Top 10 Marketing Pitfalls
Ten Marketing Pitfalls By Stuart Reid
If you want to make it BIG in Internet Marketing you need avoid some common mistakes. Here's a list of the top ten Pitfalls that catch out beginner Marketers (and many established ones too!).
The problem is you don't realise you have fallen into one of these holes until someone points it out. Marketers tend to be stubborn and suffer from tunnel vision - hopefully these may help you kick a few bad habits...
1. Procrastination
Putting things off is a killer where this career this is concerned. You NEED a plan and some kind of time management system in place. Prioritize your tasks and keep lists of everything that needs doing. And no matter how much you don't feel like doing something just get it out of the way and NEVER leave it untill the next day!
TIP: Use post-it notes. They are low-tech but work great :-)
2. Striving for Perfection
You'll likely never have a "perfect" website or product but you know what? It doesn't matter! It's important you get started as soon as you can and make your site "live". You can tweak things as you go along and improvements WILL come later - but if you try to get everything "right" before you start then you'll never start.
TIP: Update your site daily in little ways, it saves doing everything at once and the search-engines it too.
3. Wasting Money
This one is important. Especially if you don't have money to burn! Don't get caught up jumping from opportunity to opportunity or buying everything that lands in your inbox. You'll be surprised how much you can get for free. Trust me - you don't need half the stuff you see online. Try to control your emotions and think before you buy. Write a list of pros and cons, and make sure that the product or service is essential to YOU.
TIP: Look for reviews by people without a vested interest in the product and ask questions in forums.
4. Not Spending Enough
Unfortunately you have to spend a little. It won't be much starting out, but you will need more as you grow. For a start you'll need a domain, a host, an autoresponder - but these are pretty affordable these days. The bulk of your expenses will be on promotion, usually ezine ads or pay-per-click. If you're paying someone to create your product or you're buying resell rights then this is another expense (but you can start with free affiliate programs).
TIP: Keep your "Internet Income" separate and re-invest. You'll be glad you did later.
5. Wrong Markets
This is a tricky one. If you are dead set on conquering a certain market you could end up on a long and expensive journey that is doomed to failure. Do some research first. A so-called "niche" market is a good find but only if this niche will spend money! Other markets, like Internet Marketing, are very busy BUT Internet Marketers spend money - and the drive to make money is a strong human emotion. There's a lot of them around!
TIP: Find something that interests you and use a site like nichebot.com to see how many searches there are for that subject. High Traffic and Low Demand are your goal.
6. Lack of Growth
You must continuously grow yourself and expand your mind. Learning is essential. If you don't you'll be stuck with the same skills and ideas and you'll never even notice when you are bogged down in complacency and routine.
TIP: Put some time away each day to read a few articles and browse some sites. Learning just one new idea a day can increase your potential rapidly.
7. Doing It Alone
You can do it alone but it is harder, and without support you are more likely to fail. It doesn't have to be much. On-line forums, for example, are an amazing source of ideas and encouragement. And with other people, by forming Joint Ventures or starting your own affiliate program you can really leverage your efforts and do FAR MORE than you could ever do on your own.
TIP: Visit forums, messageboards and maillists. Lurk for a while until you're ready.
8. Going For The Small Money
You aint ever gonna get rich selling $20 items. Seriously, include some higher priced goods and services in your marketing. You'll get less sales, but more profits. You won't know if they sell until you try! But don't fall into the trap of selling any old thing because you get a high commission. Integrity is important, too.
TIP: High ticket sales work better with existing customers who you already have a relationship with. Try them as a back-end.
9. Separating Life and Work
One of the biggest pitfalls when working from home is the fact that life can enroach your activities - simply because you ARE at home. Try to separate the two and have fixed times when you work, and a set area to do it. Work doesn't have to take over your life, but neither should you let life interfere with your work.
TIP: Use a spare room or a spare corner and ONLY use it for work.
10. Be Ambitious
You won't know unless you try. Assume you can do *anything* - because you can! You may not be ready to do it yet, but don't set up mental blocks in advance. You can create your own profitable items, sell them well, and have others selling them for you. You can operate a range of websites, even host seminars, or teach others. YOU CAN.
