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How To Be Successful Online? Idea or Marketing?

by wadboram
39 replies
Hello Warriors,

I want to share your opinions and experiences regarding having a successful online business.... Is it the innovative idea that sells itself or the marketing efforts that turns the idea into a profitable one?

I read about successful websites having very low budget and became of the top websites online.

Also, how long does it take for an idea to be successful? and what are the metrics to measure the success?

Kindly share real life examples.
#idea #marketing #online #successful
  • Profile picture of the author LegitIncomes
    Originally Posted by wadboram View Post

    Hello Warriors,

    I want to share your opinions and experiences regarding having a successful online business.... Is it the innovative idea that sells itself or the marketing efforts that turns the idea into a profitable one?

    I read about successful websites having very low budget and became of the top websites online.

    Also, how long does it take for an idea to be successful? and what are the metrics to measure the success?

    Kindly share real life examples.
    It's both . . . but MORE towards the marketing IMO.

    Example, Coke and Pepsi are the most well known soda companies, with the largest annual sales...but they aren't anywhere NEAR the best. Not even close.

    Using HFCS and artificial flavorings cannot compare to a beverage sweetened with honey and cane sugar.

    Yes, I'm a "soda snob", lol.

    McDonalds probably sells more Hamburgers than anyone else, and Subway more sandwiches...are they the best? Absolutely not.

    To me, this shows that it's the marketing that is most important. You could have the greatest product in the world, but if no one knows about it, you won't make any sales. Meanwhile a far inferior product to your own, could be selling millions.
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  • Profile picture of the author zamzung
    I would say combination of both because you have to do some marketing to let people know about your brilliant new idea, right?

    Also, you never know which idea will be great and which one will work that way... in my opinion, some pretty dumb ideas became very popular, and I would personally never think of them... but that's just me...

    On the other hand, ways that are proven to be successful, like marketing some already known idea or method, could work well more often... I mean, lets be real, it's hard to think of something brilliant and new, and especially to invest money in something you are not sure it will work... it's easier to invest money in something you know it can work... just my 2 cents...
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Richardson
    You could have the best idea in the world, have it created etc.. But what use is it if you can't get it in front of the people who want it?
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    • Profile picture of the author Torreylee
      Originally Posted by Josh Richardson View Post

      You could have the best idea in the world, have it created etc.. But what use is it if you can't get it in front of the people who want it?
      This is so true, so many folks are duped into thinking that a great idea and pure passion will get them to the top, not so 99 times out of 100.

      Like they say "If a tree falls in the forest but nobody hears it, does it really fall?"

      Great marketing and advertising is critical to success.
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  • Profile picture of the author AngelInvestor
    a strong mix of money and business experience allows you to hire both the idea and the right marketing people to help you sell it. lots of poor people with ideas out there, and lots of self-appointed marketers always ready to buy the next product but never coming up with anything themselves. ideas and marketing skills are means for experienced people to make more money.
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  • Profile picture of the author wadboram
    @LegitIncomes, me too with the marketing option
    @zamzung, rarely nowadays to have a new innovative idea
    @Josh Richardson, money talks here
    @AngelInvestor, I know a lot of people have excellent ideas with no money to start
    @seemar49, I'll add the 3Rights
    Right Product, Right Time, Right Customer = Success
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  • Profile picture of the author AngelInvestor
    wadboram, to answer your question - yes.
    it will take another drink and a few more posts until I can explain over pm, but you can take over there for now.
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  • Profile picture of the author wadboram
    OK @AngelInvestor
    ... looking forward for more ideas
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    • Profile picture of the author RoyChan
      Originally Posted by wadboram View Post

      OK @AngelInvestor
      ... looking forward for more ideas
      Ideas are void; implementation and testing is EVERYTHING. All the best to your 2012!
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  • Profile picture of the author techihunt
    Try to become a freelancer! Im earning 300-400bucks just d0ing simple data entry j0bs. Here Odesk.com
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  • Profile picture of the author vok
    Most of the time it's the people behind the website. Why do some people continually succeed while other continually fail?

    There's an old saying and it goes: "If winning wars is about luck, then someone bring me the lucky soldiers."
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  • Profile picture of the author PromoDirect
    An example of online business success could be Groupon. What made Groupon so successful is their concept/idea, their presentation and their marketing. Groupon is a best example to learn about online business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anonymous Affiliate
    You don't necessarily *need* an innovative idea. You can grab an idea/formula that already exists and works and give it your unique twist.

    That's what Microsoft did with the original Windows. Heck, Google itself was not an innovative idea: they simply picked up what AltaVista, Yahoo and the rest were doing, and made it better/different.

    Moral of the story: no need to make it innovative, simply make it different/specialized/niched/optimized.
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  • Profile picture of the author wadboram
    @techihunt , with more than 150,00 competition for the same task on these sites, I think entering freelancing market now is a waste of time.

    I do believe that dedication, patience and working smart can bring success.
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    • Profile picture of the author jaypoole
      Some people have already said that it doesn't matter about the idea if you don't manage to launch it and get it going.

