Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing

BizBoost · 03-26-2009, 10:29 AM

Howdy,

I'm wondering if anyone has a metaphor, or just any effective way, of explaining internet marketing to friends and families. "I sell stuff online.", doesn't really cut it because they assume something like straight sales on eBay or Craigslist. But our style of internet marketing is a little more creative and complex than that.

Anyone else been through this?

Thanks,
Eric

Scott Ames · 03-26-2009, 10:45 AM

Thats a hard one. My wife asks all the time what I do and its really difficult to explain without going into detail. Even if I give detail, she stares with a blank look on her face. I would be interested to see what people come up with.

rickdearr · 03-26-2009, 10:51 AM

I used to own a convenience store/gas station, this is allot like that. If you are an affiliate marketer, you let them put their products in your store, like when you send an email for an affiliate promotion, and you get paid when things sell. No that's a crappy analogy... I'll have to think some more about it...
Hmmmm
I'll have to get back to you...

There has to be a good analogy, just got to run to the airport right now, so I'll post it when I land... (If I have got it)

wolfmonk · 03-26-2009, 10:59 AM

I tried to explain this stuff many times, it always depends on who you're speaking with.

I ended up with explaining that I look at some data and make decisions. If I make CORRECT decisions, I get paid

It satisfies plain curiosity and if they want more, they shall ask more questions

koolwarrior · 03-26-2009, 11:11 AM

Here's how I explain to my friends and family what I do.

"I do affiliate marketing where I refer people to other people's websites. For instance, there's a site that sells a weight loss program, and kicks out 50% of the sale to anyone who refers a customer. My job is to find fat people who want to lose weight, and tell them about the site. When they buy, I get 50% of what they spent."

Then they go "WOW! How do you know about all this?" At that point, I give them my website's URL or I give them my affiliate link to the Rich Jerk

Matt Maiden · 03-26-2009, 11:43 AM

You're a product representative.

That means that you advertise, determine distribution channels, plan promotions, and sales.

Or, like a McDonald's franchise but you don't sell burgers.

mikemcmillan · 03-26-2009, 12:05 PM

I've said before it is kind of like a Realtor selling a house. They are selling a product which they don't own themselves in order to receive a commission on the sale. Affiliate marketers put a lot of work into closing sales just as Realtors do.

ShayRockhold · 03-26-2009, 12:10 PM

Affiliate Marketing is like telling people about your favorite pizza joint, but with a twist - you get a commission every time someone buys a pizza.

You do the same thing - tell people about a product and make money if they buy.

DeadGuy · 03-26-2009, 12:11 PM

I used to have a job I liked
It made me lots of money.
But up at 6 and home by 5
Now really sounds quite funny.

Directing people to and fro
Is how I make my living.
They gladly pay the price I ask
When they see what I am giving.

The net is full of long lost souls
All wanting to be rich.
They're not afraid to spend some cash
To reach that noble wish.

I'm just there to guide their steps
Toward that glowing pot of gold.
They're in a rush and like to think
They'll make millions before they're old.

Now I can't tell you what I do
Or describe it to the masses.
But I have 4 boats and 18 cars
Paid for by selling classes.

dave147 · 03-26-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BizBoost

Howdy,

I'm wondering if anyone has a metaphor, or just any effective way, of explaining internet marketing to friends and families. "I sell stuff online.", doesn't really cut it because they assume something like straight sales on eBay or Craigslist. But our style of internet marketing is a little more creative and complex than that.

Anyone else been through this?

Thanks,
Eric

You're a "Digital Product Specialist"

Traffic101 · 03-26-2009, 12:23 PM

LOL... I have the same issues. I've slowly been educationing my spouse, so he knows what PR is, and how you just can't build a website and expect people to come. But if it's someone else, I just tell them I write online as a hobby. Until it's a full time job, I figure that's sufficient information. I mean right now I'm an accountant and if I tried explaining my day job to people, they still stare at me with that blank expression.

03-26-2009, 12:33 PM

It's like selling drugs -- while trying to convince everyone that drugs sell themselves. It's all bull**** really...

jasonl70 · 03-26-2009, 01:13 PM

lol - I just went though this a few hours ago with a friend when he saw me pull up my clickbank account

I said I run websites and newsletters, which I use to promote and market products/services from.

Adaptive · 03-26-2009, 01:29 PM

Eric, it sounds like the people you're talking with want to figure out which of their existing pigeonholes to put you into. They're not actually interested in learning anything, not even the two sentence summary of what you really do. So what you need is a conversation stopper.

I recommend: "I set up computer programs to help people who sell things online."

Then whatever they come up with - Oh, that's like punch cards, isn't it? It's like eBay, isn't it? It's like Java, isn't it? Oh, my nephew makes web pages, how cute..
just say, "No, it's not like that, it's a specialized system only used by marketers."

