This article is designed to summarize some of the challenges I encountered and lessons I have learned through a five month, $5000+ comprehensive research and evaluation regarding online network marketing.
I will share with you some of my personal struggles with the transition into online marketing, and more importantly… how you can avoid these snags yourself.
The Number One Difficulty In Starting Online Network Marketing
Without a doubt, the number one difficulty that I ran into when I decided to try and learn online marketing is the overwhelming amount of information that is available on the internet regarding this subject. There is also a lot of conflicting information and just plain HYPE about what the best approach for a “newbie” should be. So many of these sales pages convinced me that I needed their latest tricks, tools, or techniques…And of course each one was marketed as being the ONE THING that would make my online marketing campaigns an automated cash machine. The only problem was, after months of devouring everything I could get my hands on I had not made a dime impotence help all of the e-books, software tools, or marketing systems. My frustration was growing in direct proportion to the amount of time, energy and money I was putting out every month.
How I Found My Way Out Of The Abyss
I kid you not…In the five months of research about online marketing that I conducted, I studied more pages of information than most people would read to get a college degree. The wake up call for my was the day that I ran a simple inquiry on my PayPal account. I discovered that over the last several months I had spent in excess of $3000 on information products, website tools, and “turn-key” marketing systems. This doesn’t even count the items that were paid for by a credit card or through any of the other 3 main merchant accounts I have. It was a painful and humiliating day, but I am thankful that I went through it today. I have heard horror stories from several others that got stuck in the information gathering merry-go-round for years.
I Realized The One Key Factor I Was Missing
The most important aspect of learning any new skill has very little to do with how many sources of information you study. Or how many various programs you join or check out. Or how many Gurus you decide to start learning from. The only thing that matters to your bottom line is how much of your knowledge is being APPLIED and brought into the real world. Until I got so fed up with my lack of results, I was never going to break free of this vicious cycle and start generating income from online marketing.
If you too are fed up with not getting any results from the programs, e-books, software tools, or marketing systems you have been studying…I encourage you to keep reading. There really is HOPE, and I am here to share exactly what you can do to break the cycle FOREVER.
Discovering what my most valuable asset really is
It was at this point in my journey into online marketing that I finally told myself “STOP!”, enough is enough! I took a long, hard look at where I was, and I asked myself a few difficult questions…
Through a little self-analysis (notice I didn’t say self-abuse), I discovered what my most valuable asset really is.
Once I realized that the most valuable asset that I have in this life is MY TIME, I immediately shifted the way I was going in my online marketing training. I began really looking at the tools and strategies I had already learned about but not implemented. I asked myself how I could begin to apply these things and start moving forward in my business. The answers were clear and direct, and I now choose very carefully where I devote my time and efforts.
I Decided To Learn and Incorporate Attraction-Based Marketing
More than five months ago I was introduced to the idea or concept of Attraction-Based Marketing. I started studying everything I could get my hands on related to the subject. I became quite knowledgeable about the reasons for this approach, and many of the specific techniques to implement it into my network marketing and affiliate marketing enterprises.
I summarize the entire attraction marketing concept as “The best way to market by having your prospects coming to you, rather than you tracking them down”. It has also been accurately described as the process of becoming the hunted rather than the hunter. However you define it…once I realized the possibilities this approach would have on my business, I would never consider going back to my old ways of network marketing.
What recommendations would I make for a new person to Attraction Marketing?
Through all of my personal research and investigation, I have a few valuable resources that I would recommend, and would follow closely. There are only a few recognized leaders in this field that provide very valuable insights and content, such as Mike Dillard, Ann Sieg, Jonathan Budd, and Mike Klingler (These are just a few of my personal favorites)
When deciding on a system or an approach to learn online network marketing, Asking the right questions is a major help…
Some of the questions to ask yourself might be:
- What is the best source of information on this subject?
- What system of marketing do I want to pursue, affiliate marketing, selling my own products, or solely focusing on my network marketing business?
- Who is my specific target market, and is it a large and profitable market?
- Is there a system out there that will not only equip me with the knowledge I need, but has a simple approach to implementation I can follow?
- How can I not only get the tools I need, but get the training I need to put them to the best use?
- And if you are a network marketer like myself, I always ask myself “How simple will this process be for others to duplicate”. This last question holds a lot of weight in my decisions, since I am involved in an industry where it doesn’t matter as much what I can do; but “what can I train others to do quickly”.
The road to online marketing success is often wrought with pain and suffering. It need not be so for you. I have discovered through my search that there e a couple of fantastic programs out there that will walk you through the entire process of learning online marketing without the struggles that I put myself through. No matter what specific style of marketing you decide to hone in on, I recommend getting grounded in the basics of each of the main online marketing strategies: social networking, Pay-Per-Click, Ezine marketing, Forums, Blogs, SEO, Traffic Exchanges, E-mail marketing, Etc.
There are so many methods to market on the internet that it can be a bit daunting. Learn a little about all of them, try out a sample of each, and find out which ones suit you best. Once you discover your niche, the road becomes much simpler.
With the right training, system and direction, online network marketing can be simple and fun.
Author: Mark Hartle
Website: www.RenegadeMLMtrainer.comhttp://www.RenegadeMLMtrainer.com
(c) Copyright 2008 Mark Hartle