23 Things You Can Do Today To Change The Course Of Your Internet Marketing Journey Forever

When it came to Internet Marketing and getting started online, I was a pro in ensuring everything was perfect before I took any action…and unfortunately this went on for several years! A word comes to mind…procrastination. I have a Masters Degree in Internet Marketing theory but putting it into action was a different story. Of course I did learn many things during that time of information overload and being bombarded with emails…I learned what to do as well as what not to do…

Ever heard the saying “Don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk?”

It’s time to begin walking the talk! I have compiled a list of 23 things you can do today to change your internet marketing journey from being lost, confused and feeling defeated and on the verge of giving up on your dream to start online, to being focused and having a clear direction as to where you need to go and getting clear on what you need to do to get there. You can learn from my mistakes…

Action #1: Figure Out What Aspect Of Internet Marketing Interests You Or What Resonates With You And Become Good At It

I spent too long trying to master everything and wasted months attempting to figure it all out by myself. There are plenty of ways to start something online, perhaps it’s an offline business you want to take online, enjoy videos? Perhaps learning video marketing is the way to go, then teach as you learn. Don’t try to be the man at everything, you don’t have to be. Ask yourself…what do you feel most comfortable talking about? For me, after trying method after method, I actually enjoy writing…whether I’m good at it is another story, but I feel I have a little to share therefore I felt blogging was the way to go for me. I’m still finding my feet but thanks to some guys that have inspired me to begin…I’m here. They know who they are (JB, MW, RK:)

Action #2: Surf The Net And Make A Decision Before You Invest In Any Program Or Product Because It All Adds Up

I spent $2997 USD on a program that, in retrospect and in my opinion…was not worth the price I paid for it. I learned a bit about YouTube and it that respect it was good because I’m a firm believer that if you invest in something and just learn one thing…it’s worth it. But not in this case simply because of the price, $2997 USD is not chump change and for that amount of money I expected expect more than what I received, besides that I was threatened with divorce if I didn’t make a dollar after doing that course (not really but she was pretty firm!!) NOTE: I have nothing against the person who created the program because to me, this person is a legend and came across as an awesome, inspiring, caring guy. Just wanted to say that

I’ve spend $197 USD on a program and feel I got more value from that, than the $2997 I paid for the YouTube course, so be careful before you go spending your hard earned cash. Look around, check out reviews online, do your homework before purchasing and make sure that the things you will be learning are relevant to what you wish to achieve online. Luckily for me I have a very supportive wife

Action #3: Get Out Of The Habit Of Writing Notes On Everything You Learn Because You’ll Never Get Around To Taking Any Action

Like I said earlier, I spent too much time writing and taking notes and less time on taking action on the things I had learned. I found myself watching people online who just seemed to “appear” online and take over the world (in their niche) and thought to myself…how the heck does that happen? The answer may surprise you as it did me…

Laser focus massive action…and courageous action

I have several note books full of information from “how to create backlinks” to “how to launch a product and make $100,000″ but have I ever done any of those things? A little backlinking yes but launching a product and making $100k? Not yet…

After reading a book called The 4-Hour Workweek I realized that I needed to drop a lot of the clutter in my life (taking notes and begin to implement the things I’d learned) and basically erase many things I had kept for a rainy day, not limited to but including emails, notebooks, bits of paper I’d scribbled what I thought were important notes, documents and the list goes on. I got rid of a lot of those things and just began…

Action #4: Learning The Basics Of Building A Site Using A Combination Of WordPress, Domain And Hosting And Putting Them Altogether

I admit that in the beginning, realizing that sooner or later I’d have to learn to to upload, download, link my domain name to my hosting, install WordPress etc I was pretty overwhelmed by it all. I remember when Facebook came out and I signed up on it in 2007, it made me realize that people around the world were now getting pretty good at using the internet, signing up on these types of sites and learning the basics of uploading a profile picture and finding their way around the net. We’ve come a long way to the point where elderly people have embraced this change and have Facebook profiles and use Skype etc…if they can do it, you can do it. If I can do it, you can do it. After doing it a few times it become easier and easier. I know people who are so impatient it’s almost as if they don’t to learn…and to those that want to begin online I say…you have to! Believe it or not, it is learnable and there are numerous sites you can visit to learn these things such as YouTube (just type in what you are looking for) alternatively you can go to The WordPress Classroom where there are FREE videos to get you started

 Action #5: Go To Any Seminars You Can In Your Niche/Market And Connect With People

