, method, book worked, the WHY we dont see people driving Ferraris all over the place?
BECAUSE THERE IS LACK OF BASIC KNOWLEDGE FROM ALL SIDES!!!
Think about it. If your brain-dead web-designer/programmer/advisor knew his/her stuff,
would you be here or in any other blog/forum/whatever trying to get pieces of the puzzle? NO. You would be out there making BUSINESS just like Rich and other people (including myself) do.

c) Is there a REAL on-man-show business as EVERYBODY THINKS,
or you have to understand that the “big dogs” of internet became that huge,
because they do BUSINESS and their websites are just another channel of communication,
rather than the TWISTED and WRONG idea that 95% of the people has?
YOU CANT BE A ONE MAN SHOW. Do you think that Oprah is a one woman show?
She has 400 employees!!! So … DONT try to turn yourself into experts on anything, it aint gonna happen.

Focus on brainstorming, research, making business, and expanding your relationships with customers and colleagues.

Learn to trust people. And BAN every one that sends you more than 1 e-mail every week !!! Especially those that send more than 1 mail every DAY. These are not gurus, GURUS or even “gurus’. They are just LAME sales people and wannabes trying to make money by milking the masses.

Its not a gold rush people. The game is not for everybody.
If you wanna be ahead of the curve, you gotta know your stuff,
and learn from the right kind of people.
Damn, I see the same orgy that happens in MLM repeating it self in IM.
Please God, I can stand any more crap circulating the web.

Thanks Rich for been on of the very few people doing things THE RIGHT WAY.
My two cents.

I am really happy that Rich decided to give this information away when he could make a ton of money from that. In fact I am even more happy because now I know that I havent worked for the last 10 months writing my book and software for nothing. Hopefully its gonna fill a huge gap of knowledge FROM THE RIGHT TYPE OF PEOPLE (experts in internet stuff, not random hacks)

I have a VERY short list of people that I respect in terms online biz & marketing
one was the late and legendary Ken Giddens, among R. Kiyosaki, R. Allen, and now 2 thumbs up for Scheff !

Damien
Programmer / Web Developer for 12+ years

p.s.
….. and webmaster flying below the radar
long enough to know whats crap and whats not
http://www.Outlook4Lawyers.com Sanjay Singh

Firstly, thanks for the great set of videos. The problems that you had which made you do the initial video using older material worked out well for me. The initial video helped remind me of the material that I had read (and not really acted on) from The Manifesto etc.

My greatest obstacle is setting up a Sales & Marketing team and system … this (to use Rich’s terms) is the constraint in my business system.

We are a software company. I have a team that develops and supports our software. We are (I think) very good at what we do but ..

We have tried various things (with limited success) to get people to know about our software and to purchase it. …

Maybe it is both the offer and the marketing system that need some work. A lot of what we have tried in this area has been disjointed.

I would love to learn how to setup a team and a system to do this.

Thanks
Sanjay
http://www.cavemedia.com Luis

Finding the “right” team members. I’ve gone through many programmers and designers that are simply irresponsible and unreliable. Where do you find good help?
http://kendelproducts.com Wes

The timing of your videos has been great, as the ideas are what I’ve been telling myself I need to do to move forward. My biggest challenge right now is settling on the one concept to move forward (in need of a good review of potential projects and insight on the one with the best potential), and the other is locating and hiring development resources. With these in place I could definitely gain momentum.
http://www.work-at-home.prosperity.com Taylore Vance

What’s holding me back? Knowing the “Law of Attraction” like I do… the answer can only be myself!

I could complain that there is too much information to learn, too many directions to go, and not enough focus on one item. (I have over 50 sites)

The winning mindset is important!!! Picking a successful proven path and just follow it is my suggestion.
I hired a coach– a well known one, but it didn’t make any money for us, but it did move us along. He wasn’t organized. OH well…all is in divine order! Money is starting to come in and it will only grow as I understand the “how to market.”