      The most important thing is taking action. Every day.

      Very often it is the simple ideas that are well executed that will win through. Sometimes if an idea is too complex then it can often be more difficult to set up or demonstrate/put the benefits across to people who may be your potential customers.

      I'm not saying that simple is best - but a proven, simple and well executed idea can be a real money maker.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Originally Posted by wadboram View Post

    Hello Warriors,

    I want to share your opinions and experiences regarding having a successful online business.... Is it the innovative idea that sells itself or the marketing efforts that turns the idea into a profitable one?

    I read about successful websites having very low budget and became of the top websites online.

    Also, how long does it take for an idea to be successful? and what are the metrics to measure the success?

    Kindly share real life examples.
    ==========
    Hi, I hope you're having a wonderful day.
    The question that I am going to answer is how long does it take
    for an idea to be successful?

    It depends on what the idea is, but when I first got into mobile marketing it took me working 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. And now after 3 years in business I am finally having some success. Mary
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  • Profile picture of the author barbling
    Definitely...it's the marketing.

    You can have the best idea imaginable but if nobody tells their lists about you, you will die on the vine.

    Trust me, I know this. In person. In detail. 'Twas one of the hugest lessons I've learned (which is why now I have two customers in me business - my product customers, and my affiliates. I want to make both happy).

    Hope that helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author JerrickYeoh
    i admire to those internet marketer that very smart. They do need to understand all online marketing skill, but they know how to make their business compliment go viral in the short time .
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  • Profile picture of the author johnchristopher
    I think both are important. Having an idea itself is not the end, you have to bring it out and put it to purpose.
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  • Profile picture of the author tharith
    For me I think that learning the rule of online marketing from expert is the best way to be successful.
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  • Profile picture of the author wadboram
    Yes, @Mary I'm with you and I'm happy to hear that after that enthusiasm and fully dedication you were successful in 3 years

    @barbling , me too are fond of marketing, as it's my full time job.
    @Johnny , Good SEO is perfect though need time to accomplish in my opinion
    @tharith, nowadays there are a lot of guru like big mouths. I already have tried some of their products and they turned to be fishy stuff and I got a refund.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Check this out: Business Tips for Successful Startups

    Awesome success stories - Details included. Oh and it's FREE.
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    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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  • Profile picture of the author SamuelUherek
    Check this video. Frank Kern presents "The State Of The Internet" I think this should answer your question pretty well.
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  • Profile picture of the author wadboram
    Nice video @SamuelUherek
    I'll summarize the main points for you guys.

    There are 3 pillars for successful business:

    1. Good Technology
    by having
    - Right marketing message
    - About an excellent product
    - To the right market
    - At the right time

    2. Good Marketing
    IM is using the internet to deliver the right message about an excellent product to the right people at the right time

    3. Magic bullet (exceptionally good product)
    - Product so exceptionally good, your customers have an experience which is almost magical in their eyes

    - Focusing on how you can quickly and efficiently improve the results delivered to your clients

    - You have successfully created a magic bullet when you can efficiently guide your customers toward an end result which will provide massive transformational value in their lives

    To sum up: You have to Flip the above stack of pillars upside down to be successful

    One important thing:
    In order to convert PTC traffic, you have to focus on three important things:
    1. Generate leads thorough advertising
    2. Convert these leads into customers
    3. Delight your customers

    To your success in 2012
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  • Profile picture of the author Kate C
    This business does not run itself, I can tell you that. You definitely need to market it and keep doing so until you grow it. It is not really about the budget but about the product itself and the target market. What this means is you have to offer the right product to the right people and you will have a successful business. When it comes to marketing, you have to take massive action and when you find something that is really working well, rinse and repeat. One day you will look back and be totally amazed by the success of your business and you will barely remember the hard work. By then you will be able to afford to outsource anyway so it will grow even bigger.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucy Writes
      You need a good idea, yes, but a good idea is simply that...an idea...until you DO something with it. You've got to implement the idea to make it into something tangible that could bring you money, and that involves not only making the idea a reality by creating it, but also by marketing it once it has been made. If you're good with ideas but not with marketing, then you might want to outsource the marketing. But these three things, idea, creation, and marketing, are all essential to any venture's success. You've got to have all of the ingredients to make a tasty cake, after all, and a product is no different.
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  • Profile picture of the author SamuelUherek
    @wadboram you are welcome, and nice summarization.

    I didn't wanted to write it here in the thread, because I think it's more important to watch the video to see and listen to Frank's words.

    It's just when you have no product or no such a magic bullet, then it doesn't matter if you are great in marketing. Although you might market others people products, if you want to build a business on your own, it's essential to have your product. You can always learn how to market along the way. You wouldn't make as much as you would if your marketing skills were excellent, but you would have at least something to sell.

