With all the extraordinary online information available to newcomers, it’s amazing that so many of them make such grave blunders. I understand they want to get started quickly and not waste time, but these three common mistakes can hinder their progress in establishing a presence.
Here they are in no particular order:
Newbie Mistake #1 – Trying to find the Golden Goose instead of doing the work. Many newcomers make this common mistake when they enter the Internet marketing arena. Internet marketing is not about finding the perfect hands-off business opportunity. It’s about establishing a foundation that you can work from to build your credibility, visibility and sales.
Here’s what to do instead. Start conversations with an audience; engage and help people. Instead of trying to find the quick path to cash, decide how to establish a community around your passion. People who are willing to give more to an audience find success faster than those who don’t. Reveal your heart and business will find its way to your doorstep.
Newbie Mistake #2 – Neglecting to establish a home on the Internet where you’re providing content on a regular basis. This means people forget about you because you’re not making it a point to stay visible. If people aren’t aware of your existence, they can’t engage with you either!
Here’s what to do instead. Grab your namesake domain name and install a blog. This will help establish your name in the search engines and provides you with a means to keep in touch with an audience on a regular schedule. If you’re unable to create content consistently, hire a ghostwriter to produce the content for you.
Newbie Mistake #3 – You don’t become a product creator. Regardless of the niche you’re in, it’s imperative that you create a product to call your own. This helps establish your expertise within a niche and provides a nice residual income to boot!
Here’s what to do instead. Create a product that solves the most pressing problem faced by your target audience. Whether it’s a membership site, an eBook or a simple Kindle book – don’t wait! The sooner you get a product created, the easier it is for people to perceive you as a helper and authority figure.
As you can see, the three most common mistakes newbies make in Internet marketing are avoidable. By making some simple adjustments to how you establish an online presence, you’ll increase your chances for success, and not hamper your progress, as an Internet marketer.
What kind of help do you need with your Internet marketing? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Thanks for reading,
– Bonnie
P.S. Did you enjoy this message? If so, please share it with your friends so they can benefit from schmoozing. Then, if you want to get more messages like this one, connect with me via my social links below or hop aboard my notification list. I would like to keep in touch.
Fabulous advice. Thank you, Bonnie for sharing. I’m in my first year blogging and I’ve got so many plans swirling around in my head! I’m about to embark on creating my first product- an e-book about entertaining
Good luck with your ebook about entertaining, Jen. I’m sure you will have great success with it!
Hello. Number One is a problem for me. How do I find people in my niche?
Do I look for forums with the same interests and post?
Also Number Three – I am not sure exactly how to create a product that people would be willing to buy.
Thanks.
Hi Ann. You can’t create a product for people to buy until you know what it is they need. 🙂 So, you build a following and have conversations with your people. As you talk with them, you will learn some of the things they’re struggling with on a daily basis. What upsets them. How a tool could ease the waste of time they experience, etc. That’s when you know you can create something that will alleviate their hardships.
RE: How do I find people in my niche?
If you knew your audience, it’s easy to decipher where they can be found. For example, if a person likes to run, stay fit and eat healthy, where are they likely to be found online? Would it be a Bible verse website or a discussion group for runners?
If a person loves to create things with wood and their hands – would you find them at a Home Depot website or a crocheting website?
If a person is a single mother raising two children, where might she shop online and what would she buy? Would you find her at Cabela’s or at SearchMothers.com and/or a single mother discussion forum?
Bonnie, you totally have hit the nail on the head with this post. It is so important that people don’t look for a golden goose, Internet Marketing requires hard work and your own products. Great post – Eleanor
Thanks Eleanor! How long did it take you (as an Internet marketer) to stop making the 3 mistakes? OR… where you one of the lucky ones that didn’t make any of them? 🙂
#2 is the only one I got right to start with, #3 last year I started working on my own products and created 2 webinars that I held for my list for free and then sold them. #1 yeah the golden goose a painful and costly lesson…
But when you get past these 3 beginner mistakes the potential to be golden is amazing.
I agree, Eleanor.
How long did you take you to realize that the “Golden Goose” didn’t exist?
I think I have made all of those mistakes! Hopefully I am doing everything right this time!