TIP: Recognise excuses for what they are. If you need help, invest in a good self-help book.
I hope identifying these pitfalls help you look at yourself differently. Contrary to popular belief internet marketing is not an instant path to riches, but it is an achievable one.
You are free to use this article in any format without restrictions except the resource-box at the end MUST be included. Please use a live link if possible :-)
Also available in HTML at: http://www.netpreneurnow.com Available via email at: pitfalls@netpreneurnow.com
---------------------- -------------------------------------- Stuart Reid publishes Netpreneur News and maintains NetpreneurNow.com and it's Members Site. To join at no cost and immediately gain access to a ton of valuable eBooks, Reports and Tools simply visit http://www.netpreneurnow.com
More articles: http://www.netpreneurnow.com/mini.shtml
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:51:42 GMT Hurricane Dolly Makes Landfall in Southern Texas (Update2) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Demian McLean July 23 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Dolly was downgraded to a Category 1 storm as it made landfall today in southern Texas, where coastal residents weathered their first direct hit by a hurricane in almost a decade. Video: Dolly Pummels Texas Gulf Coast Dolly forces refining cuts, hits gas output Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:36:26 GMT Review: 'Step Brothers' - 40-year-old goobers - San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco Chronicle - Step Brothers: Comedy. Starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Directed by Adam McKay. (R. 95 minutes. At Bay Area theaters. For complete movie listings and show times, and to buy tickets for select theaters, go to sfgate. Video: The Stars of 'Step Brothers' `Step Brothers' Ferrell, Reilly reunite as duo Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:39:58 GMT Red alert! The cellphone warning has been issued - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Now he's done it. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, has said what no one else would -- no cancer experts anyway. Pittsburgh Cancer Center Warns of Cell Phone Risks Cancer researcher warns about cell phone use Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:07:36 GMT Report: Eagles call Packers about Favre - SportingNews.com
SportingNews.com - While the Philadelphia Eagles are taking it easy with Donovan McNabb in training camp as he works his way back from a shoulder injury, that hasn't stopped them from going after some potential insurance. Winfield a Favre fan AP Source: Goodell monitoring Favre situation Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:26:08 GMT The night Karadzic rocked the Madhouse - guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk - A man plays a gusle in a bar called Madhouse in Belgrade, where war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic is now known to have frequented. Video: Karadzic's arrest sparks clashes - 23 Jul 08 Arrest of Radovan Karadzic: Why Now and Who's Next? Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:35:43 GMT Bloomberg, Gates pledge $375 mln against tobacco - Reuters
Reuters - By Christine Kearney NEW YORK, July 23 (Reuters) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) co-founder Bill Gates pledged $375 million on Wednesday to fight what they called a global tobacco ... Video: Gates, Bloomberg Pool Riches to Fight Smoking Bloomberg and Gates fight smoking Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:11:25 GMT 'Dark Knight' Christian Bale's lady sidekick: Sibi Bale - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Like the Dark Knight/Bruce Wayne, Christian Bale is a real-life man of mystery. Averse to personal publicity, he is well-known for not wanting to discuss his private life. Christian Bale, Wife "Solid" at Knight's Spain Premiere Bale attends 'Dark Knight' premiere in Spain Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:54:18 GMT Add RSS Feeds to My Website |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Every business needs customers, but more importantly every business needs... Read More The N-word! We all know the value of networking and... Read More Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More Postcards are perhaps the least expensive way of reaching a... Read More Just because you have to stretch your marketing dollars doesn't... Read More Have you ever studied your best donors and wished you... Read More Web Presence gives your business a distince edge over your... Read More It's crucial to know your prospects if you want to... Read More 1. Focus your fax marketing on one objectiveFax is a... Read More You'll be encouraged to know that the art of writing... Read More In your marketing efforts, be they on or offline, it's... Read More Turning a modest $100,000 annual turnover into $1,191,817 may sound... Read