Confused Marketer

Product launch - exploit experts.

2011-02-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

If you on any list then you've encountered the power of this internet marketing technique. Experts bombard your in-box with emails everyday before they are about to stars selling their newest product. Surprisingly, most of these emails are good and provide well researched and well prepared content.

Surprisingly, because they usually do not care about you all that much most of the time. From time to time they make attempt to flog you some stuff. On the occasions they even will send you some useful tip, some valuable link, just because ... you are on their list.

But the product launches, man I do like them. Majority of the experts send you really good content in the prelaunch phrase. These few weeks before they will try to sell you their stuff, I mean ... you can learn their stuff. And there is plenty to learn.

If the expert is any good he has to give away his best stuff for free in order to prepare you to buy his other stuff. Now if you are smart you can learn 90-95 % of what will be included in their paid stuff for free. And that is to be smart.

You do not need to buy their paid stuff in order to benefit from their knowledge. That is if you are smart and you don't like part with your cash.

The stuff is for you to learn for free.

Consider it again. They have to give away their best stuff for free in order to persuade you to buy their "proper stuff". That means, if they are any good. The catch is that there is a "downhill road" beyond. I mean they are giving away their best stuff in order to persuade you to buy. That means, if you will buy their paid stuff you will only get the other, inferior stuff.

Good thing is you do not have to buy. Just use the good stuff from the prelaunch. That is if you need that knowledge and can apply it. Otherwise there's no point in learning stuff whatsoever either free or paid.
This is completely different from the freebies and bonuses which are offered after the launch just to prompt you to buy now. These kind of bonuses are most of the time useless and certainly confusing.

But the prelaunch stuff is usually really good so take advantage of it. Just beware, do not learn it just because it is for free. Learn it if you need it, if you can apply it and make money this way.

Now, this is purely opportunistic approach. If you like the guy, if you respect him/her go and buy the paid stuff. You may get some one on one coaching or something. Just remember most of the stuff if free to learn.

Why bonuses are useless to you?

2010-06-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

Bonuses are part of every product we are offered nowadays. It used to be different, but now in order to stand out, in order to differentiate yourself you've got to add value. So they say.

So all the marketers online do it. It is especially common practice in the internet marketing world. A bit odd I would say. To do what others are doing and trying to differentiate yourself that way.

Of course, everybody offers different bonuses, ... in order to add value. So they say.

So, do the bonuses actually add value?
For me all they do, they actually add to the confusion. That's right, the bonuses add to the confusion and since I am confused internet marketer I don't like them. Period.

It actually makes me question the value of the primary offer in the first place. Is it any good? Will it solve my problem, or what?
I guess, ... the problem.

Unless of course, all they offer you is the hype, and then more hype (more bonuses for that matter) in order to make you buy. And these guys know their stuff. I mean, they know how to make you use you credit card.

This is not all bad. I mean there are plenty of useful information products that are sold by decent guys. The only question is: do I need it? Do I need it right now?
Can I use it?

Because it all looks attractive, it all looks like the real solution to ... , my problems? I don't know.

Let's say I buy some information stuff about seo and then I'm offered 10 other bonuses which will teach me even more about seo for that reason. Do I need it? I''m already overwhelmed with all this information. I want a simple solution. No, I do not mean a silver bullet, quick fix. I do mean: I need simple solution to my problem. And the only reason for paying for the information online is to pay for ready solution. I do not want to pay for more information. All stuff is out there for free anyway.

The only reason for paying for information is to save my time, to shorten the learning curve.

Therefore I do not need more products, bonuses. I need the answer. Is that right?

The guy who want me to buy his information on the basis of attractive bonuses does not help me. He does want to differentiate himself. And so he does. And I do not buy his stuff. I am confused marketer. I vote for simplification. That's it!

Why you should not listen to the gurus.

2010-05-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

There is a problem with all the exerts, all the so called gurus on the internet, ... and in life generally for that matter.

They talk rubbish. No, not that their advice is rubbish, but it is generally useless. And it is so even when you exclude all these (which is majority of theme) who simply want to make money of you, these who know how to push your emotional buttons.

The story for theme goes like this: back in the old times I was like you struggling to find solution, to make any money on the internet, bla, bla, bla ...

Then they will offer you this simple solution, you only need to invest as little, as ..., that just for the start. As soon as you rise your hand they will flood you with other brilliant, must have solution. Soon enough you are more confused then ever before.

They will tell you the story trying to convince you that ... because they had to struggle you do not have to. That's all beautiful and still useless.

The trick is that they will tell you what has worked back in the old times, which on the internet could be ... very old by the time they are offering this "secret", "underground", whatever formula to you.

Or even worse, they will tell you what they would do if they were like you right now. This is even worse then the previous version of what has worked in the past. It is so useless to answer this question, that is down right harmful to these who take the advice.

The trick is that the thing: what would you do if ..., is so much different from what they actually do in the reality. Of course you can not do the same thing they do. Says who? Think about it.

First thing first, all of the so called expert had some kind of lucky break through. Some of them had to struggle longer, some of them ... got lucky almost straight from the beginning. That's right, they got lucky, no mystery about that.

Many of them actually admitted that they struggled like me and you, confused internet marketers, and they only broke free after they stopped listening to the gurus and experts themselves.

They only started to get traction the moment they started doing their own thing, whatever that happened to be.
Now they tell you that you do not have to struggle, you only have to listen to their advice. How useless is that?