In 2010 I attended World Internet Summit here in Auckland and met some pretty amazing people and some of the Internet Marketing legends I’d read about for a long time. Guys like Ewen Chia, Brett McFall, Tom Hua, Mark Anastasi, Sean Roach, Pat Mesiti, Roy Carter, Mike Woo-Ming and several other speakers. I learned a ton of information and took loads of notes over those 4 days…(sure…*gulp* I didn’t do anything for 7 months after that seminar but I’ve already covered that in Action#3) However, the point is that I met loads of great people and connected with them and there is so much you learn by doing so. It inspires, it motivates, it pumps you up for days afterwards…and I recommend attending wherever possible. Even if you think you know it all…like I said if you go to one of these things and learn just one thing, it’s got to have been worth it. It was also a great way to get my awesome wife on my side with this Internet Marketing journey of mine

Action #6: Get Your Time Management Skills Under Control And Spend Time With Your Family And Not Just On Your Computer Building Your Business

It can get pretty bad at times when building your brand/blog/business up because it takes time, and you do have to make sacrifices of course. Just ensure you manage your time because at the end of the day, at least for me…I wanted to build something up in order to spend time with my family, have fun and do more of the things that bring me joy…to me that is my family. So make sure you spend time with them since what you may be doing is for them..

I find it hard at times when I’m spending time working online and my kids come up and ask to play, to take them some place, to do something with them…and part of me thinks “you don’t understand I’m doing this for you“, and the other part of me asks “what if I died today” what would I regret? The answer is always “spending time with my family…”

“Live each day as if it be your last.” – Marcus Aurelius, 140 AD

Action #7:  You Know You Want To Start An Online Business, You Know You Have To Pick A Niche And Build A Brand And You’ve Heard It’s Important To Follow Your Passions…Only One Problem…You Have No Clue What Your Passions Are

I know it’s a long title but it’s important and I think it must stop a lot of people from taking action simply because it stopped me and no matter where I searched online, I couldn’t find a decent answer to this obstacle. Perhaps I wasn’t looking hard enough…

For me, spending the last 10-15 years working and raising a family, I really didn’t pay much attention to what excited me because it was all about the kids and ensuring they were having fun. If anyone would ask me what my passions were, I would say “my family”, “swimming in the ocean”, “reading success books”, “going to the movies”, “learning about online business”…and of course we’re all told to follow our passions because it just makes sense that to enjoy life it pays to follow your heart and do what you love. But how does one build a business teaching people “How to enjoy spending time with your family” or “How to enjoy swimming in the ocean”? I’m sure it’s been done before and I’m sure there are people somewhere with successful business teaching these things however, though it’s enjoyable and awesome…would I really want to build a business around any of these things? Are they really passions or just enjoyable past times? (Apart from spending time with your family, that’s got to be a little more than a past time, but I’m sure you know what I mean)…

I fought long and hard in my mind about this issue. You know, I want to make Internet Marketing work and become somewhat successful, but I asked myself several times whether I really want to do this by sending people to an opt in page then send email after email promoting products. Alternatively do I want to create a product based around a passion similar to what my friend Josh Bartlett has done with Easy Video Player ( he loves film/video/movies and has a passion for all things video)…it makes sense that he create a business around one of his passions.  So he did.

So how do you answer this question? My opinion is that you ask yourself questions and you step out and experience things you’ve not experienced, you watch Jim Carrey in Yes Man , when you go to the library which section do you find yourself in consistently? If you’re at a party and there are 5 groups of people talking about topics…which topic would interest you? If you could meet any heroes, idols or people you generally admire…who are they and what questions would you ask them? You connect with people on the sites that interest you…what do you like about their site/business? It’s really not an easy question to answer but only you can figure this out. For me I find blogging to be fun, I feel I have a bit to share, I have more knowledge than a beginner and I am continuously learning. I could actually do this for a living. I enjoy it, but I didn’t know this till I tried. Mistakes are a part of life so don’t be afraid to make one. Each mistake you make is a step closer to success…at least that’s what I think.

Action #8: Don’t Listen To People Who Make Money By Teaching People How To Make Money Online

There are tons of people out there hiding behind a nice website with fake pictures of nice houses, fast cars and beautiful women promising you how, if you purchase their program or course, you can achieve the same. For me, scams like these stick out a mile but unfortunately there are some people that are gullible and fall for scams such as these.  Listen and learn off the people who are doing what you want to do and doing it honestly and ethically. There are tons of people out there online earning great incomes with their businesses and going about things the right way, so it can be done. Have no fear. I have several people I follow and learn from online that are doing the things I want to do.

