I'll be the first to admit that I have made some mistakes in my life.
Hey, I'm human and I don't expect to always get it right.
It was a mistake for me to tell people about Mike Filsaime's report, "The Death of Internet Marketing" before it was actually time to do so.
Ooops. My bad. Sorry, Mike.
It was a mistake to accidently use another marketer's trademarked name in reference to a different marketer's product.
It was accidental and unintentional, but it was a mistake nonetheless. And I apologized to the offended party as soon as I discovered the error.
And to say that I've made a few mistakes with other relationships, including with family members and friends, would be an understatement.
I'm fallible. It happens.
I think one of the keys is to own up to your mistakes and shortcomings, seek to make things right with those you may have offended, and try to not repeat the same mistake twice!
(I've blown that a time or two as well...)
As I was thinking about some errors of judgment that I've made in the past, I began pondering some of the critical errors that some people are making in Internet marketing today.
Here is my list of BIG mistakes you should avoid making:
Big Mistake #1
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NEVER click on your own AdSense ads and don't ever invite else anyone to click on your AdSense ads! This is the fastest way to end up without an AdSense account.
Big Mistake #2
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DON'T become a infoproduct-aholic! There is a lot of fantastic products and services out there to help you with your business, but don't buy so much that you can't use what you already have purchased! Stay focused and disciplined, with a plan of action, and you may find that you already have everything you need. Just because I, or another teacher, recommend a product or service doesn't necessarily mean that it is for absolutely everyone.
Big Mistake #3
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NEVER accept an email list from someone claiming to offer "opt-in" addresses that you can send email to! This is a completely illegitimate way to market and you will officially become a SPAMMER if you use one of these lists to market your site, product or services. I've seen at least one high-profile marketer offering "new opt-in" email lists as bonuses. Avoid these like the PLAGUE unless you want to end your online career early.
Big Mistake #4
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DON'T invest in products or services for the bonuses offered! There have been some incredibly ridiculous bonuses given away with products recently. Forgive me for saying so, but if you are buying a revenue-generating opportunity because it comes with a scooter or dvd player, you have been totally distracted from the reason you are purchasing the product in the first place and should probably just hang on to your wallet. If a product isn't worth investing in on it's own merits, it probably isn't worth investing in at all.
Big Mistake #5
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DON'T try to do too many things at once! It is way to easy to spend time learning how to become an HTML expert, graphic designer, copywriters, marketing guru, product creator, and so forth. But none of us are wired to do ALL things. I believe that's why God gave us each other, with each person uniquely wired to do their part. Instead, learn to outsource those things which don't come naturally to you. You'll find that you are far more productive and effective doing the things you ARE good at... and you'll probably enjoy your work more and feel less stressed.
We're all bound to make mistakes as we grow our online business. Hopefully you will avoid potentially fatal errors so that you may prosper faster.
Make no mistake about it. :-)
What are your thoughts? Feel free to share mistakes you have made in comments below.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
December 8, 2006 08:22 AM
This email resonates with me I sometimes go into information overload. I am trying to get a handle on this and I think I am on the right track. Although, I have to admit through a lot of the products I have bought it has lead me to other products that make my life easier.
I feel like I kinda have a handle on it now but I have to focus on putting the right practices into play. I would like to let people know do not go into info overload but do find something you can specialize in and attack.
December 8, 2006 08:48 AM
This is the single best post to any blog that I have seen in a long time. I have made all of these mistakes and a few others but Joel's perspective is terrific and very useful.
December 8, 2006 10:10 AM
Joel, I respect your honesty. This is excellent advice, and one of your best posts. Your readers should read it a couple of times so it all sinks in.
December 8, 2006 12:20 PM
I am impressed! It is so nice to see that there is still "Integrity" in the world today. I admire your courage and you have also gained my respect. May you & your family receive many blessings throughout the holidays..
Lisa C.
December 8, 2006 12:53 PM
I agree with Lisa C., it is nice to know that there is still "Integrity" in the world.
There is so much "information" on how to start an online business, it's overwhelming. How does one actually get started in the right direction? And know that you can trust the information that is being given? Especially when you're a novice at all of this? Any suggestions from Joel would be very helpful. Happy Holidays!
December 8, 2006 01:03 PM
Joel, this is indeed a good blog I feel I trust people more when they are willing to become so vulnerable. You made some good points and I would like to use them. but since I am already on info overload, I'm having a difficult time putting it all together, so,I'm usually looking for the next statement to be a put down. Thank
you for not assuming
some things that may
or may not be true. I
try to think when someone is assuming they know the reason for my not continuing on,
That it only makes an
ass-u-me. I really appreciate your honesty
Thank you,
Margaret
email:Margaretfay1@att.net
not encouraging is it?
December 8, 2006 02:26 PM
Thank you for some very helpful and honest information. I do not yet have a site up and running, but hope to do so! Good reminders! Truthfulness goes a long way.
December 8, 2006 04:18 PM
Hi Joel;
Thanks for the info. Dec. 8/06 (i.e. Mistakes) Yes I've made some of the same, and was just about to make another "doozer" so your timing on this was perfect for me.
PS: Thanks for all the other tips you have sent me in the past.
December 8, 2006 06:43 PM
Hi Joel
Your blog is a good sales letter. Get there confidence then the next email you send with the product you are trying to sell will be well received. 10 OUT OF 10
Have a good Christmas every body.
December 8, 2006 09:25 PM
Hi, Joel,
My biggest mistake (to date) is letting myself get stuck trying to "get the hang of" the business and therefore not STARTING.
You have referenced that in your post by saying we should let each other do what we are good at and concentrate on our own strengths. Problem is, I'm just starting out and cannot afford to simply out-source Graphic Design, Website Layout, Sales Letters, etc, etc.
Any hints for those of us who are cash-poor but idea-rich?
Thanks.
December 8, 2006 10:25 PM
Mistakes, I have made a few in my day.
Sounds like a song title.
The ones I get caught up in is #2 and #5.
Product-aholic. What ever is the biggest and best new thing on the market, seems to extract money from my wallet.
I have software that I have never even used let alone ALL of the DVD's I have never viewed.
Trying to be all things such as the web designer and graphic artist and copywriter only ends up with me completing nothing and going backwards in terms of achieving anything that I really desire.
Why cant someone come up with a brain transplant that I can reprogram my thinking and not keep setting myself up for failure.
AJ
December 9, 2006 12:00 AM
Yes, I think a lot of people get caught up in the #2 and #5 trap. However, with the buying for the bonuses, IF you are going to buy, and you have 10 different marketers emailing you, then, pick the best bonus that fits with you.
As for the opt in email list... have you talked to the marketer about the list he is offering?
Well, those are my thoughts.
Thanks for your continued support.
Doug
December 10, 2006 11:46 AM
Hi Joel,
I couldn't agree with you more on the topics you wrote on in this posting. To be honest, I've been guilty of too high a percentage of them.
I feel a mistake that is so easy to make for an internet business neophyte is to get taken in by the hype about making a fortune on the internet without lifting a finger or oozing a drop of sweat...particularly with ready-made adsense sites. I was guilty of this, but only once. As they say, 'you live and learn...'
Thanks much for your many messages. I do appreciate that you don't only write when you're trying to 'sell' something.
All the best,Merry Christmas, and a fantastic 2007.
Dan J.