Internet Marketing for Beginners
I just sent an email to my customers and subscribers about those early days online, and my way of helping those who are just getting started.
Anyway, here is the email I sent out:
All I can I say is "phew", this has been one whirlwind of a week. Since the end of last year, I've been talking a lot about how important it is to plan, but to know when to stop planning and take action in your business.
And I couldn't very well be all talk and no action now could I?So I've been hard at work turning my plans into reality, and that's going to amount to a lot of great things this year.
One of those things is to provide more information to those who are just getting started as online marketers. I know that a lot of my readers are far from the beginner level, and I'm thrilled about that because it means that the Sweetie brand has done what it set out to do years ago.
But I also know that there are a lot of people out there, perhaps even you, who really need an extra hand to get going in the right direction. We all started out as beginners at one time, and man, those were the days.
So much time and money wasted on things you didn't even know how to use. Products that didn't help at all, too much information and conflicting opinions, and a hefty dose of frustration when you couldn't seem to grasp what exactly it is that people are doing to earn a living online. All you wanted to do was make a little extra to help with the finances, and it just wasn't happening.
I know because I was went through all that. But I was just so darned determined that I stuck with it, and eventually came out of it with a successful business.
Which brings me back to the reason I'm writing to you today...
I've put together a no-cost report and course for Internet Marketing Beginners. If that's not you, I apologize for taking up your time, but if it is you, I'd like to help.
For more details, please go to:
=> http://www.onlinemarketersweetie.com
Have a great weekend!
All my best, Melissa Ingold Your Friend & Partner in Online Success
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Is This Online Business Thing Really So Easy?
Right this minute, hundreds of thousands of people are desperately searching for their “pot of gold” on the Internet. Certain that all they have to do is click the right link, and poof, they’ll uncover the rainbow that takes them right to their big payday.
And why wouldn’t they think that?
You’ve likely been told, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but you do. After all, the cover is the first thing you see, and it’s almost impossible not to form an impression at that moment.
When it comes to online business, the successful make it look easy. You see their success from the outside; the recognition, the obvious lifestyle, and their ability to make things happen with seemingly no effort at all.
Is it so shocking then that 99% of online business ventures go bust?
I believe that it takes a certain kind of person to learn Internet marketing and make it online. Just like life in the outside world, the virtual one can be complicated, judgmental, and even a little lonely. You have to put yourself out there and take risks, not hide behind your computer waiting for someone to tell you what to do to succeed.
Successful entrepreneurs make it look easy because they’ve been in business for a long time. They didn’t just hop online yesterday, click their mouse and today they’ve got it made.
Still, even though we know better and all the hype of the early days has fallen to the wayside, this belief that it will happen overnight continues to thrive. And this ingrained belief could very well come from the way we tend to associate “work at home” with “easy” for no other reason than what the term “home” signifies.
Just take a look at the way strangers react to the mention of “work at home”, or why a spouse can’t understand why the house looks like a disaster zone and there’s nothing for dinner when work is done at home on the computer.
It’s a common assumption that working at home is effortless, unlike a real world job. And so it really surprises a lot of people who start a business, to realize how difficult it is to build it, manage it, make money from it, AND effectively merge it with daily life.
I’ve heard from countless people who say they’re giving up this whole “making money online thing”, that it’s not working, that they’re spending too much, etc., and it’s sad really, but I also know that they’re right to quit.
A little harsh…maybe, but I’m just telling the truth as I see it. Only the strong survive and prosper within this complex world we call the Internet. Quitting is never an option when you have a burning determination to achieve your dreams. You don’t back down when times get tough, when people get tougher, it just makes you even more dogged in your pursuit to have exactly what you want.
You never think you can’t do it, because you’re too busy finding ways that you can.
I think at some point every entrepreneur reaches that crucial breaking point in business, where you finally understand just how hard it really is and you’ve got to make a choice.
99% of online businesses will fold and call it a day, while the other 1% will take the leap and do whatever it takes to make it.
“So I have to wonder, when faced with statistics like that, are we using the phrase “easy” too loosely online when it’s anything but?”
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Ambassador of Truth? I’ll Take That
Several weeks ago my friend, Jason Moffatt told me that he put together a report and hoped it was okay that he mentioned me in it. I took a look and was terribly flattered by what he had to say.