These video are a great gift!!
Thank you so much!!!
http://XXX CEREN

The biggest that is preventing you from gaining the momentum you need to bring your business to the next level?

Lack of Capital to market while business in startup.

The Ability to Ask someone a question and get a quick, immediate and accurate answer.
http://www.SevenDaySolutions Robert

No body is teaching real basics…. Html, wysiwyg, Need to look over someone’s shoulder, literrally and see how it is done. This is something someone could do if they wanted and it would be a continual source of income for them because people are constantly getting into this every day. With video on the websites it would be easy. Some one please git r dun
Elizabeth

Thank you Rich for the insightful video where it opens up my mind surgically to find out why I did not start my first business in the end.

I think the biggest obstable that is holding me back is the overwhelming fear I have when the moment come for me to stretch myself beyond the uncertainty to move myself to the next level. It takes courage and personal strength to find the way to start this momentum; at the same time eliminating the emotional and ego factor.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Doug Sargeant

I have been a pastor for many years and have retired from this. However, your presentation is the most understandable program on marketing I have ever heard. The best part is yours is free, the videos. No one gives answers like yu do. I knew Jim Rohn and he doesn’t hold a candle to you.
This is the BEST. You are to be commended. I used many of these points in the ministry but in a spiritual way. Thank you for such a superb presentation. I am passing this along to my sons to use in their businesses. You are so right and I only wish I had been as smart in my formative years. One never gets too old to learn. Bless you. I never heard one swear word. You present this in an honorable way. The Kings English does not need swearing.
http://www.spiritual-simplicity.com Vish

hi rich,

i have been following you for the last month or so and your content is top class without any doubt. great work rich… by the way Rich one could get quite a number of clues of “What’s holding him back” if you follow the current launch of http://www.spirtiual-simplicity.com which is a great site put up by John Harricharan a very well known guy in the internet arena .

take care and good day
Vish
Ed

Rich,

whats holding me back is that I get caught up in the minute details trying do everything perfectly, I have to step back and go wait a minute and see the true direction I’m going which usually is a bit offcourse, also a lack of accuracy in my thinking about people and my self image, fear and confusion also contributes to my mild affliction.
Al

Rich, one of the few things that have been holding me back is the ad copy an the idea copy. I have my hat in everything and need to realign what it is I am doing. I need all the tools to succeed and finding them is the the first step. I have been tracking what the big boys are doing and doing my homework. Hopefully you have what I need, we will find out. I have a plan just need to execute.
Thanks
Al
Dale

Hi Rich,

Great Video!

thank you so much for sharing! I’ve just finished watching your latest video“Startup To Freedom” and i can’t begin saying how much it has helped me already. I wrote down in my journal almost every slide.

this information is PRICELESS! You’ve given away so much. Anyone who do not take advantage of this Free Gold, is not only missing out on TRUE success, but is cheating their family and friends as well. I mean think of how this information could help those people who are not only starting out in business but who have been in business for years!

It’s just as you teach. YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE A SYSTEM! After the video i have no doubt of what has been holding me back. And that is “Focus”. How could anyone ever focus without a system? I jumped from one thing to the next, thinking only if i buy next opportunity, i’ll be rich!

How mis-leading? No more chasing product after product for me! Now I know now to ACT on what i know and have! And you gave it all away for Free.

Thanks again for all you do.

Dale
Billy

Rich, I guess that my biggest obstacle is not having internet experience, the starting cash, and the knowledge of where to learn this whole process. I do have to say that what you have basically brought up in this whole presentation is some real “Key” factors that can be applied to just about any business…….and I intend to utilize these tools. Thanks !
seth

what happened to the original case study
yesterday with brown???

thanks
Menashe

What’s holding me back?
Well time is actually…. the lack of it to be more precise.
My 9 to 5 job is really “distracting” me form my business goals and I do not have enough time to grow the business so everything is going slow..
Helene

I cannot believe you gave us all that information and you are not selling anything.
Helene
http://www.naturopathicremedyforkidneystones.com Tru Keesey

Sales copy, lack of capital to pay for same, doubt about new product/service model, desire to be doing other things, having to do everything myself from lack of capital, discouragement from 1 1/2 years of trying to follow the best internet marketing advice available, going into debt to obtain it (the advice), with no results, take your pick.

