The Most Important Thing In Internet Marketing

[Malachi Kelly]

Hi Fellow warriors,

I was just putting the finishing touches to a new product I'm launching soon and was pondering what was the most important part of Internet Marketing for me.

After thinking for a couple of minutes I concluded that my answer is tracking and testing.

Test, Test and Test again, I believe tracking and testing is the key to creating multiple income streams and also gives you direction in your marketing efforts.

Some times it takes some of your time or some of your money to drive traffic to a site. Without tracking and testing you have no way of knowing whats working and whats not.

Especially if your paying for the traffic...lol

Let me know if my fellow warriors agree with this statement if not let me know why...

Or just post your No. 1 Internet marketing Tip.

[dvduval]

For me I would say it is support and continuing development, though I am in software. There are many software sites that have a pretty basic or boring design or sales copy, but people come to recognize the product, because others recommend it. I most certainly do track and test, but I would put that at #2 or #3 on my list (personally).

[Floyd Bogart]

Write Content
Write Content
Write Content
Write Content
Write Content

Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

[StevenWood]

Hey Malachi,

I definitly agree with you! One big tip I just learned is FOLLOW UP! I have seen my conversions increase tremendously just by sending my list two emails a day!

In the morning I send out a conversational email that informs and educates my list. Normally a lengthy email!

The afternoon email is more of a sales pitch that has to do with growing their business.

People respond to this constant contact stuff very very well! Good luck on your new product bud!

Send me a friend request and keep in touch with how it is going for you.

[~Davor Debrecin~]

For me (and for people who replied here before) it's obviously - content creation.

And by that I mean every type of content you create:

*product
*videos
*blog posts
*forum postings
*reports
*emails
*follow ups
*etc.

Testing IS important, but without content you don't have anything to test, right? Testing is important to create content in the right direction. Meaning in the direction of making money.

But without creating content, all the marketing knowledge you have won't make you a dime.

Take care everybody,

~Davor

PS: Of course, you don't need to create all the content yourself. Which leaves you more time to test and tweak, which makes you more money of the content you create.

[Jon Steel]

I agree - sure, test - test - test. However, if you don't have any traffic - what will you test? You need steady traffic, hard hitting content, and a way to test. Think about it likes this:

1) If you don't have traffic will you fail? YES
2) If you don't have hard hitting content your prospects can agree with will you fail? YES
3) If you don't test will you fail? Maybe

That's why for me - i need TRAFFIC FIRST. And I hate paying for it.

js

[Jon Steel]

Originally Posted by ~Davor Debrecin~

For me (and for people who replied here before) it's obviously - content creation.

Question: If you don't have quality traffic in abundance - will this really matter? No -



js

[~Davor Debrecin~]

Originally Posted by Jon Steel

Question: If you don't have quality traffic in abundance - will this really matter? No -



js

Well, yes.

Firstly, you need to create content (for example, products, sales letters, email copy, videos, etc.) otherwise you don't have anything to drive quality traffic to.

Secondly, by creating content you can create traffic. Create a great product, launch it to a small group of people, gather testimonials and know your conversion rate and you could recruit (in most markets) most of the top JVs to promote your product, ie. by creating great content you created quality traffic in abundance. Not to mention how content creation is vital for SEO.

For me, as a product launch manager, it's definitely about content, traffic second. Maybe in your business model, it's about traffic, content second.

Take care,

~Davor

[InternetMarketingIQ]

The person who is spending the money is the most important thing. Without them you don't get paid. You don't need a fancy site, a ton of traffic, or anything else. You just need to understand how to find them and how to put in front of them offers they will act on. And yes testing is a big part of that.

[k8spy8]

I agree that tracking and testing is the key to have multiple income stream. But using the key words should be considered here. Cause key word will play a great role in increasing the hit on your site. So uses of relevant keyword will increase the income.

[Elvin Tiong]

Yes, tracking and testing are important.

I will say good contents and traffics are important also.

[The Digital Archives]

For me it's content, traffic and copywriting.

Andrew

[Josh Bartlett]

Originally Posted by ~Davor Debrecin~

Well, yes.

Firstly, you need to create content (for example, products, sales letters, email copy, videos, etc.) otherwise you don't have anything to drive quality traffic to.

Secondly, by creating content you can create traffic. Create a great product, launch it to a small group of people, gather testimonials and know your conversion rate and you could recruit (in most markets) most of the top JVs to promote your product, ie. by creating great content you created quality traffic in abundance. Not to mention how content creation is vital for SEO.

