Internet Marketing - What's stopping your success?

I've owned and operated my business for years. Nearly 15 to be exact. In this time I have seen ups and downs in the economy, watched numerous business start and within a short period of time end, and watched other businesses flourish. I am fortunate to be among those business owners who have prospered and continue to do so. However, it hasn't always been that way. Before I could enjoy a successful business I had to employ certain practices.

Although the essence of my business has remained relatively close to what is was 15 years ago is has actually gone through numerous transitions. Through it all the primary aspects that have allowed me to enjoy a profitable business were to lay an extremely solid foundation and have systems in place.

The foundation
A huge part of the foundation and systems is to be clear on my market and to build a responsive list of clients and potential clients. In the world of Internet marketing this list can be referred to as an opt-in list.
Not a day goes by that I don't have people asking me what I attribute my success to. Many of those people pay me to guide them in building their business.

How responsive is your opt-in list?
Hands down, a huge part of my success is the quality and responsiveness of my opt-in list. Additionally, how much my market trusts me and the credibility I bring to the table. Simple. Or so one would think.

What boggles my mind is when someone asks what I have done to succeed, I tell them and then they attempt to reinvent the wheel. The fact is, I learned about the need to build a very responsive list from my mentors and other highly successful online marketers. So not only do I chant, "Build a list. Build a list. Build a list," so does every other successful marketer I know.

Now you might be saying, "I'm not a marketer!" if you own a business you need to be.
So why is it so difficult for some people to understand the need to build a responsive opt-in list?

Primary reasons this won't work.
There can be a number of reasons. One, they just don't "get" how important this is. Two, they don't know how. Three, it takes time, effort and commitment.
For those who don't realize how important it is I recommend you open your mind up to accept this fact. For those who don't know how, there is plenty of information available on the Internet that can outline specific steps.

If you don't do this you won't grow
For those who are not willing to put the time and effort into building a list all I can say is, "Then how do you expect to grow your business?" Obviously if someone is not willing to put time and effort into their business shouldn't have a business. Simple as that.
To give you an idea of what I do to build my list, read on.

I have a very focused approach to building my list. I use various processes to grow my list such as article writing, blogging, Social Network involvement, teleseminars, Joint Venture Partnerships, advertising online (both paid and free) and forum involvement to name just a few.

As you build your list you also have to have a plan of what you will do with the list. You have to know how you will bring value to your readers, how you will gain their trust, and what products and services you can offer to them.


Internet Marketing - What's stopping your success? - To learn more about this author, visit Kathleen Gage's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

E-Mail | Print | More

Related Articles
Powerful Relationship Selling
	INFUSE ME! A simple encouragement to uncover the power of relationship building and selling. It starts with the one in the mirror!
For Good SEO You Must Go Back To Basics
	As a search marketer I listen to many SEO podcasts and read many articles about SEO and organic rankings and whats "HOT" and whats "NOT" and many people claiming to know whats popular with Google and the search engi...
An Internet Home Business Success Is Not Affected By Worsened Economy
	It is sad to watch people lose jobs left and right as the economy continues to plummet. Starting an internet home business is one of the top opportunities you can pursue right now and it comes with a plethora of ben...
Internet Marketing in 2008
	Internet marketing is becoming a more predominate tool to help franchisors get more qualified leads. When potential franchisees are looking for a business opportunity or a franchise opportunity to buy, 95% of them...
Internet Marketing 101 for Beginners
	Internet marketing knowledge is an essential if you want to take your business in the virtual world, and actually succeed at it. Internet marketing, simply put, is the process of advertising online.

---

Related Forum Posts
	Re: Should Evan add a "Social Media Marketing" category to the f
	Internet Marketing Conference on SLife
	Re: hi from south africa
	Internet Marketing Reality Show! - PtII
	Re: Hello from a San Diego-based marketer
	Re: New, young entrepreneur
	Re: Green Business Ideas!
	Free Internet Marketing Training

---

Related Businesses - Evan Elite Authors

Dave Kurlan Dave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website

Leanne Hoagland-Smith Are your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales success or one of the many who have failed to change? So what are you doing to change those results? Let’s be honest, with companies moving globally and at lightening speeds, the traditional business solutions are outdated and dead. My approach moves your business out of its comfort zone and secures your competitive advantage now. If you are seeking to increase sales, build customer loyalty, create a culture of great attitudes or just achieve some sleep filled nights, then we should talk because my clients have experienced exactly those types of results. Learn more about customer loyalty at http://www.processspecialist.com/customer-loyalty.htm Give me a call at 219.759.5601 for a free strategy session. P.S. If you are seeking a motivational speaker, sales trainer or small business expert that will leave your audience smiling and remembering, please feel free to contact me at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website

Accessible Business Consultants Dave Turkin, President, of Accessible Business Consultants is a full service business consultant that has over 32 years of experience working with small-medium size businesses. Dave has designed and implemented numerous business and marketing plans, designed internal programs for accounting and operational procedures. He has analyzed businesses and prepared strategic plans setting budgets for growth, expansion and business restructuring. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of various corporations as an advisor. For many years he has been the Business Coach to many executives offering advice and guidance from old and established companies as well as new companies just getting started. Dave has the ability to analyze a business quickly and get a strong indication as to the necessary steps to improve operations, productivity and profitability. - Visit Accessible Business Consultants's Website

Anne Barr Anne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website

The Evan Elite Authors program is currently in beta phase. For details please contact us.