They may tell you to find the niche, connect it with your passion, whatever that might be, but then you find out that they did not do the same thing. If you dig a bit, you might find out that they were not in any niche whatsoever, besides internet marketing niche.

So now these guys are trying to sell you the system, the turn key, ready to use system to make money online. Look how easy it is to build your list, to drive the traffic, etc. Is it so easy?

If you want to believe it ...

It is not actually as hard neither.

It is just that I personally find it so much more useful to learn what the so called guru or expert did at the beginning of their road to success then to listen to their advice. Simple because they are either trying to sell you the thing that has worked some times ago, but may not any more, or because they are answering the question: "what would you do", but they themselves are doing another thing. And that's down right harmful and confusing.

Beware of the experts and gurus. Study what they did, but do not necessary listen to their advice.

Confused Marketer on Twitter.

2010-04-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

Here I am Confused Internet Marketer on Twitter.
Isn't that peculiar?
What the hell are you doing there man? Good question.

It's good and relevant question because Twitter is such an aggregation of information ... and a lot of rubbish too. I remember, I had this problem and I still have it occasionally, where I find my inbox email account with a messages from all these guys ... who try to sell me something and occasionally share some useful content. That is what happens to you when you are signing up on too many lists, newsletters, etc..

I remember this good advice I've read last year: do you want to watch what other guys are doing or do you want to do your own thing and make some money. That puts the things in perspective!

But still I find myself signing up to a new lists.Then I have to get rid of most of them. Most recently I found myself in peculiar situation. All these smart headlines do not speak to me any more. And I do not open anything that has free offer in it. I learned my lessons.

But why I'm rumbling about all this?
Because I'm on Twitter and this can be too much for confused internet marketer like myself. There's just too much information, too much rubbish to. Of course you can sort it out, you can use a lists (that was actually one of the best improvements on Twitter), but still if you like consuming information, you can quickly get lost in this maze.

Of course, You can follow only a few people, but then you seriously limit your chances to market ... whatever you want to market for that matter. Twitter is reciprocal tool and if you do not follow people they will most likely not follow you.

Here is a brief story of my time on Twitter. It's been a bit over a year now, I started my account in March 2009. By now I have acquired almost 4000 followers, respectable but not at all big number. How I got here?

For the first few months I had no idea what to do with my account so I did nothing. Then in the summer I started to connect to people and I started to learn about how it all works. I gained some followers fairly quickly although it was struggle to go through the 2000 threshold. That's where I had to use Twitter Karma (free software) to clean my account for the first time. I actually did it again a few weeks ago again. It's good to regain control.

I had a moments when ... it was intense and I followed new people every day, but for most of the time I haven't been nearly as much active.

What have I done with my account? I tried to share useful information mainly entrepreneurial stuff. I share also a lot of quotes and inspiration, I like that things. I have been experimenting with some affiliate product offers, but only with the stuff that I thought will really benefit people who will use it. And that pretty much all.

I haven't use Twitter for lead generation which I think could be the best thing to do simply because it is not applicable in my case. I might however done the second best thing which I think is to concentrate only on one specific niche. Then I could have build a relationship and market some products that way. The only question is: is it viable business option? I mean, what is the trade off time for money. Or should I use one of these automation tools for building Twitter following?

I wonder how you use your Twitter account? Don't you find yourself occasionally sucked into all these information and ... confused a bit after a while?

David Ogilvy on direct response marketing.

2010-03-05T13:14:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered that we are in direct response marketing. Don't laugh at me, I am confused internet marketer. I learn, but I learn fast. And I dare to say I am already way ahead of many so called gurus.

Why is it so?
Because I already am "getting to the meat". I am getting to the core, to the basics of this business.

There is little help for you if you only learn how to drive a traffic to your website. What matters is the conversion.

Do not bother to chase hundreds or thousands prospects if you do not know how to convert them. It is true that money are in the list, but there are guys who live quiet comfortable form a very small list. The trick is that theirs is very responsive list.

But then I do not want to bore you with my ramblings. What I wanted to share is this short video of David Ogilvy the master of advertising, the champion of direct response marketing.

Do you have a product?

2010-02-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Do you actually have a product?
Yes that's relevant question!
Do you?

I mean, it's important to have a product in order to market it. In order to make some money online.

I have to confess: as I took upon an internet marketing learning curve it was rare that any guru mentioned that. And that's really basic stuff.

We all try to learn the tricks. All marketing tactics and strategies to succeed in our online business, but the truth of the matter is that we cannot do much without actual product itself.

Now, your product can be anything. Preferably , it will be same kind of information product because you want to market in online. It takes a lot of hassle off your back if you just sell information instead of something else. That's what most people look for online anyway.

Of course you can market anything and be really successful. In the end it's up to you, it's up to the level of your commitment. I've heard about guy who was in the asphalt business and then he turned his knowledge, his contacts into very profitable online business. So if you are already in some kind of offline business you can transfer your knowledge your skills into online business as well.

There is probably no easier way to get started then Ebay, if you wish to do so. You can get some unused stuff you've got at home and put it on the auction. You will get the feel of the online business. You can then proceed into part time business flogging stuff on auction and using drop shipping as a fulfilment of the orders.

But to become a full fledged internet marketer you've got to move on up the leather. You've got to have your own website, you've got to drive traffic to this website, ... and you've got to actually sell something on this website of yours. You need a product.

