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