Guaranteed conversation stopper. They now have the pigeonhole: something mysterious about computers and marketing, not worth asking more.

Regards,
Allen

Andyhenry · 03-26-2009, 01:29 PM

I just tell people that I own Google.

If they don't believe me, I show them the checks they keep sending to my home that I don't do anything for.

Usually I just say I'm Internet problem solver --- I find people who want/need something and I get the solution in front of them, and I make money whether they buy or not.

Andy

Alex Taylor · 03-26-2009, 01:32 PM

How about keeping it simple by saying: "I create and market high quality information products online"?

SimonHarrison · 03-26-2009, 01:44 PM

Depends what element of IM you're trying to explain, do you mean affiliate marketing?

If so, it's pretty simple, no ?

" I send traffic to a website and the owner of that website pays me a commision for sending them the traffic"..

Why over complicate it, if they can't grasp the above it's time to get new friends :-)

SimonHarrison · 03-26-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andyhenry

I just tell people that I own Google.

Andy

Made me chortle there Andy..

MaxReferrals · 03-26-2009, 01:48 PM

Doing 50 things at once hoping it sticks.

Matt James · 03-26-2009, 01:52 PM

Try explaining being a copywriter.

Everyone thinks you're saying "copyrighter" - "oh so you copyright....stuff?!"

Now I just say "I write ads"

Michael Lee · 03-26-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt James

Try explaining being a copywriter.

Everyone thinks you're saying "copyrighter" - "oh so you copyright....stuff?!"

Now I just say "I write ads"

Lol. Yeah, same thing happens to me.

"I sell products on the internet." - They'll say, "so you own an internet shop or you sell computers."

"I love it when my site gets lots of traffic." - They'll say, "you're crazy! why'd you want to get stuck in traffic? I hate rush hours."

"I sell e-books." - They'll say, "I don't get it. Why would people pay you for something that's as good as air? At least with air, you can feel it."

BizBoost · 03-26-2009, 04:51 PM

Lol!! All these are either wonderfully direct or supremely funny! I think all of these suggestions could be employed depending on the situation. Some people are super-intellectual and would do better with one type of reply... some are super-emotional and would do better with a funny reply (like Andy's)...

Adaptive was right on, too... people are really just trying to pigeonhole us when they ask.

So, maybe I'm better off finding something more fitting to my personal style. It might be a tad obtuse but I don't believe it's over the top...

"I wake up, shuffle over to my computer and see how many people paid me for referring them to things they could have found without my help."

Would anyone here say that about described it?

Eric

ryanvhamer · 03-26-2009, 06:19 PM

I would say you are a product matchmaker of sorts. You provide the introduction between the product/service and the potential customer. Of course its not as easy as simply setting up the date and intruducing the two but there are other elements that come into play such as setting up the time the place to meet and of course you are the go between and you smooth everything over and then finally get the happy couple together where they live happily ever after until the need to meet a new partner/product.

BizBoost · 03-26-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clintonio

My metaphor.
Have you ever needed a problem solved. I've solve all sorts of problems with the power of the Internet.

But they think that just means you're good at Googling... it needs something added to it... but what?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanvhamer

I would say you are a product matchmaker of sorts. You provide the introduction between the product/service and the potential customer. Of course its not as easy as simply setting up the date and intruducing the two but there are other elements that come into play such as setting up the time the place to meet and of course you are the go between and you smooth everything over and then finally get the happy couple together where they live happily ever after until the need to meet a new partner/product.

Sounds like a madam at a brothel. Might not be a bad metaphor, though... after all, many marketers do get "f******" a few times until they finally settle down with the right product, program or person, right?

esr · 03-26-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadGuy

I used to have a job I liked
It made me lots of money.
But up at 6 and home by 5
Now really sounds quite funny.

Directing people to and fro
Is how I make my living.
They gladly pay the price I ask
When they see what I am giving.

The net is full of long lost souls
All wanting to be rich.
They're not afraid to spend some cash
To reach that noble wish.

I'm just there to guide their steps
Toward that glowing pot of gold.
They're in a rush and like to think
They'll make millions before they're old.

Now I can't tell you what I do
Or describe it to the masses.
But I have 4 boats and 18 cars
Paid for by selling classes.

That was awesome! Thanks Deadguy. Do you REALLY own 18 cars? To me, that just sounds like an extra decision I'd have to make every day that I don't need. (How's THAT for sour grapes? LOL)

Matt Maiden · 03-26-2009, 07:22 PM

Now that I thought about it more, I would say a freelance or an independent sales rep for Internet vendors.

Find leads for companies.