Now again, you can become affiliate, you can go to the Clickbank and pick some of the popular products and start promote them through your website or anywhere else using affiliate links. You actually do not need your own website indeed. But it's helpful to have one as the matter of fact.

Most of the guru will advise you to to choose the niche, something you already know about, something you are passionate about, it may be your hobby if you wish. It's good advise. What I have to say however is this: be weary of the "gurus" that talk all about lifestyle, about freedom, and all that BS.

We all know about that, we all want that. That's not the reason for which you listen to the advice of the guru. But that's the way the "guru" pushes your emotional buttons and tricks you into buying his product without actually providing you with much of useful information.

That's why I said that on my journey of confused internet marketer I encountered only a handful of the people (not necessary the gurus) who will tell you straight in face: get the product and start promote it!

You will learn all the SEO ticks on the way as and when you need them. You will learn how to put together a decent copy as you will screw with a couple. You will build your list as soon as you will get the autoresponder account and put on your website the opt-in box. You will learn as you go. But you need to start.

So create product, put together half decent website and start driving some traffic to it. That's all.

Now, how you create a product. You already know that. Write an ebook, record some audio or video. DO anything, do something! I hear that - how to advices still sell pretty well.

Leo Burnett Human Kind Video.

2009-12-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

What can we, Internet Marketers, learn from this short video?
After all we do advertise, we do promote, we do market .. to the market.

Leo Burnett presents as with a valuable insight. It's all about Humans now.
It's all about involvement.

There's actually quiet a lot we can learn. And it fits nicely with a social media craze.

Is the social media another bubble?

2009-09-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

What is the social media? Is there any substance?
Previous videos show enormous potential of this new fenomen.

But, ... is it for real?
Enjoy watching and decide for yourself.

The game has changed.

2009-09-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

The game has changed for marketing guys. It's not any longer about brand creation. You can not push stuff on people.

Social media are changing the landscape. It's now about adding value, it's about building relationship.

It's people's choice. They may choose to listen to your marketing massage, but only if you are adding value. Only if the massage is relevant in the context.

Adopt or perish.

Context, Value & The New Marketing Economy

View more documents from Helge Tennø.

All change please, all change...

2009-09-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

It's all change now, all change. Or is it?

Social media are taking world by storm. Online world.
We've got yet to see the real money here though. Or don't we see them already?

Smart online marketers are making good money out there.
Are you?

Welcome to the Revolution.

2009-09-10T04:13:00.000-07:00

Social media change the way we communicate, they change the way we interact, they change the way we make decisions.

The Revolution is here. And you are part of it.
Numbers say it all.

Be a relevant part of the Revolution. Take advantage of the change,... the fundamental change in the way we communicate. If you haven't yet then you must adopt quickly. It is particularly important for the business world.

The internet marketing world is catching up fast although ... the change is faster for now.

Do you like bonuses?

2009-09-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

Do you like bonuses? For me they are just distraction.
Yes, I know, I am confused marketer. That may be a reason ;)

But, aren't you confused with all these offers?
If you are trying to make some money online you've certainly signed for a number of newsletters and you've certainly seen faire share of sale letters.

It is harder and harder for these guys to sell their stuff,... so they offer bonuses. For me it is simply blunt stupid!
Why is that so?
Because it undermines the credibility of the primary offer. Is the offer so weak that it cannot support itself?
I know it does not necessary need to be a case. The market is so competitive that these guys feel compelled to up it, to sweeten it.

But here is the problem with the bonuses. They add to the confusion.

And here is why?
You go for some product because you need a solution to some of your problems. Now they offer you this solution (the primary offer, product) and then they add four, five or more bonus products. These brilliant [so they claim] products will also solve your problems.

But wait, wasn't that the original offer was the brilliant one. They are all brilliant, all are solution to your problems! Then which should I use?
I am confused!!

Not to mention the value claim. It is not uncommon that some gurus are trying to flog the product for $97. All while the value of the bonuses itself goes into thousands. Isn't it outrageous claim?/!
I mean come on!
And you can keep the bonuses even when you return the original product.

So what are the bonuses worth? Most of the time they are not worth much, if anything! They try to sell you some kind of training and in bonuses they will just recycle the information so it will seem ... like they are adding value. All the while they are only adding to the confusion.

Simplicity is worth a gold. Many times you will get a lot of value in the primary report. These kind of free reports are offered to prompt you to sign up for a newsletter or a mailing list.

Now, let's assume that the bonuses are real, that they are not just recycled information. Let's say that through joint venture partnership some other guy is offering his products as a bonuses to the primary offer. They are real value!
But, are they? Are they real value for you?
Do you need that kind of information at the moment? What was your primary concern? What was your primary need?

If you don't need them at the moment, then they are just adding confusion to your reality. They are distraction. And in the era of information overload the last thing you need is more information, more quick fix products.

It is actually easy for the internet marketing guru to offer bonuses. Here is why. They all try to sell some kind of money making products online. You are after money making opportunities. So all the bonuses are just complimentary.

Here is the problem with it again. They try to sell you this brilliant system that will instantly put money in your pocket. And as a bonus you will receive more products, systems, etc.
Now, what do you do? How do you apply it?
Aren't you confused? I am.

We all want to make money. Some of the products are brilliant and they can help you make real money online. But in order to succeed you need to focus. You need to apply the solution offered in the product and stick with it until it will prove to be successful or not.
The bonuses are just distraction. They may be a real value or not.
But are they for you right now?

