• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Apply to Get Invited to My Free Training: How to Book a Steady Stream of Clients & Earn a Full-Time Income Working 30 Hours a Week—Or Less

  • About
  • Make It Work Online
  • Products
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • FAQ + CONTACT
  • Free Resources

Jenny Shih

Success On Your Terms

Explore the Blog:
  • Build Your List
  • Get Clients & Make Money
  • Advanced Business Strategies
  • Stop Working So Hard
  • Proven Systems

Working Hard But Not Seeing Results? The Real Reason You’re Not Getting Clients (That No One Else Is Telling You)

Here’s what I know about you:

1. You’re smart.
2. You’re taking action based on what you’re learning.
3. You really want your business to work.

(I love go-getters like you!)

You’re showing up. You’re creating bite-sized offers. You’re being of service online. And you’re really going for it.

I also know that what you’re doing isn’t totally working. You’re maybe seeing some shifts, but overall, you’re not seeing the results you’re working so hard to create. No new clients and no money coming in.

And the worst part? You have no idea why nothing’s happening.

You see the strategies working for other people (like my client Saiisha, who got three clients in one day, and Maya, who got 7 clients in 12 hours!), so you study what they’re doing like you’re a mad scientist. But when you put what you see into action in your business, it doesn’t seem to click. Talk about frustrating!

There’s good news here: The reason it’s not working is NOT because you’re not smart or not trying. It’s not because you’re lollygagging or goofing off. And it’s not because your website isn’t good enough!

But there is a reason. One you can choose to ignore (and keep this game of “not working” going indefinitely) or one you can actively choose to address head on (and finally get things clicking), so you can make money in your business!

Today I’m going to tell you the straight-up truth about why what you’re doing isn’t working (and may never work) and how to flip this whole situation on its head to finally get clients and make money. (Even better, the solution’s easier than you think.)

The Challenges You’re Running Into

To shift this frustration, you have to first look at what you’re doing and the results you expected to get, then see where they don’t match up.

For example, maybe you created a bite-sized offer (BSO), posted it to your website, and shared it with friends, fans, followers, or people you think may want to hire you. You expected to get get a few clients from this, but instead you got crickets.

Or maybe you sent personal emails to your list and even added autoresponders to your email system. You expected responses from those emails and even a few clients, but you’re not getting any replies.

Think about this for a moment: What actions did you take, and what results did you expect?

[The more specific you can be, the more I can help you get past it today.]

You feel wildly frustrated to not see results from your efforts, and I used to feel the same way, too. But everything shifted when I found the reason why it was happening.

Before we get to that, let me reiterate this: It’s NOT that you’re doing the wrong things. The problem is something else entirely. And no one else is telling you this. (Except me, of course, right now!)

Click to DownloadHow to Create the Perfect Bite-Sized Offer for Your Business

What No One Else Is Telling You

When you do something for the first time, you follow the steps you’ve been given. And this is a fantastic way to start. But to make things click, there are so many nuances to proper execution, things you simply can not see.

Let’s use your BSO as an example.

Using the specifics I taught you, you crafted an offer that solves a tangible problem your target client faces. You followed my advice on what should be included and how you should price it. (Because you’re smart like that and listen to tested, proven approaches.) You followed through and posted your BSO to your website. (Go you!)

You’ve followed my instructions and done everything I’ve taught you, but you’re not getting results because you missed some key pieces. Things you don’t even know you’re missing.

To explain what I mean, let’s talk about learning to ride a bike.

Imagine you didn’t know how to ride a bike but you want to learn. You watch some YouTube videos, talk to friends, and even go to a bike shop to get the right gear.

Helmet on head and feet on pedals, you set off to ride.

[Do I even need to tell you what happens next?]

Scraped, bruised, and bloodied on the ground, you wonder what you did wrong. You watched the videos and talked with experts! You had the right gear, and it was even a sunny day!

Well, since you actually do know how to ride a bike and have successfully ridden one in the past, you know exactly why this happened. You simply can’t learn to ride a bike based on videos and discussion alone. You have to learn to ride a bike by actually riding, falling, and having someone prop you up and pick you up as you go. Even better, when you have the constant reminder to “Pedal!” you’re more likely to have a successful ride.

Back to your BSO.

What this bike example illustrates for you is that you simply can’t learn business by studying theory or executing one-off tips alone. You need two other things to make your BSO (or anything in your business) actually work.

1. To take action and get immediate feedback. In learning to ride a bike, that’s the bloodied knees; in posting and sharing your BSO, the feedback is the crickets you’re hearing.

2. Guidance as you keep executing. Learning to ride a bike without an experienced cheerleader, seat-holder, and technique-helper is almost impossible. Building a business without someone there to make sure you’re doing everything in exactly the right way is also impossible… even for the smartest and most savvy budding business owner.

In crafting your BSO and in taking all of the steps you’ve taken—from being of service to adding autoresponders to sending personal emails to new subscribers—you simply can’t see what you’re doing wrong because you have never done it before.

In essence, it’s not your fault!

So what’s wrong? Here’s what the other coaches out there aren’t telling you:

The problem isn’t WHAT you’re doing. It’s HOW you’re doing it. And it’s impossible to know what you’re not doing right because you haven’t done it before.

The good news is that you can do something about this!

Click to DownloadHow to Create the Perfect Bite-Sized Offer for Your Business

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Business

Now that you know why it’s not working, let’s talk about the solution. And at this point it’s pretty obvious:

Click to TweetYou must know HOW to take action the right way.