The report is called “The Truth Serum”
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“To Be Successful, Model The Successful” – But Wait…This is the Internet!
If there’s one thing to be said about the Internet it’s that you can (appear to) be anyone you want.
Like:
- 80- year old granny selling cookie mixes made lovingly in her kitchen.
- Hot supermodel (with a picture to prove it) looking to connect with men.
- Millionaire guru peddling his latest and greatest get-rich-quick product.
- Social media expert (with tens of thousands of Twitter followers to prove it)
Of course, our Internet Marketing Sweetie readers don’t put up fronts, but the fact of the matter is… many do and it’s important to be aware of the fact.
So while the sage advice of emulating the successful can be helpful, beware of whom you perceive to be successful. What you see is not always reality.
So, how do you find successful mentors?
Define success for yourself. Many people feel popularity and exposure are the definition of success. Others are more concerned about much money their businesses are putting in their bank account. And still, there are others who are less concerned about the dollar figures, and more interested in achieving their ideal lifestyle through their business.
Knowing what success means to you will help you find those successful people you are looking for.
Don’t take everything at face value. Look for consistency and potential clues from the messages people send. Whether it’s a blog post, email, or Tweet – people reveal a lot about themselves.
Of course circumstances change over time, but if you detect the person isn’t revealing a consistent message. For example, if rich guru suddenly runs a fire sale because the bank is going to foreclose on their house… be weary.
Just really pay attention. Make sure what they say matches the image they’re putting out.
Research them. Find out what other people say and scrutinize those reviews. If they’re just glowing affiliate promotions, you may need to dig deeper. But you can learn a lot seeking out the opinions of others.
I live in a world where people are basically good, but there are all kinds of people. Some people do deceive with bad intentions. Other times, it’s just good people getting caught up in a persona. And even other times, people may not even be trying to project a particular success image, but we look at them and make our own judgments. So with that said, use a little noggin with those judgments.
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What’s the BIG Idea? (And How to Really Get Yours)
Over the past 7 ½ years, I’ve met a lot of online entrepreneurs. I’ve learned their quirks (I’ve got them too). What holds them back and often, what finally gets them moving forward.
A little while ago, I asked our readers “what type of online entrepreneur are you”, but one thing that I find common to a lot of hopeful Internet marketers is that they never really get off the ground.
Sometimes it’s over-thinking every little step and they feel they can’t get started because they haven’t connected every piece of the puzzle. By the way, if that’s you, read this post.
But many times, people get stuck at the idea phase. They’re looking for that big idea, that perfect business… something that will help them find the right answers.
(Side note: If you’re looking for business ideas, you can find them here, including plenty of online business ideas).
But here’s the thing – when it comes to getting started online, it’s not the IDEA that’s important… it’s the DOING.
Ideas are a dime a dozen and what you’re doing today, may not be what you’re doing two years from now.
This is ONLINE business, which means (generally speaking):
- Cheap start up costs
- Low overhead
- Extreme Adaptability. You change, alter, drop or add without huge repercussions.
This is not a brick-and-mortar where you have to committed, have a business plan fully etched in stone and possibly need to borrow tens of thousands of dollars to get started.
All you need is a domain, web hosting, and a mailing list.
What if you choose the wrong market/business idea?
- Scrap the project and take what you learned to a new project.
- Keep it simple to start. You don’t need all the latest technology and create a massive virtual empire right out of the gate. Build a mailing list, start selling stuff and go from there.
- Track and monitor results: If you know what’s working, you know to do more of that. If it’s not working… do less of that.
In just over 7 years, I’ve changed directions a few times, keeping a very steady business growth along the way. I adapt to what’s most profitable and what I enjoy the most… and that’s what’s so cool about running an online business. You do whatcha like, kid.
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Haven’t Started a Business Yet? Here’s to Keepin’ It Real!
When you first make the decision to work from home, whether it’s starting your own business or working for someone else, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all and sometimes certain aspects fall through the cracks.
Unfortunately, if you don’t take the time to plan out your business and consider every angle of working from home, you may find yourself quickly becoming a part of the 90% of home business owners that fail within the first year.
It’s not about having the motivation, the ideas, and the knowledge to create a viable home business; it’s about having the plan to guide you there. While it’s true that many people who own successful home businesses did so without a plan, it certainly does no harm for you to create one for yourself as a way to get things rolling.