Measure the results.

2009-09-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

Results is the name of the game. And the final result is ... the money in your pocket ;)

You've got to measure the results you're getting from your online business efforts.

The best thing to start is with Google Analytics. It's fairly simply to set up and it tells you a lot about your marketing campaign. You shouldn't get confused. If in trouble, ask for help :)

Have a look.

Keep it Simple, Stupid!

2009-09-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

Keep it simple.
All honest internet marketers will tell you, it's simple.
The online business is really simple. It all comes down to traffic and conversion.

I mean it's not easy. I didn't say that. It takes hard work to succeed online.

You need traffic to your web site and you need a way to convert this traffic into money in your pocket. It's that simple.

We are in it for money. It's business, nothing personal ;)

Take the offline business, shop of some kind. There it's all about location, location, location. The more people pass by, the more will drop by. Then it's up to you to sell.

Now online, it's all about information, information, information. People look on the Internet for the information. For a solution to their problems. That's why it's important that you provide a relevant, valuable information. Content is the king, so they say.

That's right, content is the king. The search engines loves fresh, unique, personalized content. This is a major reason why blogs are so highly listed. The higher you list with search engines the better your chance that people will visit your website. That's the offline equivalent of a passer by dropping by.

Here is however problem with a content. There's so much content on the Internet and every day literally thousands of new blogs, websites are added that most of us get easily confused. We live in the information era. And most of us struggle to get through to sort out a valuable and relevant information.

Here therefore is your chance. You've got to create a relevant, valuable content. At the same time: keep it simple. Keep your messages short. The biggest value you can provide nowadays is simplification, clarification.

Whatever topic you are writing about, whatever is your market niche if you can convey your massage in a simple, clear manner you will be a winner.

Somebody said that confused mind will not buy. If you will confuse your audience with too much information, even thought it will be relevant information, they will not buy. So, keep it simple.

Site Build It! It's a real solution!

2009-08-31T08:46:00.001-07:00

Site Build It! That's a real solution for a struggling, confused internet marketer. If you are at the beginning of your online business journey it's perfect for you.

Let's look at it. You have an idea, or more likely you do not have an idea of what to do online.

OK, you've heard about these guys who are making big money in the internet marketing industry. You've heard about them, because you are searching for a source of an additional income, or you just want a change in your life. Maybe you want to work from home, in you pyjamas :)

You've got some expertise from the real world which now you can share with other people online. There's huge market out there.

If you are confused marketer SBI! may be your best shot.
Why? Because it provides you all the necessary tools to start. Most important, you do not need to be bothered with all the SEO [search engine optimization) tactics and strategies. You do not want to be bothered with HTML coding or anything like that. They take care of this stuff.

As they say at Site Sell all you need to do is to create a good content. Search engines loves good, fresh, personalized content. And here you are. You use your knowledge, your expertise to create good content in your chosen niche. Search engines love your site, they sent you lot of traffic which you can monetize. Means, you make money!

Right, niche?
If you have one. You follow your area of expertise.

What if you do not have a chosen niche?
They actually have good tool to help you with that. It's called Brainstorm It!
Just be careful with that. It can be a bit confusing at first.
Mind yourself not to get stuck at this initial step. Choose the idea, niche and then proceed with it.
Build your site and as you go you will have a chance to polish it.
Anyway, if it is your first attempt at online business it does not need to be perfect. You will learn. Next time will be better. The important thing is: just do it! Go with SBI! Or go with another solution, but go for it!

John Reese talks about his million dollar day.

2009-08-30T07:30:00.001-07:00

How about making million dollars in one day. Actually in 18 hours according to John Reese. It's been eventful day for him, but also for the rest of us in the internet marketing world.

It's that breaking this mental bariere and showing what is possible. John Reese is having chat with Anthony Robbins, the guy who is very well known in the personal development community. That is actually understatement.

Here in this short video Tony Robbins and John Reese talk about making it happen. About actually going out there and making real money. What does it take?

Why there are some guys that have succeeded while so may others failed. While so many do not even give it a good try.

How about making first dollar online? How about just starting. According to Tony Robbins it is critically important to take that first step, to get going. To build a momentum. That will take you further to a bigger success. If you will persist.

Thing big and take a small actions daily. Your first dollar online is very important. Yours first few thousand will prove to you that it is for real, that you actually can make a living of the internet marketing.

Take that first step. It is more about your mental attitude then about technical stuff. It is all about taking actions and adjusting along the way.

Wordpress blogs.

2009-08-29T00:44:00.000-07:00

Have you heard that Wordpress blogs are brilliant tools for the internet marketer.
I've heard that.

Wordpress indeed works very well. It works very well with Google for example. And that's important, I guess.
I have Wordpress blog too.

The most important thing is that it is easy to set up and user friendly to run. I mean reasonably friendly. If you are not technical guy you may get lost. Especially, if you are setting up Wordpress blog under your own domain. That is what has happened to me.
I had watched the video explaining how to set up the blog. It seemed very easy. So I said to myself: let's do it!
And then I got stuck.

I mean it may be fairly easy if your hosting company offers the automatic set up for the Wordpress blog. Most reputable hosting companies nowadays do anyway.

