"Nothing For Nothing"
One of the best things about writing articles is connecting with
people. Sometimes Internet marketing can seem like an
impersonal, sterile world.
People will write me asking for advice. The main thing they want
to know is how to be "successful" in Net marketing.
One thing that strikes me about the people who write me is that
very few want to spend the money or invest the time necessary to
be "successful." They seem to want instant riches without having
to spend a dime or invest a few hours each day.
The other impression I get is that people don't seem to want to
educate themselves about online marketing. They want the answers
for making money handed to them on a platter without having to
actually do or learn anything.
I want to share with you correspondence between myself and one
person who contacted me. He requested some information on how to
be "successful" in online promotion. The first thing I did was
ask him some questions. They were:
- How long have you been in Internet marketing? - What are you
promoting? - Are you promoting affiliate programs? If so, how
many? - Or...are you promoting your own product? - What methods
do you use to advertise (FFA's, classified ads, ezine ads, etc)?
- What learning tools do you use (ezines, informational
websites, membership programs, etc)? - How many hours a day are
you able to devote to Net marketing? - Why ARE you in Net
marketing? - What are your goals..what do you want from this? -
Is this a passion or a means to an end?
To this person's credit, he did answer all of my questions. 99%
of the time, people don't bother and I never hear from them
again.
At the end, he said, "Okay, I have answered your questions.now
answer mine." That struck me as a bit abrupt. But I know from my
own experience that when we type we can be thinking one thing
and it can come out much different than we intended. So I gave
him benefit of the doubt. I answered his questions.
He then asked me if I would take the time to critique his
website. Which I did.
It was a replicated website which meant it was for an affiliate
program. These were what I saw as weaknesses in the website:
- The salesletter was confusing. I had no clear idea how this
program would benefit me. - There were no testimonials. - There
was no written guarantee. - There was no contact address or
phone number.
But the worse thing about this website is this person was using
a HotMail account as his email address! I told him that most
people would not take this program seriously because he was
using a "throw away" email address.
In response, he wrote:
- He could change the email account when he found a better
option, but that he didn't see that as an immediate problem. -
That most of the marketing for this program was done offline.
The website was for people outside of Australia. That within
Australia, more details were given. (Then why market outside of
the country if you're not going to give people complete
details?) - That there were testimonials on the Members Only
Discussion Board (They've already bought the program. Why do
THEY need testimonials?) - Regarding the lack of a guarantee.he
said (and I quote), "No network marketing company EVER gives one
of these." (I beg your pardon?)
And this person wants to set up "shop" online and have it
generating money 24/7, without his direct involvement?
I came away from this experience thinking that he may have
wanted advice but he wasn't willing to listen. I also thought he
wasn't willing to invest even a small amount of money in order
to earn money...nothing for nothing. He was just looking for a
sure-fire answer to quick money.
The latter is a feeling I often have with people who write me.
Success is not given...Success is EARNED. If you don't have much
money, then you'll have to spend your time. If you do have some
money, then you can spend less time. But you'll see better
results if you invest both time and money. I'm not saying don't
use free resources to advertise. Just be realistic; it may take
you longer to reach your goals going that route.
When I started out in Internet marketing, I put aside a set
amount of money for advertising. It wasn't much; just what I
felt I could afford at the time. I learned and continue to learn
as much as I can about marketing. As long as I'm in online
promotion, I will be a student.
At this point, I take some of the profits I make each month and
reinvest it into more advertising. My ad tracking tells me what
is working and what's a waste of time and money. It's been a
slow build, but every month it gets better and better.
We will get out of Internet marketing exactly what we put into
it; there is no "free ride." If you think there is, then you
will get...Nothing For Nothing.
"The successful person is the individual who forms the habit of
doing what the failing person doesn't like to do." Donald Riggs