It is possible to learn the basics of marketing from some of the most successful people in your field. These marketing experts would probably tell you that it is best to start with social media marketing. And while that is a great idea, there are some issues that you should know about before you jump into the social arena and start putting your marketing money into the pockets of your competitors.
One mistake that most social media marketers make is focusing on things that are peripheral to their goals. Marketing tips and advice on Facebook do not necessarily apply if you decide to post about your poodle on Saturday night. With social media, you are limited to the topic area you are allowed to promote. When it comes to marketing, it can be very tempting to get more out of the crowd than you intended to.
Another mistake that many marketers make is letting the world take all the fun out of marketing. Do not be ashamed to play games or goof around with your market. But when it comes to actually put your marketing dollars into your pocket, you need to be serious about business.
A third mistake is when they do not take the time to explain how your product or service is different from the competition. If you find yourself devoting time to explaining why your service or product is better than the next guy, you will be unable to maintain momentum. You also run the risk of turning off your market by being too traditional.
A fourth mistake is thinking that you can get away with selling the same things over again. The great marketers that inspire you are not content to sell the same products every single month. They have fresh ideas every day and a new direction for their businesses each week.
A fifth mistake is repeating the same mistakes over again. They may be putting their existing products into new formats, or perhaps they just seem to use the same companies for everything. If you want to succeed in your field, you need to experiment with different approaches.
There are some other things that you can do to avoid making mistakes when marketing on the Internet. First, know that Google is watching you. All the clicks that you are generating can affect your search rankings.
Second, make sure that your website is well-designed. It is easier to draw the eye of the search engine spiders than it is to ensure that your site has a good design. They will not like a page that looks like a movie trailer. Make sure that your layout is clean and attractive, but the content should be clear and informative.
Third, make sure that you do not make the mistake of using search as a shortcut to market your product. Instead, use social networking as an effective marketing technique. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are a little riskier because they are different from search engines. However, they are also places where people can reach out to you and discuss your ideas.
Fourth, consider making mistakes on purpose. Sometimes, a great idea will pop into your head one day and you are not able to hold it back. If you can leave it as a “mistake” for a day or two, you will be able to see whether or not it will still be a viable option for you.
Finally, do not make the mistake of reading too much online marketing advice. There are a lot of things that you can learn from and there are a lot of great tips that can help you succeed, but remember that the Internet is a place where truth is stranger than fiction.
