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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Comments:

http://www.music-composition-studio.com/ Dainis W. Michel

Hi,

I run http://www.music-composition-studio.com/

My eBook at http://www.music-composition-studio.com/ebook-how-to-write-your-songs-down.html

has sold all of 3 times since late December (my release date). Since the release date, I’ve gone from about 30 unique visitors per day to about 70, but my sales stats are: 3 sales and 2 returns.

I’ve spent all of my savings almost recovering from a chronic illness (bringing it from an intolerable situation of pain to a well-managed condition that will soon be gone, see http://www.curetinnitus.org), and I’ve managed to maintain my status as a doctoral candidate in Vienna.

My biggest obstacles are: time, money, and health.

I have several smokin’ sites in mind. For example, I have a solution to the problem of SPAM. I figured something out that would eliminate SPAM.

Maybe another one of my obstacles is: high creativity, great ability to create products from idea to reality, little idea how to market and distribute the products and gain wealth from them.

I came up with the c-mom mousepad back in 1997 or so. The site is here: http://www.c-mom.com. I sold the mousepads to clients where I did training, but I was not able to get the product selling on its own. Again, time, money, health…all stood in the way. I just worked as a part time webmaster while teaching computer literacy and getting my Master’s Degree…three jobs and full time studies was enough…I just didn’t have the energy to market my product.

So, honestly, right now, I’ve got money coming in to put me back to zero in my bank account, I have bills that exceed my credit limit, I have a credit card that is about to go into collections, and I have a lovely new baby daughter who is a month old. Today I’m calling all my past clients and doing everything I can to bring in the rest of the money I need.

So, anybody who wants to get in touch with me can do so here:
http://www.music-composition-studio.com/music-composition-studio-contact.html Want to invest in any of my ideas? I have a bunch more…

It’s been very challenging for me to secure a basic income while working on the things that I either a) really want and am passionate about like music composition, or b) find to be fantastic business ideas that require a ton of work (which I need to do myself because of a lack of funds/track record/or other salable “pull” for a joint venture).

I’ve done the “percentages” joint venture thing…but so far I haven’t gotten the best people with percentage deals. I’ve wound up working with people who have no money and seem to be more confused than I am about earning money.

So, I don’t know…Rich and your community…what kind of solution might work. You could offer scholarships…just an idea…

Otherwise, I’m just plugging away, and I’ll be at 10 businesses each making $100/day soon enough. I have other criteria as well, however, since I am only interested in earning an honest buck…honest good money that is used for a good purpose.

For medical purposes, for example, I advocate that the patient be informed of the least expensive curative healing modalities available for their condition or illness. I have an almost empty site at http://www.urine-therapy.info, where I discuss the daily procedure that helped me get rid of my allergies. The procedure is free.

Best wishes, and if you like, put in a good word for me in your prayers so I reach my financial goals and my goals of helping others and myself in doing so.

Sincerely,
Dainis
http://www.englishteflcentre.com Stella

I have the product, the website and the motivation – I don’t have clients or the money to get them.
http://www.music-composition-studio.com/ Dainis W. Michel

Quick correction:

OOops, I meant 3 sales and 1 return…

Dainis
REC

Thank you Rich, very motivating. I liked the comments from CarlosM above. Gaining momentum is the aim and I have taken careful note of the steps that you outlined. Block: What do you do if you have no list? In your experience, what is the best plan to get started (the steps and, in particular, the ORDER of those steps based on your experience) when you have no list, and still gain momentum the quickest way?
http://www.toyandmodel.com Howard Shaw

Great video Rich.
Things holding me back from growing my web business http://www.toyandmodel.com – procrastination and lack of focus on the high priority.
http://www.seo-cms.dk SEO CMS

Hi Rich.
I just saw your video online. It’s great to hear what you guys are up to.
I am nearly finished with my brand new web content management system http://www.SEO-CMS.dk that is specially designed for my customers to get top placement on the search engines, so I am on my way to implement it on many websites. The first site, that has got the system is my danish marketing site: http://www.EffektivMarkedsfoering.dk
I’ll wish you the best luck. You are great ;o)
Best regards, Christian
http://www.aquaphot.com Kevin

If Only! I have been running my business for 25 years, I am an expert in my field and most of this is new to me. I am so busy dealing with day to day business stuff I haven’t had time to look outside my box. Only after the market has started to change am I now realising what a goldmine I have missed.
Today I am starting on a new business that I have 25 years experience in. Thanks Rich any more guides in this style and preferably with pdf transcript would be greatly appreciated.
All the very best
Kevin
http://www.sports-injury-solutions.com Rich

My main problem is…
I specialize in sports injuries offline. But I want to make a living online so I don’t have to trade my time for dollars. I have a website but it’s not monitized. Their are not a lot of affiliate products to promote that I agree with. I don’t even know how to check to see if this is a good market to stay in for an online business.