You may also consider to go with same sort of guru for your first blog. Then, after that it will be easy for you. Wordpress Goldmine is worthy of trying.
The obvious benefit of it is that it takes you through various stages of a process of creating your first online business. From choosing a niche to creating a content, etc.

Now, there are of course other blogging platforms, like for example Blogger. Here we are :)
Blogger may be even better for the internet marketer who just starts. It seems to be bit less complicated. You may start right away, without your own domain. Of course you can do the same with the Wordpress.

I mean, it can be useful and practical to start with a Blogger and test your ideas. Unless of course you are absolutely sure and committed to build a profitable business. Then Wordpress with your own domain address is the must. Ultimately, it will belong to you.

The crucial clue here is commitment. If you have already chosen your niche. If you are feeling confident that you will be able consistently create a good content. If you aiming at becoming an expert in your field. Then certainly go with the Wordpress platform.

PLR products.

2009-08-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

You most likely have heard about PLR - Private Label Rights products. I will not bore you.

This is very practical and easy approach. If you want to make some money online, but you are not quiet sure where to start. You may as well start here. PLR is certainly a thing for an internet marketer with little or no experience.

If you are anything like me then you probably embraced the idea of making money online with enthusiasm and naive believe [at first]. Then you realized that you actually have no products, no list, etc.

No product. Well, that may be a bit of a problem. I hit this barrier too and it was hard to move beyond. PLR products take a burden form your shoulders. You already have a ready product which you can sell. Well, almost. If you are willing to make some modifications, some updates.

At least you do not need all the structure. The model for using PLR is ready All you have to do is to apply it. It is actually low costs and low risk way to start making some money on the Internet.

Alltop, makes it less confusing.

2009-08-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

I like what they do at Alltop. They try to make it easy and simple to sort out through the maze of today's information overload.

“It’s not information overload. It’s filter failure.” - Clay Shirky

It is important for us to make it simple. I guess simplicity may be as well the holly grail of the Internet.

Why is so?
Simply, because we as a humans are not able to cope with all the information out there.

But there is even more important fact. We do not need to follow all the information.

As an internet marketer you want to make some money, preferably big one. Fine, then just do it! Stop studding, stop exploring and start applying.

The same is true with anything in life. You need only so much information and then you need to start, and then you need to adjust. You learn as you go.

How many info products have you bought lately?

2009-08-25T16:36:00.001-07:00

How many info products have you bought lately?
That's valid and legitimate question!

As a new to internet marketing you are probably trying to figure it out. You spend a lot of time trying to comprehend all that stuff. You are most certainly exposed to plenty of sales pitches and I tell you these are smart lines.

There are plenty of smart guys who will pull the right string with you. These guys are smart and they do know what to say so it will resonate with you. Then you say to yourself: hey that guy speaks my language, let's try out what he sells.

And that's even not so bad. Many of these products are fine, ... and they used to work in the past. I mean, come on! If something works fine, the the guru uses it himself and he makes money, or he should at least. So he tells you: buy my product, my system and your success as an internet marketer is secured and guaranteed.

First of all, internet marketing is a business as any other. It is actually quiet competitive, if not ferociously competitive by now. At the same time there are plenty of good products, tools which can make your life easier online.

All right, but let's not be all sceptic. There are guy who sell valuable information, even if outdated. They tried it, it had worked. Now it's your turn to try.

So you have bought quiet a few products.

And what have you done with them?

Have you applied the system, the knowledge? Have you been persistent in your effort?

You see, some smart guys will tell you that whether you will succeed or no is actually entirely up to you. It is a matter of psychology, of motivation.

I do agree with them.

Here an interesting video featuring Tony Robbins chatting Frank Kern and John Reese (big names in internet marketing).

They try to answer this all important question:

Why so may people fail in their attempt to make money online.?

See it yourself.

Joint Ventures, these confuse me the most.

2009-08-07T03:04:00.000-07:00

Joint Ventures, these confuse me the most.

Not that I do not understand the idea. Indeed I do understand it, I do understand the working of it. It's just it adds to the confusion.

Now, I'm into internet marketing, but I'm also big into personal development. Recently I have received the offer for a "*free* MP3 Player has a 6 hour seminar with Internet multi-millionaire Russell Brunson". It's "$197 pre-loaded MP3 Player is paid for in full". I have received the same offer from Bob Proctor and two days ago from Bryan Tracy. I respect these guys. They are big names in the personal development, but I'm disgusted [not only confused] to received this offer from them.

If you are on any list you certainly received this offer too. I mean the guy is certainly very good at engineering these JV partnership. Of course, I mean on any list of "internet guru". In the last two weeks I have received the same offer from 3 or 4 gurus and I quickly cancelled my subscription.

First of all, the offer is not free. You've got to sign up for a monthly subscription. Of course you can cancel then, but do you need that. Do you need another mp3 player? Do you need another 6 hours of recycled, cheep information. Do you have 6 hour to waist?

As an internet marketer, believe me, you do not have that time. Besides I guess that most of these 6 hours is just a sale pitch to sell you more stuff, this time not for "free". That's how the guy made his millions in the first place.

I have one thing to say to these engineering those JV partnership. You overdo it!

I would readily discard Bob Proctor or Brian Tracy, but I respect what they achieved. It is only sad that their credibility is used to leverage such a dubious venture. It is sad that their hard earned credibility is now used by their sales teams. Word to them. Fire your sales teams and just do what you do the best - inspire, motivate people.