Action #9: Be Weary Of Who You Share Your Dream Of Starting A Home Based Business With Because Some Folks Just Like Raining On Your Parade

There are people out there that just don’t understand the concept of Internet Marketing or home based businesses and because they don’t understand it, they don’t think it’s possible…for themselves or for you. Just be weary because it’s almost as if they’re jealous…they’ll tell you it can’t be done, they had a friend that done such and such and failed and you will too…stay away from these people full stop! You should have no room in your life for these kinds of people unless of course…they’re your own family…then you just have to put up with it…thankfully none of my family are like this.  I guess it might even pay to tell no one of what you are doing until you’ve actually done it or are doing it. Besides that, many of the people I try to explain Internet Marketing to just don’t get it and think it’s MLM or something of the likes. Nothing against MLM of course…

Action #10: Change Your Mindset From A Trade Time For Money Mindset And Embrace The Shift In The World Taking Place

Currently and for the past probably 10 years or so there has been a shift in the world. More and more people are working from home or working remotely (from a laptop or computer from pretty much anywhere in the world). It’s a shift that’s been happening quietly but surely…thanks to technology.  I don’t know about you but I’d love to be in Rarotonga sipping on a cocktail on a deck chair with a laptop in front of me watching the kids play in the sand while I’m still earning. But in order to achieve these things you have to believe it possible. People are looking for a more fulfilling, independent lifestyle and working from home or working remotely, offers this. Obviously if you are looking at starting Internet Marketing, you already know the benefits.

Action #11: Jump In And Try Stuff Out

I have built

1. 3 Sniper Blogs and 3 ‘normal blogs’ (content blogs, not affiliate blogs)
2. A one page website to capture leads (thanks to a bit of help by Molly Ogren)
3. 5 Facebook fan pages (with fans)
4. 3 YouTube channels
5. Done some backlinking
6. Written a few articles and put them up on article directories
7. Done 20 or so Fiverr gigs
8. Put this site together and wrote the code to create the links to the site you go to when you click on them
9. Learned the basics of SEO but by no means a pro

Action #12: Don’t Waste Time Doing Everything Yourself

That’s why there are sites such as

1. Elance
2. Odesk
3. Guru
4. Fiverr

Action #13: Though You Want To Work From Home And Get Your Internet Marketing Journey Started…Don’t Focus On The Money

It may not make sense since you are doing it to work from home and do need that income coming in…but you leave room for a poverty mindset to creep in, a desperate mindset and this doesn’t lead any place positive. Add value first and foremost…I have learned this lesson from my mentors and when I look at their businesses I can see that it works for them fantastically! So I intend to  simply copy how  they do it!  They’ve forged a track and all we have to do is follow it.

You know this post has taken me about 4 and a half if not 5  hours to write so far and I still have 10 Action steps to go!! It’s taken me a long time because I’m really putting in effort and talking about the issues I have come up against in order to help whoever reads this. I really want to add value and write the types of things I would have loved to have read when I first started out online.  I’m really racking my brain here!! So no doubt I hope you enjoy it and take something positive away from it. So I would say in all your business…concentrate on adding value and give it away for free. I’ve read this time and time again on blogs, business books, business magazines and even Trends Sites

Action #14: Use Social Media To Connect With People And Offer Help In Different Ways And Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

I have done this thanks to Facebook and also thanks to a few Facebook groups I belong to. I have met (through the Internet) some awesome people. Connecting with people using Social Media is a powerful method of getting advice, connecting with people, and learning. It’s really quite amazing, great tool for networking with people and helping each other achieve goals. I’ve met people online through Facebook that although I’ve never “met” them face to face…I feel like I’d be pretty comfortable going for a beer with them and hanging out. You can receive updates from companies and individuals and learn from them via “liking” various fan pages in your niche.

Action #15: Give Up The Concept That You Can Make $20k Per Month Within A Short Period Of Time

From my personal experience so far, making money online is not easy…

If it was then I’m pretty sure everyone would be doing it…but they’re not…

It takes time and effort so go in to it with an open mind and in it for the long haul…it is a business after all, right? I’ve read of people making shit loads within a short period of time so it is possible…but I don’t think it wise to go in to this field with that notion. Head down bum up.

Action #16 Make A List Of Goals You Wish To Achieve Online And Go After Them Full ON!

