My Random Internet Marketing Observations
June 16, 2009 · Print This Article
I was sitting here, thinking about my blog and I couldn’t settle on any particular subject to blog about. So… in a rather haphazard fashion, I’m going to throw down some random internet marketing thoughts here.
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It is confusing to add an OTO to your product or promote another product on your “thank you” page, but it’s worth it. I have to map out by hand how the whole thing will work with arrows pointing different directions so I can see it, but once it’s in place I don’t have to mess with it and it makes me money. I have an OTO on a product right now that converts 1 sale in every 4.
When I try to market a specific product either to my list, through the Warrior Forum or Twitter, or as a guest poster, sometimes it leads to making more sales of other various products I offer, NOT the one I’m promoting. Weird, huh?
I look like a savvy internet marketer to people who don’t sell online, but I don’t know jack compared to some of the gurus. I can live with that. When I’m feeling particularly online stupid, I look at where I started and realize I have come a long way.
Sometimes dollars speak louder than words. It wasn’t until I started writing down, with a pen, how much I’m making every single day and my goal for the month that I really started picking up my pace. The internal dialog mostly goes like this: “Crap, if I want to make my goal of $$ this month, I’d better hurry up and create another product fast or write some PLR bundles to sell!” Having a monetary goal also helps me to think of how I can creatively market the VRE I already have.
You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there and walk and talk like a real marketer. No one will buy my product just because I created it and know it’s good. I’ve got to be my biggest promoter. I’ve worked hard to get over my reluctance to be a marketer. Still, I aim for less cheesy and less hypey.
Not every internet marketer tells the truth. Just because someone promises to promote my product to their big list, that doesn’t mean it will happen. I had a HUGE disappointment in this area, but I chalked it up as a painful learning experience. Consequently, I make sure I don’t promise when I know I can’t deliver.
Sometimes I get a chip on my shoulder about Twitter… it seems like a popularity contest. Reminds me of how popular I wasn’t in high school. But I noticed something pretty neat - if I don’t worry about it and just be myself and have some fun, Twitter works for me.
I like to be a lone wolf, but it’s more fun and profitable to build relationships. You can bounce ideas off one another and help your friends out. They’re also there for you when you come unglued because you can’t get your footer to look right in your HTML editor.
Lists are people too. I’ve become friends with people on my lists who email me with their thoughts, questions, and advice. Yes, it takes time to answer everyone and I hate admitting when I don’t know something, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Any random internet marketing observations you’d like to share?
Far too many gurus give lip service to wanting to help but the truth is they have just developed a product to sell so that they can grow their empire. If you can’t reach them by email, beware their assistants may or may not be competent. But it is always nicer to know who created the product.s and is “teaching you”.
Yes, Carol, that observation goes hand in glove with believing a promise that they don’t keep. But as we go along, we do learn who we can trust.
Peggy
Everyday I get so many hyped up offers to buy something I don’t want that I’ve become really picky about who’s emails I even read. I have stopped all contact with invisible marketers. I look for a real name, an address and a working email contact. If I don’t find one, I delete it.
I often send an email to a marketer if I am confused about a statement or something in their offer. If I get a canned response that has nothing to do with my question or no answer in a short time, I unsubscribe or delete the email.
There was a time when we all could tell the difference between real and hype on the Web. I miss that time.
With that rant out of me, I do support ethical marketers and you are one of them, Peggy. You say it like it is and sell exactly what you are marketing…no switcheroos when interested readers get to your sales pages.
I do believe that your ethical marketing will take you right to the top. I truly do!
Hi Peggy,
You ended your email with: “It’s a short collection that could use your imput to make it better!”
Well, flattery will get you somewhere… here I am… now to express
my thoughts could lead me to run on and on, but I’ll limit myself to saying I really appreciate your realness and sincerity in expressing
some of your frustrations and hopes… for instance when you
describe mapping the OTO with pencil and paper…
That’s what it took when I finally decided I HAVE TO MAKE SOME
MONEY… going over some process step by step… accepting when
it doesn’t work and starting over again or moving to something else…
I enjoyed your post Peggy, have a good day,
Fran
Fran Civile´s last blog post..Too Old To Enjoy Myself!
Pat,
Glad I could give you space for your rant. lol
I’m a big believer in ethical marketing and I’d like to think that those who follow ethical practices will win the day.
Thanks,
Peggy
Hi Fran,
I’m so glad you stopped by.
I think the pencil and paper are mightier than the computer when it comes to helping me think things out.
And I think we’re in this together to help each other reach our goals, so I won’t be putting on any airs and making stuff up to sound good.
Thanks,
Peggy
This looks like a friendly place to learn a few tips and tricks about internet marketing. Glad to be aboard!
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Glad to have you aboard. Chime in with your two cents anytime.
Thanks,
Peggy
Peggy,
My random thoughts in no particular order
find at least one person to mentor you. Let me rephrase that: find at least one person that is successful and knows what they are doing in this business to mentor you.
if you are going to buy the next ’shiny’ object that comes along that looks interesting; take action on it, especially if there are resell or plr rights to it…don’t just let it gather cyberdust on your hard drive.
find an accountability partner. I don’t say this enough in the emails we exchange….thank you for kicking my butt and getting me up off the floor when I need it.
Fantastic post!
Ron
Ron Barrett´s last blog post..Five Benefits of Using PLR Articles
Hi Ron,
Wise observations from an insightful marketer… YOU.
And I might add that if I didn’t have an accountability partner to try to impress(you), I wouldn’t get as much stuff done.
Thanks Ron.
Peggy