Finding a focus in Internet Marketing
Listening to the message recorded by Linda Caroll over in the “Temple” I found validation for many of my thoughts.
In my last post I outlined the skills that I have learned since beginning the coaching program with Alex Jeffreys. I also described how I was beginning to work in areas that were outside of the “Internet marketing” area where the coaching program had focused our attention.
Before starting the program with Alex when I considered how best to earn an income on line the area of internet marketing is what appeared to be the most attractive. This was because of all of the “hype ” emails I received. The more closely I looked at internet marketing the more it seemed to be a world in which you sold someone something to use to sell someone something to use to sell someone something etc. etc. Searching for the key which would gain me entrance into this I choose to participate in the coaching program to be given by Alex.
As Alex began to expose me to the tools needed to be successful in internet marketing I moved forward with confidence, sure that success was just over the horizon. I was going to take all the steps Alex outlined as then sit back and wait for success to come to me. I got my domain, set up my blog, created my squeeze page with its one time offer and waited for the success. While there were those in the class with previous online experience who got off to a quicker start than I, I was sure that it was a matter of time before the product Alex created for us would begin to generate income for me.
As I waited I began to think. There were 500 people doing the same thing I was doing, what would distinguish my product from theirs? How would I compete in the marketplace with the likes of Michael Cheney, Andrew Fox, Rich Schefren, Russell Brunson, Mike Filsaime and Alex Jeffreys? How do I move from promoting the product Alex developed to one of my own? I watched the blogs of Garry Parkes, Gary Simpson and others begin to attract large numbers of comments while mine remained relatively quiet. What should i do different? Contemplating this I decided that it was time to re-evaluate my position. I realized, in Linda’s words I had opened a store but my inventory had only a single product that was widely available and was not uniquely branded to me.
I had two choices. First, to accept the fact that I was going to fall short of my goals and to quit chasing what was quickly appearing to be a pipe dream. My second choice was to realize my present limitations and to find a way to move forward in spite of them. As I have expressed previously, failure is not something I readily accept. I chose to refocus and move in a slightly different direction. Alex would describe this as failing forward. Linda would probably refer to it as refining my focus.
I decided a few weeks ago that presently my strengths and credentials are not in areas which will permit me to develop a unique product that generate a great deal of demand at this time. Because of this I have decided to use the tools I am acquiring to work in the area of affiliate marketing. This area will permit me to select a quality product then use the skills I am perfecting to successfully promote it. By generating an income stream in this manner it will permit me to continue to explore other areas of the internet and possibly create a product in the future based upon the success of my present efforts.
I want to thank Linda for the audio presentation she made. Hearing her words validated the recent choices and decisions I have made. As a result of the thought processes I have outlined above I now know the direction in which my internet business will move. I also have a filter with which I will evaluate information, keeping that which will permit forward progress and discarding anything which will not help me to move ahead.
I would encourage anyone who is questioning the value of what they have gained from the coaching program to step back, to realize that the coaching program is providing you with valuable tools. As Alex says don’t chase the money. Instead, find an area which interests you then concentrate on using your newly learned skills to develop your business within that area. By doing this the money will come to you.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hi Ken,
The light is on and you are now HOME!
Yes, yes, yes! You’ve got it. Now tell others to come and read your blog - without “pimping” it - LOL!
Gary Simpson
February 8th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Great post Ken. Refining your focus… finding something that interests you… those are good early steps.
I’m really glad my little 5 minute audio helped you even in some small way. Online, that’s the ultimate goal, you know? Finding the words to help other people gain clarity where they need it at the time.
P.S. 1 R, 2 L’s in Caroll. I have fun with the Garys with that… Gary 1R and Garry 2R.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Hi Ken,
I think you’ve had a breakthrough or an ‘aha’ moment there Ken
I think a lot in the group are struggling with similar sorts of thoughts and I agree with your statement about ’stepping back’ and realising what skills we have amassed and how far we have come since the start of the coaching program.