For me, as a product launch manager, it's definitely about content, traffic second. Maybe in your business model, it's about traffic, content second.

Take care,

~Davor

I completely agree with you here Davor,

And so does Rich Schefren!

He talks about how lack of traffic is EVER the issue that holds people back in their business. He says he has dealt with over 10,000 people who run businesses online and many people think thats the problem but it isnt:

Internet Marketing | Brand New Video: Do THIS… And Making Money Online Becomes EASY! (Its a great video if you havent seen it everyone)

Traffic without quality content will dwindle, quality content will drive traffic and bring people back.

[ken_p]

what tracking system are you using? and what can you recommend to others?

[Adrian Cooper]

I am amazed that no one mentioned the #1 most important factor - List Building.

I don't mean to blast "offers" to, but to build a relationship with current and future customers.

There have been many other important factors mentioned - tracking and testing right up there among the most important - but list building is above those.

Another area where people fail is lack of market research.

One of the biggest reasons for business failure on and off line is people choosing to sell products that interest them without making sure it interests plenty of other people as well - people prepared to pay.

[~Davor Debrecin~]

Originally Posted by Josh Bartlett

I completely agree with you here Davor,

And so does Rich Schefren!

He talks about how lack of traffic is EVER the issue that holds people back in their business. He says he has dealt with over 10,000 people who run businesses online and many people think thats the problem but it isnt:

Internet Marketing | Brand New Video: Do THIS… And Making Money Online Becomes EASY! (Its a great video if you havent seen it everyone)

Traffic without quality content will dwindle, quality content will drive traffic and bring people back.

Glad to hear that Josh!

I'll check out the video.

Take care,

~Davor

[Razvan Rovinaru]

I think Internet Marketing consists of several important things that you need to do, not just one most important thing. There's the right mindset and attitude that you need to have(work hard, be patient, stay focused), then there's the part of applying all of the information you learn, write quality content, build links on a regular basis, test and track everything just like you mentioned, and then repeat the process with another site.

Everything that I mentioned is equally important in my opinion, there isn't one that's more important than the other.

[Tyrus Antas]

I've grown to appreciate the importance of copywriting. It's not just salespages, it's article and blog post titles, email titles, social media headlines, page titles(extremely important from a SEO point of view). All of that is copywriting.

Learning how to write a blog post that gets attention and links from other bloggers, writing effective newsletters. Pretty much everything in internet marketing is somewhat related to copywriting.

Tyrus

[TMG Enterprises]

I would say that isolating an actual market is the most important thing. Once you've found a buying segment, the rest is simply tweaking to improve sales. If you don't have a market, you won't have a business no matter how much tracking and testing that you do.

Tina G

[Floyd Bogart]

Originally Posted by Jon Steel

Question: If you don't have quality traffic in abundance - will this really matter? No -



js

In my case, content creation is where the traffic comes from!

Whether we are talking about the posts themselves getting indexed, or articles I write for promotion. Content creation trumps everything else I do for creating visitors...

[Floyd Bogart]

Originally Posted by Tyrus Antas

I've grown to appreciate the importance of copywriting. It's not just salespages, it's article and blog post titles, email titles, social media headlines, page titles(extremely important from a SEO point of view). All of that is copywriting.

Learning how to write a blog post that gets attention and links from other bloggers, writing effective newsletters. Pretty much everything in internet marketing is somewhat related to copywriting.

Tyrus

And yet people want to pay it the least attention!

[Tenzo]

Originally Posted by Razvan Rovinaru

I think Internet Marketing consists of several important things that you need to do, not just one most important thing. There's the right mindset and attitude that you need to have(work hard, be patient, stay focused), then there's the part of applying all of the information you learn, write quality content, build links on a regular basis, test and track everything just like you mentioned, and then repeat the process with another site.

Everything that I mentioned is equally important in my opinion, there isn't one that's more important than the other.

This.

None of these things exist in a vacuum. That's (IMO) why new people can have such a hard time. By necessity they go out and learn a skill. But that one skill alone can't create a business for them. There isn't always a step by step linear approach. All the skills are needed, and you need to bounce around from skill to skill to continue improving.

With that said, the thing that pushed me over the line was the buy now button. I had spent a lot of time learning things, and I even had some half assed sites/bloggers/and lenses laying around the net.

I finally decided to have a page where I unequivocally asked for a purchase. Then I built everything else outwards from that.

