Planning, Dreaming, And Staying Broke. Or…

53 | Posted In Make Money by Guest Author

This is a guest post by Joe Gilder.

Does This Describe You?

You sit at your computer, switching between day-dreaming of making a full-time income from your blog and brainstorming ideas for your blog. You want to be David Risley. You want to create and release products and sell them by the hundreds.

And so? You plan.

Plan, plan, plan, plan, plan.

You’ve got three different text files on your desktop called “Product Ideas.” You’ve got an entire “Product Ideas” folder in Evernote with a dozen or more notes in it. Sometimes you even whip out a good ol’ legal pad (I can’t tell you how much I love a good legal pad) and write out some new ideas.

“I’m doing it,” you say to yourself. “Look how productive I’m being. Look at all these amazing ideas. If David Risley could see this, he’d be über-impressed.”

Bad news. If David could see you, he’d reach through the computer and smack your pretty little face. :)

Why? Because you are doing what hundreds of would-be online entrepreneurs do. You remain invisible.

Great Ideas Never Make Any Money

Wait…what? There are all sorts of great ideas that have made bajillions of dollars! Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc. They all had great ideas that have made them rich!

Wrong. Ideas by themselves are dead. It’s when those ideas evolve into action that there’s any hope of success.

Without action, your amazing, game-changing ideas will stay forever tucked away on your desktop, neatly organized, planned out in excruciating detail…invisible.

So…waddya do?

1. Go on a Planning Fast

If you’re still reading this article, then this applies to you. :)

I hereby forbid you to make another plan, to plan another product, to daydream about sipping lattes while the cash effortlessly fills your Paypal account to the brim.

You need to go on a planning fast. No more new ideas.

2. Pick ONE of Your Existing Ideas

You already know which idea I’m talking about.

Sit down, pull out your beloved legal pad, and create an action plan. You have to use a legal pad, because you’ve already proven you can’t be trusted with a computer. It’s too tempting to get trapped in time-wasting mode. ;)

This is going to be your first product, the tip of the iceberg, the ”one giant leap for mankind.” No, this won’t be your best product, but it will be the first one you finish. It will result in your first sale, which is the most difficult sale to make.

3. Set a Deadline

Seriously.

I want an actual launch date, the date where I can go to your site and click a “Buy Now” button. It can be next week (which would be freakin’ awesome), or it can be 6 months from now.

Give yourself a date. Make it achievable, but also make it aggressive. Think you can launch a product in three months? Make it one month. Go for it.

The worst thing that can happen is that you miss your deadline, and the best thing that could happen? You have a product to sell. Your dreams of being a David Risley-ite are a little closer to coming true.

4. Do It.

(Self-explanatory).

What Did I Do?

I launched my blog in April 2009. Soon thereafter I discovered DavidRisley.com. I devoured David’s free report. He kept talking about selling a product and running an actual business.

After much hesitance and waiting (and waiting and waiting), I finally launched my first product in November 2009.

Almost 1 year later? I’ve launched 5 additional products, in addition to releasing my first album (I’m a musician/recording engineer).

The result? I’m making full-time income from my blog…wait…no…not my blog. From my business.

And in good blogger fashion, here are a few bullet points to bring it all home:

  • I don’t make money by teaching people to make money online. I teach about a topic I’m really passionate about.
  • I’m convinced that a huge key to my success was doing, not planning.
  • Some products sell better than others. But every product I’ve launched has sold. Conversely, every product I haven’t launched has never sold. Funny how that
    works. :)
  • You or I may not be the next David Risley, but you’ll never know unless you take a risk and, in the words of Seth Godin, ship it.

My Challenge to You

Leave a comment below, and tell us your deadline for that first (or next) product. You don’t have to share any super-secret product details. If you’re not the kind of person who leaves comments, try it. Put yourself out there. Take a chance. Tell us what you’re going to do…then do it. :)

About the author: Joe Gilder runs HomeStudioCorner.com, a blog dedicated to helping home recording studio owners excel.

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  • http://www.thedivingblog.com David – The Diving Blog

    Great article, Joe! It’s always nice hearing from people who run sites dedicated to niches other than “make money online”, “dream advisors”, “happiness consultants”, or things like that.

    No offense to those niches, but I feel like most people run blogs / sites in hobby-related niches, and not everything from “making money online” applies to those. For example, “make money blogging” site readers are quite jaded to most tactics that you can still “get away with” in hobby niches.

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    Thanks David. That’s one reason I like David Risley. The stuff he teaches seems to apply more easily to other niches.

  • http://davidrisley.com David Risley

    Yeah, keep in mind that you guys read “make money online” sites because that’s what you’re interested in…. and we talk about it because that’s out market. It is up to YOU to take what we say and apply it to your own niche. And, the stuff works better in other niches than in this one because people are so jaded in this space.