I also lack focus. I jump from one project to another and I still get nothing done.
http://www.checkfreemoney.com Kelan

A false sense of belief that maybe I’m not supposed to make it big – maybe a fear of success.
Patrick

Simple approach, focus and action – it works, I have just become overloaded with useless information. Thanks for reminding me of what I need to do, now to throw out the rubbish and concentrate on the things that will work.
http://www.petassure.com Bridgette Jones

I really enjoyed your webinar. I am trying hard to apply to http://www.petassure.com Thank you.
Susan

The main thing that holds me back is money. I could say time as well, but I can make the time – I have done it before. I do not have the start up money that I need to even have a website built. I have tried many different options, but it seems as though they always fall through. I am trying to learn how to build a website myself, but that is taking alot of time. Time that I could be spending working on my business. I keep thinking that there has to be a way for someone to get a business up and running without alot of money, but I can’t seem to find out how. My brain is just about on information overload with all of the researching that I have been doing! If I can get over this obstacle, then I am certain that I can do well.
Joe P

I enjoyed viewing the webniar, but what is holding me back due to my disability. Like other programs, they teached via teleseminar, audio, or video…..without any transcrpit. Since I am hearing impaired or deaf, transcripts are needed in order to follow through the courses or programs. My business is slowly developed due to lack of materials (or no transcript or guidance) and I had to learn the hard way.

Also, what is holding me back is mindset….and also I need to get rid of FEAR like changing the outlook of business or future, or taking a risk, etc.
http://www.scentuellepatch.com Luke

My biggest challenge? Creating awareness of a new product category in the marketplace. Aromachology — the science of our sense of smell — is so new no ones’ heard about it (not to be confused with aromatherapy). Many of the major drug companies are starting to see its potential, i.e. modifying behavior without putting drugs into the circulatory system and this will have a major impact on health and wellness in the next few years.
http://underconstruction Bob Silver

getting started, confidence in the information overload I have been receiving.
setting pruorities.
http://www.accore.co.uk Ken Foy

The word “momentum” is the key… I started a programme to drive up my turnover last December – it’s working. However the notion of “momentum” tells a stronger story, it is not just driving up turnover but the pace at which you do it that important. Thanks for reminding me, I have shared your ideas with three clients this week all responded instantly. Should have showed them your video -
Moreover I now must work on “freedom” to generate enough time to work on “momentum”. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me – simply superb…
Ken Foy
Consultant
http://www.yourcreditwin.com Keith Puckett

Traffic, Traffic,Traffic – not enough of it! After spending months writing a quality software package for Consumer Credit Repair ( http://www.YourCreditWin.com) , I find myself now trying to turn that slow drizzle of page views into something like a roar.
http://www.coast2coastbusiness.com Lisa

I am a virtual assistant and part of my business is helping clients grow their own business and the other part is trying to grow my own business. In growing my own business, I started off a generalist, trying to be all things to all people. Now that I’m realizing I need to hunker down and settle on one niche, I’m digging in my heels. I keep waffling on the idea of taking off all my pages from my website that aren’t appealing to my one and only target market. This inability to make a decision is what’s stopping me. Ok that and not having readily available products to give away, sell, etc.

I can’t help but comment on others’ comments. There are two courses of action: 1) learn how to build your list and get people to your website yourself, or 2) have someone else who has already done this help you.

Here’s the do it yourself way:
When it comes to list building, there’s no magic bullet. I started off a year ago reading Ali Brown’s e-zine queen newsletter, bought her special report, and went to work. She provides step by step tips on how to create and build your list. A few months ago, I sent my first newsletter to my friends, family, and clients and out of 100, only 5 signed up! It’s been about five months and now I have 30 people. This may not seem like a lot, but marketing to a group of people who are interested in you is better than marketing to a group of 10,000 who aren’t. All I can say is that it takes time and effort.

