This series of articles takes a different slant than the usual targeting of aspiring entrepreneurs. Here we focus on existing business owners that believe the Internet is important to their future success, but they just can't seem to get started embracing it as an effective marketing tool. Since this is a series of articles we will need to lay a little ground work here. This introduction may seem a bit lengthy but it's necessary to be sure we are on the same page and the message is clear. Then we'll get to the main course and cut to the chase!
There are countless of experienced business persons knowledgeable in brick and mortar offline business operation, but don't really have a clue as to what the Internet can really do for their business or how to do it. Yet, they see its overwhelming impact on business worldwide and realize they had better embrace this new technology or risk falling behind the competition. This article series is dedicated to YOU! Even if you are a beginner, the practical information here can be of great benefit to you.
Yesterday, I had a call from Frank M. in St Petersburg, FL. He is a very intelligent person that built a strong website around a niche product. The presentation is professional and he's been at it for several years with unsatisfactory results. He's paid good money after bad for "consultants" that have made grandiose promises of Internet marketing magic, claiming they have the best Opt-in mailing lists, miraculous software guaranteed to eliminate all the work of running an online marketing business, or even to place his domain name at the top of Yahoo or Google. All were a waste of his resources.
Are you experiencing similar disappointments, money and time wasters? You likely seek what Frank wants, real information, not blue sky dreams. If you're successful running an offline business, you don't see the world through rose colored glasses, but know it takes a polished business plan, you are forever refining, for ongoing success.
Welcome to the real world of the Internet. The same rules apply. There just isn't any secret formula like many so called Guru's would like you to believe. Like any business endeavor, you must research and learn the right information that works. We call this "insider secrets." Not because it's mysterious, but because successful people generally don't reveal their secrets. All industries have their specialist that have "been there done that," and are willing to write about it. We're not referencing "get rich quick" formulas targeting rookies and wannabe millionaires.
We mean consultants that have a proven track record of doing it themselves and testimonials from others that have done it. The real problem here is anyone can create a website and have their friends give bogus testimonials. Most of their "how to formulas" don't work. You've probably already learned that lesson. Frank did.
So what's a person to do? What approach did you use to setup your existing offline business? You researched your industry, learned all you could about it, and finally implemented your business plan. And you're still developing it, in some cases after many years. It must change as the times change. Again, welcome to the Internet.
Let me explain. Internet technology is changing faster than most of us can keep up with. That's confusing. We purchase some software to provide a solution for a business need. Then a new way comes out that seems much better and we upgrade losing our investment in the older version, which we may not even had time to utilize. This happens because most individuals running brick and mortar businesses can't seem to spend the time to focus on their Internet business. Sure it's the same business just a new marketing tool. The reality here is it takes the work and knowledge of setting up a completely new business.
We get the point. We have explained some problems facing your Internet marketing endeavor. But what are the solutions, real practical answers. We will cover the following topics in this series. We'll break each one down over the next several articles.
What you need to get started in the right direction:
o Access to accurate important information that provides working solutions.
o Will my product or service have a chance for success on the Internet?
o Identifying important information that is true, timely, and works. Not the phony claims from individuals that supposedly "made it" but didn't or those that had a tremendous behind the scenes advantage over competitors from the get-go. Sure, there are always the exceptions that project "If I can do it so can you."
o Knowing what really works and what doesn't on the Internet.
o Examples and case histories of others doing it and some insider information on how they are doing it.
o Having choices to the best solution for your specific needs.
o A plan that will take you step-by-step through the maze of software, tools, and activities necessary to make an online success of your business.
o Which current technology is best for my personal circumstances?
o How can I minimize my expenses while having the maximum benefits?
o Where can I go to get truthful answers to important business questions?
o What is different on the Internet opposed to my current marketing offline approach?
o How do I get advertising exposure if I can't get a good search engine position?
o What advertising alternatives are available besides search engines?
o What is Affiliate Marketing? Scam or real income generator?
o Shortcuts to automating and managing a new online business
The list is endless but we will focus on getting started, teaching you how to crawl (quickly), then to walk, and finally to run. Our goal here is to open your eyes to the real value of taking your business online, a true expose and road map on Internet success. Now let's cut to the chase!
Access to accurate important information that provides working solutions
I suggest taking some time to get acclimated to the Internet before jumping in. Remember when you first started working with a computer? There was likely a learning curve before you were effective using it. If you're like me, the computer seems to often waste as much time with crashes and problems, as it saves. The Internet can be a premier time waster by doing things wrong. Build the wrong type of website and you've wasted a lot of time and effort.
The objective here is to:
Observe what seems to be working for similar businesses and meet other online entrepreneurs that "are doing it." Visit business forums and read questions and answers by others. After a short time, you'll know the real players that know what they are doing. They are active, helpful, and a wealth of information. People of this caliber often have books and courses they offer. The beauty of dealing with these people online is their "performance based" approach.
Remember Frank M we referred earlier in this article? He paid upfront, like most of us have and received little or no value for his expense and effort. He didn't know how to "test the waters" of his providers. Online it's a different process to get to know your service providers. There ARE ways. I suggested to him to locate consultants and service providers that have strong track records of quality and fair pricing.
Some service providers require upfront deposits and others are solely performance based, meaning they deliver on their promises first and then get paid. Often the best approach for both parties, a win-win scenario, can be a reasonable deposit and draws based on progress. This way each party feels protected. This arrangement is workable when a client is dealing with a professional they are sure is honest and will deliver the quality and product in time as promised.
Here's an example. Frank M. stated he needed a writer and designer for some brochures he will use on and offline. I referred him to an online service. This is one of the premier websites loaded with consultants and service people bidding for work contracts. It is free to clients for posting their project needs, attracting service providers through a bidding process. The winning consultant or service provider completes the assignment, whether it be for building a new website, article writing, website search engine placement, etc., then is paid through them Then the provider is paid their fee upon payment of completion of the contract and the takes their modest cut from the providers proceeds.
There are three strongly appealing benefits of this program to the client, or buyer of services. They have a source for advertising their project needs, at no cost, to consultants. Secondly, the consultants post a profile so the client can learn more about them, and like eBay, upon project completion, feedback by the client is given so new potential clients can determine if they want to accept the providers bid.
At this online site, you describe what you want to get, and let the experts figure out how to do it. You don't need to know every detail about what you want, but the more detail you provide the better. Skilled professionals review your needs and send you proposals - usually within 24 hours. You can even see the earnings of each consultant. Prices are more competitive than any other service I've found.
There are ads for Internet services all over the Net, but only a few provide the safeguard assuring you of the best quality services, at the best prices, and even additional protection through payment controls. It's a great service.
Summary
Use forums, and other similar sites you'll discover through researching search engines to find verifiable talent. EBay set the format and standards successfully being utilized by other industries. Use them! The RIGHT forums open doors for you to meet other like minded businesspersons. They permit you to witness their service and advice to others. In a short time you'll know if what they say works and if you should buy their book, course or follow their recommendations.
Performance based means the service provider shows you some upfront value before you shell out your hard earned cash. You can experience some perceivable benefit positioning you in your comfort zone before contracting with them.
No comments:
Post a Comment