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I think the term "internet marketer" needs to be redefined

by bettersocial
17 replies
In the wake of the recession, we've seen so many people jump onboard the internet marketing bandwagon

We've seen so many products being sold targeted specifically at these people - the internet newbie who didn't even know that Google was actually a mega-profitable company

These people - newbies - are essentially being sold a "promise": the internet marketing lifestyle. Almost every product I see being sold these days promises to be the "final solution" to all their money woes.

Worst of all, most of these products promise the internet newbie that he can make money by simply replicating the [insert guru name here]'s business model.

The thing is, even if you were to make big profits copying said guru's business model, could you really call yourself an internet "marketer"?

Doesn't the very word "marketer" imply that you have done some sort of original creative work? Or rather, doesn't the word "marketer" mean that you have taken the time to actually "market" a product, rather than merely sell it through a platform (blog/video/whatever else)?

IMO, "internet marketer" needs to be changed to "internet seller". So few of us here (perhaps me included) are true marketers. A majority of us are sellers, putting up sites like drones, using content devoid of any creative energy..we might make money, but using the word "internet marketer" to describe us would be doing injustice to the true marketers..
#internet marketer #redefined #term
  • Profile picture of the author Hanz
    I think everybody needs to start somewhere. I doubt the new guys themselves consider themselves internet marketers. They'd just consider themselves as hard working citizens just trying to make a little extra income during a recession.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Originally Posted by sashas View Post

    Doesn't the very word "marketer" imply that you have done some sort of original creative work?
    No. Not at all. Originality has never been a requirement of marketing. Marketing is about finding and recognizing the needs and wants of customers and making them aware of a product that fulfills those needs and wants. Originality in promotional methods and materials may be a part of that, but are not a requirement of being considered as marketing.
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    • Profile picture of the author LJNetworking
      Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

      No. Not at all. Originality has never been a requirement of marketing. Marketing is about finding and recognizing the needs and wants of customers and making them aware of a product that fulfills those needs and wants. Originality in promotional methods and materials may be a part of that, but are not a requirement of being considered as marketing.
      Well said Dan. The Ipod is the most used and known MP3 player, but wasn't the first one out there. Apple recognized the needs and wants of customers and created a superior MP3 player. To top it off they also created an unmatched marketing plan to spread the word about their product.
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    • Profile picture of the author Robert Puddy
      Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

      No. Not at all. Originality has never been a requirement of marketing. Marketing is about finding and recognizing the needs and wants of customers and making them aware of a product that fulfills those needs and wants. Originality in promotional methods and materials may be a part of that, but are not a requirement of being considered as marketing.

      Hmmm

      For discussion, and my opinion only... (thats my disclaimer)

      i do wonder though if the difference between those that do, and those that cant. Is that they lack the ability to think for themselves with what they are given.

      I have found that looking at other peoples formulas is fine to a point, but the real skill is looking at those business systems and applying them to your own circumstances.

      Following things parrot fashion have never been a recipe for success.

      being able to recognise an opportunity when it appears is not something you can learn parrot fashion...

      Robert
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    • Profile picture of the author scottgallagher
      Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

      No. Not at all. Originality has never been a requirement of marketing. Marketing is about finding and recognizing the needs and wants of customers and making them aware of a product that fulfills those needs and wants. Originality in promotional methods and materials may be a part of that, but are not a requirement of being considered as marketing.
      Exactly. Marketing is NOT about originality at all, in fact, it's the opposite. If your competitor deploys a marketing campaign that works, online or offline, you should swipe it! Understand there is a different between swipe and copy.

      Marketing is also not about promotion, largely misunderstood.

      Marketing is everything about
      Product
      Price
      Placement
      Promotion
      Packagaging

      Therefore, current Internet Marketers, are just that, Internet Marketers and not just sellers. A 'seller' would be a subset of promotion only.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    bingo

    I've said the same thing over and over.

    Marketing is distinctly different than sales. Most people in these parts are engaged in "selling".

    The ones that are "marketing" are building distribution channels through the reseller affiliates.

    But don't upset the apple cart by telling these salespeople that they don't have the MARKETING STARPOWER that they believe.
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  • Profile picture of the author rickybuitrago
    The way I see it is that there are two kinds of marketers. The ones who use copy paste and the ones you are creative. On the long run, the second ones are the most succesful.
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  • Profile picture of the author businessmatt
    Marketing is definitely more than just selling. For example, a car salesman does nothing to bring customers to the dealership, he simple sells the product when they arrive. Marketing brought the customer to the dealership. While selling is certainly a part of marketing, it is only one part. Marketing is the whole package, starting with identification of a market, development of a product, setting a price, selecting a distribution method, and finally, promotion of the product. Selling happens at the end of all this.
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  • Profile picture of the author Slin
    An internet marketer does not have to be creative, they just have to market their products.

    I would say internet seller is an alright way to describe it, but what is the difference? What do you consider an "internet marketer" then?

    I would rather stick with internet marketer, getting into how "creative" someone is, is a good way to bring arguments.

    How can you really judge how "creatively" someone is marketing.

    Maybe you should make a new business model of creative marketing?

    Interesting post though.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    The bottom line is, everybody is out to make some bucks whether you are marketing or selling.
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  • Profile picture of the author bettersocial
    I would like to draw a parallel between the word "writing" and "creating".

    Almost every literate person on this planet can write.

    Very few can "create".

    "Creating", the very word implies that your thoughts and actions are coming from a plane of higher understanding and thought.

    In other words, "creating" encompasses the entire mental, emotional, and spiritual process.

    Writing, on the other hand, is merely the mechanical job of putting words to paper.


    This is, of course, not the dictionary definition of these words, but how I personally perceive them.

    I think of "sellers" and "marketers" in the same way. "Marketers" derive their entire process of creation from a seemingly higher place - they are the actual "creators", while sellers are mere replicators who are trained in a process of selling and know how to replicate it, over and over.
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    Following your train of thought why doesn't your sig say
    Adsense seller?
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  • Profile picture of the author raynman
    So a writer doesn't create?
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    • Profile picture of the author bettersocial
      Originally Posted by raynman View Post

      So a writer doesn't create?
      that would be taking a very pedagogical reading of my statement. A writer is also a creator, but I daresay that EVERY writer is NOT a creator.


      Following your train of thought why doesn't your sig say
      Adsense seller?
      As I mentioned in the original post, I really don't think I have transgressed to the level of "marketer" yet.

      So yes, 'AdSense Seller' would actually be appropriate.
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