At the end of September we conducted a poll to find out your Internet Marketing Challenges. 41% of respondents said "getting traffic to my sites."
Our current poll asks about the traps you fall into when trying to market your business online. The questions may sound the same, but in fact they're different.
I've been using the Internet to market several different business since 1996. There are a lot of traps one can fall into. I'd say the biggest trap for me is getting sucked in buying marketing programs or software without enough evaluation if it's right for MY business.
I read the sales letter, it sounds like it will solve all my marketing challenges and I plunk down my money....and I never implement the system, program, software.
Why does that happen?
I think I, like many, many others, are looking for that magic bullet. That one thing that will help me break through and make millions of dollars overnight. Heard that before? Felt that before?
Hah! It will never happen.
There are tons of great experts, terrific software and excellent marketing programs. I know, I've bought and used many. But you have to know what's right for your business.
You also have to have the foundation in place before you can implement many targeted tactics.
- You need a web presence.
- You need a way to capture email addresses and build a list.
- You need something of value to attract new prospects.
- You need to demonstrate your expertise through articles, teleseminars, blog posts, special reports, etc.
- You need to be visible.
- You need to build relationships and partnerships.
This can seem overwhelming for someone new to marketing on the Internet, but it's all really very simple. Most tools are free or low cost. It's a matter of taking one step at a time, rather than trying to do it all at once.
Building a successful business takes time and perseverance. Nothing happens overnight. You may have a one-hit wonder, but to make a living, you need to have the foundation to sustain a business for the long term.
Patsi and I are teaming up with Kathleen Gage, the Street Smarts Marketer, to present a free teleclass on the 5 Internet Marketing Traps That Can Derail Your Business. Find out what they are and how you can get around them.
