Ever wonder why everyone *else* seems to have great success online while you’re simply gazing in sadness and bunches of wahs at them?
Here are 10 reasons why that might be the case!
1. You’re Thinking Too Much and Doing Too Little
The Problem: Overthinking Is Your Full-Time Job
You’ve got 14 notebooks, 32 Chrome tabs, and a bullet journal crying in the corner. Your brain is amazing… but it’s also sabotaging you with spreadsheets and spirals!
Meanwhile, Brilliant Barb launched a course called “Make Money By Breathing”
(Brilliant Barb still remembers those halcyon days of when IBM paid me $65/home to sysadminize for a different department than my Bell Labs nirvana (obviously) … and at 8:30am would let me work from home for the rest of the day. That glorious gig lasted 4 months and I still remember it (and my first paycheck of 23K after months of wrangling) quite vividly)
and sold 319 copies while you were still choosing fonts.
The Fix: Action First, Pretty Later
Launch ugly. Sell it before it’s perfect. Smart folks stall waiting for flawless – but money doesn’t reward perfect. It rewards visible offers.
Put up the buy button. Send the scrappy email. Post the clunky thing.
Then go dance in your kitchen yelling “I sell stuff now!” because you, dear reader, have ARRIVED.
2. You’re Too Focused on Being Right, Not Being Seen
The Problem: You’re a Ninja Genius… Hiding in the Shadows
You’ve got better ideas than 93% of the people online, but guess what? Visibility beats IQ every single day.
While you’re crafting the perfect tagline, Doris Dull is livestreaming her 4th cat-scented candle reveal and cashing in bigtime.
The Fix: Show Up Messy and Often
Stop trying to win the Nobel Prize for Flawless Content!
Post the thing! Share your offer. Say it louder than your self-doubt.
Be wrong, be weird, be real – just be out there.
People pay who they remember. Not who had the best PowerPoint (sob).
3. You’re Waiting for Approval That Never Comes
The Problem: You’re Secretly Hoping for a Gold Star
Deep down, you’re waiting for someone to tap you on the head with a wand and say, “You may now be successful.” But sadly, the Internet is not Moosewarts.
The people making money didn’t get permission (fancy that)! They just declared it was happening and built their castle out of duct tape and emojis.
The Fix: Appoint Yourself as CEO of ‘Do It Anyway’
Nobody’s coming to validate your genius. That’s your job now.
Create your stuff. Launch your thing. Make your money!
Approval is optional. Deposits are better.
4. You’re Learning… But Not Earning
The Problem: You’ve Enrolled in 82 Courses and Finished Maybe Two
Look, we’ve all done it. You grab that shiny $9.97 training on “Magnetic Moose Money,” swear it’s the one that’ll change everything…
… and then never open it.
Meanwhile, Clueless Carla watched one YouTube short and now she’s got a $2,000-a-month Patreon where she narrates her grocery lists.
Talk about making money while planning the evening meal!
The Fix: Learn Less, Implement More
Pick ONE strategy. One. Not 317. Not 7. ONE.
Take one tiny action that involves a BUY button or a SUBMIT form.
Courses don’t make money. Actions do.
You can’t deposit “watched 11 webinars” into your bank account. But you can deposit the profits from “sold a thing.”
5. You’re Trying to Invent a Unicorn Instead of Solving a Real Problem
The Problem: You Want to Be Original More Than You Want to Be Profitable
You’re out there trying to build the next Uber for Beekeepers or write a PLR set for Time-Traveling Dentists. Meanwhile, Dan Down-the-Street made $6K last month selling Canva templates… for bingo night.
The Fix: Solve a Painful, Boring, Payable Problem
If people yell “TAKE MY MONEY” to a solution, they don’t care if it’s sparkly.
Skip the glitter. Sell the fix.
Money follows utility. Not uniqueness. Especially when you’re still trying to pay off your llama costume side hustle.
6. You’re Still Waiting to “Feel Ready”
The Problem: You’re Waiting for the Magical Combo of Energy, Confidence, and Mercury in Retro Jurassic Park
You’ll start that offer when the planets align, your inbox is empty, and your left eyebrow grows back in even.
Meanwhile, Bold Brad woke up, typed “I can help,” slapped it on a landing page, and now gets 5 consults a week.
And guess what? He still types with two fingers!
The Fix: Readiness Is a Myth – Movement Is Magic
The only way to feel ready is to start. That’s it. Action creates confidence, not the other way around.
Put your shaky, unsure, beautiful little self out there.
Launch scared. Promote while sweating. Sell before you’re sure. That’s how the pros do it.
7. You’re Not Making Enough Noise
The Problem: You’re Whispering in a Room Full of Vuvuzelas
You drop your offer once, politely. Maybe twice, with a shy emoji. And then… silence.
Wah!
You don’t want to bother anyone. But meanwhile, Rick the Relentless is yelling about his $97 PDF every 6.2 minutes while simultaneously tap dancing on TikTok and collecting leads in his sleep.
The Fix: Repeat Yourself Until You Annoy Yourself
Marketing is repetition. Think of it as polite pestering with purpose. Most people don’t buy the first time they see an offer – they buy the seventh. Or the twelfth. So be the friendly, relentless reminder they actually need.
