Being an Internet Marketer is tough....

38 replies
When you are trying to tell someone you just met
what you do, you are faced with a smugness.

At least that is what I experience.

Anyone here have been through that?
#critique #internet #marketer #tough
  • Profile picture of the author Vincent Denali
    Yeah being an IM'er isn't the stereotypical career choice. The average person you meet doesn't see it as being a viable career. That's fine, let them go punch that clock. And we'll keep doing what we do.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Get super clear on why you're IMing, and you'll attract more folks who vibe with your vision. Oh yes, I've faced it ....then let those people go, whether friends, or fam. Keep dreaming big and get REALLY clear on your reason for IMing, and this stuff won't bother ya. All the best!
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  • Profile picture of the author KloudStrife
    I've had this problem with my own family members and close friends. When you tell them you work online, they give you the blank ok...they obviously don't understand the concept of "working online" and "making money online"

    They'll see you as someone thats unemployed and unsuccessful (unless you show them material assets acquired with your online career) otherwise your line of work won't register with our blue collared society

    as the man said above, let them punch their clock and we'll do what we do
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    • Profile picture of the author koolphoto
      I have been a photographer for the longest time. I have dealt with either Corporate PR or Marketing personal as well as celebrities and their publicists.If you want to know what evil is then work with publicists.

      Some have been nice but many look at you as a peon. After awhile I got used to it and it didn't bother me as long as I got what I needed.

      Explaining to people I work on the internet has been a lot simpler for me.

      Really, who cares what others think.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Tandan
    The attitude of those that question what you do changes drastically when they see your success.
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    • Profile picture of the author KloudStrife
      May I suggest you start telling people that your a website owner and make full time revenue from your site.

      Honestly with all the billion dollar buy outs from major corporations, telling someone your a website owner is definitely a 1up on your end
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  • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
    I know this will sound shallow, but...

    I quit video games and everything else to make money online full-time.

    Basically, learning IM is my life.

    I don't see it as a 'career'. I see it as the mmorpg that gives you real life gold.
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    'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'
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    • Profile picture of the author KloudStrife
      Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

      I know this will sound shallow, but...

      I quit video games and everything else to make money online full-time.

      Basically, learning IM is my life.

      I don't see it as a 'career'. I see it as the mmorpg that gives you real life gold.

      How does one 'quit' video games?

      isn't like a past time hobby?
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      • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
        Originally Posted by KloudStrife View Post

        How does one 'quit' video games?

        isn't like a past time hobby?
        I just got so bored of them I stopped and figured I'd do things to make me money. Lol
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        'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'
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  • Profile picture of the author javrsmith
    I was a computer programmer for many years which was a good background for this IM work.
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  • Profile picture of the author dana67
    Internet Marketing is tough and it takes time and effort. But it can certainly pay off if you find the right niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author jgant
    I just say I own websites that earn revenue by selling advertising packages to companies all over the world. I then explain it's pretty much similar to an online newspaper such as (pick your publication).

    Of all the elevator speeches I've used, the one above makes the most sense to people. I avoid terms like affiliate marketing, social media, SEO, internet marketing and other jargon.

    As for smugness... I don't get that. I explain I own a company that owns and operates the websites... explaining it as a real business, which it is.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ian Jackson
      "Working" from home and building business on the internet always seems to prompt the "yeah right", i.e must be home all day surfing porn... &

      I come from an engineering/manufacturing/design background so most of the people/friends/colleagues I've gathered over the years, have little or no concept of IM, and trying to explain things results in me sounding like I'm a salesman

      Overall it is an exciting challenge for me to bring my experience in design/manufacturing (and coping with its share of problems!) industry to IM
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  • Profile picture of the author Zack Lim
    Haha I do understand the feeling when you try to explain the things you do but they do not understand.

    Most of the time, I will just tell people that I am in the sales line selling things online on a commission basis. They will be able to relate to that idea much easier
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Originally Posted by beasty513 View Post

    When you are trying to tell someone you just met
    what you do, you are faced with a smugness.

