The Truth About Online Marketing
The Truth About Online Marketing Terri Seymour of
www.seymourproducts.com
I am writing this article in the hopes of letting people know
the truth about online marketing and building a home business. I
have been in online marketing for almost ten years and have had
several successful businesses and a couple not so successful
businesses. In that time, I have learned many truths and seen
many misleading half-truths.
So many times you will hear how easy it is to throw up a website
and then watch the money come rolling in. Sorry folks, it just
doesn't happen that easily! We are here to tell you the whole
truth - no hype or misleading half-truths.
When you read these ads that say things like:
Make $20,000 Your First Month or All You Have to Do is Send
Emails to Make 1000s Weekly!
Delete it or leave the site. Things like this just do not
happen. I am not saying it is impossible, but extremely
unlikely! So, if you are interested in hearing the basic and
honest truth about building a home business, keep reading.
Truth #1
Anyone cannot do it!
It takes a certain amount of self-discipline, commitment,
perseverance, strength and a LOT of work. Unfortunately, we do
not all possess these qualities. If you feel that you do, then
you can do it!
Truth #2
Just build it and they will NOT come!
Putting up a website does in no way guarantee sales, success or
an income. Just putting up a site and not promoting it, is like
whispering someone's name in a crowd and thinking they will hear
it.
You have to work day and night and night and day on promoting
your site and getting your name known. And there is much more to
it then simply placing an ad here and there. There is also much
more to building your own business than having a website to
promote.
Truth #3
You will become frustrated and feel like giving up, many times!
I guarantee you will wonder why you even started doing this and
it will happen many times. Building a home business can be
extremely frustrating and overwhelming at times. That is when
connecting with other business builders online and offline can
help keep you focused. Join some networking groups so you can
talk to others who are going through the same experiences and
feelings as you are. Remind yourself why you started your own
business in the first place. You can work through these feelings.
Truth #4
You will spend more time than you think working your business.
So many people believe that if they start their own home
business they will only have to work a few hours a day or a few
days a week. Sorry, but that would be a hobby, not a business.
Building a business, at least for awhile, takes many hours a
day, and a lot of times, 7 days a week! Be prepared to work,
work, and work some more!
Truth #5
You will lose your confidence from time to time.
This still happens to me and I have been in business for almost
ten years! If you feel like you are a failure, take a good look
at the business you are in or the company you represent. Is this
really the business for you? Do you have the passion needed to
make this business a success? Don't be afraid to change your
business. I had several businesses before finding the one that
is truly my niche! You cannot let feelings of failure stop you
from making your dreams come true.
Truth #6
Success definitely does NOT come quickly or easily!
As I mentioned before, you will need to work your business 7
days a week. It will be a part of you for the rest of your life
and must become a part of your daily routine. I have seen many
people quit their business for reasons like problems with their
kids, or their spouse losing their job, or financial problems.
These are the people that will not become a success. We all have
these problems from time to time, but quitting our business is
not going to stop them from happening.
Truth #7
You will need to market and advertise offline as well.
So many people mistakenly believe that if they throw up a
website, post a few ads here and there, and gab on the email
groups all day (call it networking), their business will be a
success. That is so far from the truth. Networking is fine if
you do not perceive it as chatting all day on the email groups.
You need to get away from the computer every day and get out in
the real world and market that business!
Join your local Chamber of Commerce, get involved in community
events and activities, expand into surrounding communities! Pass
out flyers, get business cards made up and hand them out to
everyone you meet, talk to everyone you possibly can about your
business.
Your website should be an extension of your business, not your
entire business!
Truth #8
Building your own successful business is very rewarding.
And I am not just talking money. It builds your character,
boosts your self-confidence, gives you a feeling of pride, makes
you feel complete, gives you a purpose and much more!
Truth #9
There are a lot of wonderful people online.
One of the things I enjoy most about working online is meeting
so many people from so many different places. Without my
business, I would never have known these people even existed!
Establishing all these online relationships is definitely one of
the rewards of online marketing.
Truth #10
I would recommend to anyone who feels they have the qualities
needed for success to go for it!
My intentions with all these truths is definitely not to
discourage you from starting your own business, but to prepare
you for the truth of what lies ahead. Success will not come
easily or quickly. It is a long, hard, frustrating journey to
success. But, if you want it bad enough and possess the
qualities needed to finish the journey, success can be yours!!
And when you finally get there, you will realize that all the
places you momentarily got lost or took a wrong turn were very
instrumental in helping you reach your final destination! And
you will also realize that it was all worth it. Owning your own
successful business is very rewarding - personally, emotionally
and financially!