I mean, guys you are rich, you do not need to make a few quick bucks. Are you greedy, or something else ....

Clean your email box.

2009-07-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

So you've probably heard about it.
It's about FOCUS, it's about getting things done.

Clean your email box.
You've got a mail. These are not a magical words any more. We live in the world where information is abundant and available for free. And there is a lot of bad information, a lot of rubbish. You know that.

How may ezines you subscribe to. How many list you've signed for?
Do yourself a favour and unsubscribe from all of them. Then if you want come, back to two or three most valuable and resubscribe.

I've done purification myself. Not once, you know what I mean.
It's a bit like addiction. I put it off, I clean my email box and then I start over. I start to sign up to freebies again.
It's a bit sad. I said once myself, I do not like freebies. They consume my valuable time. Once in a while there are valuable pieces, but most of them are just sales pitches. I do not need them.
At least now I have enough self-discipline to not to buy anything. I question all of them and most of the time I find them wanting ...

Money are made elsewhere and we confused marketers are in it for money, aren't we.
These guys running ezines are in it for money too. They are after your money.
I say: do not buy.

If you must, then sing up. You will receive a few valuable pieces before they will start to pitch you for sale. So you have some time to learn and then ... unsubscribe.
Bye, bye.

And I say really, cancel your subscription.
It's funny, all these "experts". I have seen expert on managing your email box. Come on, are we stupid?
You may lack a bit of self-discipline, but then ... you can do it!

Twitter and information overload.

2009-07-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with Twitter for a few weeks now. No too much I have to admit.
I wonder, is it for real? Some people say that, when it will take off,... you better be on the board. Maybe, but what for?

Is it a really viable marketing tool. At first it seems like it is, but then, is it for real?
I mean, we are in the information age. Most of us are bombarded with information form all kind of sources. Internet is in itself .... The Biggest info - over - loader.

Well, at least you've got a control over what yo want to read, what audio you want to listen or what video you want to watch. At least...
Some people, and there are many of them cannot take control of their mailbox. It scares and terrifies them.
Come on, ..., do not subscribe to what you do not need. Don't you know that ???

You do not want to know everything, do you. Do you need it?

Internet is a powerful tool, but only if you use it wisely.
You go there, you type your question, you got the answer. That's it.

What if you subscribe to too may newsletters? Do you read them? Do you use the information. Do you take action on them?
I don't think so?

Here is the problem with twitter, you subscribe to tooooo many things at once. You simply are not able to follow all of it.

Then of course, you want to use Twitter as a marketing tool. And how it works for you? I hope it works well ;)
I mean, can you treat seriously somebody who sends you the same information times after times over. "Hey, buy my system, the profits are guaranteed." Then why don't you go and use yo system to make more money. Unless, your system works only when you will get more suckers ... into your system.

Here is the problem with Twitter.
Seasoned marketers know that you need to build trust, report with people. You cannot just try to flog them something. You may succeed sometimes, but not very often. Certainly, you will not build strong, solid business with that approach.

There's so much noise out there.

2009-07-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

There's so much noise, so much information out there.
I wonder how you cope with all that stuff?

I have tried to learn photo reading, I though I will be able to absorb more information at a much faster pace.
Maybe, but what for?

I mean, do I need to know all that is out there to know. No, and you do not need it neither.
It's pretty much overwhelming. So far photo reading does not work for me. I do much better with speed reading. And how do you find a time to watch these videos and listen to these audio?

But then, I have this periods when I am completely sick and I just switch off.
I think it's time to follow an advice of some smart and honest [for a change] guys and just do what I know.
Then learn more as I go further.

Number one in Google.

2009-06-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have number one spot in Google for my keyword "confused marketer".
So what?
Exactly, So what?
What does that mean for me?
If people are confused about all this thing - internet marketing, and they happen to use this keyword I'm the guy for them ;)
But if they are using other keywords, then I do not exist for them at the moment. Unless I will optimize my blog posts for others keywords.

But that's only part of the story.
Another, more important part is what do I want to do with this coming traffic. I mean, it's not that I'm flooded:) yet.

If you are a newbie, you've got to be aware of that.
If you are an expert, you most likely are aware of that.isn't it?

I mean, what do you want to do online?
What is your purpose?

You've heard about Click Bank?

2009-06-29T03:04:00.001-07:00

Here is another way to make money online for newbies.
Go to Click Bank and create your own account. Then choose products you like and start promoting them on your web site.
That's easy, you can do it!
Whether you will be successful will depend on few factors.

First choose products in an area of some interest to you.
Then do your research, possibly try the product yourself [but that will cost the money].
Be passionate [that's why it's better to choose something you have interest in] and persistent.

Here is a short video tutorial:

Become an expert.

2009-06-27T03:12:00.001-07:00

There you go, here is the secret to a successful online business.
Become an expert, so they say.
The concept is actually good. It will work pretty well.
And here is how you do it: set up a blog and post a valuable content. I mean really valuable content. Post frequently and stay in close touch with your audience. Of course, first of all you have to build an audience, a herd of followers.

Now, here is the problem with that.
Good content does not come easy. Besides the best, most valuable things you can learn are offered in free reports.
Let me tell you, you are interested in the sheer essence, nothing more.

Now, you want to learn from an expert, you want to follow him.
You know, as a newbie you do not need that. You need to learn basics of the trade, basics of the internet marketing and then you need to apply that knowledge.
You need to take action. After all, you need a results, you need to make a sale, you want to make a money. Is that right?