    At least that is what I experience.

    Anyone here have been through that?
    In the beginning yes because of how I used to answer them. The average person doesn't know what "IM" or "internet marketing" or "affiliate marketing" or "CPA offers" / etc. mean. Tell them you run an online business and they still don't know what you'll mean.

    Over the years I've learned to K.I.S.S.

    Today, when people ask me what I do, I tell them I'm an entrepreneur and that I enjoy starting new businesses and selling them. If they want to know more than that, I'll give them a little bit more detail. If we click, then I might divulge that I'm also a self-published author on Kindle and my own websites.

    My current girlfriend is one smart cookie, with an MBA in marketing and is quite the project manager. However, when she met me last year there was a lot about marketing via the internet that she didn't know. Social media was her forte and she knew a lot about that, but other stuff, not so much......

    But when we started talking about sales funnels, product creation, product back-end strategy, autoresponders, CRM, CPA, PPL, press releases, pr etc. she didn't have much of a clue.

    Unless people are in this world, they're not going to have the foggiest clue on what you do. They will only have a preconceived notion of what you do. My advice is to keep it simple and no matter what they say or do, don't let it bother you, just focus on your goals and let your actions and results do the talking.

    I'm still amazed, today, at how many people in my own family think I'm "lucky". Luck had nothing to do with it, I worked my ass off to be where I'm at today.

    People are no longer smug because of the way I answer them now.

    RoD
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    • Profile picture of the author jgant
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      My current girlfriend is one smart cookie, with an MBA in marketing and is quite the project manager. However, when she met me last year there was a lot about marketing via the internet that she didn't know. Social media was her forte and she knew a lot about that, but other stuff, not so much......

      But when we started talking about sales funnels, product creation, product back-end strategy, autoresponders, CRM, CPA, PPL, press releases, pr etc. she didn't have much of a clue.

      Unless people are in this world, they're not going to have the foggiest clue on what you do. They will only have a preconceived notion of what you do. My advice is to keep it simple and no matter what they say or do, don't let it bother you, just focus on your goals and let your actions and results do the talking.

      RoD
      It's inconceivable to me how universities and MBA programs don't focus more on IM. It's absolutely key to any business these days. Check out the sample marketing plans at MPlans.com which is a popular marketing plan website and read a plan. There's practically no inclusion of internet marketing except a small budget section at the end. This is old school (4 P's and SWOT analysis which I'm sure your girlfriend can tell you all about).

      I guess this is why guys like Frank Kern and many others who succeed with IM command hundreds of thousands of dollars from large corporations. There's no learning like doing it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
        Originally Posted by jgant View Post

        It's inconceivable to me how universities and MBA programs don't focus more on IM. It's absolutely key to any business these days. Check out the sample marketing plans at MPlans.com which is a popular marketing plan website and read a plan. There's practically no inclusion of internet marketing except a small budget section at the end. This is old school (4 P's and SWOT analysis which I'm sure your girlfriend can tell you all about).

        I guess this is why guys like Frank Kern and many others who succeed with IM command hundreds of thousands of dollars from large corporations. There's no learning like doing it.
        I will say this much: more and more universities are not only adding Entrepreneurship degrees andor emphasis, but they're also adding more classes that deal with online marketing. They are lagging way behind in general though.

        I have a marketing degree but I've learned way more about marketing via the internet by investing in my own education by buying courses and attending seminars. I've also learned a lot by rolling up my sleeves and just DOING it (and asking a lot of questions).

        RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author AaronSnider
    It has been this way for 10 years, it won't change any time soon.

    But the bottom line is this, it doesn't matter what other people think, it only matters what you think.
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  • Profile picture of the author gcbmark20
    Yep that old afraid of stepping away from the crowd bunch!

    It's not easy trying to explain I.M. to these folks.

