This Article Just Might Save You $2,000

We get lots of questions from our clients, friends, and readers every week – and most of those questions are about some new Internet marketing tactic or “how to make money online” program. (And for some reason, it seems like all the big product launches lately sell for $1,997.)

I’ve got a confession: Ever since I dropped $200 on Corey Rudl’s first Internet Marketing course in the early-90’s, I’ve easily invested at least another $150,000 in courses, events, coaching, and other stuff.

Is that Internet Marketing product what you need to take your business to the next level?

I can count on one hand the products that offered genuine value. While I picked up some great stuff along the way, I could have saved a lot of money (and started making money a lot sooner) if I would have known then what I’m about to share with you now.

The Internet’s changed a lot in the last 15 years, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to spend money on products. I consider it part of my mission to save you a few years and a lot more dollars as you consider your Internet Marketing product options.

So when someone asks us about the latest product, we usually respond with a question; “Will this program help you take your next step?”

If the answer is “I’m not sure,” that’s a pretty good indicator that you shouldn’t invest in that program. If the sales pitch doesn’t spell out precisely what you need to know to make an informed decision – then it probably isn’t right for you.

But there’s an even more reliable way to determine if that Internet Marketing product is worthy of your time and money.

Link that “Internet Marketing Blueprint” to your own personal strategy

The businesses succeeding now on the new Personal Web have six foundational principles in common.

For every business we build, we focus on these six foundational elements to give that business the best foundation for long-term success. And our advice to the new business-builder considering purchasing any product is always the same:  Consider where you are within these basic six steps, and then only invest in products that will help you take your next step. Stick to these until you’ve got them running smoothly, before you branch out and add other tactics or techniques.

So, how can you tell if a program is right for you? Measure the product in question against your business needs.

“The Business Continuum:” Where is Your Business?

If you’re building your online business based on the following solid principles, you will be able to tell what YOUR next steps are, and you’ll also know what Guru Internet Marketing products and techniques will help you accomplish that next step.

1. Create your “home base” platform based on a strong, unique “brand” that helps you stand out online.

• After you’ve chosen the ideal business model for your needs, it’s time to chose your niche, find your voice, and take a stand on an Internet platform of your own.
• Choose your right “niche” – not only a niche with plenty of ready and waiting buyers, but also a niche that you know enough about, and want to write about on a regular basis.
• Create a memorable, easy-to-navigate site that draws people in.
• Make your site a “destination” for visitors. Will they feel there’s enough valuable content there to make them want to subscribe immediately, and curious enough to return in the future?

2. Create content for your site and your products.

• Write about a topic you know about and are passionate about. The web craves new, regular content. So you have to love your topic.
• Never write a post that “disappears.” A strategic blog post is never just a post. If you follow our content strategy, you can make all your posts serve double-duty: re-purpose posts as articles, guest blogs, products, and even books.
• Learn the basics of copywriting for the web (Copyblogger is your best resource).
• Learn the basics of adding search terms to your content, so you can draw new readers now and in the future (Scribe SEO is our tool of choice.)

3. Create a funnel for building long-term relationships, beginning with a simple offer.

• Ask every visitor to your site for their email address – offer a free e-book, an auto-responder series relevant to their search — something compelling enough to generate curiosity.
• Based on the ‘core transformation’ that you want your audience to experience as a result of your product or service, sketch out a general idea of where you’d like your products to go, generally you want to plan for a tiered pricing approach.

4. Build a relationship with your email list.

• Send your readers valuable, highly relevant content on a regular basis, and use a content-to-selling ratio of 90% inspiring, solution-based content, 10% sales.

5. Create products your list wants.

• If you’ve built a relationship with your list, you’ll know what they want and need.
• You can also be sure to gain insight by segmenting your mailing list based on how they respond to various offers, and which of your auto responders they subscribe to.

6. Choose one way to get traffic to your site, and get really good at it.

• Start with the traffic source that’s best for your audience and your product. Some people use Google to draw traffic; others rely on joint ventures with other lists, or guest-blogging on other sites. Whatever you choose, stick with it until you’ve got it down, and then move on to the next method.

Now the true test: Ask these questions . . .

You get a tempting email offer. Someone’s selling you a new program, and the sales copy is well-written and almost has you sold. Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Where am I on this six-step continuum? Does this product offer help me take my next logical step?

2. Am I attracted to this new offer because the sales copy makes it sound faster and easier than the things I am currently trying to master?

3. If I am frustrated about my results so far, which of the six steps needs work and can I find someone to help me stay focused on perfecting that step?

4. If I start adding new tactics like social media or video to my marketing arsenal, will I still have time to focus on what I’m already doing – or will I spread myself too thin?

5. Am I regularly generating fresh, new content and adding subscribers to my email list?

Strategic Resource: If you need help answering any of the above questions or determining your next step in your business, we regularly set aside a few hours each week for hourly strategic sessions.  Drop us a note with your questions by clicking here.