Best Regards,
Kevin

[TheCren]

Hmmm... I guess beyond the basic stuff, tracking and split testing are the most important tasks you can perform as a marketer. Building a list has changed my business forever. That's the basic thing that I would say was most important - even though email marketing wasn't something that I wanted to get into at first.

[dndoseller]

The most important thing in using Internet Marketing to share my music is my firm unwavering intention to become the number one site for my chosen long-tail keyword in Google SERPS.

To do this I will need to single-handedly beat several large corporations in page rank, content and back-links.

This week I hit the bottom slot of the first page after 1 year of efforts (see site in sig). Apparently several major players are not quite as determined as me. That is awesome.

[Malachi Kelly]

Hi

Since I made this post I've been working on a way to help other marketers get listed on google quicker.

After lots of testing and countless sleepless nights I think I've done it.

Let me show you the amazing results I've been able to achieve, by using those very same tactics on your site.

Not only will I do all the work for you...I will do it for FREE for 30 days.

Click the link in my signiture for you FREE Trial

Originally Posted by dndoseller

The most important thing in using Internet Marketing to share my music is my firm unwavering intention to become the number one site for my chosen long-tail keyword in Google SERPS.

To do this I will need to single-handedly beat several large corporations in page rank, content and back-links.

This week I hit the bottom slot of the first page after 1 year of efforts (see site in sig). Apparently several major players are not quite as determined as me. That is awesome.

[MikeWalker]

The most important thing in IM as well as life, is your attitude/mindset.

[Malachi Kelly]

Yes I'd agree you mind need to be in the right place to make your business a success...With mind and body as 1 Man can accomplish great things. (Guy From Karate Kid)

[Karen Connell]

Originally Posted by ken_p

what tracking system are you using? and what can you recommend to others?

I would be very interested if anyone would answer this question please.

Karen

[avenuegirl]

After 2 years, I can honestly say the most important thing is having a plan.

Yes, testing and tracking is part of "the plan" as well as building a site, traffic considerations, listbuilding, etc... but without a solid plan to start you will be going nowhere.

Even if it is one small campaign you are going to start with - get a map together for yourself on where you see it going.

[Malachi Kelly]

Originally Posted by Karen Connell

I would be very interested if anyone would answer this question please.

Karen

Hi Karen

I am currently using a tracking software called tracking202 which is helping me dominate my CPA offers via PPC...I would greatly reccomend the software.

[JAIDEEP2959]

The Most Important Thing In Internet Marketing is to think big,take a macro view and set higher targets.

[Louise Evans]

My number 1 tip is: Mindset

Have belief in yourself, your goals and your products.

If you know you're going to achieve something, chances of failing are slim.

[Kent Tee]

Choosing the 'Hot' market & offer to sell...this is my NO.1 tips on internet marketing.

[Magic Mel]

3 words: mindset, patience, taking action.

You gotta have the right mindset, to make it in this business

You gotta be patient and let things fall into place

You gotta take action and keep on going!

[Malachi Kelly]

Originally Posted by Magic Mel

3 words: mindset, patience, taking action.

You gotta have the right mindset, to make it in this business

You gotta be patient and let things fall into place

You gotta take action and keep on going!

I Was the worst procrastonator on the planet. I'd read a book on mindset and goal setting and since then my main focus has been on tacking action.

I have a check list and every day I make sure the daily tasks are done.

It amazing the difference it makes...

[SurviveUnemployment]

Perseverance is pretty important. Even if you hit it out of the park, you need to keep at it. There's always room for improvement.

[Mike Anthony]

Not even debatable for me. Traffic traffic traffic.

Copywriting without traffic= expensive paragraphs.
Content without traffic = invisible text
product without traffic = waste of time

[Ray Erdmann]

Personally speaking, it's NOT 'traffic', it's NOT 'test, test and test again'...it's not about 'product creation'...but DETERMINATION to SUCCEED at any and all costs...well, ok..to an extent..but still you know what I mean! :-)

As has been said before, this IS a tough business and if you don't have the right mindset to see yourself through ALL the 'ups and downs' that come from working for yourself as a "Internet Marketer", then nothing else you do (see list above) is going to do you any good if you QUIT before you've even had time to set anchor!

[BradCarroll]

Get my butt off the floor and get going. Quit planning and primping and just put my half-ready army on the field. No matter how bad or how good yesterday was.

[LincolnKK]

The most important thing!

EASY

If you are in a info marketing.

A crowd with specific problems that you can solve.
They have to be big enough depending on how you want to make.