    I know exactly what you're saying there my friend.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Stephenson
    Just say you're an Online Marketing Consultant

    And you help people get visitors to there website

    It works every time for me :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author ErinWalsh
    The ones who mentioned telling people what specifically you sell helps. It gives them a more concrete picture of what you do because most people don't understand it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marco Moeschter
    Guess we all faced this problem. Most people I know just can't catch what I do because nobody else I know is doing it. Sometimes it's hard to explain and some people are skeptical and some are not! That's how it is and I don't care because I know what I do and what I working for!
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  • Profile picture of the author Trey Morgan
    Originally Posted by beasty513 View Post

    When you are trying to tell someone you just met
    what you do, you are faced with a smugness.

    At least that is what I experience.

    Anyone here have been through that?
    I know what you mean, however, when I show them how much I'm making online, that smugness turns into intrigue and respect.
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    • Profile picture of the author deebee23
      I just tell people that I am a Sports Writer for my own website.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamescanz
    I just tell (the majority) of people that I'm an alligator mud wrestler when they ask what I do

    Saves all the trouble in the first place

    I mean, why else would someone move from CT to Florida?
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  • Profile picture of the author kaibril
    Yes, it's tough. Just do what you love and stick with it. Don't mind other people. Personally, I'm truly glad to work online and be a website owner.
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  • Profile picture of the author DeadRooster
    Someone on this forum said, "I run an online marketing & publishing company."

    I wish I could remember who said it so I could give them the proper credit. Anyway, I think that's a good way to describe what I do, so I use that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Elvis Michael
    Meh, I keep it extra simple.

    Since most marketers do some writing here and there, I simply tell them i'm a content writer and web designer.

    BANG. Suddenly they show a lot of respect for what I do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    I just tell (the majority) of people that I'm an alligator mud wrestler when they ask what I do
    I always say "Secret Agent."

    The scary (or funny) part is; I think about half of them believe it.
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    • Profile picture of the author heavysm
      Honestly, I don't have this problem at all.

      When i describe what i do I've had 99% success rate in convincing them that it's the most amazing way of an income they've ever heard of.

      I've only spoken to one girl at my university who abhors working from a computer since she's more of a nature oriented gal so working outside in the wilderness is ideal for her.

      Other than her, however, I tend to get follow up questions like how i got into my business, how much i lost before i became successful etc.

      I tend to be very smiley and energetic when i speak, so maybe that adds something to the mix.

      My business is one of the best things in my life so that awesomeness needs to be conveyed when communicated to others. So far it's worked out pretty well
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  • Profile picture of the author Anne Laidlaw
    It is hard no doubt about it but the best thing you can do is focus on one thing complete it then contine. Have a white board to stay focused on the projects you are doing. You will get there!

    Anne L
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  • Profile picture of the author AmericanMuscleTA
    When I tell people I do Affiliate Marketing I tell them it's just like owning a franchise. You're selling someone else's products and you get paid for it. Except, Affiliate Marketing doesn't come with the high upfront price tag or monthly fees.

    Usually people start to understand it after I explain it to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author wesleywinter
    Yea I always tell people that I am a freelance web designer. I really don't think I owe anyone an explanation any further than that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Taniwha
    Don't even worry about the people who treat your career choice with smugness. Those aren't the people you want in your life, anyway.

    Attracting people who send positive vibes is a huge advantage in life, not just in a business environment.
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  • Profile picture of the author ATAC
    I have been dealing with that for many years now and what I end up doing is showing them my earnings for that day and usually it ends the conversation with "Can you show me how I can do that "?
    Or "Are you hiring and how can I get started doing that too"!

    Don't let it bother you! Just say focused and show them with your success that you know what you are doing and have the best job in the world.

    Most people are very jellies because they are slaving away at a 9 to 5 when we can and do make there months salary in a day !

    Best of luck
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  • Profile picture of the author w13
    This post give me some idea to explain my IM career to my friends and my family
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  • Yesterday while walking a guy said hi, we talked and he asked what I do, so I tried something new for the first time, I said I'm a writer on Amazon, man he got that in an instant and had no problem like when I say I do IM it's like I'm a killer in a concentration camp or something. I think I'm going to go with Amazon Kindle writer I think people get that
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