Internet Babel

Here are what I believe to be the Top 5 Reasons for Internet Marketing Failure:
(in no order of consequence)

#1 – Procrastination

Plain and simple.

Not only a cause of online failure but obviously failure in a lot of things. Sometimes thinking something over is a good thing as it can help you point out flaws or come to a level of realisation about something that probably would not work.

But sooner or later you will end up doing this so much that you get nothing done, you will pick holes that aren’t there and put off projects that could make you a lot of money.

You put things off because of that little subliminal voice telling you it won’t work.

Courage that big, successful marketers have outweighs this. Or rather, they tend to be able to persuade themselves with more conviction about their own ability. Which is key if you want to be successful, put doubt of your mind. Don’t be afraid of failure because in the long run – it’s a good thing.

Failing helps you see where you went wrong to help you figure out what to do ‘right’ next time. Again, no rule of thumb in marketing in my opinion but it certainly gives you a better judgement radar when it comes to new projects.

Don’t procrastinate, get on with it!

#2 – Not Enough Marketing

I think a lot of people starting online projects underestimate how much money, time and effort said project will take. Most of all – money.

I think some Internet marketers sell themselves and their projects/products short by under developing things because they want to save cash. Spending a lot of money upfront on something which may flop is daunting but it has to be done. I think the less you spend the less chance you have of something succeeding.

Obviously from time to time you have your online fluke. A novelty site which didn’t really need to spend a penny because their site blew up out of luck. But I think if you are seriously starting a new service or creating a new product that you really have high hopes for – you should produce to the best of your ability.

Do not undercut on design, structure, development, concept, or marketing. Have a vision and follow it through.

If you’re starting some sort of unique service for bloggers, something you honestly believe is untouched or even something that isn’t totally unique but is a major improvement on what’s currently on offer… then spending a pile of cash to push it to your audience I don’t think, should be an issue.

Passion = Action = Money.

#3 – No Self Belief

Self belief is key not only to success but also to peace of mind. Take other views and opinions on board but make up your own mind. Criticism, healthy criticism is great but don’t take it too seriously.

You need to get the balance right in your own mind of knowing when to let something slide and when to pay good attention and listen up. But if you believe in something, believe something will succeed so badly… forget everyone else. Your opinion matters more.

When it comes to business, especially online. I don’t think there is any one person who can really say what will work and what won’t. Obviously experience equals knowledge which will also equal better judgement on what will and won’t create traction or attention, a lot of the time these experienced gurus are right. But not always, never let anyone tell you something can’t be done or that your idea will not work.

Make judgement on your own projects sensibly, be realistic, do research on past success of similar ideas but; ultimately, do what you feel is right.

Don’t be influenced so much that you end up valuing other people’s belief MORE than your own. Don’t be a bigot and don’t be a puppet!

#4 – Too Much Compromise

Again sorta touching on other people’s opinion.

One maxim that sums up this entire point perfectly is a camel is a horse designed by committee

Basically illustrating the point that too much compromise can produce something quite ugly and much different to the idea originally envisioned. Obviously this saying is entirely illustrative of that point as the camel being ugly or compromised is subjective

Generally speaking though, the best thing you can do is to have a vision and produce that vision exactly as you have it in your head. Which is why a lot of big marketing teams often produce crap, because it’s a mixed bag and constant conflict of opinion.

Nobody is going to agree entirely about everything so more and more things become compromised in order to please separate people’s opinions. Thus becoming far from what may have been first thought up by any one person.

Look at some of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world:

• Bill Gates
• Richard Branson

Both of these extremely rich men had a vision, which they followed though with confidence. They may have teams all around the world promoting, marketing, designing and creating for them now, but they started out with one vision that was perfected to the best of their ability.

People laughed at Bill Gates but he truly believed that Computers could become Personal Computers that could be in every home. Just look now… I’m typing on a keyboard on a PC to make a point about how Bill Gates’ vision about PCs is a great example. Ironic!

Anyway, point is; have one vision. Do not compromise.

#5 – No Real Originality

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons for failure online.

I think too many try to copycat and ride the money train so much that they end up becoming oblivious to good ideas. They just end up watching for trends and duplicating.

MILLION DOLLAR HOMEPAGE MUCH?

When MDH launched, it was on the downfall of advertising online. It was novelty. It was unique. It was brilliant. But even to this day people are still doing knock-offs and spin-offs of this concept to make money. Which surprisingly… keep working.

I think though, even the ones that have worked have had a unique angle.

For example: MillionDollarWiki worked because although the name was a sort of knock-off of the original and the concept somewhat similar of reaching 1 million dollars via ad sales. It still had an original selling point. The original sold pixels, image ads, but this allowed you to buy easily editable online pages that you could turn into landing pages.

It gave the opportunity for people who bought a page for $100 to make a return on their investment. Which is also key, there needs to be incentive on both parts

If you put out a project that is clearly only going to give you gain and is just trying to sucker people in as puppets to make you quick cash. It won’t work. It MIGHT but it’s highly unlikely given human nature, especially online.

It’s so easy to dart around the web in seconds that these days you need to create something of worth to grab people’s attention. Something that makes people double take. Something that provokes a reaction or inquest. There is no substitute for a fresh idea.

It’s very hard coming up with something entirely unique. Best option I feel is to enter a market that is not saturated but is popular, can be improved on and has an accessible audience.

Take something. Improve it. Cash in.

Final Thoughts…

I believe, personally that marketing is much more an art than a science. Going by the book can lead to success but I think it’s always the creative marketers that come out on top.

Just look at how John Cow has gone from zero to hero aka $3,500 a month with a parody blog! how? originality. Ironically original by using Mr Chow’s name as an advantage yet still creating a blog original enough to gain traction and; a brand in it’s own right.

Obviously there are tons of causes of failure and one of the more obvious you are probably all thinking is no effort also not enough start-up; lots and lots.

But I think most of these such as no effort can be tied in somehow to the above, I think no effort becomes as a result of procrastination and so on.

I think you should go with your gut instinct, have fun and be creative whenever possible. It should feel exhilarating, not tiring.