You’re not spamming. You’re serving with sparkles. Stop hiding your stuff – shout it from the Wi-Fi rooftops and sprinkle it with personality.
You’re not being loud… you’re being memorable.
8. You’re Selling Features, Not Feelings
The Problem: You’re Listing Ingredients Like a Grocery Receipt
“10 video lessons, 3 PDFs, lifetime access” – snore.
You’re marketing your product like a can of beans. But people don’t buy features., see…
They buy feelings. Relief. Control. Validation. The fantasy of finally looking in the mirror and going, “HECK yes, I figured this stuff out.”
The Fix: Sell the Transformation, Not the Table of Contents
Nobody wakes up thinking, “Gosh, I sure hope I get 17 worksheets today!” They want results. Sell the outcome, not the parts list. Paint the picture of what their life looks like after buying your thing – more freedom, less stress, more ice cream at 2am.
Your product is a magic bridge to a better version of their life. Market it like you’re the sherpa of their dreams, not the librarian of data packets.
9. You’re Expecting Logic to Do the Heavy Lifting
The Problem: You Think If You Explain It Well Enough, People Will Buy
You write the world’s most reasonable sales page. Every sentence is backed with logic, facts, and helpful charts. It’s like a dissertation on the brilliance of your offer.
Meanwhile, Peggy sells motivational stickers with the phrase “You’re a glitter-slinging warlock” and pulls $8K a month.
The Fix: Trigger Emotion First, Justify Later
People buy emotionally and defend it with logic. Make them feel something first – relief, hope, joy, wild giggles. Once they’re emotionally invested, the logic gives them permission to hit the buy button.
Want to win? Tug the hearts, then back it up with the smarts.
Your offer isn’t just a solution – it’s a portal to a new emotional state. Make them want the feeling, not just the function.
10. You’re Creating, But Not Connecting
The Problem: You Post Like a Robot With a Scheduling Tool
You’re publishing content, sure. Three blog posts a week. Social media links. The occasional email.
- But… where’s the connection?
- The weird selfie?
- The story about burning your lunch while launching?
That stuff makes you human. And humans buy from humans, not invisible digital gnomes.
The Fix: Share Your Quirks and Invite Conversation
Show up with personality!
Be a little (or perhaps a lot) unique. Talk about your cat’s obsession with the printer. Ask questions. Share fails. Reply to comments. Make people feel like they know YOU, not just your brand.
The more people like you, the more they trust you. And trust is the invisible currency that turns followers into buyers.
11. You’re Trying to Be the Hero Instead of the Guide
The Problem: You’re Centering Yourself in Their Story
Your copy says things like “I’ve made six figures” and “Look at me, I’m awesome, woohoo!”
Which is fine.
But your buyer doesn’t want another hero – they want someone to help them be the hero. You’re not Frodo. You’re Gandalf. You’re not Luke. You’re Yoda (but with better snacks).
The Fix: Make the Customer the Star of the Show
Talk about their journey. Their pain. Their dream ending. Position yourself as the guide who knows the map and has snacks for the road. Let them see themselves winning – with your help.
It’s not about showing off what you’ve done. It’s about showing what they can do – if they follow your lead. Become the lantern-holder, not the spotlight-stealer.
12. You’re Not Asking for the Sale
The Problem: You’re Hinting and Hoping Instead of Closing the Deal
You write a fabulous post. You drop wisdom. People love it!
But then… you vanish like a ninja with commitment issues. No “click here,” no “buy now,” just vague spiritual signals.
And your audience? Confused and still clutching their wallets like, “Wait… were we supposed to do something?”
The Fix: Be Clear, Be Bold, Be Obvious
You need a Call to Action – loud, proud, and repeatable. Tell them what to do next: buy this, download that, join now.
You’re not being pushy. You’re being helpful. Nobody likes guessing if they’re looking for solutions, y’know.
Make it ridiculously easy to buy from you. Think “GPS for cash.” Bonus points if you do it with charm, weird humor, and a cat GIF.
13. You Think You Need a Big Audience to Make Big Money
The Problem: You’re Waiting to Get 10,000 Followers Before You Start
You think money only comes when you’re Insta-famous or TikTok-tastic. So you spend weeks growing an audience and zero time actually monetizing.
Meanwhile, Nikki Nobody has 58 people on her list and still made $4,200 last month selling “Snarky Budget Planners for Single Dads.”
The Fix: Small List, Big Love, Bigger Offers
You don’t need a stadium. You need a tight-knit bunch who like you, trust you, and click the buy button! Focus on depth, not width. Build relationships, not random follows.
One buyer who trusts you is worth more than 1,000 lurkers who wouldn’t buy a cupcake if it was free and came with a puppy.
14. You Haven’t Figured Out What THEY Want Yet
The Problem: You’re Guessing Instead of Listening
You’re creating what you think people need. But your audience?
They’re over there, waving their credit cards, saying “Hi, I want THIS!” But you? You’re busy building a DIY goat-yoga retreat when they just want a downloadable spreadsheet that saves them time.
The Fix: Ask. Listen. Then Deliver.
