Internet Marketing: Hey Yo, You Talkin’ To Me?

Cantankerous. Ever hear of it? If not, let me define it for you.

(stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate)

Why do I tell you this? Because this sums up what I have found to be the biggest flaw in the Internet Marketing niche. Specifically, the niche mafia liars. Now, pick your jaw up off the keyboard and hear me out.

Niche Problem #1

The problem area in this niche is that too many people claim to be gurus. They claim to know all the secrets and get you to the top of the proverbial mountain within days.

Those of us who have been doing this for anywhere from a few months to years, know the hype and can spot it a mile away. However, for beginners, this is where dreams are crushed and promises broken.

The reason? Pure and simple it is GREED. The fastest buck is made off the unsuspecting “newbie” with millionaire dreams and a credit card.

Niche Problem #2

If you are relatively new in the field, try and express your opinion in a forum or community environment. If you so much as challenge the thoughts of those “gurus,” you will face a public thrashing. I wonder if this is how they validate themselves? It’s easier to point out the mistake of a beginner than to look at oneself.

Did I say point out? I meant belittle and humiliate with name calling and cattle herding. What I mean by cattle herding, is getting their buddies to chime in and join in the bashing. Is this productive to the community? Uh yea, no.

Cantankerous People

So these two problems above are things I personally have experienced. I have also seen problem #2 many times with regards to other people. My question to those “professionals” is this: “why are you preventing the growth of the community and the development of the new blood?” Why are you always giving negative feedback?

What scares you about new people coming on board and taking a stand? My guess is that if you have been in this business for years, you are afraid of the new school of thought. The new ideologies and techniques scare you. Let alone, beginners may realize you are no “guru” at all.

It reminds me of grandparents looking at their grand kids and wondering why their pants are sagging. “Back in my day….”  Well it’s not back in the day anymore. It’s now, today, and fresh perspectives should be welcomed and debated upon.

I understand you are probably sitting there saying, “who does she think she is?” You’re right. I’m no expert, I’m no guru. But I am heavily involved in this niche and can make a contribution. I do not put myself out there to disagree with every single person who challenges me.

When I am challenged, I welcome it. I research both sides and congratulate those that voice their own ideas. See, in the corporate world we have adopted a coaching approach to team development rather than manager. You help, you guide, you teach. Every team member is different and therefore a situational approach should be taken.

This holds true for Internet Marketers as well. Especially in the field of blogging. People are at different levels of education and experience. This needs to be respected. You would think in a day and age when social engagement is a dominant metric, you would strive to form community ties.

Do not interpret this as a brown nose, kiss a** approach, because this is not what I mean. There is a respectable way to debate and argue your side of the story. You don’t think this can be done in blog form? Well, then you need to read this article:

• Who Should We Believe, Jill or Google?

That article is a perfect example, in my opinion, on how to handle a disagreement. There is no name calling….no instigating….just an expression of opinion. Period.

What Is The Solution?

Look, I do not have all the answers. Remember, I’m not a guru! But I do have some suggestions. Or maybe just A suggestion.

Imagine you are brand new in the Internet Marketing niche. You have a blog and you got some killer ideas. Out of the box stuff that will make people do the happy doody dance. Where do I go now you ask yourself?

How about an online forum for beginners only? Something like a Digital Point or Serpd, but all about how to begin your blog/business online. I have researched this a bit and I have not yet found any forum geared specifically for newbies. Yes, a lot of forums have a beginner section, but it is not the sole purpose of the community.

One of the sections I found in the warrior forums, was for beginners and it was a splash page! It was a sales pitch to buy a beginner Internet Marketer course. Pitiful. Why can’t a group of experienced marketers get together and create an entire community aimed at helping  new people get to the next level without having them buy something?

The forum could be discretionary of course. Manual reviews of submitted blogs to ensure that the particular “newbie” blogger has quality content and staying power. Moderators. Subject specific experts. Heck, even a graduation of sorts!

And the biggest benefit? All for FREE. Yes, we willingly help those just beginning. Remember the garbage you had to cut through to learn all of this? Let’s proactively nip that step in the bud.

The Bottom Line

It’s time to stop all the misleading and greed. Can we stop it all? Unfortunately no, but I think we could seriously impact the niche. Going back to the definition of cantankerous….you need to ask yourself, are you stubbornly obstructive? Are you unwilling to cooperate with a new school ideology?

If you are, then you need to get out of the way. This is not the place for you any longer. People are looking for a true community…a community of interaction and assistance.

A place where we teach each other and propel people to the next level of success. Wouldn’t it be great to increase blog traffic for everyone in the community? How about building quality links to beginner blogs to help them along? Helping them set up social media campaigns…all of it, start to finish.

I refuse to belittle or judge someone else solely because I disagree with them. If someone puts incorrect information out there, and it is an honest mistake, we need to step up to the plate and correct them. But show them the truth…teach them the right….and explain the why.

Every great idea began with a little light bulb going off in some one’s head. It’s only through trial and error that we truly learn and turn that idea into a plan and then into fruition. Are you a part of the problem or the solution?

Please leave your thoughts below and challenge the status quo.