We all progress at different speeds primarily because we start from a different skill level and also have differing amounts of time to allocate to something. Progress needs to be measure not against how someone else is doing but how you yourself have progressed since last week, last month, etc and readjust accordingly.
It is a long journey we are on with no short-terms wins over night but stick at this and we can all be winners.
Garry
February 9th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Hi Ken,
I am also one of Alex Jeffreys students.
It was truly inspirational to read your post and it really helped me thank you for writing this post. I only saw it when I cliked on a link from Gary’s site.
I am trying to remain focused but it is not easy when you get friends and family saying that Alex said in his video that you would have made back the price of the coaching fee by christmas. So I have this pressure all the time.
I am determined not to give up and show everyone I can achieve my dreams.
Good luck
Christine
February 9th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Hi Ken
I’m really pleased to read this comment as amongst those students who have been wondering which direction to take, it is one of the first which has come out with a positive answer (of those I have read!).
Good on you!
I think this is showing how we are all developing and the collective push is what we need. Seeing others moving forward is always a great motivation.
I see it all the time with my students. About this time of the year those who have got on with their work and passed their tests or completed their portfolios no longer have to come in to the classes. Suddenly all the other students ask why they are no longer attending and realise that they need to get on and do the work themselves if they don’t want to have to keep coming in to the classes.
But this is also the strength of this course and the support and friendship network that has been built up. We can all help and encourage one another to do what is right for each one of us.
Personally I see a path forward which is a combination of very carefully chosen products whilst writing my own material. I know that I have the ability to do that and the many comments I have had about my writing has shown me that it is something that others appreciate. I want to be able to use that ability to help and encourage others.
I intend spending a bit of time this week doing the research I need to do to find my first product(s).
It is great to see you encouraging us all to do the same as you, to take a step back and to see how far we have come. So far we have all been travelling a very similar road. It has been a broad one with plenty of room for us all.
Now is the time for us to start branching off down our own paths. Some of us will continue to travel together and some of us will meet again at various points along the journey. We will have the pleasure of joining up again with friends and taking part of our route alongside one another.
Some will be more ’successful’ than others in what they do, but as long as each one of us continues to develop and grow, then the seed sown by this course has been planted and nurtured well.
I for one intend to keep moving forward and enjoying the company of those whom I have met here and hose I will meet in the future.
Hilary
February 9th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Hilary,
You are correct there is support in just seeing someone esle move foward. It shows us it can be done and encoourages us to move foward also. I know that when bicycling and I see someone up ahead it motivates me to kick things up a bit and try to close the gap. I think the same principle applies here.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Great post, Ken.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
All the best,
Joan
February 9th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Excellent Post! Find good products that match well with specific market segments you can reach. Study those sectors and get a better understanding of how to sell to them. Take the time and make the effort to do more than throw products at them, hoping for the best. The more focused approach to affiliate marketing may require a bit more thought than the old shotgun approach, but with the growing number of internet users, profit potential is actually higher than ever for those who know how to isolate and exploit ripe niches.
February 11th, 2009 at 5:22 am
Hi Ken
I really enjoyed reading your post and it certainly looks like your really focused on what you actually want - which is great and that your delving in to the affiliate marketing side of making money online.
I look forward to see your progress and your success story.
All the best
Nigel
February 18th, 2009 at 3:40 am
Ken,
You are doing the right thing, reassessing your direction and focus. Part of the real value in Alex’s training has been with getting us in motion, to start or to immprove.
Many times we need to move forward approximately in the direction we ‘think’ we want to go, and get down the path a little ways before we can see more clearly. Getting in motion with Alex’s program and product gets us going down that path.
Now, we can have a better feel for what we want, if and how the IM niche will fit. But as I have mentioned on other blog’s comments(no I won’t quote myself –hehe) that we can all still utilize and participate in this group, it’s a powerful thing.
All the best,
John
PS, I’ll get you in my custom search.