Reminisces Of An Aspiring Internet Marketer

I've spent a lot of time and money on trying to promotevarious programs on the internet.

Over 18 months I spent close to $10,000 US Dollars one-books, internet marketing courses, trainingmaterials, web hosting, domain forwarding,autoresponders, AD trackers, advertising costs, trafficexchanges, exit exchanges, search engines,pay-per-click programs, ezines, subscription fees,randomizers and doublers !!

I also lost money when a few programs that I wasinvolved with went under, including a paymentprocessing company called EzPayWay which disappearedowing me over $1400 in commissions.

All the money that I did make online was ploughed backinto yet more programs and yet more opportunities. Itwas a vicious circle and I ended up getting deeper anddeeper into debt. I was just fortunate that I had agood JOB to fall back on.

At the end of those 18 months I took a break fromeverything to do with online businesses. I dropped myinternet marketing 'escapades' and focused on otherareas in my life that I had been neglecting, like myhealth and my relationships with my wife and othermembers of my family.

After 6 months of mental and physical recuperationgetting myself back on track, I decided to give it onelast try ...

I got in touch with several of my key contacts andasked them what they were up to, what programs theywere promoting and what they were making money with onthe 'Net.

However, when I resumed my internet activities Ichanged a number of things in my approach :

#1. Maintain FOCUS

You know, there's always going to be a newer program, abetter compensation plan, a more professional website.I was no longer going to run around promoting everysingle opportunity that came my way.

I was going to pick a handful of the best opportunitiesavailable and only promote established companies thatwere highly recommended and highly profitable.

#2. Promote businesses in line with PERSONAL INTERESTS

My interests include making money, internet marketingand self-development.

I decided that I was only going to promote productsthat I have a good understanding of, that I'm quiteknowledgeable about, and which I have no qualms inrecommending to others.

That is absolutely vital no matter what you're sellingonline or offline

If you're not passionate about the products you'remarketing how can you be an effective salesman andconvince others of the benefits of your products?

#3. Take MASSIVE ACTION

The 'Net is like a large powerful and never-endingocean. My previous efforts had been merely littlepebbles tossed into deep waters. They had no effectwhat-so-ever in the great scheme of things.

To get results on the 'Net your website needs a greatamount of exposure amongst the Millions of otherwebsites and programs.

There are several ways of driving lots of TRAFFIC toyour websites such as:

* Traffic Exchanges* Getting listed in Search Engines* Pay-Per-Click Advertising* Banner Exchanges* Emailing OPT-IN lists* Marketing to Purchased Leads* Advertising in Ezines

You'll need to learn about all of these different waysof generating traffic to your website. Personally, Iadvertise my website using all of the methods above.

Instead of trying to build up downlines in freemarketing programs, I decided to PAY for TRAFFIC topromote my business opportunities.

And this brings me nicely on to my next point...

#4. Diligent TRACKING of advertising

Previously I was literally throwing money down thedrain by NOT carefully tracking the different types ofadvertising I was spending my money on.

When I did get sign-ups to programs or sales inaffiliate programs I was none the wiser as to wherethese sales came from and unable to clearly identifywhich mode of advertising was attributable for thesales.

I was like a sniper firing away in all directionswithout a scope to home in on my targets !!

#5. Lastly, I added the HUMAN ELEMENT to my business

A lot of business might be conducted on the internet,but the internet is merely a tool. The buying andselling of products, especially in network marketing,involves the personal recommendation of services fromone party to the next.

This personal element had been missing from my businessall along.

I had been emailing thousands of FFA leads per day (BigDogs style), sending out emails to loads of Safelists,sending emails to thousands of MLM Leads usingautoresponders, but NOT ONCE over the course of 18months did I actually SPEAK to anyone.

Sure, I made a few sales but they were far and fewbetween. I also came close to trouble a few times as aresult of a SPAM complaint (I'll save that story foranother time but I can tell you that it was the lasttime I used FFA leads!).

These days, I call up my prospects and try to establisha rapport with them. I find out what they want out oflife, what their interests are and if I can help them.I tell them about my experiences, what I've learnttrying to market various products online, how I'm abetter internet marketer now than ever before by doingwhat I'm telling you now.

And you know what??

I enjoy waking up in the mornings, I make new friendseveryday, I call up interested prospects, I find outwhat they want, I help them get what they want, and nowI get PAID more frequently!

The TELEPHONE is as much a tool for Internet Marketersthan the 'Net itself.

So there you have it...

A simple internet marketing strategy that has served mewell on my return to Cyberspace.

I hope that you find a few things here to help youimprove your internet marketing endeavours andultimately, take you that one step closer to achievingonline success.

Copyright © 2005

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Written by Tony Bhachu, webmaster of 'The Dummies Guide
To Financial Freedom', dedicated to help you make money
online and attain financial freedom as quickly as possible
=> http://www.DummiesGuideToFinancialFreedom.com
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