I’m fired up. (This is nothing new really)

online shamThe world of online business.

Yeah, what’s the deal with that?

Because I’m watching clients struggle, I’m watching others say how easy it is to make money online, and I’m watching a whole lot of people lose out on money because they’re caught up in the online sham.

And here’s why it’s a sham – no online business is truly online.

Shocker I know.

But if you’re wondering why no one is opting in to your list, you can’t find clients, and your marketing isn’t working then take a look at the cold hard truth of online business.

If you talk to any successful entrepreneur who says they’re killin’ it online, you’ll discover all of the things they do OFF line to achieve success ONline.

And I am so sick and tired of watching countless excited, go get ’em entrepreneurs falling into this trap, only to then get so frustrated that they pack up their bags and head back to the office.

So let’s shed some light on it shall we?

Marie Forleo talks about taking a yellow notepad to her fitness classes to get people’s names and email addresses to add to her email list, which had nothing to do with fitness. Same goes for when she was bartending – this savvy lady was chatting up anyone who would listen.

Denise Duffield-Thomas of Lucky Bitch, talks about all of the seminars and speaking gigs she did around town to get her business off the ground. And now she’s writing books to spread her message and lead potential clients to her online home.

I’ve seen countless blogs and stories of people interacting with Tim Ferris and the verdict is always the same – he’s constantly discussing business regardless of where he is. At the airport, at lunch, at a conference.

The one and only Marianne Williamson worked in an office by day and gave lectures by night to small groups around her neighborhood. While her business isn’t totally online, she has followers from around the world who would’ve never known she existed if not for her online presence.

The list goes on and on. {Are you taking notes?}

And I’ve seen the same thing happen in my own business.

Technically it’s online, but success came from another direction.

I’ve never met any of my clients. They live all over the US and a few other countries. I loathe the typical networking groups and generally don’t even try to target local clients. I meet my clients via Skype and the phone. There’s no face to face.

But how did I get those clients? How did I get booked up? (without a website for over a year, mind you)

I started by hanging out in FB groups and responding to women I knew I could help. I found my ideal client who referred me to a ton of people. And the real Hallelujah moment came when that client went to a live event in LA and spread the word about me and my services. From that alone, I booked up the remaining spaces on my calendar and then had to turn people away.

My success did not occur through the magical and mythical powers of the internet.

It occurred because someone went to a LIVE event, connected with other women who happen to be my ideal clients, and then they connected with me.

So while it wasn’t me going offline, the turning point for my business is attributed to a face to face connection.

So can we all wake up to the fact that online empires are not in fact built online?!

You don’t get to set up a website and magically people appear and you are an overnight success.

Disappointing?

Maybe.

And I’ve fallen into this trap a million times! I create what I think is the best thing since sliced bread – I mean have you seen my Launch Your Biz Intensives?! That’s some serious awesomeness right there – and then I launch it and just wait for the masses to stumble upon my genius. After all, the hard work is over right?

I created and birthed the damn thing! So why wouldn’t people flock to it?

It takes me about a day of that to snap back to reality and recognize that while it may be the best thing to ever hit the online business world, if people don’t know it exists, then it won’t really help anyone.

And thus begins a marketing talk for another day.

But I think you get the point.

I like to think the offline piece to online business gives you even more opportunities to get creative and spread your wings.

Sure, you need to build that website. Sure, you can create a business that allows you to be location independent. Sure, you can achieve success online.

But if you don’t wake up to the fact that life is also happening outside of your computer screen you will remain frustrated and broke. I assure you.

It’s an easy trap to fall into. Even I do from time to time with my introverted nature.

With the continued rise of online businesses and more and more FB ads hitting my newsfeed claiming “5 figures without leaving your house” or “the formula to a fast 6 figures”, I think we’re doing a disservice to new entrepreneurs and the truth behind the curtain.

You can have an online business.

It can be profitable.

But it won’t happen without looking around you and interacting offline.

Get out there,
Amy

So what will you do to spread your wings offline? A local mastermind, networking group, chat up the person beside you at the bar (a mentor of mine made $20,000 that way), speak at events around town?

Share your ideas so we can help each other get out there!

 

Don't go through labor alone
Join our problem solving community

Get free access to a Facebook community of entrepreneurs birthing their big ideas and launching their businesses online. Problem solving strategies for your specific questions. Get personal attention and don't try to birth that {biz} baby alone!


amy
amy

    6 replies to "{Labor Pains} Online business is a sham that’s keeping you broke"

    • kandice

      So spot on! Thanks for the reminder. Glad I saw. One thing I want to do is chat more of what I do when I am at small intimateen gatherings with family and friends.

      • amy

        Yes Kandice! I myself am very shy about talking about what I do to family and friends, but in general, they are very interested and supportive. It’s good to practice in a safe space and then begin sharing with people you don’t know as well. Good luck!

    • Laura G. Jones

      Great post! Although I personally got my clients only online, without networking offline. I do spend a lot of time in Facebook groups and I try to create lasting connections with other entrepreneurs. I also make a big effort to connect individually with as many of my tribe members as I can and to show that I care. But it did take much longer than if I had done offline networking, that’s for sure. I’m about to move to the middle of nowhere so I’m definitely going to try my best to keep it all online as much as possible. But for new entrepreneurs I always recommend they start offline for the quickest results!

      • amy

        I have been in my online bubble for a long time, but I think it was interesting that my client going OFFline is what tipped the scales. I wonder how many of your clients are sharing with their friends offline. I personally want to be online as much as possible, but do think it’s easy to forget the impact of what and who is around us. Love that you also share it’s quicker to take things offline. Thanks for sharing Laura!

    • Andrea @ Take A Smart Step

      I love this article! this message is not talked about enough. It is so easy to get caught up in just sitting behind your computer. I personally try to make it to one life networking event a week. I mix it up between just mingle networking and educational based networking. Meeting people off line is truly a great way to grow your business. Start with just one event and go from there!

      • amy

        Thanks Andrea! I agree that this is something people just don’t talk about. And it’s a shame! Love that you attend one event a week. I’m still working on doing an event every month, but I’m spreading my wings in other ways to better integrate the online and offline worlds. Start and evolve as I always say!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.