Although, the vast majority are actually Internet salespeople as opposed to marketers of any stripe. Part of reason is simple – many have little or no entrepreneurial experience neither in the offline world nor, in fact, any sales or marketing experience before starting their home-based business online. People connected in the make money online niche are most commonly referred to as Internet marketers. Further it is the stigma the general public has towards ‘sales’ and ‘salespeople’, making marketer a more comfortable label for many.
A closer look at the difference between a marketer and a salesperson: In short, a marketer is the person responsible for researching a product or service, exploring target markets, mapping out price points based on several business factors, branding products and services, developing and analyzing campaigns, and yes, helping salespeople understand the unique selling proposition for each product. There are some ultra-talented people in marketing that couldn’t sell their way out of a paper bag.
On the other hand, a salesperson is the connection between marketing and prospective customers. Salespeople live to sell, love to present, look for sales opportunities all of the time, and are highly driven people who risk a good part of their income on their own sales ability. They close deals, period. That said, there are some outstanding salespeople who couldn’t market a product if their lives depended on it. Remember, not “sell”, but “market”.
Every major brand name you can think of right now is in your consciousness because of effective marketing. This is where the ‘multiplication of effort’ makes the real difference. That brings up another major component of marketing – branding. In this day of social media and instant communications, building recognition and trust within your target market is crucial – as is effectively manipulating the prospects’ impression of your company and its products.
A wholesaler will offer a co-op advertising budget to its retail customers, agreeing to cover a portion of the retailer’s ad spend in exchange for prominent or exclusive feature of their products. Construct effective joint ventures with related businesses is equally important to marketers, as this lets them increase their reach by ‘piggy-backing’ on the promotional efforts of other businesses. The proliferation of ‘points programs’ today is another great example of joint venture marketing in the offline world.
Thus what does this mean for the solo entrepreneur building an Internet based home business? First, you need to learn a lot more about business and marketing. Having started your first business now, you’ve already had to learn a lot about technologies and systems used online – now expand that base by learning how bigger, more experienced business people operate. And either way, set aside time for research.
Most self-made millionaires have been bankrupt once or twice along their path to riches, but knowledge and experience are never lost to creditors and remain in full effect as you more successfully rebuild your empire. The easiest way for most entrepreneurs to continue their business education is vast of business and success-related magazines. In brief, spend a little less on each new shiny object that comes down the tube online and invest more in your own business and online marketing knowledge.
Since your business and marketing knowledge grows so will the available options you recognize. And as your experience grows with experience you’ll evolve into a true internet marketer, able to take your businesses to higher levels of profitability at a much faster pace.