Tough Question for Internet Marketers - Any creative heads out there?

by wcmylife

Posted: 13 years ago 21 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

So,

Can anyone help me with this...

I have been in the IM niche for close to 6 years and do pretty well. I work from home and do not hold a regular job - thank God.

But here is my challenge...when I attend a school meeting or at a party or even at church...people come up and introduce themselves....I am John Smith and I am a Travel Agent or I am Miss Mary and I am a Teacher...and then say..

"What do you do"?

My usual replies...

I am an Internet Marketer....I get a dumb stare

I run an Internet Business....I get asked..what is that?

I work on the Internet..... doing what?

There is no one line to smoothly explain what I/we do...unless you go into details and thats boring...

So...anyone have any cool one sentece ideas/replies...

Much appreciated..as this has been a tough one to answer all these years..

Kind Regards

#creative #heads #internet #marketers #question #tough

Mr Bill 13 years ago

What about

"I'm in Advertising".

If pressed you could try something like

"mostly online (or "on the internet"), I also help small businesses get online, stuff like that. Got a website? Want one?"
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GordoInCA 13 years ago

Well, since I'm not making a living at IM full time just yet, this is a problem I haven't dealt with. But I am looking forward to it

Some random ideas.

Idea 1: Just tell them you work in marketing. If they press further, tell them you monitor certain online market segments for good opportunities, then create and implement plans to take advantage of them. That's so wordy they probably won't have a follow-up.

Idea 2: Look them right in the eye, and in your best Michael Keaton-esque voice say "I'm Batman". They'll be so confused, they'll never ask again.

Cheers
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timpears 13 years ago

I would tell them I am a publisher. If they press you on that, tell them that you publish reports that help people with problems. Assuming that you do of course.

Or, tell them that you are in marketing or advertising. If they press you on that one, tell them you are currently focusing on internet advertising.

Either one of those should satisfy most people.
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origin 13 years ago

I find that the one answer they normaly comprehend is "I am a web designer." And then elaborate "I build websites for clients and market products and services on the Internet"
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Tsnyder 13 years ago

Tell them you're with the IRS... they'll leave you alone instantly!
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wcmylife 13 years ago

@GordoInCA --- Idea 2: Had a good laugh on that one mate....will try that one out...

@ TimPears/WSO Help....I get the advertising and marketing reply..it's just that I do not feel right deep down you know...because the internet thingy is what makes life interesting and I want to convey that...but stuck....

Going to try the batman thingy at school.....I hope my daughter does not get embarrassed though
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wcmylife 13 years ago

@Origin...I am not a web designer....I know nothing about designing, so definitely cannot tell them that..

@Tsnyder: I do not want them to leave me alone. I want to have a conversation because folk are genuinely interested/being polite when they ask the question - so do not want to come across as abrupt. My usual "I am an internet marketer" makes the conversation abrupt as they do not know what an IM is or do not understand the explanation...so thats one of the reason why I am looking for help mate..
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JustVisiting 13 years ago

Hi

Your sig file suggests you write web content. You could say you are a freelance writer and then go on to explain your work is published on the internet.

Cheers

Paul
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wcmylife 13 years ago

Hmmmmmm....I am not a freelance writer..the predicament with the IM thingy is that most of the time you have to say something that you are actually not/not doing - which is where the problem lies..

Anyways - thanks everyone for the help.....Batman it will be.
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uebomoyi 13 years ago

I've had the same problem, I usually tell people I'm in marketing or advertising or that I sell products online. It's quite hard to explain, I can definitely relate to you on this topic. I'm currently trying to figure out how to speak to people about this topic as we speak.
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- ExRat 13 years ago
  
  Hi wcmylife,
  
  I don't see it as complicated.
  
  What's important is this - what is your goal by having this discussion? (This will depend on the situation/people).
  
  a) do you want to network in order to possibly gain business?
  
  b) do you want to kill the discussion about your business - IE - you're not interested in gaining business or disclosing anything?
  
  c) do you have some other goal?
  
  Depending on the situation and your choice of goal from the above, you can achieve anything just by changing your answer to suit. If you are a jack of all trades, like many IMers, you don't even have to lie. You just pick one suitable area of your work to mention.
  
  I'm an honest person, but that doesn't mean that I have to answer any question fielded by strangers completely honestly and in depth with full disclosure. I'm also shrewd and keep my cards close to my chest. So should everyone else, in my opinion.
  