Getting people to your website is another big hurdle. I attended free online classes offered by Cricket Bailey (GNC Web Creations). Over the course of two months, I learned all about building web pages that are seo friendly, how search engines work, etc, and eventually bought her e-book for $20. Once these people are at my site, I offer them a free taste to sign up for my newsletter. Once they are on my list, I market to them over and over again. Too bad I have nothing to sell right now : )

So you have a message, product, book, e-book, etc.? Hire a good ghostwriter or web copyrighter and create a one-page site to sell your xx. It doesn’t take a lot of money to build and host the page. There are free templates online, free programs to help with researching search keywords. If I can find something free, I get it!

The other way is to hire someone to help you:
Stop thinking that you need to become tech savvy to run a business. Why would you do that? You all remember Rich’s graphic showing all those boxes, listing everything you need to do in order to run a business. I outsource a few things like bookkeeping and logo design because I’m not going to attend classes and use my time learning how to do it.

Virtual assistants don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Go to guru.com or elance.com and post a bid (it’s free to do). I guarantee you’ll find a freelancer who will help you with what you need and will be surprisingly inexpensive! You can always trade up when you start needing someone with more expertise.
http://www.netmarketingpoint.com Richard Scheffer

Hi!

Lack of products and traffic is my obstacle to momentum. I’m working on it, but it seems to take some time.

Regards

Richard Scheffer at http://www.NetMarketingpoint.com
richard@netmarketingpoint.com
http://notyetbuilt Caroline

My biggest obstacle is lack of time due to cash flow crisis. Solving one will solve the other, then I will make 2 days free per week for doing stuff for the future, including setting up my websites properly. Meanwhile I do apply the magic word “No” whenever possible. I find that when I have to think clearly, the money worries have to disappear below the “annoyance” threshold.
ciprian

Hi

Is there a possibility to get a written script of this presentation?
Please reply
http://www.healthcoachingu.com,anothercurrentlyinprocess Renee Alexopoulos

Your video was very impressive. I took a notebook of notes. I am letting everything sink in and next week will review my notes and make a plan from there. Thank you.

My biggest obstacle is me of course, all others are excuses, I will get there. I have only just begun applying that 80/20 rule, it is rather tricky as you have to really think. Sometimes those income producing tasks are hidden and some steps need to be taken before they become an actual income producing task. I keep plugging along, some days good, some could be better. I know it will all come together soon.
http://NONE MIKE DOUGHERTY, FDNY

I RETIRED FROM THE FDNY WITH CANCER. 7/31/2001. NOT CPU SAVY. STARTED READING JOEL COMM. TALK ABOUT INFO OVERLOAD. I HAVE HIS BOOK ADSENSE CODE AND HAVING GREAT DIFFICULTY READING AND UNDERSTANDING. THIS WRITE A BLOG GET ADS IS ALL CHINESE TO ME.
IM THINKING OF TRYING EBAY WHERE THE PEOPLE COME TO YOU./
http://www.aboutyourwealth.com Gerard LeBlond

Look what’s holding back people from becoming the “true entrepreneur” that Rich has been describing.

First: Lack of focus… some people don’t know what they want to do (they first need to discover where their interests and passions lie and then find market niches that complement those) and others have too many things on their plates already (full time job, gotta walk the dog, mow the lawn, paint the house, clean the garage… other than the paying job they should hire neighborhood kids to do these menial tasks for them).

Second: Procrastination… so many people would rather stay in their comfort zone. They think they have to learn a little more stuff or read a different point of view… and many are too easily side tracked by life (oops got to put out the trash, oh-boy got to go do the groceries, wait a minute got to watch Oprah).

Third: Lack of know-how… well, there’s no excuse now that you have Rich Schefren’s free materials at your disposal.

Go back and read The Internet Business Manifesto, The Missing Chapter, The Final Chapter… and watch his videos. Then,

Get your life and mindset in order… (i.e. “work on yourself” is step 1… if you procrastinate… STOP, if you are unfocused… get focused… if you have too many distractions in your life… get rid of them).

You will also find that Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad Poor Dad” series of books are complementary to Rich’s material and don’t forget Michael E. Gerber’s “The E-Myth Revisited”.