If you know where your headed, you should hopefully recognize it when you get there. It’s makes sense having  goals than not have goals, that way you are focused and you put a little pressure on yourself to achieve. For example you could say

• In 12 months I wish to be earning $2,000 per month online…make it believable yet enticing
• In 12 months I will have my very own yahoo store…
• In 12 months I will have left my job and will be working from home…

Action #17 Go Find Other People In The Same Boat As You On Warrior Forum Or Related Forums To Whatever Your Niche Is And Help Each Other And Keep Each Other Accountable

I think this really helps, in a way I guess it could come under action #14 but what I’m meaning here is a little different. You see if you have 4 friends in different parts of the world in the same or similar niches you can really help each other out and grow. It’s just another way of keeping the pressure on yourself to make sure you take action and not be left behind. The last thing you want is to start out with a few friends and let ‘life stuff’ interrupt your progress and 6 months to 12 months down the track still be doing the same thing having made no progress and have the other three people working from home. It’s the worst feeling…but…like the saying goes “It’s Never Too Late To Start….”

Action #18 Do Unto Others As You Would Like To Have Done To You

Pretty self explanatory action step here. Don’t go spamming people, play fair, be nice, learn ethics online, your going to make mistakes, you can’t please everyone, help each other out.  If you earn the respect of people online and generally be a good guy/gal…they’ll quite possibly do your bidding and share the care they received. That’s the plan anyway See Word of Mouth Marketing

Action #19 Be Humble And Willing To Learn

I don’t know if this can be classified as an action step or just plain good old fashioned advice, or if it was just me.  I’ve always been humble…(doesn’t sound like it though since I just said that) but I reckon I am. But I know it really shocked me to see how many young people (18-25 year olds) really killing it online making 6 figures with awesome products out there selling online. When I was 18 I was still playing spotlight and ball tag and the thought of having a business was probably the furthest thing in my mind, though I’ve always been a dreamer and often dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur…

Seeing these young people out there being successful can be pretty daunting when your a 30 something just starting out…you begin to think to yourself “hey these guys know all the technical stuff, what do I know”…

Don’t entertain the thought, it’ll stop you dead in your tracks. Learn from them, learn from everyone. One young man that I often check out to see how he’s going is Adam Horwitz who is a young 18 year old entrepreneur (possibly 19 now) but he has created three 6 figure businesses. Pretty amazing, I remember when he started out on YouTube making videos only a few years back. He sure has come a long way and I have learned quite a bit from him.

Action #20 Go Learn WordPress

Direct from WordPress

WordPress started in 2003 with a single bit of code to enhance the typography of everyday writing and with fewer users than you can count on your fingers and toes. Since then it has grown to be the largest self-hosted blogging tool in the world, used on millions of sites and seen by tens of millions of people every day.

With WordPress you can

• Build membership sites
• One page sites (to build a list)
• Discussion forums
• Ecommerce  store
• Blogs
• Video sites
• Sales page
• Article directory
• Web directory
• Social network sites (BuddyPress plugin)

Action #21 Go And Watch This Video It Will Motivate You (It’s 20 minutes long but well worth it and it’ll open your eyes)

The Man

Action #22 Be With Nature And Connect, Go To The Beach, The Lake, The Bush And Forget About The Internet For A While

This has absolutely nothing to do with building a business online or anywhere else for that matter but it is an important thing to remember, especially if you’re anything like me and be glued to the computer screen for sometimes, hours on end. One person I really look up and admire for what he has accomplished online and for what he gives back to us newbies Josh Bartlett told me once, when I was on the verge of throwing it all away and giving up to

“Keep your chin up, when you feel like this, take a few days away, enjoy your family and come back refreshed. We all get burnt out, disappointed and feel lost along the way.”

And it really helped to know that he had been exactly through what I had been through. It’s comforting. Besides that it’s refreshing, invigorating and declutters the mind so that when you do come back…your ready to take action.

Action #23 Share This Article By Clicking “Like” On The Left Of This Article And Help Me Help Others – Sharing Is Caring

Ok, so this probably won’t help your personal Internet Marketing journey but I sure would appreciate you paying it forward by sharing on your social network. I really hope that these action steps helped you in some way. It’s sometimes nice to know that people are in the same boat, experiencing the same issues or obstacles and if we can just help each other we’ll all succeed. Good luck on your journey my fellow travelers and I look forward to connecting with you going forth.

To Your Success

By the way, I got the idea for this post from a totally unrelated blog over at ManVsDebt which is a pretty inspiring blog and has some great tips ‘n’ techniques about personal finance and entrepreneurship.

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