I. Know What Your Primary Marketing Goal(s) Are, And Make It Easy For Your Visitors.
In the online marketing world everything is goal oriented. This is because unlike traditional marketing, such as radio, television or print media where it is difficult, if not impossible to determine precisely where a lead came from. In online marketing, you can determine exactly the source that created a lead, or sale.
Know what your goals are: What are your trying to get the web visitor to do? Fill out a form? Subscribe to your newsletter? Buy your product? Then develop a strategy that guides, or funnels as they say in the online world to do precisely what you want you want them to do.
II. Leverage Existing Products And Services To Quickly Advance Your Objectives
All successful business people are good on one thing, they know what they don't know! These people are successful because they find experts to fill those gaps. Even the smartest business person is not an expert on everything.
Successful business people know their strengths, and more importantly, the areas that don't have expertise. In these areas they seek out the skills of other people who are experts. That is why business consultants are popular and so well paid. In a few hours, a true expert can teach a business person what would otherwise take many years of painful and costly trial and error. In the same way, don't assume because you are an expert at traditional marketing, that this will also be true of online marketing.
III. Refine Your Advertising Message - The USP
Do you know what makes your product or service stand out from all of your competitors? The USP or Unique Selling Proposition is what makes your product or service the best choice out of all the others on the market. Does your laundry soap make colors brighter? Or does your toothpaste make breath fresher and teeth whiter?
Think about the message that is portrayed by the major corporations about their products on television... It is all about the USP. These companies spend tens or hundreds of millions of dollars each year testing and advertising. They would not focus on the USP if it were not so vitally important.
IV. If Necessary, Update Your Product Offerings To Meet Market Demand.
Now that you have determined your product or service USP, refine your marketing message to promote this advantage. If you can't determine what your products USP is, neither will your potential customers! Then it is advisable to refine your products so that they accentuate a particular benefit over competitors. Make your product the best at something, or lower the price. You need to find some major reason why people should buy your product, or they just wont buy it!
V. Market Only Through Channels Known To Be Successful, And Test!
There are a lot of ways you can perform marketing on the Internet, some are much more successful that others. Many marketers spend endless hours doing repetitive tasks that are really not very effective.
A smart marketer takes advantage of powerful existing products that have proven effectiveness, such as PPC marketing. PPC has been proven to be successful for many businesses. Analytical testing is also crucial to success. If these topics are Greek to you, then teach yourself about them, or get the help of experts. Otherwise you are just wasting precious money and time.
VI. Every Lead Is Precious, Don't Let Any Get Away.
You spend a lot of time and money getting people to visit your site. The great majority of them will not buy your product during that visit. A good rate of conversion online is 5 percent. That means that 95 out of 100 visitors will not buy your product. This does not mean that you can't establish a relationship with these visitors. You can (and should) come up with a way to keep the conversation going with these people, even if they are not interested in buying at that time. Perhaps they will make a decision 6 months form now, or they have a customer or associate that may be interested in your product. Or perhaps they offer a newsletter to their customers, and are looking for good products to recommend to them.
Figure out some way to capture as many of these leads as you can. Whether it is through a "tell a friend" or "email this page" service, or a free report or newsletter, or an affiliate program. The more of these non-buyers you get on your list, the more successful your business will ultimately be.
Sales And Marketing Work
One of the things that many people allude to (and some come right out and say it) is that they have tried everything to get their business to grow, and nothing seems to work. They've tried online and offline systems, genealogy leads and biz opp leads, hotel meetings and home meetings, but things just aren't working.
I want to take a few minutes and give you some advice and some thoughts that may be able to help you (or those you know going through this) have success in our the NWM industry.
Let me begin by telling you my personal story. I joined my first company back in 1997. In fact, I am still with that company using their products every day. I tried for nearly six years to build that business, but I never had any level of success. In fact, I think my spending to earnings ratio is at least 100:1 (maybe 1000:1).
Now, it wasn't that I wasn't passionate about the products. It wasn't that there wasn't a system that worked. It wasn't that I didn't have successful mentors. It wasn't because I didn't have prospects to talk to.
After about six years, I began working with another company. By the end of my first year in business I had earned $60K after 18 months, I was on track to surpass $100K annually.
What was the difference?
Well, it wasn't because all of the sudden I had a good batch of leads. It wasn't because all of the sudden I now had a patented, proprietary, first-to- market, ground floor, doctor approved, miracle product. It wasn't because I now had an upline that could do killer 3-way calls with me.
The difference was - it was the right fit for me.
I believe (and you may not agree) that there are some companies and segments of the NWM industry that are harder to build than others, for some people. While one person may thrive and flourish with one company, another person may flounder and falter with the same company. It doesn't mean the second person is a moron. It may mean that there is another company out there somewhere that is a better fit.
Now, before I go on, let me say that I am not advocating for people to quit their company and jump ship to another company. I believe in perseverance, overcoming, and breaking through those barriers that can help you become a greater person. I am advocating that a person needs to be realistic and not blame the leads, the system, the upline, etc.
You see, in my first company, there were people who were making six figures a month. There are still people who are recruiting 20+ people a month. In fact, one guy recruited 110 people in one month this last year. It isn't as if the company isn't successful. In fact, they are currently experiencing record growth after 10+ years in business.
Look at the corporate world. People change jobs all the time. I'm not talking about the person who can't hold down a job. I'm talking about the person who changes positions because as he matures he comes to discover what brings him the greatest fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction. While there isn't a job that can provide all that 100% of the time, there comes a time when a person knows what works and what doesn't work for them.
For example, my favorite restaurant is a Mexican place called Abuelos. It doesn't mean I want to work there or even own the place. But, I'll recommend them all day long for someone who wants a great meal. Similarly, I still believe in the products of the first company I joined, but it doesn't mean that company is the best place for me to work and build a business.
Another example - have you ever seen a shirt, dress, or pants that looked great on someone else? But, when you go to the mall and try it on, it makes you look like an overweight, disfigured Manatee that highlights every fault and imperfection on your body. You can either buy the shirt and live with the disillusion that the shirt looks great on you, or you can be realistic and say "the shirt looks great, but not on me."
Here's the bottom line.
I believe in our industry as a whole. I don't believe every company is for every person and that every company is an equal fit and opportunity for every person. I believe it is time to stop blaming the leads, the system, the products, the upline, the leadership, etc. for one's lack of success.
While it may be in someone's best interest to persevere, break through, and achieve success with their current company, there also comes a point when it's time to admit, "the shirt looks great, but not on me."
I tried on a different shirt, and it fits great. I love what I am doing and I wouldn't go back to the corporate world for anything.
Maybe, just maybe, this resonates with you. This article was written for those who can "hear" what I am saying. There is a verse in the New Testament that says "To him who has ears, let him hear." You see, many people are bombarded with guilt because they are told that if they can't make it with "ABC" company, then what makes you think you'll make it elsewhere.
Finally, let me say this. This article is not all about finding a new company. If that is what you've concluded, then you've missed the heart of what is being said. This article is a response to people who have been complaining and blaming, and for those who have been working hard and working smart, but making very little progress. It is about finding success within our industry.
Both Chris Apicella & Rich Niccolls are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Chris Apicella has sinced written about articles on various topics from Internet Marketing, Flirting Tips. Chris Apicella is a PPC search and Internet marketing veteran with 6 years of professional experience. Currently CEO of , specializing in helping SMB's. Chris Apicella's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
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