Recluse or Anti-Social Internet Marketers: Can They Be Successful?

Daniel,

If you want to be known as a guru who publishes his own products then yeah. You need to do all that stuff if you want to get known. But there's other ways of making lots of money that don't require you to talk to anyone. There are thousands of affiliate marketers out there who are silently raking in in 5-6 figures per month. You don't need to make a name for yourself to make a killing.

I think the "well known" part is what answers your question. To be a well known internet marketer, yes, you do need to do those things. By definition, being well-known means lots of people know who you are, which means you have to have your name and image out in the public. You don't necesarily have to be well known in order to be successful though. And you can still choose to what extent you want to participate in the greater internet marketing community. If you don't like speaking in front of big crowds, you could host small events for a select few clients or do personal 1-on-1 coaching.

Keep in mind that it's not always necessary to build your name online. There are plenty of people making a killing online whose names you'll never learn.

I've never done any sort of audio or video products, or attended a live event.

I'm definitely not a "famous marketer" but I'm doing allright. I'd definitely be doing a lot better though if I was comfortable speaking in front of a camera or attending events.

I don't think it's necessary, but it's certainly something that would be beneficial.

James

It is all up to you. You can still make an awful lot of money online without having to do the public thing. That is the good thing about the internet you can choose how well known you become. Even if you are not well known your brand maybe which is really all that matters. If you have a brand that everyone knows about they really don't need to know the man or woman behind the brand.

Pete

It's natural to feel nervous about networking if you're new to it.

You're still young dude. As you get older you will gain confidence and networking will be a walk in the park.

You could do a powerpoint presentation with audio, which IS a video. That way, no one sees you and it would have the side benefit of helping you become more comfortable speaking "in public."

I just got back from an IM conference, and can tell you that quite a few of the "gurus" out there can't speak well. Their face and name are their brands, but speaking well is not their strongest point. Some of them were real "geeks" but have learned to speak in public and learned to get over some of their shyness.

If you want to become well known, you most likely will be invited to speak at some of the public events. If that is your goal, then try to find things you can do that are just a little outside your comfort zone. Once you are comfortable there, you can take the next uncomfortable step - until you are relatively at ease in all situations. It really is a learned process. And you have the knowledge and the proof to allow you to speak with authority about your subject, so speak about that. Try first with some smaller local groups - like a meetup group or networking group - places it's safe for you to practice. You CAN do it!

Definitely possible, ask how many people have even seen a picture of Allen Says.

Jon

In the end I believe everyone finds the path that is right for them. While there isn't just a single way to get to the end goal no matter what that may be if the passion isn't there it may be the wrong line of work. I'm like you, in the beginning I couldn't imagine myself doing a video now I can picture. Here's to your success.

What I love about working on the internet is that I can be anti-social. I am also paranoid and do not like to have my name all over the internet. I'm not vain that way. Not that everyone who does is vain.

Yes, you do not have to be one of those gurus (a lot of them are just fakers anyway) who put their name out there.

One idea which I do not think is a problem is to use a pseudonym if you wanted to build a rep. Use your first name but fake the second name if you value your privacy. Of course, those who really wanted to could find out your real name but most would never think of it. Definitely an option there. And I see nothing wrong with it to brand yourself that way.

In the end, there are plenty of ways to make money online, and virtually anonymously. It does not have to be everyone's goal to be a so-called guru who makes his money by doing JVs with the other gurus and just blasting the latest product to make you a millionaire out to their list. Hey, I bet those guys make tons of money that way but it doesn't necessarily have to be you. That's not the only way although it seems like you see it shouted out a lot that that is the only way.

Yes it's a good point. Video, podcasts, audiobooks etc all help convey personal touch, something that a simple ebook is uncapable of. So it really is down to you what image you want your target audience to have of yourself.

Truth be told, you don't need any of that to be in affiliate marketing. But when it comes to branding yourself it might give you a bit of an advantage.

I think one could be successful without being well-known. I myself would like to be able to enjoy my success without being some kind of guru. I don't mind helping people in forums and stuff, but not like some of these gurus who have webinars, video chats, etc. I want to be able to enjoy my success.

Thank you for your comments everyone!

It seems everyone has similar thoughts on the topic, which is cool because I was thinking quite similar as well.

I guess I am worried that my social skills with negatively effect the growth of my business.

When I am behind my computer doing Camtasia videos(which I never thought I would do), I 'seem' more sociable than normal. I am not very nervous or anything like that when it is just me and my computer.

I just have a lot of anxiety when it comes to social type situations. Im worried that anxiety will effect my networking and all of that good stuff because I am just so bad at opening up conversation.

I know that it comes with experience, and I definitely can see that I am getting better at these things as I get older.

Just a few years ago I would get massive anxiety going to parties and places with tons of people packed together. Now it is pretty much 2nd nature to me.

It's clear seeing how that can transition into other social related activities like giving speeches and all of that good stuff.

You look at all the gurus and they make all of this stuff look so damn good like they don't even think about it.

I wonder if Frank Kern or Mike Filsaime ever sucked at the whole social thing.

Anyway, I am all for practicing this stuff. In fact, I am an instructor at my Kung fu school and I often have to lead and teach a classroom full of 20+ people so I am slowly getting more experienced at the public speaking aspect of the business.

Hopefully taking these little baby steps will one day prepare me for full on seminars!

Thanks for the input everyone Feel free to add your opinions, I definitely am getting something out of this(and Im sure there are other people who need it too).

-Dan

Most of the biggest and wealthiest people in the world (which you don't see or hear about) are - Reclusive and Secretive people. The biggest players, I mean.

As people climb over each other to find the top floor office suite in the building, you will find some quietly tucked away in the basement with their trusty pen and paper leading a quiet life with little to no stress, and as people are busy walking past to climb the tower of success, sometimes the true knowledge and wisdom may have been at their feet.