Most of us are overwhelmed by the all informations that are there.
You need only a seer essence of it.

Now, as an expert, how do you provide a quality information? I mean don't you dilute your content after a while? To build your credibility you need to post frequently,... or you need to post a quality information?/!

The concept is good, but it will work only for the best.

Become an Amazon affiliate.

2009-06-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

Become an Amazon partner.
They've been very first in affiliate marketing.
Amazon makes it easy for you to join. If you a newbie and do not know much about internet marketing then becoming affiliate is the easiest way. Amazon runs a reputable affiliate program so the risk for you is minimal.
Have a look at a video:

New to internet marketing?

2009-06-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

You need to read post on Perry Marshall blog "Memo from a Pink Kool-aid Drinker".
There is plenty of good, common sense advice. Read post and comments.
Here is a quote form the latest comment by Keith deBolt:

"Find one system that seems like something you can do, and then DO IT. As you progress, you will discover what things you need to know and THEN you can go out and learn those things. When you need them."

How about being honest about internet marketing?

2009-06-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

What do I mean?
I mean just that: how about being honest?
Honest about internet marketing. That's right.
I'm sick of the guys trying to flog their stuff to newbies in this business with lines like this:
- you will make $10.000 in your firs week,
- you will make $48.000 in your first month, etc.

I'm sick of the guys trying to tell you how easy it is to make money online. I'm sick of the guys who play on peoples emotions, just to make a few bucks.
Especially in times like this, in a though economic conditions when many people are loosing a real job. Many of them are turning to online world. It is easy to prey on their hopes, expectations.

How about telling the true story about online marketing?
Of course, there are few lucky ones who just got it right straight from the beginning, but for most of us it is not as easy.
It usually is not a matter of some magical system we purchase that we succeed in the internet marketing. Unless it is our own system which we had discovered through trails and errors.

Success in an online business is more down to focus, dedication, and it requires hard work. Same like a real world business.

That's why it takes on my nerve when some guy is claiming that he is a complete newbie in one of the popular affiliate programs, yet he made tons of money in his first few weeks. How so?
Ah, this guy is not a complete newbie in the internet marketing world. In fact, he admitted that he made big money elsewhere online.
He then may be new to this affiliate program, but that hardly makes him newbie in the internet marketing.
I mean, came on: he had a list, copywriting skills, etc., etc.
But, how that sounds: complete newbie makes thousands in his first few weeks. It does appeal to greed, it puts your imagination on fire.

Now, I read a different story. Some other guy is telling you that you can make hundreds of thousands of dollars from blogging. In fact, if you are smart, you can pull first thousands within a week. What a lie?
I dig deeper, and what do I find?
The guy is a pro, he's making that kind of money, but it wasn't that easy for him yet a few years ago.
In fact, he was struggling to make any money in his first online enterprise for a year or longer. Eventually, through trails and errors he made his money.
Now he has a comfortable position, thousands if not millions of dollars stacked in bank accounts. Now he will tell you,.... how easy it is to make money online [just follow his simple system].

If you are a newbie, run away.
Find somebody who will be honest with you. Find somebody who will tell you that you can make a big money in the internet marketing world, if ... you are willing to invest hard work and effort.

Video, what's the hype?

2009-06-22T02:10:00.000-07:00

Everybody nowadays is doing videos. They are very popular throughout internet marketing community. That's right, I am not talking about Youtube or any other medium through which we can access virtually hundreds of thousands of videos posted by our fellow internet users.

Videos are now very popular among fellow internet marketers. They certainly know what they are doing, many of them are smart people.

I said in my previous post that I do not like freebies and videos are often offered as a freebies. It is easy nowadays to create videos. One can record content released previously in a free report. It's easy and does not cost much. But it takes time to watch. And here is the problem with them.

The time is the most precious asset you have and you can very easy waste it on watching some recycled content. Can you afford it? I don't think so.

Videos have a certain role to play. Some people learn better by watching them. Other learn better by listening to audio or just by simple old-fashion reading.

For me the best videos are the kind of presentation. Mix of various things: some pictures, animations, some text. These kind seem to be professional.

I do not certainly need to see a face of the person talking. Talking heads are boring. And I certainly do not like these guys who talk to me while driving, having breakfast or doing something else. The idea behind this is that it adds a personal touch. Maybe, but we are in business here.

Are you in business?

I think these "sloppy" videos from your bedroom have a place. They can work well in certain niches. People will respond to "people like me". But they will simply not do for a professional internet marketer.

Business is business.
That's all.
Offline or online does not matter.

Why I do not like freebies!!

2009-06-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Am I mad? Everybody likes freebies, ... so what's wrong?
For the start: I do not like to be sucked into the funnel, I like to make my own choices. It is easy to go for some "fantastic" ebook, or maybe some CD,.. "the latest magic system revealed". Just pay a postage and you in ... for some recycled, diluted content. Anyway, you are one step closer to spent some real money.
The rule applies to internet marketing. There are so many guys trying to make some money that you can easy get confused about all this things.
All in all surprising as the basics are pretty simple and you can learn them within a few hours from blogs, ezines, or some rapports.

But why not to like freebies?
Because they are time wasters. If you are like me, you like to learn, you like get to know a new things then you like freebies as I did. I did, I am guilty.
These things are time wasters, because you need to learn something and then go and apply it. Try it, find out whether it will work for you or not. For you! It may work for somebody else, it may work for most of internet marketers out there. But you need to find your own style. With so may freebies you are wasting your valuable time, you do not have time to apply what you learn.