  I'm either open or closed for business whenever I choose to be. Business and pleasure often don't mix, nor does business with people that have connections which can affect my decision-making.
  
  I work on the internet. And you?
  
  I run a business consultancy. What do you do?
  
  I'm in marketing, freelance. Yourself?
  
  I'm a writer and I'm also studying, currently. What about you?
  
  Do you control the conversations that you have with strangers, or allow them to control them (you)?
  
  There are many good reasons to practice the former as a habit.
  
  Tough Question for Internet Marketers
  
  I see it as communication practice and also as good fun.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
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  Roger Davis
  
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beakon 13 years ago

LOL I have this exact same issue. My answer has always differed from online marketer, internet marketer, affiliate marketing but the one thats been working the best has been I run my own online business.

Problem here is they are obviously going to ask what your business is, or your website. That's usually something we don't want to publically share as online businessmen unless of course your website is offering some sort of generic product.

I too am searching for a better alternative that wont trigger prying questions, yet leave them intrigued about me
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wcmylife 13 years ago

@ Exrat --- thanks for the tips mate. At my daughter's school... I just want to be a cool dad mate...not network or sell or market ...
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- Alexa Smith Banned 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by wcmylife
  
  At my daughter's school... I just want to be a cool dad mate...not network or sell or market ...
  
  I think "I run an internet publishing business - and you?" will cover you for that?
  
  (Everyone's heard of "e-books" and "digital books" these days, with Kindle being advertised everywhere and always being in the news: that won't get you blank looks).
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Nick Brighton 13 years ago
  
  Them: "what do you do?"
  Me: "I run my own freelance marketing business online"
  Them:"oh right, so what does that involve"
  Me: "helping businesses sell more of their products and services, and teaching others how to do the same."
  Them:. "cool."
  Me: "yeah. Hey that chick is hot."
  Them: "that's my wife."
  Me: "ok, have a good night..."
  
  Thanks
  
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Will Edwards 13 years ago

I have finally settled on: I am a writer.

Will
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- ExRat 13 years ago
  
  Hi wcmylife,
  
  @ Exrat --- thanks for the tips mate. At my daughter's school... I just want to be a cool dad mate...not network or sell or market ...
  
  them:What do you do?
  
  you:All sorts. Mainly internet stuff.What about you?
  
  them:Like what?
  
  you:marketing,building websites.So what do you do?
  
  them:That's interesting, can you tell me more?
  
  you:Not right now,sorry|or|It's complicated/technical|or|I sell advertising etc
  
  If they bite on your 'what do you do?' just give them the same treatment and put the spotlight on them - 'tell me more, that sounds interesting.' They'll soon get the message.
  
  Or alternatively, digress by launching a spiel on why you do what you do - 'I do all sorts, but mainly because I love working from home|or|I'm a freedom-seeker|or|I love having no boss and living spontaneously etc.
  
  It's easy and fun and it's easy to be cool, because most people are wage slaves. Just be careful not to spark too much interest if they are looking for a free mentor and you don't fancy the job.
  
  In that case, just make it sound boring and tedious as hell.
  
  'I'm a business broker who focusses on arbitrage and search engine marketing - it's mainly about crunching data, slumped over a PC all day' - (IE I sell advertising.)
  
  If you find yourself in a corner, use the universal escape clause - 'I don't do any work for anyone else, no outside clients (small white lie) because I only do this because I love the freedom and hassle-free lifestyle.'
  
  If they are the most persistent person in the world and hunt you down mercilessly to the point where you have to give in, you've just raised your rates and terms of contract with them (IE they mustn't bug you and disrupt your hassle-free lifestyle) in return for you 'breaking your golden rule.'
  
  Have fun with it.
  
  Thanks
  
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  Roger Davis
  
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J Bold 13 years ago

I like the sound of "Online Marketing Consultant."

How does that strike you, wcmylife?
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jobayerahmed 13 years ago

u can say " I am a marketing specialist"
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wcmylife 13 years ago

The only thing better than Batman is I'm a "SPAM ARTIST" --- not true but atleast it's not boring...as long as it does not get mistaken for SPERM ARTIST....hahahah porn star!!
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wcmylife 13 years ago

@Exrat...re-reading your reply Rat....will definitely go with the flow....thanks for taking the time..much appreciated
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