Online Marketing: Need it be a Lonely Business?
I'll come right out and admit it – one of the reasons I "retreated" into the world of online marketing was, I was tired of being rejected by people.
For several years I was pounding pavement and knocking on doors and dialing for dollars. And for the most part this was NOT successful. I had nothing but moths in my wallet and I was seriously burning out. I was reaching a point where I just couldn't take the constant diet of rejection anymore.
Thankfully I changed jobs (this was in the early Internet days, about 10 years ago) and the new company had a website. A website that was actually producing good sales leads every day.
We were getting enough leads, web visits, forms filled out and phone calls that I could spend most of my time just helping customers who wanted help. I was deliriously happy. Taking inbound phone calls and helping people who wanted to talk to me was like therapy.
For awhile I literally stopped going out to see customers. I just sat at my desk and let the machine run. I calmed myself down and rebuilt my confidence in my ability to be of service to people.
I found that instead of schmoozing, I could build an online maze and walk prospects through it, preparing them for the moment they would actually talk to me. I could use my real problem solving skills instead of pounding through brick walls with the soft skin of my nose.
Most web marketers can relate to this in some way or another. They don't want to be the glad-handed, back slapping, joke telling sales guy or gal. They want the strategy to do their work for them. They want to step in where they're needed, not force their way in.
There is, however, a darker side to this, which is – sometimes it gets awfully lonely sitting there in front of your computer. In many, many online businesses, it's not only impractical to go see a customer, it's for all intents and purposes impossible. Some people sit there in their house running a thriving operation all day long and never talk to anybody.
This past weekend at my private, members-only Gladiator Club meeting, I heard a lot of people talking about this. "Wow, there are actually other people like me. I'm not alone."
No, you're not. There are a LOT of people like you.
But the magic doesn't really happen until you get out and meet some of them. You discover an energy – and a synergy – you didn't know existed. All kinds of channels open up in your mind, you're receptive to learning and change, the information and knowledge pour in and the inspiration kicks into gear.
This is why my highest level coaching groups meet in person. Renaissance Club Roundtable meets three times a year for two days, and a dozen people intensively discuss business plans, marketing strategies, entrepreneurial challenges, personal issues and questions. We make friends, form bonds, engage in community.
Suddenly, running a business on the web isn't lonely anymore. It's a thriving underground culture of people who love to run the race, love to spur each other on, love to win.
|
Access 100,000,000 People in 10 Minutes. |
About the Author
Entrepreneur Magazine says: "Perry Marshall is the #1 author and world's most-quoted consultant on Google Advertising. He has helped over 100,000 advertisers save literally billions of dollars in Adwords stupidity tax."
He is referenced across the Internet and by The Washington Post, USA Today, and the Chicago Tribune.
Last 5 Posts by Perry
- 11 realities of marketing in 2010. Ignore them at your peril.
- It's NEVER too late for a comeback
- Want Free clips of my "Tsunami Seminar" this week?
- PJ Eby: The Leverage Point & the Million-Dollar Question
- Affiliate Keyword Matchmaking: CashKeywords
Bookmark, Share, and Receive Updates...
So true, you describe my current business perfectly, Perry.
Just lately I began to network with others, starting with online communication channels. I can't tell you how it really makes a difference in terms of my reach, and how valuable the input I've been receiving so far.
The great part about your seminars and live groups are not only do you realize that you aren't alone but not everyone is doing your business. My brother and I were amazed at how many didderby kinds of business models thrived on the internet with your help. Truly it was eye opening.