[JenniferHardings]

I agree, it is the same thing for all kinds of marketing as well- whether its squeeze pages, websites, articles, copywriting, videos- not everything WE think is going to work, will actually work.

I admit there are times when I have made something, and expected it to work in my niche, and then it did not... but I sure tested to find out why It wasn't working. Stepping out of the frame is also an important key, I feel.

Such as in being able to see things from the customer's point of view, so that you can really fine-tune your testing process. I also wonder about the paid traffic? I have heard the search engines treat that badly, as alot of paid traffic can come from the same websites. You don't want to hit the sandbox there as well.

[Malachi Kelly]

4 months has passed since i started this thread and still learning new things every day. My views have changed since I started this thread and now my emphisis is more on mindset and taking action.

I would test an offer for a while then lose interest and come page to it a couple of days after.

All though for me its now a full time job, so I think I'm more focused on my goals.

Its also nice being my own boss...

[JenniferHardings]

Originally Posted by Malachi Kelly

4 months has passed since i started this thread and still learning new things every day. My views have changed since I started this thread and now my emphisis is more on mindset and taking action.

I would test an offer for a while then lose interest and come page to it a couple of days after.

All though for me its now a full time job, so I think I'm more focused on my goals.

Its also nice being my own boss...

Definitely, I can relate to that... of losing your momentum and drive. Even you know what you should do, but don't really do it- so then you feel bad that you aren't doing it, and feel worse that you know you should do it as well.

Getting focused, is something I still need to harness. I feel I am focused alot of the time, but I know I am not, since my actions don't match my feelings.

It's very good that you are perceptive to the surroundings around you, so that you are able to continuously learn, because if we did not adapt in this IM world, we would soon fall far behind our competition.

[Nic Lynn]

Originally Posted by Malachi Kelly

answer is tracking and testing.

Important? Yep. Fun? Nope. This is my least favorite part of IM. (I actually love the rest!)

[Josef_Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Adrian Cooper

I am amazed that no one mentioned the #1 most important factor - List Building.

I don't mean to blast "offers" to, but to build a relationship with current and future customers.

There have been many other important factors mentioned - tracking and testing right up there among the most important - but list building is above those.

Another area where people fail is lack of market research.

One of the biggest reasons for business failure on and off line is people choosing to sell products that interest them without making sure it interests plenty of other people as well - people prepared to pay.

I agree.

I thought testing and tracking, creating content, etc was all
important (and it is), but building your list is invaluble can last
several years.

Testing and tracking, personally, is what kept me stuck for
many months without tacking action because I assumed if I
don't know what trafficks coming from (and I don't know how
to do it) than I shouldn't be doing it at all.

As a result, I ended up doing nothing because i spent so much
time "thinking" about how I can test without spending money
upfront for tracking service.

I would spend hours looking for free tracking services that would
hold up even if business went away (and then what would happen
to my links?).

I spent days trying to figure out googles tracking service and
never got anything done.

I finally got over my perfectionism and started getting a lot
done. Alot of the RIGHT things done that I already know will
bring results. I'm not testing now, but I could careless now,
because I can always refine later.

Everyone should be taking action to build their list and figure
out (or better yet, PAY someone else) to set up a tracking
system for you.

[Jose]

I would say that knowing where you're going, knowing why you're doing it and knowing how much you want out of your efforts are the most important things in IM. Tracking, testing, list building, etc., are all essential tools and techniques of the trade, but just that, tools and techniques.

[davidomni]

Originally Posted by The Digital Archives

For me it's content, traffic and copywriting.

Andrew

Originally Posted by avenuegirl

After 2 years, I can honestly say the most important thing is having a plan.

Yes, testing and tracking is part of "the plan" as well as building a site, traffic considerations, listbuilding, etc... but without a solid plan to start you will be going nowhere.

Even if it is one small campaign you are going to start with - get a map together for yourself on where you see it going.

Well I'd say, the plan is fundamentally important.
I mean, if you don't know where you are going,
how will you get there.

Besides this,
Content
Traffic
and Conversions.

The three pillars as Eben Paegan calls them.

Cheers.

[Malachi Kelly]

My testing days have reduced massivly since i got better at seo. Its a well kept secret that takes a long time to master but once you got it...you really got it.

[James Clark]

Testing is important. Everyone agrees on that. If you are looking for secret, good luck. To clarify, there are two part to the process.First, you build a squeeze page and collect data and the second part is knowing what to say at every step in the process.

Writing copy is the second part.

[opportunites]

For me testing is a part of the process of setting up... when you finish with that part. You absolutely need TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC...