Beginner Marketers

Here are the usual and frustrating mistakes that every beginner marketer makes.  Recognize them now and you will forgo most of the frustration and overwhelment that comes with this “huge” industry learning curve.

1.  Not understanding that there is no “one magic formula” for making money online. Well, there are only 2 ways to make money online – sell your stuff or sell somebody else’s stuff.  But there are probably close to 50 ways to do those 2 things – including the latest  “flipping” websites, blogs, lenses etc.  This is known as virtual real estate, right?  In the beginning you learn each step -  one at a time – get good at it – then move to the next step.

2.  Not knowing when to jump in and get started.  You can get so caught up in learning, studying, reading etc., you will be online for hours – just categorizing websites and information away for later use (then you’ll forget about them).  There is no perfect time – you just jump in the water and start swimming.  So start slow – maybe with Squidoo.

3.  Learn one skill at a time.  Master it and then learn another skill like setting up wordpress blogs and niche sites. Whether it is building Squidoo lenses or article writing etc.  Learn each piece of the puzzle really well and then build from there.  When I made my first Squidoo lens it took me nearly a week!  They are really good practice for building word press niche sites later on.  Squidoo lenses will teach:  how to crank out good content,  the art of design and making something visually stimulating and interesting, basic marketing principles (AIDA) and the art of preparation.  Before I begin a lens I have a checklist to follow etc.  I can now make 3 lenses in one day.  And you will, too.

4.  Not joining a forum soon enough.  It took me some time before I joined one as everyone kept insisting all online marketing is a scam etc.  It is not – and they do not know anything about the industry.  There are membership forums and free to join forums.  It’s up to you which way you want to go.  An excellent free forum is the Warrior Forum.  You can look for answers, ask questions, join a mastermind group or just find an IM buddy.  You can save a lot of time and frustration this way.

5.  Not utilizing Skype.  Skype is unbelievably easy and efficient.  It is a free web based communication tool.  If you find a mastermind group to join – you can have  group chats with voice or instant messaging.  Get a web cam and get comfortable being on camera.  One day you may create your own YouTube videos at some point.  Web cams are inexpensive at Target or Walmart.  I don’t like the way I look on camera, but video is a very important marketing tool.

6.  Having a good routine and sticking to it.  If you don’t have a day job by choice or what not (like me) then it’s very important to keep a routine going.  Get up early and be at your desk no later than 9:00 am.  Work regular hours and take small breaks when you can.  Stop at a normal time – no later than 8:00 p.m.   I got in a terrible habit and this would make me lose valuable working time.  I would work all day – up into the early morning hours….sometimes until 2 or 3 a.m.  My eyes would be so strained that after a few days of this kind of rigor I would have to stay completely off the computer to let my eyes get back to normal.  Plus the late nights – I couldn’t get up early…..  See what I’m saying?  I also have a family to take care of and I was computer obsessed.

7.  Signed on too many email lists. In the beginning as you search for information and learn the industry, you will sign up for every freebie under the sun.  At first it is all new and you  benefit from it, but after you round the learning curve you will see that they have become distractions.  Don’t let this happen – they will eat your valuable time and before you know it – it’s late in the day and you’ve got nothing accomplished.  Either trim those down or put them in a daily folder and set aside a certain time each day or night to read and discard quickly.

8.  Listening to Others. Internet marketing is not a scam.  The ones who say this do not understand the industry.  Keep going.  It is a lot of hard work and you can make a very good income working from home.  You will find a formula that works for you.  A secret of success is finding a niche market that is something you are passionate about.  You will be thinking, dreaming, eating and sleeping this market and it becomes much easier when you like it too.