    I just think that everyone who is looking for the answer for this question should watch the video. The answer is in there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Davy44
    Marketing is an important part of success online these days. Good marketing can turn a bad business idea into multi million dollar venture. Conversely, a brilliant idea without adequate marketing has very little chance of success online.
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  • Profile picture of the author wadboram
    @Kate C yes , right followup, persistence and targeting
    @SamuelUherek, people have to watch the video. I liked Frank's way.
    @Davy44, this remind me of the famous definition for marketing that says "Marketing is what you do when your product is no good"
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    • Profile picture of the author Davy44
      [QUOTE=wadboram;
      @Davy44, this remind me of the famous definition for marketing that says "Marketing is what you do when your product is no good"[/QUOTE]

      Exactly! That definition is more accurate today than ever.

      Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author lauchlan
    Both.

    Great idea => compelling product and compelling brand.

    But that's not enough by itself.

    It's compelling because it is compelling to a particular group of people and you know that because ... of your market research and market testing.
    They only know about it because you let people know about your idea (i.e. marketing) and, if you're lucky, your idea was so compelling that it started marketing itself (went viral). i.e. either by accident or design, you had good marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author ollarbank
    To be successful:

    Find your hungry market first. Many say build a product in the niche you feel passionate about... Not me. If there is a need and you can target your marketing directly at it you will win.

    You can't sell ice to eskimos.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Sneen
    Marketing!!! The best ideas and inventions are isolated in someone's garage because of lack of money to get them out to the public. Yes, you need a reasonably good idea. But, a fair idea with excellent marketing beats an awesome idea with mediocre marketing every time.

    I am not saying it is easy to get a good idea. I am just saying that thousands, no millions of ideas far better than the top sellers failed.

    Did I just say "top sellers?" See, it is marketing that is king.
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  • Profile picture of the author MattCatania
    Originally Posted by wadboram View Post

    Hello Warriors,

    I want to share your opinions and experiences regarding having a successful online business.... Is it the innovative idea that sells itself or the marketing efforts that turns the idea into a profitable one?

    I read about successful websites having very low budget and became of the top websites online.

    Also, how long does it take for an idea to be successful? and what are the metrics to measure the success?

    Kindly share real life examples.
    In my opinion, if I HAD to choose one, I'd say that marketing is more important than the initial idea.

    My reasoning is simple: Have you ever been to McDonald's? Do you notice how average their burgers are? I'm sure there are thousands of "restaurants" that can develop a better tasting burger - but without strategic marketing then nothing will come of it.

    McDonald's isn't successful because they have the best tasting food - they're successful because they know how to make something (even if it's unhealthy for you) desirable.

    As the saying around here goes: A low-quality product with a high-quality sales letter will outperform a high-quality product with a low-quality sales letter.
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    Logic outweighs all.

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  • Profile picture of the author wadboram
    @lauchlan , In your opinion, could you share how an idea could go viral by itself without marketing?

    @ollarbank, sometimes you find a hungry market and you couldn't reach them. I really faced this and I think sometimes it needs good marketing budget to find people interested

    @Torreylee, so could you share please how much "good marketing and advertising" could cost you on the first year of launch

    @David Sneen, I'm again with the concept of not having enough funds will kill you successful idea

    @MattCatania, I liked McDonald's example.

    To ALL:
    These raises a good question, could anyone make a successful online business using SEO only i.e. minimal budget for marketing purposes? if yes how to achieve this from your experience?
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    • Profile picture of the author lauchlan
      Originally Posted by wadboram View Post

      @lauchlan , In your opinion, could you share how an idea could go viral by itself without marketing?
      Of course. People share the idea without you doing any active promotion on your part.

      e.g. you put a video on YouTube because you have something to say or think it's funny, it's not for your business, someone sees it, they pass it on to friends, they pass it on to friends, a blogger picks it up, a news channel picks it up from the blogosphere, etc. Suddenly your idea has gone viral.

      Or maybe a better example is the hugs guy or the guy who went around the world doing his crazy dance in every place he went to. The hugs guy was feeeling down, decided everyone needed a hug and love, and went out in to the mall and started giving away free hugs. Someone took some youtube footage, it took off, he became a celebrity. The dancing guy just did some crazy happy dance in front of some landmark while he was travelling, posted it on youtube for friends, and decided to make it a thing everywhere he went. It took off and eventually he was picked up for a major sponsorship with VISA (or maybe it was Mastercard, I don't recall). In either case, no marketing plan, no agenda. Just do something, record it for friends, it goes viral, they get commercial opportunities.

      I'm not saying it happens every day, all the right things need to line up and what those right things are is a bigger discussion than I want to have here. Usually we're better off marketing

      You might split hairs and say posting something on youtube constitutes 'marketing' in some form, but I'd say that marketing was not their intent at the time, they were just sharing video with friends and whoever wanted to see it. They had no business idea or intention when posting on youtube.
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  • Profile picture of the author lauchlan
    Or there are social memes, like the idea of a flash mob. If I recall correctly the first few were purely for self expression and then they became shared (eg youtube) and went viral and it became a commercial thing later.
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