Do you think Internet Marketers are entrepreneurs?

47 replies
In your opinion, are Internet Marketers entrepreneurs?
#entrepreneurs #internet #marketers
  • Profile picture of the author Isaiah Coe
    Not all Internet Marketers are entrepreneurs, even though I am both.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7937454].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    It really depends on what your definition of entrepreneur is.

    But no, I don't think so.

    I would say only a very small section of Internet Marketers are true entrepreneurs.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7937462].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mr Lim
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      It really depends on what your definition of entrepreneur is.
      I think this is the point.
      What's your define for "entrepreneur" OP?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7937481].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author retsced
    Even the ones who aren't making any money?
    Signature
    Strong Men and Women put themselves in harms way
    for the freedoms weak people give away for safety
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7937479].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe Benjamin
    Some would call internet marketers hobbyists
    UNTIL their making money to live off on.

    Are you really a doctor until you're in a hospital?

    Are you really a judge until you're in a court?

    Are you really an officer until you're on a beat?

    Even before I was doing well, I only saw myself
    as an entrepreneur. I saw myself that way, and
    others do as well.

    Most people don't relate to internet marketing.

    They DO relate to entrepreneur. So, regardless if
    the label is appropriate or not, it's relatable and
    understandable.
    Signature
    **How I FLIPPED $80 into $690 Pure Profit With ONE EASY Method...2 to 3x Per Week...Only 30 Minutes Per Day (and how YOU can COPY my RESULTS, too!) **CLICK HERE FOR VERIFIED VIDEO PROOF**
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938071].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      I'd say that a proportion of successful ones are. Just like a proportion of successful non-online marketers are.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938096].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ymest
      Originally Posted by Joe Benjamin View Post

      Some would call internet marketers hobbyists
      UNTIL their making money to live off on.

      Are you really a doctor until you're in a hospital?

      Are you really a judge until you're in a court?

      Are you really an officer until you're on a beat?

      Even before I was doing well, I only saw myself
      as an entrepreneur. I saw myself that way, and
      others do as well.

      Most people don't relate to internet marketing.

      They DO relate to entrepreneur. So, regardless if
      the label is appropriate or not, it's relatable and
      understandable.
      Spot on! Totally agree with you there!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938122].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author ymest
        Just like George W Bush once said " It's a shame the French don't have a word for ENTREPRENEUR............."""!!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938129].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WeavingThoughts
    If you don't think and act like an entrepreneur as an IMer, then you will either end fail soon or never succeed big time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938184].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author betterwtveter
    Yes I believe so only if they actually build a business from scratch instead of taking someone elses idea.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938247].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author funkynassau
    I agree with the post above this one. We had our own idea and made it work in real life and online. It's not easy, there's been a lot of ups and downs but as time goes on it gets better. I see our glass as half full!
    Signature

    ChipFixx custom mixed auto touchup paint kits.
    http://www.chipfixx.ca

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938271].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author InsightIM
    Ugh, I hate that word... entrepreneurs... In my mind an entrepreneur is a guy who loses money and doesn't care. Some of us are business owners, but all successful internet marketers are just marketers who specialize in online marketing.

    Marketing used to be a respectable title back before all the "9 out of 10 dentists recommend" commercials in the 80's

    I do real marketing, I may suck at it sometimes and lose money on some projects, but in my mind that's different than being an entrepreneur and just failing at businesses.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938287].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Charanjit
    the word entrepreneur is over used in business. Some one opens a corner shop they suddenly become and entrepreneur, someone opens a blog and gets one subscriber they are an entrepreneur.

    Come on dreamers get real, get financial freedom and then you might be classified in that bracket, secondly ''I dont claim to be one it is a term others impose on me" sir alan sugar.

    so to all the guys that think every tom, dick and harry that has a web site with adwords on it is an entrepreneur get real, stop dreaming and do things that work.
    Signature

    Want to learn more, read read and read more. http://www.mannusblog.com/index.php/...e-optimisation

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938301].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      Ah, the great, self assigned "entrepreneur" label. Nothing is cooler, bar my title:

      Uber Ninja Ultra Adventurer and Mega Risk Taker Deluxe (with fries and a 7-up).