But the tricky part is that you don’t know what the right way is until you’re shown the right way by someone who’s been there, done it, and can help you make the proper adjustments to your execution.

I hear too many business owners say, “I know what I need to do. I’ll do it myself.”

And they try. And try. And try. For months or years. They say, “I need to make it work myself before I can hire help.” But this never works, because it’s completely backwards!

Even if you know you need to have a web presence that speaks to your target client, a BSO that solves a tangible problem, and to be of service daily… you can take action but you’ll miss the essential details that make everything finally click.

And there’s nothing more disheartening than seeing a smart, driven business owner who is full of potential—someone who is eager to make their business work, willing to put in the work, even doing the work, and really ready to go for it—take action but not see results.

They have almost everything they need… but not quite everything. And they’re bound to keep working hard, putting in the effort, and not seeing the payoff they so badly want.

Knowing HOW Changes Everything

Imagine if every time you took action to build your business that you had someone right there to give you feedback…

Imagine every time that you took an action and didn’t get the results you wanted that you had a team there to help you troubleshoot until it clicks…

Imagine if all of the effort you put into your business actually paid off, and you got clients and made money doing the work that matters so much to you!

This is the exact reason I created Make It Work Online. (Haven’t heard of it? Learn more here: makeitworkonline.com).

It’s for the hard-working, motivated business owners who want their efforts to actually pay off! It’s for those of you on the cusp of greatness, ready to do the right work in the right way and finally make money doing work you love.

Make It Work Online is a three-month coaching intensive designed specifically to help you get what you want most: a steady stream of new clients and a predictable, consistent income.

I’m currently accepting applications (but only through February 2nd), so apply now.

You can make your business work. I’ll show you HOW.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renée Suzanne says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Jenny, this is genius!! I just had a lightbulb moment!!

    This is so much like the work I do. As you know, I’m a love coach. Sometimes women get upset because they read my blog, watch my YouTube channel, put a profile a dating site and still haven’t met their guy.

    I tell them they have to go on dates, they have to get feedback, they have to do things differently, they have to keep taking action. I help them figure out what’s happening and why. I provide the accountability and support they need and I don’t let them quit!

    They’ve got all the right stuff, just like our budding entrepreneur. They just need support and they do so much better when they invest in themselves!

    For anyone on the fence, do it! Invest in yourself and show up and do the work! Jenny won’t let you down!

    xoxo

    Reply
    • Jenny Shih says

      January 27, 2016 at 11:37 am

      YAY!! So glad you see you and your clients in this, Renee! It’s such a BIG point that’s so easily missed, yet also essential to making everything click.

      Feel free to use the analogy with your clients to help them get it. And remember this as you do your work in the world — people need more than quick tips to find love and have great dates. And you bridge that gap in a HUGE way for them!

      xo

      Reply
  2. TaVona says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:28 am

    Freaking BRILLIANT…as always! I love your imagery and examples. Thank you for your wisdom and insight, Jenny.

    Reply
    • Jenny Shih says

      January 27, 2016 at 11:37 am

      Thank you, and I’m always happy to hear when things really resonate. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  3. Karen says

    January 27, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    It’s absolutely essential to have a coach by your side . Hire Jenny in the beginning. Don’t wait until you’ve made tons of mistakes and then hire her.

    Reply
    • Jenny Shih says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:52 am

      Thanks, Karen! <3

      Reply
  4. Ellen says

    May 9, 2016 at 9:58 am

    HI Jenny, I just love your direct crips and clear style. This blog is fresh and insightful. Many thanks for sharing this.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Ultimate Online Business Bundle

Build a wildly profitable online business (without ever burning out)

THE IDEA FLIGHT KIT
THE SYSTEM FLIGHT KIT
7 STEPS TO GETTING YOUR FIRST 1000 SUBSCRIBERS
7 STEPS TO MAKE IT WORK ONLINE

By entering your information, you agree to receive information and promotions from me. Per my privacy notice, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Free Resources

Build Your List

Get Clients & Make Money

Advanced Business Strategies

Stop Working So Hard

Proven Systems

BUILD YOUR EMAIL LIST

Popular articles

Steal This! My Simple System for Getting Killer Testimonials [Plus a Free Download with Done-for-You Script]

Curious About B-School? Here’s My 100% Honest Review of the Program, Plus Answers to Your Most-Asked Questions

Want to Sell a Course, Product, or Group Program? Read This First to Learn Why Most Fail and How to Avoid It

Steal This! The Must-Have Copy for Your ‘Work With Me’ Page

The Single Most Important Reason You’re Not Getting Clients on Social Media & How You Can Change It Immediately

Running My Business with Lyme Disease: What the Last 4 Years Have Really Been Like (A Deeply Personal Story)

I Eff’d Up: The Story Behind How I Failed My Way to Creating a Successful Online Business That I Love (Part 1)

One Email That Could Double Your Client List and Turn Subscribers into Mega-Fans (In Just a Few Minutes a Day)

6 Keys to Hitting 6 Figures: Discover What Made the Difference in My Business, My Mindset, and My Bottom Line

Why You Shouldn’t Sell Coaching and What to Sell Instead So That You Consistently Get More Clients to Hire You

SEARCH

Footer

Search

Explore the Blog

  • Build Your List
  • Get Clients and Make Money
  • Advanced Business Strategies
  • Stop Working So Hard
  • Proven Systems

© JENNY SHIH // ALL RIGHTS RESERVED      TERMS OF USE       PRIVACY NOTICE        COOKIE POLICY        DISCLAIMER