What’s holding me back? Absolutely nothing!!!!
http://www.paulconway.biz Paul

Help

Everytime I try to view the case study video it sticks at 3m21s is it me or is there a problem
frank ferrari

I am stuck on basic mechanics of setting up and managing my web sites. I’m working alone from my computer room and I need someone to call on for help on basics.

frank
http://www.yourloangenie.com Mike

How do I feel comfortable with outsourcing? It holds me back and many people. Part of problem is knowing I can do all these tasks better than anyone and feeling only I care about my projects.
http://nil pablo v. penaranda

hi rich,

this is pablo, i got the email from richard coffey, and he said that if i want to start an internet business go to this website. so with excitement i visited your site and true enough i was inspired by your from startup to freedom module.

but contrary to what i expected, i was surprised about you talking about momentum when in fact i have not started any business yet.

then you send me another email asking me what is holding me to move my business to the next level.

im so sorry rich, i thought you could help me start an internet business which what im looking forward to.

in you can help me , im expert in telecommunication.
Kim/No.Carolina

My biggest hangup is Orchestrating my circus.

Not having a business backgrnd, I’m juggling 3 main components:
a. Learning how to start an Info I-net biz (logistics, SEO, testing/measuring, domains, front page)
while
b. applying basic business principles/theory (mission, vision, mind mapping, goals)
to
c. my chosen industry sector (staying current/cutting edge in my field takes time/resources too!)

Thus the reason I need LOTS of coaching! – kim
http://www.setourteachersfree.com Brennan Kingsland

Well, I bought all the programs (some good, some bad) and studied and tested and stalled and studied some more, but I just feel overwhelmed. So much to do, so little time and not enough credit cards. HEH! HEH!

I got my websites paid (not set up), all my domain names paid for (not set up), my autoresponder paid (not set up) and a DYNAMITE book that will be back from the printers in about 4 weeks. I’ve been involved in publishing in the past and I know what to do to market the traditional way BUT I’m such a newbie at online sales. This book is going to revolutionize public education in the USA (the preliminary buzz has been terrific) but I want to market it online and make an ebook out of it to market online. Never done that before.

I know I need to get this important information out, or no one will benefit from it, but I don’t know what to do next (besides complete the website and set-up the autoresponder). Do I look for a JV partner? I know you said to get others to do what you can’t do and concentrate on revenue, but HOW?

Keep the good info coming. At least while I’m learning from you, I’m learning the “right stuff”, and not regurgitated garbage.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Brennan

P.S. LOVED the Internet Manifesto! Thanks also for the great chuckle I got from your graphics, especially the “you” hierarchy!
http://www.projecctx.com Ulla

Going around and around coming nowhere. Just read a lot off stuff, losing my focus again and again.
http://www.charlesyang.com Charles

I have lots and lots of shortcomings, so I’ll just mention the biggest one for me at this period of time, and it is -

Lack of Focus

I doubt I have even 10 minutes of productive time per day… I take days just to complete a simple article.

For example, I should be working on another salesletter now, but I got distracted and ended up visiting your blog… for the third time today…

Oh well…
lorraine

Lack , of knowledge regarding anything to do with running an internet business. I have just woken up to the fact that I have spent a lifetime working for other people. I am working on my own limitations, changing and broadening my outlook every day. Sites like yours Rich help me a lot. I am grateful that people like you want to help people like me!

Thankyou
Lorraine
SHARON

its a greate video. and the messege is ver clear eaven for me (im not a good english speaker). My obbsticle is in rebuilding my own huge bussiness. I filed bunckropcy not long ago, i live in israel which is a very small country and i feel that i “burned” myself out.
Marti

THe biggest obstacle for me has been finding the right people help me – administrative assistants, writers, and PR experts. Where did all the bright, capable, alive people go?
Shirley Propsom

I am so computer illiterate that I don’t know how to do anything to build an internet business. That’s what is holding me back.
http://www.GermWise.com Marta

Hi Rich,
Loved all the great information. Our biggest obstacle is cash flow. Before we create momentum we need to make sure we can deliver the products (need cash for inventory) Also we would like to make sure this program applies to the business we already have. We don’t really have a big presence online. Is your program only about information products or does it help with tangible products as well?
Thanks,
Marta
http://None Marjorie

I have several obstacles, I am 70 yrs. old and have a lot of health problems.
My husband and I live on our social security and we run out of money before
we run out of month. I have been in a lot of programs where people promised
they would help me, and as soon as I got involved I wouldn’t hear from them
again.
Anne