Here are 3 things that you might not take into consideration when you decide to work from home:
1) Do you have the time? You might be thinking, well yes, I’m at home all day. But what about your children, activities, household duties? Are you capable of balancing all those things so that you can run a home business too? Just because you’re going to be working from home doesn’t mean you don’t have to work. The truth is, you’re going to have to work harder then you’ve ever worked before.
Are you ready to miss time with your family or work until the wee hours of morning? Don’t kid yourself into thinking that you can work when you want and still make tons of money. The truth is, you’re going to have to make plenty of sacrifices to get to that point. However, it is possible to set your own hours and make a good income, but it takes plenty of hard work to get there first. So if you’re not ready to make sacrifices in the name of business, then maybe you should reconsider and wait until you are ready.
2) How are you going to accomplish everything? Jumping too quickly into a business can leave you feeling confused and frustrated when things don’t happen the way you want, or expect them to. Outlining a plan for each phase of your business will give you a clear idea on what you need to do to get to, and through each phase.
- Who is your target market? (who will buy from you)
- If you choose to operate completely online, will you get a website, a domain name? Will you need a shopping cart, a merchant, a designer?
- How will you stock your store if you choose to sell physical products? What about photos?
- How will you market your business and finance your marketing efforts?
- How will you fulfill orders and ship them? Will you be able to get to the post office to ship items in a timely manner?
- Do you need any special licenses to operate? What about insurance? Packaging?
There are so many things to consider when you choose to run a business from home, so if you have a plan in place it will be so much easier to accomplish your goals and prepare yourself for any unexpected things that may come up.
3) Are you prepared for growth? A home business is no simple undertaking. It takes sweat, guts, and tears to build up a business to the point that you can actually make an income. Depending on the type of business you have, will you be able to handle it on your own, or will you need to outsource, hire help, or even move into a brick and mortar building?
Do you even want to grow that large, or will you be happy running a small business? This is something you need to seriously think about. For example, if you own a children’s boutique selling clothes that you make yourself by hand, what will you do when the orders start coming in faster then you can keep up with? Will you have someone to help you, will you look for a manufacturer for your designs, or will you have to start handing out refunds? Being prepared to handle growth before it happens will make the transition go smoothly when the time comes.
So before you jump on the work at home bandwagon looking for a fast buck, slow down and keep it real. Ask questions, research, and consider hiring a business coach to help you get started the right way.
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Give Your Clients 3 Good Reasons to Hire You (Plus FREE Webinar)
If I asked you right now to give me three good reasons why your ideal clients should hire you and not the next writer/designer/virtual assistant/service provider – what would you say?
Would you have an answer?
If it’ll take you more than 3 minutes to answer, then chances are you haven’t thought of your Unique Selling Proposition or USP.
USP is a marketing and advertising concept. It is simply that which sets you or your product apart from your competitors.
And if you’re a freelancer, your services are your product, and they need to have a USP.
Without a USP, you’ll just be one of the thousands of service providers out there, many of whom are willing to work for pennies.
If you want to wipe out your competition and make your rates a non-issue, then you need a USP.
Your USP can be:
- your story (it’s always unique)
- your service
- your work ethic
- your offer
When putting together a USP, keep in mind what your ideal clients *really* want. It won’t benefit you much to be the only VA who offers translation in Swahili if none of your prospective clients ever need that service.
Once you have your USP, use it far and wide. Distill your USP into one punchy sentence and:
- Make it the sub-title of your professional website or blog.
- Put it on your business card.
- Add it in your Email and forum signatures.
- If you need inspiration, look at ads for consumer products very carefully. Try to figure out what each product’s USP is. Take note of which ones grab your attention and stay in your memory.
Now, go and do it for your freelancing business.
Need more help crafting your freelancing USP? Join Lexi Rodrigo & Sharon McMillan for a no-cost, no-pitch webinar on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 9 PM (EST). Lexi & Sharon will be talking about specific steps you can take to have a USP you’ll be proud of.
Click here to sign up for The Savvy Freelancer’s webinar.
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Need To Set Up An Online Store? – 15 Tips to Get Started
Here’s an article we’ve put together for people wanting to use our easy website builder (there’s a 10-day free trial if you’re looking to set up an online store, by the way). It’s got 15 handy tips to get you started:
With the Internet, selling your product, service – or both – has become easier and more affordable than ever.
