Succeeding in the Rapidly Changing Internet Marketing World
If we had only known that niche marketing was going to be so
wildly popular we would have focused on that instead of MLM.
If we had only known that Google was going to change its
algorithm and the rules of AdWords were going to change we would
have...
Do yourself a favor and stop beating yourself up! You are not
alone. It is a safe bet that the only constant in internet
marketing will be change! The plethora of new product offers
that are constantly dropping into your email inbox are proof of
that. You know Google will keep changing its algorithm and new
search engines may even challenge Google someday.
Here are a few tips to avoid getting overwhelmed by this
constant sea of change.
CONTINUOUS EDUCATION
Know that to have long-term success in internet marketing, you
can't just rely on luck. This is a serious profession which
requires serious study. There are techniques which work and some
that won't. In this respect, internet marketing is like any
other profession.
Due to this rapid rate of change, you can't allow yourself to
become complacent. There are always new materials, new
techniques and ideas to evaluate.
Most of us learn either from recognized experts in our field or
from peers or from our own experience. One great way to pick up
information is by participating in internet marketing forums.
These are like online classrooms where you can ask questions and
participate in healthy exchanges between marketers of all
experience levels. While participating in the forums, you'll
probably pick up some traffic to your website as a nice
by-product!
PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
During a presidential campaign in the not too distant past, one
candidate was accusing the other of being 'a waffler'. This term
could be applied to countless people who can't seem to decide
what to market next. They get excited and start with a product
or system, investing lots of time and money in getting it up and
running. It could be anything from e-books sold on mini-sites to
selling on eBay to AdWords.
Then, one day they hear of another new system (probably one
created by someone who claims "the gurus are angry with me for
giving away all their secrets..."). Easily discouraged by their
lack of results with the first opportunity, they put that to the
side and try the new one. This can quickly turn into a cycle
where they try something for a short time, get discouraged,
throw it away and try the next thing.
This is a very costly way of doing business. The nature of the
internet business is that it takes time to build momentum. So,
you must give your investment time to bear fruit.
TAKE TIME TO REGROUP
If you are guilty of chasing too many ideas at once, take time
to regroup. Make a list of all of the products or ideas you
have. From this list, determine which of these it will be
feasible for you to pursue. This is going to depend, at least in
part, on your level of knowledge with the product and what your
interests are. Work with your strengths. It is more
time-efficient for you to focus on a product or idea which you
know inside-out, rather than investing yet more time on a new
idea that you just became familiar with.
Next, devise an achievable plan. Focus on this ONE thing you've
chosen and set a realistic timeline to achieve results. Don't be
in a hurry. If you have a 'day job', realize that the time you
have to devote to your internet venture is limited. The
important thing is for you to work at a steady pace until your
idea takes hold and the money starts flowing in. That will give
you the energy to continue.
DISCIPLINE IS THE KEY
Navigating through the changing seas of the internet marketing
game requires discipline. Make sure you are a continual learner,
but at the same time, don't try to apply too many of those ideas
at once!
About the author:
Dave Keegan's 'Push Button Income' web site at
http://www.dkeeganonline.com offers resources to help you build
a successful internet business. While visiting, don't forget to
sign up for his *free* 5-part newsletter entitled "Online
Advertising for the Completely Clueless".