Rich

I’ve just had another thought about what is holding me back. I think from some of the other posts, there are a few who might have the same problem as me. I think what is holding me back is an issue of “identity” apart from anything else. As potential internet marketers there are so many avenues to go into and there are decisions to be made about where we position ourselves in them, and what our own personal branding is going to be. There might be an issue with me about recreating my business self from scratch. As a beginner I am in a process of “becoming” something (a creative business owner) and that is the crisis point for me. I am not used to being in or visualising the space I want to be in. The business identity I am in at present is malleable and, even though I had a plan, I am not writing any exams, going for interviews, getting a promotion for a job I can ‘see’ in the real world, etc, etc. Am I making any sense? I don’t want to go into any psychobabble here, but there is a ‘virtual’ feeling about a lot of my online work at the moment, and I am not sure how to make it ‘real’. I shall have to think about this more – this identity thing has just come up for scrutiny. Maybe all this is because I didn’t ever say I want to become an Internet Marketer when I grow up – it’s all a bit sudden.
http://www.cdstoledo.com Mike the IT Guy

Am technically very proficient; IT is my line of work. Can focus and learn quick. Can handle many, many tasks/projects simultaneously to pretty good result, though not always as good as I’d like. My big problem is working tactically while I know I should be working strategically. Have too many really good strategic ideas to get to even a few, as it seems I spend my days fire fighting, since that’s what keeps the lights turned on, so to speak — and I’ve not been successful in identifying the hungry, talented people that will work like dogs and off-load my plate for a while to launch systems, processes, products that will make everyone involved filthy comfortable.
Geoff

Taking the time to sift through all the guru generated “information” in an attempt to find a few grains of truth.
http://www.digitalphotographysuccess.com Amy

I have the drive, I am intrinsiclly motivated, I don’t need the lessons on being an entrepreneur- I get it, I have got it- I just can’t seem to reach above a certain dollar amount. I want to make a certain figure but everything I try has a some results but I can’t sustain those results. For example I know how to make $X from my business but I want to make Y. I apply all the things that the big guys tell me and the results are ok, but not enogh to propell me from X income to Y income.

I can’t buy the house of my dreams on X income. I can only buy it on Y income.

I’m frustrated. I will do whatever it takes.
Mark

“People buy things for emotional needs and those emotional needs are never filled”.
http://favoriteonlineauctions.com/Auction-Services.htm Earl

The net is changing at lightning speeds and to keep up
is almost a full time job in its own. So for now its all about
catching up to the newest methods of attracting traffic
without going broke. Thats traffic for cb products and
even trying to jv with the best is hard if you don’t have
your own product thats going to pull like crazy.
Earl M.

Really, its being armed with a media edition and having a slow dialup that is useless for downloading just about anything. It’s worse than poverty!!
http://www.freedomrocks-globalforex.com Jumaani

Hi Rich
I have now learnt one thing strongly from your teachings that the power of outsourcing is amazing and i feel that if you have any problems in completing a project at any stage, it is better to outsource the job and in turn save lot of energy
and gain momentum through outsourcing and i believe that outsourcing would be the best way to be productive,because you are sure that you are getting things done.I have completely applied your teachings in my new online venture and it is kicking butt at http://www.Freedomrocks-globalforex.com and i am so happy to have learnt
the secret from you Rich and i give you all the credit.Hats off to you sir and please critique my website and do me a favour
God Bless you and Mike Filsaime

Jumaani
Peta

Luv the case study – thanks again :-)
http://followmetodiscountdrugs.com terry cox

I cannot find the right way to market my site effectively. It seems like I spend too much time buying traffic that dont make any purchases. I need a more effective way to at least see some of the money back that I spend on advertising
http://noneforthemoment Anton S.

Rich,

It’s almost a year now since I’m trying the internet marketing with no success. My biggest question right now is: How can I tell that an ideea has positive odds to be successful? I have so many ideas in my head but I’m afraid of investing in them and not making profit. I also bought a package with houndreds of books with resell rights but I’m not sure it’s gonna pay off.

Second: what are the marketing ingredients needed for a successful internet business?

Thank you for your help, it’s a great feeling to know somebody who really understands stuff and is willing to help others!
Anton.
http://www.PassportToWealth.com/?id=magda Magdalena

Hi, Wish I could add another venture but I already have a large collection. Eliminating the ones that don’t work. I tend to keep them forever before I decide to quit.

Lack of computer knowledge is another reason, and of course, TIME. Keep in touch, I amlearning and who knows…one of these days! I believe in multiplestreams of income.

Please check my website above, my latest, and exciting.