      Daniel
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938405].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author moinuddin
    Online marketers are definitely entreprenurs but nobody understand what they are doing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938552].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author InsightIM
    I like genius billionaire playboy philanthropist. My wife doesn't like the playboy part though. And since I'm not a billionaire... really I'm just left genius philanthropist. Thank you Tony Stark He has better hair than I do too
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7938563].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Scoop
    Some people go into IM because they think it will be easy money and are sadly disappointed when it doesn't come as expected. The entrepreneurs are the ones who are not put off by the difficulties and will always find a way of making it work.

    As for the proportion of internet marketers who are real entrepreneurs, I guess it is on the low side.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939281].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author RogueOne
      Of course they are.

      What a stupid question.
      Signature
      Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
      All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939338].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Charanjit
    My definition of an entrepreneur - a person who has created wealth, to the minimum value of 5 million.

    so to all the self titled entrepreneur's get results first, titles second. I would rather be rich and have no title, than be a poor entrepreneur.
    Signature

    Want to learn more, read read and read more. http://www.mannusblog.com/index.php/...e-optimisation

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939368].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      Originally Posted by Charanjit View Post

      My definition of an entrepreneur - a person who has created wealth, to the minimum value of 5 million.

      so to all the self titled entrepreneur's get results first, titles second. I would rather be rich and have no title, than be a poor entrepreneur.
      nowhere in the dictionary meaning does it say that in order to be considered an entrepreneur a person has to create wealth to any minimum standard.

      an entrepreneur is:
      a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.
      source: Entrepreneur | Define Entrepreneur at Dictionary.com

      based on the above actual meaning - yes, Internet marketers are entrepreneurs.
      Signature
      ---------------
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939663].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author WeavingThoughts
      Originally Posted by Charanjit View Post

      My definition of an entrepreneur - a person who has created wealth, to the minimum value of 5 million.

      so to all the self titled entrepreneur's get results first, titles second. I would rather be rich and have no title, than be a poor entrepreneur.
      You are wrong. PERIOD!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939755].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author koreancowboy
    I think that our society is too fixated on titles...most of us want to be the CEO, President, etc.

    Me? I'm happy with my current titles...Automotive Journalist and Dating Writer.
    Signature

    I provide consulting for companies that use Adobe AEM...you can check out what I've done so far.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939419].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Danit98765
    Hi,
    I think they are. As long as they built their business from scratch and didn't steal someone else's idea. entrepreneuring is organizing and operating a business taking on financial risk to do so. Most internet marketers meet the definition of "entrepreneurs". You don't have to start your own start-up company in order to be called: "entrepreneur".
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939476].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    I would add another option "maybe"

    Internet Marketers are not the same.

    You should consider if the type of work you are doing is considered a startup
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939496].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rjames
    I think they are, even if they are selling someone elses product.

    I guess my answer is pretty simple...If someone sets out on their own with no safety net to catch them in hopes of making their own way, then they are an entrepreneur...even if they fail...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939502].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ruck
    I just consider Internet Marketing a branch of my Entrepreneurship :-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939509].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SuperDJ
    Does it really matter? :/ it's a title isn't it?

    I just see it as someone who creates solutions to complex problems through the business they started up. Who cares how much they earn or how popular they are besides themselves?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939582].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author UnclePeter
      An entrepreneur is simply someone who owns an enterprise, so, effectively yes all internet marketers are entrepreneurs.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939651].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WarrenPeterson
    Either someone is an entrepreneur, or they are not. Choosing to utilize internet marketing in their business doesn't change that... There are plenty of people who use internet marketing in their careers, and they are not entrepreneurs - and have no desire to be one.

    The definition of entrepreneur is pretty well established, I'm somewhat surprised at the discussion over the word itself.
    Signature
    Do you really want to build a real business?
    Then you need this: 21 Days To Business Success
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939726].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Charanjit
    If you read my post, it clearly stats the words - my definition (A definition is a statement that explains the meaning of a term (a word, phrase, or other set of symbols), i.e what it means to me, sorry I was taught to have an opinion (n general, an opinion is a belief about matters commonly considered to be subjective, i.e., it is based on that which is less than absolutely certain, and is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts.) and not follow the words of the English dictionary blindly.

