Why is it that I feel the need to provide an explanation when I tell people that I am a Writer and Internet Marketer. The writing bit they get, but adding the ‘internet marketing’ results in one of two optical responses:
* eyes glazing over, or
* eyes averted in embarrassment
The first reaction tells me that they have no idea what I’m talking about. The second tells me they are thinking of either (a) porn, (b) scams or (c) both.
Depending on the person and their ‘need to know’, I usually explain initially that I write content for people with websites, and that I have websites of my own. If they appear interested I will take it up a level.
Search Engine Optimization
I have an overly simplistic way of explaining SEO, and the role that my writing plays in the whole shebang. By then moving on to how I have information products of my own that teach others how to write for the internet as well – I introduce them to how this makes me an internet marketer.
There is nothing overly complicated about this, in is legit, honest, and it brings me an income from products that I create once, and sell over and over. Shockingly simple – some may say.
The Marketing Bit
The truth is though that successful internet marketing involves having a fast web formula – a proven strategy to bring your product or service to the eyes of your buying market, and persuade them to buy.
Having a nice website is perhaps the most inconsequential part of the process. You can have the most fantastic website in the world, but unless people visit it, you won’t make a cracker. You need to understand and embrace a variety of techniques and strategies to bring people to your site.
Shockingly time consuming unless you outsource some of the hack work.
Diversifying
Once you get involved in the internet marketing world, the opportunities (what I call the ‘pretty lights’) will amaze and distract you. It can be really difficult to stay focused on the things that are bringing you income. Copywriters can be very persuasive in leading you to hitting the “Buy Now” button for products and services that will make you rich before you know it.
However, when a real opportunity comes along, one that you have identified as filling a real need, seize it. I recently did this with my most recent product “DomainNameAction“. I had purchased several hundred domains over the years and developed around a quarter of them. The others were lying fallow, giving me no return on my investment.
If this was my case, I guessed, correctly, that it would be the same for other internet marketers. So I developed a service that put inexpensive SEO websites on my clients’ empty domains. Their sites are now ageing and indexed (really important when they come to develop them or sell them).
I have dabbled in a few other projects that did not pay off however – a rare and shocking confession from an internet marketer!
Are You Shocked?
So, here’s the thing. If I can be an internet marketer, so can you. It is not difficult, but there is a formula to follow if you wish to be successful, and researching your market plays a key role.
>> If you are able to be in Sydney Australia in September 2010, I recommend you learn about internet marketing techniques from one of the best in the industry.
Leave a Reply