[GT]

A little preamble before I make an information request from PIPS members:

As aspiring Internet Marketers, there are two foundational steps we must take to achieve ultimate success:

Step 1: Learn the basics of the business
(Many dedicated PIPS members are working hard on doing this)

... and then ...

Step 2: Learn to be different!

The problem and challenge that many of us face is learning how to stand out in a crowd of copycats so that our website and our personal brand get attention.

(Let’s be honest: many of us are using the same or similar website styles and the same or similar affiliate marketing system(s) on our websites, and we are using the same marketing methods ... and also much of the same content, whether it is duplicated or simply reworked a little bit.)

We will not likely ever stand out in the crowd unless we actively do something different or unique that makes us stand out.

Once we start to feel comfortable with the basic marketing methods we are learning, we must then look for ways to be different ... to be unique ... to be better than average ... to WOW! our targeted prospects, get their attention and win their approval (and business).

BIFF! BAM! POW!

Here is my info request for you:

1. Please share with us ways you currently stand out in the crowd, or ways you plan to make your online business stand out.

2. Or simply recommend ways that you know of or that you think would be good for Internet Marketers to apply to make them stand out in the crowd.

==> Please share your thoughts, opinions, suggestions, questions...

GT

[Patrician]

1. Standing Out:

The comment I get a lot from people is 'thank you for being so honest'. People are actually shocked.

People appreciate hearing about reality especially when their heads are swimming in hype and unrealistic expectations as far as 'earning money instantly', 'get wealthy without working', etc.

So they believe in me when I tell them what they don't want to hear: They will have to work hard at first to build a foundation and they have to be self-motivated. They have to have a way to survive (savings, unemployment insurance, a part-time job, etc) in the meantime as ALL businesses will take time to generate results.

2. Have a Plan B (and C and D if necessary)

You may fail at internet marketing because you don't enjoy it - you may get discouraged because you don't see results (yet) -

It is a long stretch working from home alone for yourself and having had a j-o-b where you performed your duties for X number of hours and got X number of dollars. Sales and marketing are never like that because you don't have a salary - something you can depend on (to some degree) - it is based on your performance. (commissions = sales).

It is also very different because you are not accountable to your manager or supervisor - you are only accountable to yourself - so it is easy to procrastinate. You have to have discipline and treat this just like a job - don't be a slacker and sit back and wait for the money to pour in by osmosis because you will have a long wait. Get to work just like if you HAD to show up on time and stay until your work is done.

With that said you may need to think of another way to make your business work. That is what I had to do. I had to think of skills I had from my 'working life' and put them to use in my own business because I just couldn't hang with marketing (out of money, out of time).

What are the skills you have? What could you do to support yourself without getting a j-o-b? What are the things you enjoy doing? Right now you are learning marketing and advertising online - this is critical to ANY business at least long enough for you to find someone that will pay you for your expertise.

The concept of 'multiple streams of income' is ingenious really because you might make a little with affiliate programs, a little designing websites, a little running SEO campaigns, writing articles etc. At the end of the day all the little things you may be able to do can add up to a decent income.

... and whatever you do, don't give up - if something doesn't work then try to do it a different way - just don't quit. 'you can't fail unless you quit'.

[paul64]

I believe, as Patrician has pointed out, that people value honesty when it comes to Internet Marketing. Therefore, I try to create my own unique content that reflects this value. About 80% of my articles, at this point, are my own. Two of the articles on my website are from Stone, and the other 18% of my articles are Ghost written.

Yes most of us share a similar site through PIPS, however, even with this assumed disadvantage, we can stand out through unique one of a kind articles. At least this is my take on it

By the way, can we actually modify our sites with different themes ect, and if we can will this disqualify us from receiving technical support if something goes pear shaped as a result of these modifications?

[Patrician]

Hi Paul.

Within the PIPS theme you can change colors, add pages, add options, add advertisements, banners, etc. If you mess it up I can fix it (re-set the defaults or re-install it). If you change themes you are on your own though. (however I can always rebuild the PIPS theme for you).

Just like to point something out about 'the assumed disadvantage' of having similar sites. Has this ever been a problem for Starbucks or McDonalds?

Not at all. In fact it is a brand people recognize and trust - and they are EXACTLY the same both in design as well as content.

You can add unique content in many ways to your PIPS site - not just the articles, but the pages and even what you offer (by adding other programs and resources for your visitors).

sorry for off topic, GT.

[GT]

No problem, Patricia! All discussion is good, and it all serves the purpose of making members think about how they are doing things, and how they might do things either better or different.

As you have noted, there is benefit in brand recognition and being associated with a recognized and popular brand (such as PIPS). If a PIPS member wants to maintain the basic look and feel of their PIPS website, then their focus should be on finding unique ways to market, promote and advertise that site.