  • http://www.sewfun.com Jennifer

    Joe –

    This was a GREAT post. Thanks. I especially love the part about “you’ve laready proven you can’t be trusted with a computer”. So true! OK, so as a gestrue of commitment, I will launch my next product by Dec 1. I’ve been fiddling around with it for months and it should have been out by now. Instead, I’ve been angsting about a bunch of “planning” issues. Thanks for the reality check.

  • http://www.bigsalescoach.com Ashwin

    My next product is out by the End of this month – 31st is the deadline.
    I have some product details already sketched and it’s going to be a sales material (the Niche of my blog).

    I will come back here and tell you when it is up :)

  • Kira002

    The deadline for my next project is October 31. And now it’s public. *gulp*

  • http://thoughtwrestling.com/blog Mark Dykeman

    I fully agree with this. I recently got out of planning mode and managed to launch an imperfect product… but I got it out the door. Better yet… I sold a bunch of copies! Somewhat flawed, not 100% perfect… but it’s making money for me now.

    So, here here, well spoken!

  • http://www.nela.in/ Rajiv

    Good advice David. Most people suffer from analysis paralysis and never get around to doing anything.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks David for an awesome action post!

    I have set Friday 29th of October at 2:00pm as deadline for my project. I following your advice here an kick in my Urgent Action Plan to get my product out ‘Just Being A Dream’ – ‘Waiting For Better Time’ – ‘Fear of failing’…

    I am starting to treat my blog as my business! (not with a question mark anymore..)

    Cheers.. Are

  • http://twitter.com/familyfrugal Heather Shaw

    This article inspired me to finally think of something unique to offer my niche. I am pretty sure it has never been done, and I’m really excited to get started. I have the outline ready to go and as soon as the kids are down to nap…I’m getting started! Thanks for the kick in the pants!

  • http://dietingdetails.com/ Sanih

    Really loved this article…really inspired me to take action fast, not simply sit around and check my emails….i am thinking more in terms of a daily short term, small plans, and small tasks everyday to achieve my longterm dreams….

    Thanks Joe….

  • Joseph

    Wow great article…..this explains me in a nutshell. It’s amazing how we often dream about the perfect launch yet never get around to launching it. I myself will make a commitment to myself and firmly produce and launch my first idea by the end of this month!!! Thanks for the swift kick in the pants because it is soooooo true in saying “No action equals guaranteed fail “!

  • http://realsimplepeople.com/ John Sherry

    Can I go one step on Joe? What happens when you go past your deadline through circumstances and every effort to hit it. Is the project still dead? And when does it become dead? I’ve gone back to things when they have seemingly flatlined and been given their last rights but have been able to ressurect them and breathe new life into them. So, do you have a benchmark test or formula for death?

  • Anonymous

    Joe I’ve been fortunate enough to do an hour interview with David and Dave Navarro. If there’s one thing I learned from both it’s not to get caught in the idea of huge payday but to just get some sort of paid product out there. I did a mini product called how to grow your blog with interviews because I’m a podcaster and lots of people asked me about it. I partnered up with another blogger to double my reach. We got on skype, recorded for an hour, added a worksheet, uploaded to e-junkie and put it up for sale. It’s generated $200+ dollars in revenue so far. We had said to ourselves, if one person buys it it’s a success. If nobody buys it, it doesn’t matter because it only took us an hour. Great advice in this article that I hope people implement :)

  • Mojeauxmedia

    I’m going to ship it by november 15.

  • http://findallanswers.com Jane@Find All Answers

    Well that’s so inspiring! But how big should be the readership of the blog in terms of visits, RSS subscribers and email lists for launching the first product? I think there should be a sizable readership at least to get back what you put forth in launching your product :)

    Thanks for the article Joe.

  • http://www.calawreport.com John Corcoran

    Great advice, Joe. I have one product (an ebook legal guide to foreclosures and short sales), but I need to set another deadline for my next product.

    I LOVE that you started your blog relatively recently and are successful at creating a full time income because in my opinion, one thing that is hard about seeing successful bloggers is so many of them have been doing it for 5-6-7 years. It’s inspirational to see someone who just got started relatively recently and who is succesful at it.

  • http://newnichefinder.com Susan – New Niche Finder

    Yes, the endless plans will do it but I would add the endless learning of stuff you don’t need right this moment to complete the task at hand.

  • http://www.bankaim.com Ben

    Very good article! This is something that hits home to me. I have seen so many people do nothing but plan, plan, plan and do nothing more. Even while I have no idea what I am doing most of the time, I still take action and even the little I do has helped me make a steady income of $600+/month from the little I know. Its all about action and doing something productive, something tangible.