Thank you for asking. I am just a confused about what to answer as about what to do with the site.
http://www.audiobookclub4u.com Lukasz

Doing to many projects at the same time, so none is done perfect.
brett

Resources, finding the right solutions for article writing, general seo maintenance and managing ppc accounts with a small team.
ciprian

Can i have a script of this video so i can have it translated to me ?
pls
http://foreclosureswhole.com Leslie

Hey Rich, The first video is fantastic. I’m trying to watch the second one, Creating Momentum, but it keeps locking up in the first 5 minutes or so. Help??
http://www.crissbertling.net Criss Bertling

I have started and been successful in three brick-and-mortar businesses over the years. Being entrepreneurial is what I’m all about – I hate routine, don’t like working for someone else, believe I can do whatever I set goals for, am not easily discouraged, and am determined to “just do it.” I enjoy people, am flexible and resourceful. I believe I have what it takes to be successful again.

However, for several reasons, my life looks different today than it was before so there are currently two major things that are holding me back:

(1) Lack of money

(2) Time management – and not because I watch too much TV – but because I have difficulty prioritizing my projects.

The videos were great. I very much enjoy your personality and presentation style and am looking forward to learning from you!

Criss
http://resolve2007.com Micheal Savoie

How do I break through the 3% click through rate on my emails? When an email list is in the hundreds of thousands, a 3% click rate is a good income, when the list in under 1000, it hurts.

Lack of money prevents me from hiring copy writers, which is probably my biggest challenge. And working a full time job in the mean time, makes it much more challenging to spend the amount of time I need to to plan out my marketing.
Susan Miners

Hi Rich,
Inspiring! You are definitely getting better and better at honing in on the details that need to be addressed in helping us break through to freedom. I have copied your slide READY….SET….GO…and have it pinned up before me to remind me of the points that will bring in the money that allows me to break free. One of the other slides that has been important to me is the stage way of looking at success; because of this second slide I realize that I need to follow up Ready Set Go by setting aside 3-6 months operating costs in the bank.

I have been sitting with the question of how to get out from under and on top of finances for some time and for some reason the idea of making a contingency account for my busienss just did not click in as the answer until recently. I was creating a savings account for something else, and then realized I could create one for the business and with ready set go the 3-6 month contingency will soon be realized. Thanks….you have given me what I needed. I will be back for more when I have that contingency account.
http://www.dogperfection.com Gerald Njuguna

mine has to be focus. I seem to do 3 projects at the same time and at the end of the year I have moved nowhere!!!…ie..same income level, less time to myself and more stress..its a vicious circle :-(
http://www.tggsenergy.com Dr. George R. Marshall

Dear Rich: What’s holding me back right now is lack of a team but I’m working on it. PLUS, how do I get hold of this Score Card system you said you would be giving away. Love the video; would like to see it in print form. Very helpful reference.

All the best, Dr. George
http://www.rightchange4u.com Sean

Hello,
I am in the Navy. I am trying to set up a website that will help the new guy to get strarted. I understand that everyone wants to get in on this. But I don’t want to be a “guru”. What I offer is the ability to make money on $10, $50, $100, $500, $1000 dollars a month. The process is easy – want to teach them how to do this using different programs already available or just by them having there own product. Then offer programs, reviews, information. e-mail courses, newsletters e-books on how to market these, or there programs.
My biggest obstacle is Time and Money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://teleseminarfortunes.com Lou

Rich, I know the post is late, but just needed to add my two cents. Biggest thing holding me back right now is committing to being an expert in “one thing”, and figuring out what that one thing is. You know — what kind of hedgehog am I? (I know you know what I mean.) *smile*
Jos Rep

Same that Dieter Reichel :=Oo.
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