I'm an active member of several Internet Marketing/Small
Business Forums, and without fail, everytime a newbie joins a forum, they
invariably ask the same 10 questions you see listed below.
Even though I've answered these questions many times in the past, my answers
are scattered across several forums. Because of that fact, I decided to write
an article that answered those recurring 10 questions all at the same time, all
in one place.
Newbies, are you paying attention? Here are the answers to the 10 questions you
ask most often:
1. How do I get traffic to my website?
Answer: There are a variety of ways to get traffic to your website. The best
long term solution, of course, is to properly optimize your website so that you
get organic traffic - meaning traffic from search engines. The best way to
achieve this is to make sure your site has plenty of quality, relevant,
keyword-optimized content that visitors will want to link to, such as articles,
interviews, e-books, videos, podcasts, reviews, etc.
In the short term, you can use paid methods like pay-per-click, ezine
advertising or text advertising. Or, you can utilize free social networking
sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. Or better
yet, use a combination of all of the above methods.
2. How many click-thru's before I make any sales?
Answer: Assuming your traffic quality is good and you have all your ducks in a
row, according to conventional wisdom, you should start making sales after
you've had 100 click-thru's. I happen to disagree with conventional wisdom. Let
me explain why.
Even though you could make make a few sales after you've had 100 click-thru's
or less, I've seen many instances where marketers still hadn't made any sales
after 500 click-thru's. That's why I always tell marketers, wait until you've
had a minimum of 1000-2000 click-thru's before you start panicking. Because
it's very possible, you might not get a single sale in the first 100-500
click-thru's.
But in the next 100-500 click-thru's, you could get 10 sales. That's marketing.
You just never know in which batch of hundreds those sales are going to be in.
Again, assuming your traffic quality is good and you have all your ducks in a
row.
3. What's the best marketing method?
Answer: There is no best marketing method. They all work, provided, they are
all executed properly. The best marketing method is the one that works best for
you. The main thing is not to fall into the trap of jumping from method to
method like so many marketers do. You have to be disciplined enough to be
patient. You have to give whatever method(s) you're using a reasonable chance
to work. Then, when you find something that works, milk it to the point of
diminishing returns.
4. Why isn't anyone responding to my advertising?
Answer: Assuming once again, you have all your ducks in a row, according to The
Rule of 7, on average, people have to see your ad a minimum of seven
times, before they act on it. Does that mean people will automatically buy what
you’re offering after they’ve seen your ad seven times? No it doesn’t.
Again, it’s just an average. It could be more than seven, but it could also be
less. The fact of the matter is there are far too many variables involved to
suggest that after people see your ad seven times, they will automatically whip
out their credit card, and purchase what you’re offering – not the least of
which is traffic quality, competency of your sales copy, and the viability of
the item being offered.
5. What should I sell online?
Answer: Everyone has a talent. So, why not turn your talent into a product or
service and sell it? For example, let's suppose you're an above average
fisherman. You could write an e-book instructing others how to fish. Or,
perhaps you're an expert at utilizing social media. You could start your own
social media consulting service.
Another option is to join an affiliate program and sell other people's products
for a commission.
6. What are the best free places to advertise?
Answer: I've had amazing success with forums. While you can't blatantly advertise
on forums, you are allowed to promote your website in your signature file.
What's a signature file? In essence, a sig file is a classified advertisement
you write about your business that is automatically attached to every forum
post you make.
The social networking sites I mentioned previously are also very effective. In
addition, if you have above average knowledge of a particular topic, question
and answer sites like Yahoo Answers and AllExperts are also a good option.
7. Should I join a traffic exchange program?
Answer: No. In my opinion, those programs aren't worth your time or money. Oh
sure, you'll get plenty of traffic to be sure. But it's garbage traffic plain
and simple. And as the saying goes, "garbage in, garbage out!" That
being said, some marketers have successfully built subscriber lists using those
programs. But I still think your efforts are better spent elsewhere. Same thing
goes for free classifieds. For the negligible amount of return, I think your
efforts are better spent elsewhere.
8. How long before I start making money online?
Answer: That question is impossible to answer because there are far too many
variables involved such as talent, work habits, organizational skills and level
of determination. And while I've seen individuals come online and make alot
money very quickly, I also know of individuals who have been trying for months,
who have yet to make a dime.
9. Do I need a website to sell online?
Answer: The answer to that questions is, it depends on what your goal is - what
you are trying to accomplish. While you can definitely sell online and make
money without a website (for example, affiliate programs). If you want to
establish your own identity and sell your own products, you definitely need a
website.
10. How much money can I make online?
Answer: See #8