Misconceptions about Internet Marketing

The proverb: “Always look before you leap” applies to so many aspects of human life and experience. We all have defining moments in our lives when we are put in a situation where we need to make a momentous decision, a decision which could well shape our future. Sometimes these moments are thrust on us by circumstances and sometimes the compulsion to act comes from within. For whatever reason, many people are being drawn to the idea of making money online. Sadly, many of these people fail in their ambition because they simply do not understand what such a business venture is all about.

There are so many misconceptions about internet marketing which need to be expunged from the minds of potential entrepreneurs if they are to be successful. We hear some over-optimistic talk about the potential of internet marketing, just as we hear some over-pessimistic opinions from the ‘bloke down the pub’ who denounces the whole thing as “a con; just another of these crooked get-rich-quick schemes.” As usual with human experience of all kinds, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

On the downside of this folk culture regarding internet marketing, we hear that the opportunity to make big money is just hype. It doesn’t take long when communicating with experienced marketers to realise that it most definitely isn’t just hype. Internet marketing has created many millionaires in the last few years and will continue to do so for many years to come. The one thing that the really successful marketers have is the perseverance to make it work. They take the time and put in the effort to really learn the business from top to bottom. Never lose sight of the fact that this is a business not a hobby. It is an inability to make that differentiation which is responsible for the failure of many.

Another common put-down is that it is now too late to succeed. According to this particular view, it was fine a few years back when it first began but the market is now swamped and newcomers just can’t get a look-in. The competition is too fierce and the business has, therefore, become too complicated. This could not be further from the truth. The process of running an online business is now clearly understood. The early pioneers were feeling their way, finding out by trial and error what worked and what didn’t. They made the mistakes then so we can learn from them now. The internet is a marketplace which is growing all the time and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

The more positive misunderstandings can be even more damaging to a new marketer than the negative ones. Some people start up an online business in the misguided belief that it is easy and that it won’t cost them anything. This is probably one of the most common misconceptions about internet marketing. The simple truth is that internet marketing is not easy and, although setting up an online business costs a fraction of setting up a traditional business, neither is it free. A certain amount of investment is required, especially when it comes to promoting and advertising your products or services.

We hear that anyone can make money online. This is true, – IF you are prepared to take the time to learn the business; – IF you treat it as a proper business and not a hobby; – IF you have what it takes to make the necessary commitment; – IF you have the perseverance to see it through whatever it takes. IF you are not prepared to take these factors on board; – Forget it!