    And the question was asked - In your opinion

    I express my opinion and someones recites the dictionary. Talk about forming an opinion of your own.
    Signature

    Want to learn more, read read and read more. http://www.mannusblog.com/index.php/...e-optimisation

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939775].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author marketingdynasty
      When you have an established online business - I believe Internet Marketers do become entrepreneurs.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939788].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Charanjit
    I don't mind mind being wrong, gives me great pleasure to be put right. Seems I upset a few self titled Entrepreneurs.
    Signature

    Want to learn more, read read and read more. http://www.mannusblog.com/index.php/...e-optimisation

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939798].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BackLinkiT
      Bunging up a squeeze page promising untold riches, driving traffic to it and then spamming the heck out of your list does not make you an entrepreneur
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939824].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author UnclePeter
        Originally Posted by BackLinkiT View Post

        Bunging up a squeeze page promising untold riches, driving traffic to it and then spamming the heck out of your list does not make you an entrepreneur
        Sorry but it does, it's an enterprise that you are running.

        It just may not fit with people's perception of the word's meaning.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939887].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author BackLinkiT
          Originally Posted by UnclePeter View Post

          Sorry but it does, it's an enterprise that you are running.

          It just may not fit with people's perception of the word's meaning.
          Where's the 'considerable initiative' and the risk?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939896].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lateef Olajide
    I will say no. Truth is majority of internet marketers don't treat this as business. So in a way not all internet marketers are entreprenuers.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939899].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    Just curious for those that say that Internet Marketers are not entrepreneurs ("The term entrepreneur is a loanword from French, and is commonly used to describe an individual who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on financial risk to do so." Wikipedia.org), what do you call yourselves or consider yourselves even if you don't call yourself anything?

    Or what do you call yourself if people ask what you are doing online with those web pages?

    Business Owner?
    Consider it all a hobby only or playtime?
    Employee?
    Just some guy who is trying to sell some stuff on the internet?
    Guru?
    Sucker Seeker?

    Mark
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7939979].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BackLinkiT
      Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

      Just curious for those that say that Internet Marketers are not entrepreneurs ("The term entrepreneur is a loanword from French, and is commonly used to describe an individual who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on financial risk to do so." Wikipedia.org), what do you call yourselves or consider yourselves even if you don't call yourself anything?

      Or what do you call yourself if people ask what you are doing online with those web pages?

      Business Owner?
      Consider it all a hobby only or playtime?
      Employee?
      Just some guy who is trying to sell some stuff on the internet?
      Guru?
      Sucker Seeker?

      Mark
      Internet marketer, of course! Or perhaps webmaster. But I would never suggest there is anything entrepreneurial about it!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7940010].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
        Originally Posted by BackLinkiT View Post

        Internet marketer, of course! Or perhaps webmaster. But I would never suggest there is anything entrepreneurial about it!
        The problem is that Internet marketer has tended to become associated with those who sell how to make money online courses and many of us don't.

        Was Amazon.com, Google.com, Ebay.com, Paypal.com, or Yahoo.com started by entrepreneurs or Internet marketers?

        You could also use "Online marketer" but for many of us the online part is only part of what we do.

        You could say "Marketer" but for many of us marketing is only a small part of what we do. There is also the management, content creation, human resources, legal & contractual compliance, customer service, etc. sides of what we do.

        Mark
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7940034].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author BackLinkiT
          Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

          You could say "Marketer" but for many of us marketing is only a small part of what we do. There is also the management, content creation, human resources, legal & contractual compliance, customer service, etc. sides of what we do.
          Mark
          That makes you a businessman, Mark, or manager perhaps.

          Innovation and financial risk are the key elements of being an entrepreneur.

          Therefore, building affiliate sites = Internet marketing.

          Building a list = Internet marketing.

          Mortgaging your house and investing the money in a new and innovative site or app = entrepreneur.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7940080].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sue McDonald
    Yes I believe we are entrepreneurs. A lot of us have invested money, sweat and tears into what we do.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7944283].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Edman15
    Yes, Internet Marketers are entrepreneurs but not everyone.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7944538].message }}

Trending Topics