03-26-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
BizBoost Marketing Savant War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: In front of a grey/blue backpack, Yourtown USA Posts: 471 Thanks: 269 Thanked 147 Times in 78 Posts	Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Howdy, I'm wondering if anyone has a metaphor, or just any effective way, of explaining internet marketing to friends and families. "I sell stuff online.", doesn't really cut it because they assume something like straight sales on eBay or Craigslist. But our style of internet marketing is a little more creative and complex than that. Anyone else been through this? Thanks, Eric

03-26-2009, 10:45 AM	#2
Scott Ames Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West of Rockies Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 363 Thanked 665 Times in 325 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Thats a hard one. My wife asks all the time what I do and its really difficult to explain without going into detail. Even if I give detail, she stares with a blank look on her face. I would be interested to see what people come up with.
	Action is the foundational key to all success. - Pablo Picasso

03-26-2009, 10:51 AM	#3
rickdearr The Conversion Professor War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sandy, Utah, USA. Posts: 83 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing I used to own a convenience store/gas station, this is allot like that. If you are an affiliate marketer, you let them put their products in your store, like when you send an email for an affiliate promotion, and you get paid when things sell. No that's a crappy analogy... I'll have to think some more about it... Hmmmm I'll have to get back to you... There has to be a good analogy, just got to run to the airport right now, so I'll post it when I land... (If I have got it)
	Rick Dearr RnR Marketing, LLC Sandy, Utah 84070 http://www.ConversionProfessor.com WSO - http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...professor.html

03-26-2009, 10:59 AM	#4
wolfmonk Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 17 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing I tried to explain this stuff many times, it always depends on who you're speaking with. I ended up with explaining that I look at some data and make decisions. If I make CORRECT decisions, I get paid It satisfies plain curiosity and if they want more, they shall ask more questions

03-26-2009, 11:11 AM	#5
koolwarrior Banned Join Date: May 2007 Location: Asbury Park, NJ, USA Posts: 102 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 11 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts Social Networking	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Here's how I explain to my friends and family what I do. "I do affiliate marketing where I refer people to other people's websites. For instance, there's a site that sells a weight loss program, and kicks out 50% of the sale to anyone who refers a customer. My job is to find fat people who want to lose weight, and tell them about the site. When they buy, I get 50% of what they spent." Then they go "WOW! How do you know about all this?" At that point, I give them my website's URL or I give them my affiliate link to the Rich Jerk

03-26-2009, 11:43 AM	#6
Matt Maiden Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 646 Thanked 893 Times in 432 Posts Social Networking	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing You're a product representative. That means that you advertise, determine distribution channels, plan promotions, and sales. Or, like a McDonald's franchise but you don't sell burgers.

03-26-2009, 12:05 PM	#7
mikemcmillan Mike McMillan War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MI Posts: 1,302 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 861 Thanked 1,019 Times in 389 Posts Social Networking	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing I've said before it is kind of like a Realtor selling a house. They are selling a product which they don't own themselves in order to receive a commission on the sale. Affiliate marketers put a lot of work into closing sales just as Realtors do.

03-26-2009, 12:10 PM	#8
ShayRockhold StarFleet Admiral War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Delta Quadrant Posts: 1,844 Blog Entries: 10 Thanks: 1,363 Thanked 625 Times in 287 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Affiliate Marketing is like telling people about your favorite pizza joint, but with a twist - you get a commission every time someone buys a pizza. You do the same thing - tell people about a product and make money if they buy.
	"Fate protects fools, little children and ships named Enterprise" -- Cmdr. Riker [TNG - "Contagion"] ============================= I'm on TalkMarketingNow.com! 11 PM Eastern Time, Tuesdays. Join me! :D ============================= Shay Rockhold's Site and Blog

03-26-2009, 12:11 PM	#9
DeadGuy HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 251 Thanks: 5 Thanked 79 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing I used to have a job I liked It made me lots of money. But up at 6 and home by 5 Now really sounds quite funny. Directing people to and fro Is how I make my living. They gladly pay the price I ask When they see what I am giving. The net is full of long lost souls All wanting to be rich. They're not afraid to spend some cash To reach that noble wish. I'm just there to guide their steps Toward that glowing pot of gold. They're in a rush and like to think They'll make millions before they're old. Now I can't tell you what I do Or describe it to the masses. But I have 4 boats and 18 cars Paid for by selling classes.
	You are making this work at home stuff way harder than it is. Ready for some sanity? Clear your head and start over.

