IM Dosh – Internet Marketing Cash

A major problem navigating the IM ocean are the many partial truths and directions that present themselves. You will have to do your best (not easy) to avoid “the kid in the candy store syndrome.” Lured from one shiny object – a beguiling course, piece of expensive software, or silver-tongued “guru” – to another can blur your focus. Ask yourself: What will this piece of  software do for me? Do I really need it now? What do I expect from this course? Will it bring me to the next step? Evaluate the “fit” into your overall marketing strategy. However simple or complex your plan, keep your direction and focus on your goal!

So what are these partial truths?

Partial Truth #1. You don’t need a website to make money. The question is: how much money do you want to make? Making money with or without a site is going to take work. It’s probably easiest to make money with a site. It’s a valuable anchor for your sales funnel. Having your own real estate, your own digs,  one with your own photo, allows you to become known, gives you credentials, brands you and identifies what you‘re all about. Think of your site as a place to welcome your “special” guests, have them sign your guest book, give them a gift of value, and invite them to the offers they are looking for.

Partial Truth #2. You don’t need to spend money to make money online. Relative to setting up a brick and mortar business, this is true. But you do have to be able, at the very least, to invest in a domain name and a web host. Don’t opt for freebies – your entire business can be wiped out at someone’s whim. To get things really going, it’s very important to have a sequential autoresponder for your list building.

Partial Truth #3. An exciting website is the key! One man’s excitement is another person’s clutter. Simple (even ugly) two-page, “to the point” sites can market very well. The real key is having a crystal clear objective and a site that reflects what your business is about. More important than design, is clarity of content. It will define who your customer is by clearly listing the benefits you offer to your prospect.  Talk directly to him or her.  Know what your prospect is looking for.  Testimonials add credentials. And a clear call to action ranks over dazzling design (which may even distract your prospect from your offer).

Partial Truth #4. You need your own product(s) to make money. Not really. You can become an affiliate marketer and do very well. Not everyone wants to bother with customer issues. As an affiliate, you connect your prospect to the seller and you are done.

Partial Truth #5. More traffic means more sales! True, if that traffic is targeted… if you have a sales page that converts and… if you offer what your prospects are already looking for.

Partial Truth #6. The money is in the list! Yes, it is. But your list must be targeted, fresh, and the people on it must want to buy from YOU. It is vital to cultivate your list and build a rapport with your live (as in living, breathing human beings) prospects and clients. Keep your list interested. Make sure they are excited to recieve your posts. Cultivate good will – give a gift, establish your credibility before you ask for a purchase. Generally, response tends to fall off after someone has been on a list for awhile. Five thousand prospects on an old list may not be as responsive as a fresh, highly targeted list of 1,000 prospects. Keep it fresh!

Partial Truth #7. Killer copy is the most important. Important, yes, but a one- or two-sentence opt-in page and audio/video are edging out killer copy on some sites.

Partial Truth #8. Video is the best thing since sliced bread. According to many marketers, it’s darned close. But if you’re not comfortable with video, you may be better off with good sales copy. Other options might include having someone else record for you.

Partial Truth #9. Offer great products/services/information and people will come. Yes they will come…if…they know where to find you. You can build a great home on top of a mountain, but if people can’t get to it or don’t know it’s there…get the point? Besides a great offer, you need build roads, avenues, expressways to bring targeted traffic to your website.  You can begin building with SEO optimization, article marketing, JV giveaways, posting in forums, PPC/PPV/AdSense advertising, social marketing, list swaps…. When traffic comes to your door, offer a free gift in exchange for an email address and have a sales page that can close the deal.

Partial Truth #10. You need a coach to take you by the hand and teach you. If you know someone who has done it, truly has the credentials, you can afford it,  and want to go the private coaching route, life can be a whole lot easier. But on the other hand, gurus can cost a small fortune, be a big disappointment… and there are usually no refunds. Valuable content is available online for the research it costs. With time being your price tag, you can still make IM “dosh.”