State of the IM Union?

by jcomm
9 replies
Hey gang,

It's been a while since I've had time to check in here, so thought I'd drop a quick post and ask a question.

The IM space has evolved a lot over the last few years. We've got more people than ever in the space, which means that could account for high unemployment rates... people are making money working for themselves! ;-)

Some interesting things are taking place...

The tools and knowledge we have now are advanced, making it much easier for someone to enter the space.

On the other hand, the recession IS putting a pinch on some people, AND, long-form sales letters are giving way to video sales-pages... things ARE changing.

My question for you is this...

Do you believe it is getting easier or more difficult for someone to get started with their own Internet biz? I know what I think, but curious to hear your input.
#internet marketing #state #union
  • Profile picture of the author Ron Douglas
    Hey Joel,

    I think it's much easier to start an Internet business these days IF you have a good idea that people want to buy or are able to establish yourself as an expert on a topic. You can reach people in ways you couldn't years ago and share how you can help them.

    If you're an affiliate trying to compete with a million other affiliates without really adding any value, I think it's more difficult. Compared to years ago - PPC bids have gone up, more people are writing articles and competing for keywords, and website visitors are more selective about what they opt-in for.

    I know I'm making some broad generalizations here and there are exceptions, but that's just what I think.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    I don't think it changes much based on the state of the economy. I mean, perhaps it does for those focused on the offline market, but most IM'ers chug along through good times and bad in the "real" world. I think it's almost entirely dependent upon one's level of commitment, ability to take ideas and put them into action, and 'stick-to-it-iveness.' Always has been, always will be.

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author JonathanBoettcher
    On one hand I would say it is easier than ever to get involved - I got started when PPC was still pretty easy, but even that cost money. There are plenty of free ways to generate sales for a newbie.

    That said, there is an absolutely incredible overload of information out there - some of it good, some of it bad, most of it kind of mid-road, but mostly there's just SO MUCH!

    I think most newbies get hung up on figuring out what to do rather than actually doing it. Hard to quit your day job like that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Hi Joel

      While there's often an "early movers" advantage, it's also true that the pioneers take most of the arrows

      The barriers to entry into IM have never been lower - nor have the start-up costs. Yes, the market is more crowded, but against that, millions of people around the world are coming onto the net for the first time. And existing online users are growing increasingly comfortable with spending online.

      I believe that anyone with even a modicum of online marketing experience is now very well placed to take advantage of these trends.

      We live in exciting times.



      Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    MUCH EASIER!!!!!

    When I started a decade ago there was virtually no 'best practice', not much freely shared information about what works and no-where near the number of people online buying things, or the number of ways to sell to them.

    Although some aspects were easier (like SEO), I also think that changes in the landscape have brought more benefits than problems.

    ANYONE can now get online and within minutes find information on many ways to immediately get started making money online.

    Consumer technology has massively improved, consumers now have broadband internet connections, HD digital camcorders with one-touch Youtube publishing.

    Things have never been better.

    I see things continuing in this vein too - so it's an amazing time to get started online and quicker and easier than ever before to achieve realistic financial freedom.

    When you also consider that many newcomers to IM arrive with a mindset of getting out of debt, quitting their job, or giving themselves a feeling of security over the economic swings which unsettle their feelings of security - Now is likely to see many more people coming into IM. There's more people in debt, more people losing their jobs, many people struggling to pay their mortgages - so much more focus on escape methods, with IM being one of the most viable around.

    With so many recent online communities growing to the point where non Internet savvy people have even heard of them, we also have new people looking to find out what Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc. are all about.

    Many more people shop online than ever before, so there's more and more money being spent online all the time.

    In recessions people tend to spend more on comfort items, like pizza, movies etc. and when trying to stay in and save money - turning to the Internet for entertainment and social interaction.

    Since you can be successful by investing very little in terms of time, funds and learning - a logical mind, a little creativity and some dedication and belief is enough to get anyone started.

    The biggest hurdle to creating some form of online success - negative mindset. Believing that it only happens to other people, or that everyone's out to rip you off and criticizing rather than celebrating other peoples success can kill your chances quicker than any other factor.

    Andy
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    nothing to see here.

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  • Profile picture of the author jstover77
    Banned
    They should ad an option on there for some win, most lose. The cold hard truth is, that yes while it is easier to get started with an abundance of information out there, most people just are too lazy, have lack of funding and resouces, or are just not built for IMing.
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  • Profile picture of the author LegitBlogger
    I think it's much easier now than in the past, especially
    with free and much more helpful resources available. For
    example, someone who is determined and discipline can
    make it a daily habit of visiting this forum and reading/
    studying/taking action and within DAYS or at most
    WEEKS will start getting results.
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  • Profile picture of the author LB
    It's never been easier.

    It's also never been easier to climb Mt. Everest.

    Those that build on the knowledge of those that have gone before them, work smart and have realistic goals and expectations will do well...as in so many areas of life.
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    Tired of Article Marketing, Backlink Spamming and Other Crusty Old Traffic Methods?

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  • Profile picture of the author CurtisN
    I think that while it is getting much easier to make money online, people are making it harder for themselves by approaching it with the wrong mindset. Mindsets such as "I don't need your help", or "I want to make lots of money in very little time", or "I want you to teach me everything you know without expecting anything in return", or "Is it possible to make lots of money with doing anything".

    If I had to pick an option in that poll though, I'd pick (D) - some win, many many lose.

    Curtis
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    Curtis Ng (blog) - Product Launch Manager
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