03-26-2009, 12:23 PM	#11
Traffic101 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 221 Thanks: 64 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Social Networking	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing LOL... I have the same issues. I've slowly been educationing my spouse, so he knows what PR is, and how you just can't build a website and expect people to come. But if it's someone else, I just tell them I write online as a hobby. Until it's a full time job, I figure that's sufficient information. I mean right now I'm an accountant and if I tried explaining my day job to people, they still stare at me with that blank expression.
	How to find freelance writing jobs \| Free guide to Blogging for Profit \| Internet Marketing Everything you want to know about computers

03-26-2009, 12:33 PM	#12
marcanthony Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing It's like selling drugs -- while trying to convince everyone that drugs sell themselves. It's all bull**** really...
marcanthony Guest Posts: n/a

03-26-2009, 01:13 PM	#13
jasonl70 Software Developer War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ohio , USA. Posts: 2,273 Thanks: 416 Thanked 408 Times in 250 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing lol - I just went though this a few hours ago with a friend when he saw me pull up my clickbank account I said I run websites and newsletters, which I use to promote and market products/services from.
	-Jason

03-26-2009, 01:29 PM	#14
Adaptive HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 417 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 61 Thanked 77 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Eric, it sounds like the people you're talking with want to figure out which of their existing pigeonholes to put you into. They're not actually interested in learning anything, not even the two sentence summary of what you really do. So what you need is a conversation stopper. I recommend: "I set up computer programs to help people who sell things online." Then whatever they come up with - Oh, that's like punch cards, isn't it? It's like eBay, isn't it? It's like Java, isn't it? Oh, my nephew makes web pages, how cute.. just say, "No, it's not like that, it's a specialized system only used by marketers." Guaranteed conversation stopper. They now have the pigeonhole: something mysterious about computers and marketing, not worth asking more. Regards, Allen

03-26-2009, 01:29 PM	#15
Andyhenry Beware - Straight Talker War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9,263 Blog Entries: 25 Thanks: 1,180 Thanked 4,492 Times in 1,497 Posts Social Networking	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing I just tell people that I own Google. If they don't believe me, I show them the checks they keep sending to my home that I don't do anything for. Usually I just say I'm Internet problem solver --- I find people who want/need something and I get the solution in front of them, and I make money whether they buy or not. Andy
	Get The Real Truth About SEO In 2012

03-26-2009, 01:32 PM	#16
Alex Taylor HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: England Posts: 476 Thanks: 30 Thanked 60 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing How about keeping it simple by saying: "I create and market high quality information products online"?

03-26-2009, 01:48 PM	#19
MaxReferrals Kahuna Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Blairsville, GA, USA Posts: 1,205 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 199 Times in 86 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Doing 50 things at once hoping it sticks.
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03-26-2009, 01:44 PM	#17
SimonHarrison Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Location, Location. Posts: 2,066 Thanks: 246 Thanked 446 Times in 266 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Depends what element of IM you're trying to explain, do you mean affiliate marketing? If so, it's pretty simple, no ? " I send traffic to a website and the owner of that website pays me a commision for sending them the traffic".. Why over complicate it, if they can't grasp the above it's time to get new friends :-)

03-26-2009, 01:52 PM	#20
Matt James Matthew James O'Connor War Room Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Darkest Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 505 Thanks: 111 Thanked 87 Times in 52 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Try explaining being a copywriter. Everyone thinks you're saying "copyrighter" - "oh so you copyright....stuff?!" Now I just say "I write ads"
	Diary of a Direct Response Copywriter Infomercial Veteran Turned Copywriter Wants To Explode Your Sales...Delicious Sales Copy

03-26-2009, 04:51 PM	#22
BizBoost Marketing Savant War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: In front of a grey/blue backpack, Yourtown USA Posts: 471 Thanks: 269 Thanked 147 Times in 78 Posts	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Lol!! All these are either wonderfully direct or supremely funny! I think all of these suggestions could be employed depending on the situation. Some people are super-intellectual and would do better with one type of reply... some are super-emotional and would do better with a funny reply (like Andy's)... Adaptive was right on, too... people are really just trying to pigeonhole us when they ask. So, maybe I'm better off finding something more fitting to my personal style. It might be a tad obtuse but I don't believe it's over the top... "I wake up, shuffle over to my computer and see how many people paid me for referring them to things they could have found without my help." Would anyone here say that about described it? Eric

03-26-2009, 06:19 PM	#23
ryanvhamer Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 26 Thanks: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Contact Info	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing I would say you are a product matchmaker of sorts. You provide the introduction between the product/service and the potential customer. Of course its not as easy as simply setting up the date and intruducing the two but there are other elements that come into play such as setting up the time the place to meet and of course you are the go between and you smooth everything over and then finally get the happy couple together where they live happily ever after until the need to meet a new partner/product.

03-26-2009, 07:22 PM	#26
Matt Maiden Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,694 Thanks: 646 Thanked 893 Times in 432 Posts Social Networking	Re: Please Give Me a Metaphor that Explains Internet Marketing Now that I thought about it more, I would say a freelance or an independent sales rep for Internet vendors. Find leads for companies.