The major problem with freebies however is this: there is no such a thing like a free dinner. You may have heard it, but like most of us, you do not live according to this rule.
It is a principle which can save you a lot of money, a lot of time. As a beginner internet marketer you should value your time and you should guard your money. As a matter of fact you can not judge whether product or offer is a real deal or not. You do not have enough expertise. Learn simple thing, then as you make some money try some products. Learn about authors, the best of them run their own blogs. There you can learn pretty much everything you need to know.
And guard your time.
I mean the audio are great, for the guys who do them. Some pals are shooting breeze. They will tell you a few tricks which they not necessary use any more. Something that has worked a few months ago, but may not necessary do by now. Internet marketing is changing very fast as you'll learn soon.
The videos, ... kind of the same story. It's just, that they are so popular at the moment.
I mean, I much of your valuable time you spent watching these videos?

Funnel philosophy - diluted credibility.

2009-06-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of the "funnel philosophy"? If you are a beginner you probably didn't.
It goes like this: develop entry level product, then offer upgrade to audio. You can also sell video for a much "nicer price", all the way to personal coaching.
I mean there is nothing wrong with that. For me however it dilutes credibility of "the self-proclaimed expert" who sell all these products.
It works like this: the informations you buy from "that expert" are just the same recycled ideas in different form. You even can get free report at the very beginning just for signing up for his or her list. That's very wide spread net, but it works ...
Thousands will sign up for a free report. Who does not like freebies?
Some of them will buy an ebook, then audio. Some of these will go for video, for "system". And some of the remaining will go for a coaching.
You know that some of these guys are so cheeky as to tell you outright what are they doing. Then they go and try to teach you how to make a big bucks from the coaching. Well, people are buying, they really have a business! That comes as a surprise to me. But then, ... I'm different.
If you are smart, you can figure out that most of the valuable information is already in the free report, and almost all of them are in an ebook. The guru has to provide a value from the beginning otherwise nobody will follow into the funnel.
There is certainly a value in a coaching, especially if the guru is a real deal. And that's rather exception then the rule.
The real guru made his money elsewhere, so he does not need to push his "products", his upgrades, his audio, his videos, ... all these recycled information.
Well, the real deal expert is .... really expensive, but more then that, rather difficult to hire since he does not need to work as a "coach".
That's the reality.
These who try to sell and up sell are simply desperate for sale. They quickly dilute the value of the information they are providing by diluting their credibility.
Now, think - some of these guys seem to be smart. They teach you that you have to establish credibility, that you have to build trust and develop a relationship as an internet marketer. How much is worth their advice since they cannot follow it?
It still is worth a lot for these who will apply it. Do as they teach, not necessary as they do themselves.
Then, certainly it is not worthy to follow down the funnel and buy more and more expensive products form that kind of expert.

Information overload.

2009-06-09T02:49:00.000-07:00

As you start your internet marketing journey you find out that there is plenty of information available. You sign up for a newsletter with this guru and that guru. Soon enough your email box is about to explode.
You are bombarded with all this information. The gurus tell you that if you only buy this or that product you are on the roll, ... to big profit. Or big disappointment?
How is it so? It's not that these products does not work. They do, or they actually did for someone. Although, most of the time what you are about to find out is that most of these guys did not actually made much money on their original idea. The big money for them are in getting people like you to sing in for their list and then to flog you their product, the system I mean!
That's right. How many systems have you bought so far?
The ture system is pretty simple and straigh forward. Get the people on the list by offering them some freebies like ebook, or sometimes just a raport. Recently all popular are videos.
Let me tell you something. You wasting your time and your money. Unless of course this is your preferable channel of learning.
All the informations in these resources are simply recycled. You are offered to buy an entry level product, then up sell, etc. All the way to exclusive coaching.
I mean, it may be worth the money. But do you make money out of it? Because that should be your primery concern.
Then, how will you learn if ther is so much information, so may gurus?
Well, you've got to take a risk.
First of all, you better invest some time to have a feel for the thing. Then as you find valuable resources stick with them and apply what you learn.
Application, implementation is crushial. Alter all, you in it for money.
What will work for you? You' ve got to find out yourself.

Hello, that's me Confused Marketer.

2009-06-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

Do you have the same problem?
I mean for the beginner it can be rocky road. You get yourself online, you find all these opportunities to make money and ... you don't know where to start.
Internet Marketing is certainly not an easy way to make money. It seems to be so, but ... the competition is enormous.
First what you find is that you can start pretty much right away without product, just with affiliate marketing.
Then you learn, that a smart thing to do is to go into niche, possibly long tail niche. No, I think you learn that a bit further down the road.
Your first attempt has to be something like: how to make money online. This is one of the biggest market, you get yourself into internet marketing because of the need to make some extra cash. You had to figure out that lots of people do the same, so you can try to sell them something.
Well, ... then you find out it is not as easy as it seems. All these gurus who promised you your first paycheque within a few days, if you only buy their product, ... or their system [magical word it is - system!]
Hey, wake up!! There is no magical system. There is certainly money to be made in the internet marketing, but you have to study, to apply, to try and fail. To try again, and possibly succeed.
I'm doing just that.
It certainly is a fascinating journey!