Michael
I think it’s common knowledge that we all made them at one time or another. Now… if I can keep someone else from making them, all the better! 🙂
I can totally relate to your “newbie mistakes”. Not that I have necessarily made them all, but as a newbie, I was overwhelmed and not sure exactly what I should be doing. What is important to me is authenticity. As you mentioned, revealing your heart; your true self with your readers. It is a good way to build trust. I have been working on my consistency. I know how important it is, and sometimes struggle with getting my posts done. I have managed once a week, and at one point got up to twice a week. I’m trying to find the balance and make time between my job and business. 🙂
In the near future will be my own product. 🙂
~ Jodene
I urge you to work on your new product. 🙂
The quicker you get one out there, the sooner you can work less at the job and more towards the freedom of working for YOU.
Hi Bonnie
Good tips and spot on. Wish someone had told me them at the start 😉
Working on draft 2 of first paid product. The second won’t be as long and in different format, i.e. not a course.
Shan
So proud of you Shan. I hope draft #2 goes quicker than draft #1. 🙂
BTW: I hope I didn’t offend you. I seen your unsubscribe. Hope we’re still okay!
We’re fine, Bonnie. What have I unsubscribed from?
Shan
I get a little sentimental (like Tiff) when I see people unsubscribe from my list. 🙂
But, I’m glad we’re okay!
I just want to make sure that I didn’t offend you.
Signed up again, Bonnie.
Didn’t intend to concern you.
Shan
Awe Shan, you’re a sweetheart. I wasn’t looking to make you feel guilty; I just wanted to be certain I didn’t offend you!
Great info! Thanks for the tips! Very helpful.
Thanks Penny! I’m glad you enjoyed the tips and grateful for your visit!
Hi, Bonnie …
I think these points are spot on! There are so many people new to online marketing who think the Internet is a quick fix for their money problems, but then are startled (and disappointed) to realize that – like most successful businesses – they need to first build a foundation upon which to grow. Your advice will save them a lot of wasted energy!
The advice will save them tons of aggravation, but only if they take it to heart. 🙂
Thanks for visiting again Lily-Ann – I appreciate it!
Good advice, Bonnie. I can only add that this holds true for procrastinators or those who can’t seem to find their niche or make a firm decision.
Being willing to learn from those who have found the ethical way to start and maintain a business from home, and willing to do the work (and it is work, sometimes hard work) is the only way to succeed.
There is no easier, softer way to success.
Sometimes it takes people a little longer for the “sound advice” to sink in but when it does – it makes a HUGE difference in how fast they reach success!
I seem to have been able to avoid those 🙂 Still no clients though. I’m working on my new products now, and trying to get the language right.
How long have you been at this Internet marketing thing, Linda?
I’ve had a business on the Internet since 2003, or somewhere around there, but I didn’t start learning more about marketing until spring last year, when I started rebranding myself.
What have you done to get your brand known since last Spring?
I’ve done so many things, but here’s some of it:
Redesigned my entire website
Created a new Facebook Page
Changed my Twitter, Youtube, Google+, and LinkedIn profiles
Started a newsletter
Sent out regular marketing messages on all social media platforms I’m on
Guestblogging
Blogging about it on my own blog
Speaking about it to people online, and off
Joined a bunch of groups on social media and mentioned it there as well
Made videos on my topic
Help 3 teleclasses on my topic
etc etc
What type of clients are you looking to acquire, Linda?
Open-minded, creative women. Wrote a blog post with a more detailed description here: lindaursin.net/linda/who-is-my-audience
And, where do you go to find these type of people?
This is a great and succinct primer on internet marketing. Very enjoyable and readable post :).
Thanks Rachelle. How is your Internet business doing?
I think I’ve suceeded in navigating your list of mistakes. However, time will tell if my established name results in sales. Everything takes time.
So true, Francene. It takes time to establish a name online,but nothing happens without a little push now and then by YOU. Nudge your audience so they know you’re there to help them.
*gasped*
I’m guilty of #2 🙁 that’s why my business fb page is stagnant. I hope to revive it soon when I am able to find some great contents to share them in the page.
I know it takes hard work consistently to stay visible, but it’s important that you do.
You don’t need to find content to share DinoMama – just share bits and pieces of your online life. People like to hear they’re not alone in their struggle to find success.