Internet Marketing: Is Big Business Slowly Pushing The Little Guy Out?

I agree that there's more room and opportunities to get in, but is there more room to make money? Especially with big business driving up the cost of doing business online.

Also like most brick and mortar industries now, the Internet is being dominated by a few big corporations. Not being negative just looking at the whole picture. To be forewarned is to be forearmed in my opinion.

But I agree with what you said about niche markets, that's the way to go for the little guy (or gal) ... and always will be. But big business is even changing that paradigm. Now it's necessary to dig even deeper to find niche markets. Now in many cases it requires special software, knowledge or both to find viable and profitable niche markets corporations haven't already scooped up.

I couldn't agree more!

You are pretty spot-on with what you have said here.

There will always be a competition in any field not just in IM. It's completely up to you to deal with that competition even if you are just a small guy.

You're right there is nothing to gain by worrying about this. But there is something to gain by being aware and reacting to the trends and challenges.

big guys = more resources, more overhead, bigger shares
little guys = less resources, less overhead, less shares

no single dude is gonna make what coca-cola does in a year w/o going to jail short of an insane case of serendipity

the good news is... you don't need to make what coca-cola does in a year to have an awesome life. a jet would be pretty sweet though.

Big companies could become more dominant in the future. Just look at Google.

Are there more people trying to make money online these days?

Yes.

Is it harder to make money online these days?

No, I don't think so.

There is a BIG difference between the number of people who think they are trying to make money online and the number of people who ARE actually trying to make money online.

Buying a few WSO's and going half-assed at them does not mean someone is really trying to make money online. They are the sort of person who will never succeed at this game and thankfully they are the large majority. There is, and always will be, a TON of opportunity for those people who are willing to take the finger out and get to work. In fact the more people there are trying to make money online, the easier it is for the legitimate marketers to stand out above the rest.

Basically making it more expensive to market online. For example, before big business got involved in Internet marketing, ad cost, PPC, Ezine advertising was dirt cheap. Now it's pricing many small marketers out of the market. That trend continues.

That's one example. You can also observe other areas where the cost of doing business is slowly moving up as more corporate dollars raise the price of doing business online. I agree, if you have a business or service that you can tie to the trend you're good to go. But most Internet marketers were attracted to it to get away from the corporate culture and be "Independent" not latch back on to it. You might as well get a job in that case. My opinion.

Hi everyone,

Answering to the OPs question: I don't think so. I'm speaking as someone who operated different offline businesses since 1990.

* Small businesses will be decisive in employment for a long time. There are always big corporations, who - for some reason - don't deal with some things, thus they were given opportunities for the little ones. I was also a supplier for large companies.

Niches are everywhere, you just need to find one wich has proper profitability.

* As for competition, it is useful and necessary for you. Without it, you grow lazy, so the opportunities would go next to you. It compels you to keep pace with the development. This way, you're able to change soon, if necessary.

Big companies move slowly. You can benefit from that.

* Concerning free or paid tools, use the free at start if you can't allow yourself the paid one. As your cash flow allows, buy professional tools, always the best you can get. Whether in offline or online business.

Quality people + guality tools + quality work = more opportunity for you and more money, of course.

* With reference to online attendance of offline businesses, to help them in presenting themselves online is a big chance for you, I believe. I only mention my example: we operated without a webpage up to 2004. We felt no need because of enough assignments, and NO ONE OFFERED it!. (Ignoring the fact, that the internet wasn't available initially, but hey....)

* Little gays also can grow big. Just open your eyes and ears, and don't forget to work. Learn what you don't know. Business building is a never ending process, so the learning as well. So you can gain an advantage compared to other.

* A little guy need to bear in mind which devices he has and play accordingly. Invest wisely. As above mentioned, use such kind of advertising methods you can afford. Radio and TV ads aren't cheap. Fortunately, there are tremendous way the little guy can use fruitfully.

* "There is a BIG difference between the number of people who THINK they are trying to make money online and the number of people who ARE actually trying to make money online.

Buying a few WSO's and going half-assed at them does not mean someone is really trying to make money online. They are the sort of person who will never succeed at this game and thankfully they are the large majority. There is, and always will be, a TON of opportunity for those people who are willing to take the finger out and get to work. In fact the more people there are trying to make money online, the easier it is for the legitimate marketers to stand out above the rest."

Totally agreed.

All the best,

Sandor

That's what inspired my OP question. As a heads up, not as a point of worry ... but awareness.

Looking at history whenever a new industry (like internet marketing) develops it's usually perfected by the little guy or small business. When it becomes lucrative, big business moves in and either prices them out of the market, buys them up, or gets them regulated out. Or all of the above.

This question is like the canary in the coal mine, or a warning to other Internet marketers. Discussion, awareness and like you said, "political action", if necessary, is our best defense. My opinion.

That "is" amazing. My question is inspired to help keep it that way.

But I disagree with your comment that it's impossible for big guys to affect smaller players. For example, companies like Google can flip a switch or adjust a policy and put thousands of small marketers out of business overnight. And they're not the only one. Not something to worry about - but be aware of for future reference and counter intelligence.