More How many times have you heard the same sound bites... Read More Do you ever wonder how some businesses always seem to... Read More I'm a board member of a local nonprofit and we... Read More If you're a business owner, you probably spend quite a... Read More You have read part 1 & 2 of this article... Read More Besides a survey, your contact list can be used to... Read More Can you remember the last dozen advertising messages beamed at... Read More Do you own a small business? Do you wish to... Read More Can I share a secret with you?I love working out.... Read More Looking for the magic formula or the whiz-bang approach that... Read More The small business marketing strategy you can't afford to miss... Read More So... you spend time and effort putting together a survey,... Read More A brand is the essence of who you are. The... Read More
Adsense
websites
Direct Marketing: Overlooked, Underappreciated, and Unstoppable
Sowing and Growing Your Network
Network Your Way to Success- 12 Tips to Jumpstart Your Business
Postcard Direct Mail Marketing Tips And Ideas
Stretching Your Marketing Dollars--7 Cheap and Easy Ways to Market on a Budget
Where to Look for New Donors for Your Fundraising Letter Appeals
Why Your Business Need a Website
How Well Do You Know Your Prospects? Find Out With This 10-Point Quiz
How to Conduct a Successful Fax Marketing Campaign
Successful Non-for-Profit Fundraising Letters Share Eight Qualities
Consider Consumer Psychology
How To Turn $100,000 Into $1,191,817 In Just One Year Part II
10 Steps To Getting Paid For Your Marketing Materials
How to Magnetize Your Business
Fundraising: How To Avoid Three Common Mistakes
Get More Clients From Networking - Follow The Rules Of Dating!
Polishing Your Translation Style - Marketing Your Services
Using a Contact List Profitably- Part Two
4 Ways to Get a Prospects Attention Fast
Small Business Bonzai Marketing
7 Marketing Lessons I Learned From the Muscleheads at Golds Gym
The Silver Bullet For Success: Revealed
Getting Personal ? Innovative Marketing for Small Business Owners
Six Ways to Boost Response on Your Surveys and Gain More Useful Information
Basic Brand Building
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
How to Run a Successful News Release Program
Marketing public relations gives you cost effective ways to reach... Read More
5 Great Ways to Reach Your Target Market
There are many ways to reach out and find the... Read More
Increase Repeat Business and Referrals with Direct Mail
So you have been writing mortgages like crazy now for... Read More
Tips for Trade Show Rentals
Trade show rentals allow you more flexibility and the opportunity... Read More
Finding a Brochure Printing Company
A brochure can be a great promotional tool, whether it... Read More
Developing a Contact List- Part Two
In a previous installment, we spoke about how to come... Read More
Mortgage Marketing and Advertising ? The Magical Ingredient
Do you offer superior service, consistently close loans on time... Read More
Your Ultimate Competitive Advantage
The biggest secret to success in business is to always... Read More
Creating Great Charts for Persuasive Trade Show Presentations
A well-designed chart can be one of the most persuasive... Read More
Five Tips to Make Your Marketing More Creative
Same old same old just doesn't sell anymore. To... Read More
Raise Your Income!
How often do you sit around and wonder how to... Read More
What Your Customers Want
Your customers don't know what they want. And to assume... Read More
Timing and the Right Product Will Make Your Dreams Come True
Are you looking to erase your debt, buy that new... Read More
Why You Dont NEED a Marketing Plan
If you pick up a copy of the November 2003... Read More
Creative Emulation
In business we have a number of ways or tools... Read More
New Years Planning Critical Success Factors
New Year's is a good time for strategic planning or... Read More
9 Highly Effective Marketing Tips
Here are 9 low-cost but highly effective marketing tips to... Read More
The Power of Thank You
Sometimes we loose site of the small things in life... Read More
Marketing Ideas Without Action Will Get You Nowhere!
Marketing Ideas Without Action Get You NowhereYou want to grow... Read More
Marketing is More Than a Token Process
"Necessity is the mother of invention!" The first time I... Read More
Have You Tried Cause Marketing?
To help promote your small business or professional practice, consider... Read More
Moving a Business Relationship from Free to Fee: Power of Freebies - Part 2
In the last issue we looked at 5 reasons why... Read More
Creating Assets: Spark Your Thinking With These 16 Comprehensive Questions
Here are some questions to get your thoughts and cash... Read More
Money-Makers Secrets to Renting Profitable Mailing Lists
As an entrepreneur involved in selling and/or promotion... Read More
Business Leads
Anyone who runs their own business can tell you how... Read More
Marketing |