5 Golden Lessons from an Internet Marketing Agency

14 replies
Hello Warriors,

I'm a long-time lurker, but only just signed up today. This site has so much great content, thought I'd start by contributing some things I've learned.

For the past few years I've worked at a digital advertising/marking agency. I've been lucky enough to work with big clients who can afford to spend big $$$ their online marketing efforts. Because these are established companies, some of what I've worked on doesn't translate to I.M. as it tends to be talked about on the Warrior Forum; however, there are a few things that I've learned that I think you guys will be able to profit from (however small).

1. Track Everything

First rule, and very important. Every site you run should be properly tagged and tracked to make sure that you know everything that is happening on the site at any given time. Google Analytics is free and comprehensive enough for most people. Remember that you are tracking trends and not concrete figures. See where you traffic is coming from and adjust accordingly.

2. User Test

If you're building a site that's going to get a lot of traffic, you should try to do some user testing before you launch. Get some potential users of your site together (just use friends if you don't have much budget) and watch them use it (you can do this remotely, using a site that I've forgotten the name of...). Make sure that your target users can access the site properly and don't have any problems. If they do, go back and redesign the site to encorporate their feedback - it will be worth it

3. Know Your Worth

If you're working with clients, don't undersell yourself. A simple point, but if you're going to do something that brings in $xx,xxx more sales, make sure you charge a good fee. If you're doing good work, people will pay.

4. Your Brain Often Doesn't Work The Way You Think It Does

Sitting in front of a blank piece of paper looking at a problem isn't often the best way to solve it. Your brain works on problems in your subconscious, so go off and do something else - go and have a shower, go for a walk, play with your kids. Whatever takes your mind of the problem at hand.

If you need some creative ideas, try looking at some inspiring stimulus (pictures, videos etc) and then just writing down the first things that come into your head. Or, try to get to 50 ideas in 10 minutes (seriously). Go back and pick through what you've written and act on the best ideas.

5. A.I.B - Always In Beta

Nothing is ever finished. Everything can be improved. Google recently tested 42 types of blue for their 'Search' button - if they're still working, don't you think you should be too?

I hope this helps inspire some of you to bigger things
#agency #golden #internet #lessons #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author McBrett
    @conversionspro - congrats on your contribution to the WF. I'm glad you decided to start posting.

    I completely agree with 4.) your brain doesn't work the way you think it does. I'm a much better subconscious problem solver.
    Signature
    www.500aMonth.com - This is my blog.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2588656].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author conversionspro
      Originally Posted by McBrett View Post

      @conversionspro - congrats on your contribution to the WF. I'm glad you decided to start posting.

      I completely agree with 4.) your brain doesn't work the way you think it does. I'm a much better subconscious problem solver.
      Thanks! Yep, 4) is very, very important - I think a lot of people think they have to be really thinking about something to come up with a solution... not the case!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2588663].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Optimus Lime
    good stuff
    Signature
    More Than Meets The Eye.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2588737].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author conversionspro
      Originally Posted by Optimus Lime View Post

      good stuff
      Thanks! Bit of a wide ranging post, but I think people can learn some things from it.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2588901].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author LindseyRainwater
        Those were some great points. I hadn't even thought about using friends or family to test out my websites. I'll have to work on that.

        And not underselling yourself is a great point! I deal with people trying to get me to lower my rates for them all the time, as though they're special (being a complete stranger to me) or I'm just not worth what I'm asking for (and they act like they know that for a fact even though they've never worked with me.)

        Set reasonable prices for your skill level and how long you've been in whatever field you're attacking, and stick to your guns! Lowering your prices just sets a bad precedent for future business.
        Signature
        Limited Time: Grab the "Pay Your Way" option, and get a complete website with content created - without having to pay the full amount up-front! Pay what you can today, and make payments from there! Click HERE for more info!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2589008].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author conversionspro
          Thanks, I'm glad they helped you out.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2589188].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RuiGomes
    Some of the tips are really important to be aware.

    Always in Beta as been a concept that came in the Web 2.0 and is really important.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2589202].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author slk
    Loved the lesson. You are correct when you say that nothing is ever finished. With everything in life it can be improved. Thanks!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2589352].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jody_W
    Originally Posted by conversionspro View Post

    4. Your Brain Often Doesn't Work The Way You Think It Does

    Sitting in front of a blank piece of paper looking at a problem isn't often the best way to solve it. Your brain works on problems in your subconscious, so go off and do something else - go and have a shower, go for a walk, play with your kids. Whatever takes your mind of the problem at hand.
    This is something I often find to be true. The next step is crucially important for me though: always have something handy to record the ideas.

    Sometimes, especially if I've been blocked for a while, I'll suddenly have an avalanche of interesting ideas that I'm going to lose if I don't have something to write on or record on RIGHT THEN.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2589566].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author conversionspro
      Originally Posted by Jody_W View Post

      This is something I often find to be true. The next step is crucially important for me though: always have something handy to record the ideas.

      Sometimes, especially if I've been blocked for a while, I'll suddenly have an avalanche of interesting ideas that I'm going to lose if I don't have something to write on or record on RIGHT THEN.
      Yeah, that's really important. Carrying a notebook around with you is pretty important if you think like this!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2589750].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author steven-brandon88
        great post.

        i like your last point about if google is still testing then we should to.

        i think this is very true, if for example we can increaseour ctr for a adwords ad only by .1% every week then by year end thats 5% and imagine if thats your conversion rate.

        i guess i might be rambling a bit but i think yall get the point.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2590095].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author conversionspro
          Originally Posted by steven-brandon88 View Post

          great post.

          i like your last point about if google is still testing then we should to.

          i think this is very true, if for example we can increaseour ctr for a adwords ad only by .1% every week then by year end thats 5% and imagine if thats your conversion rate.

          i guess i might be rambling a bit but i think yall get the point.
          Thanks Steven. It's very true indeed. Also, think about a 0.1% conversion rate if you're already making six/seven figures online - the difference between two button colors can be huge.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2592570].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    Hi ConversionsPro.

    Welcome to the forum. I really like #5. Although many people follow a different "philosophy", I view myself and my life as a work in progress. (I'm not sure if that's what you meant ...)

    Looking forward to more contributions from you.

    Cheers.
    Signature
    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2592622].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gary Pettit
    Love #5!!
    Continuous improvement!
    Ray Kroc would be proud. So would Sam Walton.
    I'll emulate those boys!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2593828].message }}

Trending Topics