10 MISCONCEPTIONS of a Newbie Internet Marketer (from personal experience)

Are you considering entering the world of ONLINE MARKETING any time soon? I've been exploring this option for the past 6 months & in that time have learnt some valuable lessons that may speed up the process for YOU:

1. Please DON'T believe all the Hype that will come through your mailbox - there are many SCAMS out there, people who are NOT genuine & only want your money to provide an income for THEMSELVES!

2. Don't think it's easy or that it requires little effort - if you have no marketing experience, there are MANY skills to learn, many more than I ever imagined, if you are to become successful (only 5% of all entrepreneurs ARE successful!).

3. Don't think you'll make a fortune overnight. You'll discover there are many people earning 6 &7 figure incomes, but they are not newbie marketers, & they have probably been mentored by an experienced entrepreneur, which can be costly, but is an excellent way to start (ie find someone successful & follow his/her plan).

4. Don't even think you'll start earning immediately, so whatever you do, DON'T give up your regular job at this point in time!

5 Don't think it'll be a straightforward journey - you'll probably join a program or two which doesn't meet your expectations for one reason or another. Don't let that phase you - it happens to most online marketers. Just drop that progam & move on.

6. Don't think you'll only have to spend an hour or two a day (at least initially), unless you have a large marketing budget & you can afford to outsource some aspects of your campaigns. Even then it will take time for you to discover the most proficient, yet economical options.

7. Don't think it'll be obvious which programs will provide the best income for YOU- short-term/long-term. Some exploration will be necessary.

8. Don't think you won't become confused & overwhelmed, because you WILL at some stage - frustrated too & want to give up the whole idea of Internet Marketing. However, by then, you may have invested too much money & time for that to be a wise proposition.

9. Don't think you'll easily handle all the emails you'll receive, especially if you're using Safelists. Unsubscribe from as many as you can or you'll have about 100 coming into your mailbox every day & you'll find that all you'll be doing is clicking on emails. You'll never have time to do enough advertising & it is essential to keep your product, whatever it is, before the eyes of the public. I have found emails to be one of my greatest hassles.
NB: If you join a Safelist, upgrade immediately if you can afford it, to partly avoid this problem.

10. Don't think you won't spend too much money- everybody does when they first start out, unless they follow a mentor's advice, which will usually cost you anyway, though recently (I guess with the advent of Web2) I have noticed some free courses from reputable marketers. You'll receive many offers of various kinds daily, so be very selective about what you take up. Don't worry if you can't afford the latest "great" program - something better will be devised before you know it - that's the way of the Internet!!

So, what has been MY biggest mistake? I'll save that for my next post.

But I do suggest that you print out these 10 Online Marketing Misconceptions, pin them up near your computer & read through them often to help to keep you on track. And if you have any questions about setting yourself up as an Internet Marketer or about programs you are considering joining, just drop me an email at valf@mysoul.com.au (yes, I'm an Aussie - but we're not ALL convicts, thieves & rascals!) & I'll get back to you.

I'll review a couple of programs which I consider genuine & worthwhile financially in future posts - they'll get you off to a good start!

KEEPERS .....

I received this today from friends of ours & thought it well-worth sharing:

Keepers

I grew up in the 40's/50's/60's with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... While we have it.. it's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true... For marriage.... And old cars.... And children with bad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way.. Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are 'keepers' in your life. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Keep them close

Author unknown

Music: 'May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You' - Jim Reeves