But there are a lot of pitfalls out there, if you don’t study your options first. You could get “trapped” into an expensive service with features you don’t need. Or pour hundreds of hours (not to mention dollars) into building a site that doesn’t attract customers nor convert them into buyers.
Here are our top 15 tips to setting up your online store, and doing so to maximize your potential for profits:
1. Create an irresistible offer
Even before you create you online store, make sure you have an irresistible offer. Find out what your target buyers really want, and make your product or service stand out from your competition.
Craft a compelling USP (unique selling proposition), match it with a can’t-resist price, and ensure your delivery method is fool-proof.
2. Pick a winning domain name
On the Internet, your domain name might as well be your business name. It’s what prospects will remember and associate with your biz. It’s one of the things search engines look at to rank your site, and it’s one of the first things web surfers see.
Make your domain name easy to remember, but make sure it accurately describes what you offer. Some swear by using a verb, such as “growyourhairback.com”
3. Select a website host who will help you succeed
Not all website hosts are created equal. Some are better suited for ecommerce sites than others. Think first of what you need on your site, and then shop around.
A website builder like Internet Based Family, makes setting up an online store easy. It has a built-in shopping cart, so you don’t have to pay for one separately, or worry about compatibility.
You won’t be a slave to your webmaster if you build your online store with Internet Based Family, because you can add products and do everything else without any coding whatsoever.
4. Design your site for maximum usability
When think of your site design, do so from the user’s point of view. Is it easy to find what they need? Can they see enough product information to make a buying decision? Is the order button visible?
Think of your own online shopping experience. Learn from biggies like Amazon.com, as well as those online stores you hated and didn’t order from.
5. Make sure your copy converts
Text plays a big role in online shopping. Each page needs a headline which attracts the buyer and compels them to look at the rest of the page. Product descriptions should be accurate and at the same time enticing. Additional copy should address possible objections. And each page should have a clear call to action, such as “click here to order.”
6. Get a shopping cart
Every online store needs a shopping cart to receive and process orders. Many options are available. You’ll want one that’s reliable, affordable, has excellent customer service, and allows you to manage affiliates.
The easy website builder at Internet Based Family includes an integrated VeriSign Secure Certified shopping cart. That’s one less thing for you to worry about when you build your online store with Internet Based Family.
7. Make sure you have a merchant account, which will grow with your business
To receive payments online, you’ll need a merchant account. For starters, PayPal may be all you need. But you will eventually have to process credit card payments directly. Ask about Internet merchant accounts in your financial institutions.
8. Balance your budget with what you’re willing (or able) to do yourself
The various options can overwhelm you. There are so many choices, with very wide price ranges. Keep your budget and needs in mind. Don’t be tempted to pay more for features you may never need.
9. Optimize your site for the search engines
Since your store is going to be on the Internet, make it easy for search engines to find you and rank you high for relevant keywords.
That free trial also has tools and free training to help you site rank well with search engines.
10. Choose a system you can use
Make sure your site uses a system that lets you add or update products easily, as well as receive and manage orders. If you need a webmaster to do every little thing on your site, you’ll soon get overburdened with your online store.
11. Capture leads
Many of your visitors won’t buy your product or service the first time they land on your site. Therefore, you will want to get their contact information – an email address, at the very least – so you can send them information and remind them of your offer once in a while.
12. Keep it simple
Don’t fill your online store with flash animation, graphics and images just because you think they’re pretty. These can make your site load very slowly and make your visitors so frustrated they’ll click away. Minimize the elements that can distract your visitors away from your call to action.
13. Be upfront with all costs
According to Marketing Sherpa, nearly 60% of online buyers abandon their order at the shopping cart stage, in large part, because they’re surprised by hidden charges. State all the costs associated with their order so your buyers know exactly what they’re getting into.
14. Keep it interactive
Notice how interactive Amazon.com is? You can submit ratings, reviews and even find out about other buyers. Online shoppers like this interactivity and tend to trust online stores that provide it.
Internet Based Family has features, which make interaction very easy. It’s simple to add a feedback form, guest book and even a message board.
15. Don’t forget marketing
Once your online store is up and running, your work is far from completed. You then have to market your store. Sending press releases, article marketing, video marketing and social networking are some effective ways to promote your online store.
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