  • http://www.tonyclingan.com Tony Clingan

    Hi David

    I like your blog, it’s the online version of a good kick up the backside and it talks to me and everybody else reading it, no fluff, straight to the point, stop kidding yourself and get it done now!

    So my commitment already 95% done by the way and yes I know 95% done is a bit like asking who came second in a major sporting event in ten years time, nobody remembers and even less care is that my revamped blog will be up in the next 14 days

    Changed layout, my own product to sell on it, bloggers wellfare to come off of it and video introduction to go onto it

    So timely kick taken in the spirit intended and my neck put on the line I sign off with a smile

    Michael Gerber said that the problem with the boss is the boss doesn’t have one, how very true that was Thanks Tony

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    Hey Jane,

    I had the same question, and I asked one of the “gurus,” and he said to wait until I had 2,000 subscribers. I didn’t. I had approximately 500 newsletter subscribers when I launched my first product (a 12-week training course), and I had 50 people sign up.

    I really don’t think the size of your list matters as much as we tend to think it does. In a lot of ways, launching a product was one of the things that HELPED grow my list, not the other way around.

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    NICE!

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    Great question, John. I would take a step back and say that I haven’t launched a product that would take a really long time to put together.

    Since we’re talking about information products, there’s not NEARLY the amount of risk as there would be if you were inventing the next microwave oven or something. The costs of creating the problem are so little.

    So, I’d say the idea is dead only if a. you’re no longer interested in making it or b. you launched it and it failed. Either way, you won’t have lost much time.

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    LOVE IT. You’ve got 11 days.

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    Nap-time product creation. There’s a niche idea for somebody. “Create a business while your kids nap.” :-)

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    The 29th? Awesome! That’s 9 days. Go for it.

  • http://www.homestudiocorner.com Joe Gilder

    That’s a huge step, Kira. Awesome!

  • Linda – Commlines Media

    Ah. Good post! While I’m not a full-time planner, I’ve burned so many calories working on plans that were only partially implemented, thus only partially fulfilling their big promises. The ones that I did fully get-to-done are doing splendidly.

    Thanks for the kick.
    Linda

  • http://www.stanomedia.com Stano

    Great article and I think the meaning can be expanded to our lives as a whole not just the blog world.

    I too, often procrastinate about things blog related. But through other areas of life I am learning that perfect planning is great, however, does not move you. Bad plan might move you in a wrong direction but you will soon recognize it and learn from it instead of being stuck wandering “what if that happens if I do this”. You know what I mean :)

  • Marcy

    I am reading your post and laughing out loud at myself!

    Okay… here it goes … Lord willing …
    1 month deadline – November 20, 2010

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Joe!I have been able to quit smoking and cut down dramatic on drink. And both came as a result when I decided just to go for it. Often we know how to do things, but end up in the ‘planning’ circle. So now I am creating some crazy urgency for myself ;) Cheers.. Are

  • http://justinsbrainpan.com/ Justin Matthews

    It seems I am getting kicked from all sides to finish my first ebook! I had this great idea back in July when I was in the hospital with my daughter. I wrote an outline and half of an ebook, and there it has set until yesterday when I wrote more on it. It will be out on Friday as a free download with my mail list.
    Thanks for reminding all of us (especially me) to get stuff DONE.
    Justin

  • http://InternetLiving.net Christie

    Oh yeah, I just got kicked into action a week and a half ago when I found out the company I work for has been SOLD. Those notes and dreams and plans I’d been visiting for 10 months are suddenly taking shape into an ebook. I’ve set a deadline for myself for 12/31/2010.

  • http://www.liangcha-herbaltea.com/blog Ben Sanami (FB Herbal Tea)

    i’ve got the traffic, I’ve got the product, hey I got my first sign up to my newsletter. just need more

  • http://nintemanfitness.com Zninteman

    Great article – seems like you were preaching right to me, even down to the evernote folders! I think of myself as a good action taker and have numerous projects already launched, but I have one in my back pocket for this one – DEC 1st LAUNCH DATE!

  • http://www.newbizblogger.com Michele Welch

    LOL…seriously Joe, that was one funny article. I haven’t laughed out loud reading something in quite a while! Maybe because it hits so close to home!!!

    OK, I’ve been working on my first online product for @##$%@% months. It’s time to stop the excuses and stop waiting for it to be perfect.

    So here it goes… I will have my first product up by Nov. 31st …no wait…Nov. 20th!!

    That gives me one month. Time to rock!

    Thanks for sharing the inspirational post. =)

  • http://www.financiallydigital.com Nunzio Bruno

    This is awesome – I don’t quite have an evernote full of ideas but I def can see myself in a planning rut with Financially Digital. I worry about getting everything right or having the perfect action plan or waiting for someone to jump on board with me that I haven’t really had any info product get off the ground. I like your attitude though and I have already picked my idea and will finish it! I gave myself a month so hopefully by this time come November someone will have seen something offered by me :) thanks Joe!!