You have mentioned being honest, and Paul has mentioned creating most of his own content – both excellent ideas on which to build a business.

GT
(p.s. I'm out of "Thanks" for today, but when my button returns another day, I will reward you both accordingly!)

[talfighel]

There is no need to stand different in the crowd.

You only need to get your offer in front as many people as possible and then you will see your income grow.

There are millions of people who go online each day looking for a way to earn money and when you position yourself in front of them, you will get more and more people join you.

[GT]

Hey, Tal:

A very good point. That is one thing that attracts people to Internet Marketing - the incredible potential to reach millions of prospects quickly and economically. And you are so right that all a marketer has to do is position themselves in front of these prospects.

But the challenge is, with so many marketers trying to position themselves in front of those same people, how does the individual stand out and get the attention?

GT

[Jeff Casmer]

Hi GT,

Branding.....

1) Your name
2) Your business

Thats how you stand out...

Take care
Jeff Casmer

[Jeffery]

But the challenge is, with so many marketers trying to position themselves in front of those same people, how does the individual stand out and get the attention?

Hi GT,

Nice to see you again. Excellent post! Everyone here is right in my opinion, but I like to get more specific about your question and suggest what works for me..

..Provide 'Training and Services' is what makes my business standout because very few people provide 'Training and Services'.

In regard to Tal's excellent contribution..

There are millions of people who go online each day looking for a way to earn money and when you position yourself in front of them, you will get more and more people join you.

When I am asked on this forum the similar question "How do you position yourself in front of them?" My answer is always.. "Where are you right now? Look around you and there are thousands of people visiting this same forum with the same interest. See the WF home page? See the Ads at the top of the forum? That's one way to.. position yourself in front of them!

Now consider what would happen if a PIPS site owner placed an Ad on the WF. How many beginners use the WF (thousands of targeted visitors) would jump at the PIPS Opportunity that Pat explained, i.e. free website, training etc. Pat's post reveals more help on the topic than most people realize!

In short and by golly.. if you are a PIPS site owner and position yourself in front of them.. you are among the UNIQUE (smile).

Really is good to see you again GT. How are Mal and the guys?

Jeffery 100% :-)

[Trent Brownrigg]

My new marketing company, which mainly helps local offline businesses improve their online presence, is called Be Always Marketing or BAM! for short. My business partner and I thought that was very fitting for a marketing company... http://bealwaysmarketing.com

That's one way we stand out to get their attention. But we also pride ourselves on being honest and ethical. We don't lie or stretch the truth or make outrageous promises just to get business. We tell our potential clients up front in our first meeting what we will do, how we will do it, how long we expect it to take, and how much it will cost.

[GT]

Originally Posted by Jeffery

Hi GT,

Nice to see you again...

... Really is good to see you again GT. How are Mal and the guys?

Jeffery 100% :-)

Hi, Jeffery: Good to see you again, too! Everybody keeps moving forward, learning and practicing the basics and encouraging each other along.

Thanks for contributing to this discussion thread. I am hoping for responses and contributions from PIPS members of all experience levels so that at whatever level we are at personally, we can gain some insight from those more experienced, as well as get a sense of the challenges that those less experienced may be facing.

GT

[GT]

Originally Posted by Trent Brownrigg

My new marketing company, which mainly helps local offline businesses improve their online presence, is called Be Always Marketing or BAM! for short...

... That's one way we stand out to get their attention. But we also pride ourselves on being honest and ethical...

Hey, Trent, thanks for your contribution here. I didn't realize I was "borrowing" your company name for this topic thread! LOL

It reminds me of the "ABCs of sales" as highlighted in the 1992 movie, Glengarry Glen Ross: "Always Be Closing"

I appreciate your focus on being honest, ethical and upfront so your prospects and customers know what to expect and get no surprises. That is definitely a way to build a reputation and stand out in a field.

GT

[paul64]

Originally Posted by Patrician

Hi Paul.

Within the PIPS theme you can change colors, add pages, add options, add advertisements, banners, etc. If you mess it up I can fix it (re-set the defaults or re-install it). If you change themes you are on your own though. (however I can always rebuild the PIPS theme for you).

Just like to point something out about 'the assumed disadvantage' of having similar sites. Has this ever been a problem for Starbucks or McDonalds?

Not at all. In fact it is a brand people recognize and trust - and they are EXACTLY the same both in design as well as content.

You can add unique content in many ways to your PIPS site - not just the articles, but the pages and even what you offer (by adding other programs and resources for your visitors).

sorry for off topic, GT.

Thanks Patrician,

I'll be looking a little closer at what you've suggested.