Confusion About Marketing Methods

9 replies
Every Internet marketer is influenced by other marketers to some degree. For example, I am thankful I had people such as Perry Marshall, Willie Crawford, John Reese....and others to help guide me in the beginning.

As beginners, we all looked to the successful marketers as guides; we watched, listened, and learned from those we respected.

There is nothing wrong with that at all! There's no need to reinvent every wheel!

However...

There is a trap in this which many of us, including myself, found (or find) ourselves caught in. You see, each of the "gurus" we look up to and admire is successful because they not only found their "niche" in the giant area of online marketing, but they also found and perfected a marketing method suited to them.

It's vital you understand this!

Again, they found and perfected a marketing method suited to them.

In the beginning you see your favorite gurus using a variety of marketing methods. AdWords, SEO, article marketing, YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, Craigslist, forum postings, and blogging are some of the favorites.

"Hey, if it works for them...sign me up!"...says the beginner.


The point missed was that many successful marketers only use a small handful of marketing methods. They have learned the power of focusing and refining a few proven techniques. Beginners often succumb to the pressure they feel for using more marketing methods than their time can afford. They see those methods can be successful, so they feel the NEED to do them all.

The result of spreading X amount of effort across too many methods is that NOTHING gets traction...nothing works well. Don't get me wrong, beginners SHOULD dabble in all forms of marketing. However, the purpose in the beginning is not for generating money. The purpose is finding your groove. Find those methods which fit YOUR personality...and your target market of course.

It's futile to force yourself into social marketing if you don't feel social in those respects. It's NOT the work and effort you put into your marketing which brings success. It's the positive energy you add. If article writing feels like drudgery to you, that method (for that reason alone) will not yield good results.

On the other hand, if you have a blast on twitter and can feel the positive results, then dig in and focus your efforts there! It's easy to know what methods are meant for you. Listen to that inner voice saying, "Yes, this feels right"....or, "I really don't like doing this".
Just listen to it!

Too many times we get off-track by not listening to our built-in guidance systems. Just because someone uses YouTube to drive mega traffic and make mega bucks doesn't mean you should follow that lead!

Follow your inner voice...find "your" niche...find "your" marketing methods...It's fine to look for examples of how others succeed, but your success depends on how well you apply your unique self to the effort.
#confusion #internet marketing #marketing #methods
  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Your right!!

    Another beautiful thing about doing business online is that most serious people can eventually find a system that works for them and we have so many options available to us.

    But... lots of people are mistaking online business models with marketing methods and vice versa leading to lots of confusion and info-overload.

    TL
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    "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

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  • Profile picture of the author steveweber
    You got that right! Information overload is the number one reason beginners quit before giving themselves a real chance. They get so confused with all the options and bases they "think" they have to cover.
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  • Profile picture of the author queenbuzzy
    Steve...you're so right!

    I just posted on this yesterday because I am completely overwhelmed with options of methods to take. Since I'm not really familiar with any one in particular, I DO like to sample and try things out, but then I'm too spread out, and no one method is very successful.

    Personally, my niche is work at home moms/students/retirees, so I've found fairly good success just hanging out with them on forums. I'm starting to get into the social networking side of things, but one thing at a time, eh?

    Thanks for the post! It was really timely for me!
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  • Profile picture of the author twomasters
    Steve - I agreed 100%
    Many times a method is only successful for a few people and does not suit the 'normal' person - or a normal person cannot make it work.
    And many times we wander off and dabble without focus.
    Thanks again.
    Cor
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  • Profile picture of the author queenbuzzy
    Thanks Steve!

    I signed up!

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  • Profile picture of the author twannahiga
    Agree on that one for sure! The best thing about doing business online is that most dedicated marketers can eventually find a a marketing system that works for them specifically, and I guess its lucky as marketers that we have so many choices to choose from, (blogging, articles, affiliate marketing etc.) Occasionally though most people are confusing online business models with old style marketing methods confusing themselves and overloading themselves with irrelevant information! Good thread!
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Hooper
    Very good advice Steve, it's so easy for paople to get bogged down in all the information that is thrown at them. Nobody else can decide your niche, marketing methods and what works best for you other than yourself. Wise words to any newbie, thanks Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh T.
    Thanks, Steve. I certainly went through a period of
    information overload myself, almost to the point of
    being catatonic. I will be interested to see which method
    truly brings results for me. YouTube has been fairly good
    to me, but I have suffered from trying to be everywhere,
    when it really isn't necessary.

    Appreciate you keeping it real, my friend.
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