Run polls. Send quick surveys. Read comments. Use your inbox as a crystal ball! Let them hand you the idea on a gold platter and then sell it back to them with a wink and a bow.
People don’t buy what’s clever. They buy what’s useful. Solve their problem. You don’t have to be psychic — just responsive.
15. You’re Selling the Steak, Not the Sizzle
The Problem: You’re Focusing on What It Is, Not How It Feels
You’re telling them your coaching includes “8 sessions and access to a Slack channel.” Cool, I guess.
But how about instead telling them they’ll finally sleep through the night without waking up stressed and full of existential dread? Ohhh yeah! That hits different.
The Fix: Make Them Feel the Relief
Describe the after!
Talk about the transformation. Evoke emotion. Paint the feeling – joy, ease, pride, peace, security, epic levels of chill. The real win isn’t the “thing” – it’s the freedom it brings.
Nobody wants a drill. They want a hole in the wall, a place to hang art, and a home that feels finished. Sell the feeling of the art on the wall.
16. You’re Comparing Your Chapter 3 to Their Chapter 27
The Problem: You Keep Measuring Your Start Against Their Highlight Reel
You’re scrolling. Comparing. Panicking!
You see someone with a perfect brand, amazing engagement, testimonials from small celebrities, and a hot tub. You? You’re still picking fonts and wondering if that typo on your landing page ruined your entire life.
The Fix: Stay in Your Lane and Measure What Matters
You’re not behind. You’re just on your own timeline. The only real question is: Did I move forward today?
Compare ONLY to yesterday’s you. Progress isn’t a race – it’s a breadcrumb trail.
And let’s be honest: some of those hot-tub-having marketers are drowning in refunds and regret! But you?
You’re building it slow and steady – and that’s how empires are made.
17. You’re Chasing New Ideas Instead of Cash Flow
The Problem: You’re Addicted to Starting, Not Finishing
Your brain is a popcorn machine of brilliance. One day it’s a course on mindful bathtubs, next it’s a subscription box for ferret wigs.
You start everything.
You finish almost nothing.
But guess what pays the bills? It ain’t your idea journal – it’s the offers that are actually out there earning.
The Fix: Monetize One Idea Fully Before You Hop to the Next
Pick one. Just one. NOT 236. NOT 101. NOT 3.
Just 1. See it through. Get it live, get it in front of buyers, and squeeze juice from that idea until you’re sipping success with a bendy straw.
You can chase your 73 other dreams – after you get this one rolling in revenue.
Discipline isn’t boring. It’s bankable. Focus is your golden goose. Hug it tight and ride it to PayPal-town.
18. You’re Solving Tiny Problems Nobody Wants to Pay For
The Problem: You’re Helping… But It’s Not Hurting Anyone Enough to Buy Relief
You created a downloadable “List of Rainy Day Sock Folding Songs.” Or maybe a PDF on “Mildly Interesting Fonts.”
Cute? Sure.
Needed? Not really.
Meanwhile, folks out there are suffering with burnout, confusion, procrastination, and full-on panic-mode energy.
The Fix: Find the Bleeding Neck Problem and Fix That Instead
If someone’s ankle itches, they’ll wait.
But if their arm is on fire, they’ll throw money at a solution!
Be the fire extinguisher, not the back scratcher. Talk to your audience. Figure out what makes them stress-scroll at 3am. Solve that.
Pain that feels urgent leads to sales that feel automatic. You’re not being salesy – you’re being a lifesaver.
19. You’re Giving Away the Good Stuff for Free Forever
The Problem: You’re Overdelivering in All the Wrong Places
You’re writing epic email essays, free trainings, and masterclass-style social posts… and then your paid stuff is just, like, “3 bonus checklists and a motivational squirrel sticker.”
Oof. You’ve trained your people to expect everything for nothing. And now you wonder why nobody buys?
The Fix: Shift the Line – Tease, Then Deliver Behind a Paywall
Free stuff should create awareness. Paid stuff should create transformation.
Give value, yes – but always lead to something bigger. Something that says “If this free tip helped, imagine what the full version can do!” Create curiosity, not closure.
You don’t owe the internet your entire brain. Save the good waffles for the paying brunch guests.
20. You’re Being Too Humble to Be Remembered
The Problem: You’re Waiting to Be Discovered Like a Hidden Gem in the Sand
You’ve got brilliance. You’ve got results. You’ve got unique and wonderful insights.
But you’re hiding them under a blanket of polite humility, scared that if you say “Hey, I’m really good at this,” people will think you’re bragging. Meanwhile, Brett the Braggasaurus is out there yelling, “I’m the best!” while cashing in – with half your skill set.
The Fix: Own Your Value Out Loud (Without Losing Your Soul)
You don’t need to be arrogant. But you do need to be confident!
Tell the stories. Share the proof. Let people see what you’ve done, what you know, and why it matters to them. Nobody buys from invisible experts.
Be the friendly authority. Be the helpful lighthouse. You don’t need to scream – but you do need to shine.
Enjoy!
ps – this post was inspired by this incredibly grand video by Vincent Chan – highly recommended!!
You can find his channel here.