  • http://www.financiallydigital.com Nunzio Bruno

    This is awesome – I don’t quite have an evernote full of ideas but I def can see myself in a planning rut with Financially Digital. I worry about getting everything right or having the perfect action plan or waiting for someone to jump on board with me that I haven’t really had any info product get off the ground. I like your attitude though and I have already picked my idea and will finish it! I gave myself a month so hopefully by this time come November someone will have seen something offered by me :) thanks Joe!!

  • http://www.sewfun.com Jennifer

    Now you are hitting where it hurts, Joe. If my kid EVER napped, I’d have 100 products out by now!

  • http://www.DonnyGamble.com Donny Gamble

    I think people stay broke because they continue to buy things that they really don’t need.

  • http://twitter.com/salvadoralicea Salvador Alicea

    This is awesome – I launched my blog at the end of July 2010. I just finished my first product (a free e-book about Digital Photography) it will be launch next week and I am in the middle of my next project plan – a photography composition book to be sold. This article reminds me to move to the next step as fast as possible. Thank a lot for the action call advice.

  • http://wineandwalnuts.com/wordpress/ Kimberly Houston

    My deadline for my very first offering (it’s a free offering though, to get people onto my e-mail list) is October 31st. I’m hugely embarrassed to say how long I’ve had the idea for this thing — a food and wine pairing e-course — and told myself I was going to do it. Let’s just say it’s been a v.e.r.y. long time! My whiny excuses were, “But how can I produce content for my blog three times a week, AND do all the other regular marketing/admin/other blog things I have to do, AND work at my day job 30 hours a week, and STILL have time to write all the content for my e-course?” And then there’s the, “I don’t really know how to create a landing page for the sign-up/opt-in,” “I can’t afford to get a design for my e-course on the opt-in form to make the offering stand out.” And so on and so on.
    But then I finally told myself last week (and this is something I learned in David’s Blog Master’s Club course), “C’mon, Kimberly, those are just excuses, it doesn’t have to be perfect, you just have to get something out there!”
    So that is the plan. By the end of this month.
    PS–thanks for the kick in the pants!! : )

  • http://twitter.com/SleeplessBlogr Sleepless Blogger

    I so much agree with your idea of going offline to plan… And when I do it, I do it away from home. There are just too many distractions there. It’s sometimes required to take a time off the world to think and plan, before switching to action mode.

    Something else I did learn about plan from a previous boss of mine is what they are good for. Quoting him: “Plans are good to measure the difference between what you planned and how things became true”. No stress if things diverge from your plan, as long as they go in a direction you like and approve. Some businesses start from unplanned deviations. But keep that ball rolling.

  • Anonymous

    I did one product. I can’t even give it away. I suppose all that tells me is to make another one. Let’s commit to December 1 for the next one.

  • http://www.selfhelpfaq.com Barb

    Sounds about the same way I’m going: Started a blog/business in the spring this year, have launched my first ebook and it HAS sold, so I’m beginning my next ebook and will continue on to success. Thanks to David Risley and his Blog Masters Club, but mostly to his “kick-ass” attitude to MAKING us take action! Thanks, Dave! :-)

  • http://www.selfhelpfaq.com Barb

    Sounds about the same way I’m going: Started a blog/business in the spring this year, have launched my first ebook and it HAS sold, so I’m beginning my next ebook and will continue on to success. Thanks to David Risley and his Blog Masters Club, but mostly to his “kick-ass” attitude to MAKING us take action! Thanks, Dave! :-)

  • http://experimentsinpassiveincome.com Moon Hussain

    Really good read, Joe. I’m working on my first free ebook right now and then I’m sure while the wheels are churning, I’ll start on other projects. Thanks.

  • http://buzzmedia.com.my/ David Wang

    Awesome kick-in-the-pants! I had been planning for too long too. But now I’ve set a deadline of end-October. I’m going to miss it, but like you say, I’ll be closer to my product launch and a long way ahead of me sitting and planning.

  • http://www.yogametta.com/ Terry

    Great motivation post….some of us need to set smaller goals like getting blog functioning properly and setting up PayPal or Click Bank. My problem is time (work lots of hours) but beyond that is budget or I could just outsource it. So for the bloggers like me I have been
    breaking my projects into smaller bits. Thanks for the info and will put it on my legal pad
    to do once the tech part of the blog can handle it.

  • http://www.BruneianDollar.com Bruneian Dollar

    I’m gonna finish making an e-commerce website by the end of this week. I’ll reply back here when I’m done.

    If not, I owe you a beer. Naw~ Just kidding. :D But seriously, I’ve gotta finish that e-commerce website. :P

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