Internet Marketer or Online Business

While internet marketers have online businesses, not all online businesses consider themselves internet marketers.

I was recently introduced as an "internet marketer" and was surprised at the immediate feeling of "oh no, not me" that welled up inside.

Before I ask whether you think of yourself as being an "internet marketer" or having an "online business", let me share the definitions as I see them:

An internet marketer appears to focus first and foremost on the money -- how much can he earn and how quickly?  He tends to send lots of emails and is always promoting something, whether his product or an affiliate's.

To me, internet marketers include the people who are using funky testimonials, who promote themselves as being of the highest integrity while being misleading during promotional launches, etc.

Not that all internet marketers use questionable techniques by any means, many are very up front about their strategies and charge thousands of dollars to teach them to others.

I was on a webinar last week and the person presenting said, to paraphrase: "I don't worry about bills or expenses, every time one comes in, I send an email promoting something and in comes the money."

There was nothing about quality or relatonships, it was all about milking his list.

I stayed on the webinar to see if I'd hear anything which would make me feel differently about him or his techniques, I'm sad to say I didn't and immediately unsubscribed afterwards.

An online business on the other hand is a business which maintains an online presence and uses internet technology to assist in the running of the business.

Online businesses are certainly "in it" to be successful and make a profit, but not at the expense of building good relationships and providing quality.

The online businesses I work with truly want to make an impact (and a profit) and help their clients, in whatever ways their gifts allow.

So in planning your business for the upcoming year, which are you focused on: being an internet marketer or building an online business?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the Comments section below.

And if you're not sure what your 2010 is going to look like, I'd love to see  you in my upcoming "From Your Vision Board to Reality: How to Create Your Best Year Ever" program. :-)

Remember, there are no absolutes -- there are internet marketers who are of the utmost integrity and online business owners who use questionable strategies to make a sale.

Comments

[Eleanore Duyndam]

Hi Sandy,

There does seem to be some confusion around the term Internet Marketer. Internet Marketing is a tool of building an online business. No matter what business you are in, whether you have a high public profile or just work behind the scene, ALL business is based on SERVICE.

I agree - I would not lump all "Internet Marketers" into the category of "people who are using funky testimonials, who promote themselves as being of the highest integrity while being misleading during promotional launches, etc." (Though, certainly there are plenty of those!)

That is like saying that all Online Business Coaches are wannabe "experts", with over inflated credentials, and vague track records. (Though, certainly there are plenty of those!)

There are REAL business owners (called Internet Marketers) that create "markets" on the internet with their services. They provide a valuable service by using internet marketing to market products. Just like there are REAL business owners that can successfully coach others to have successful online businesses.

Both are service providers and have a relationship with their customers.

So, yes, the focus should always be on building a successful online business by building relationships and being of service to your customers/clients(whether you call yourself an Internet Marketer or Online Business Owner).

Aloha,
Eleanore

[Sandra Martini]

Hi Eleanore,

Great comment and spot on!

I absolutely agree -- not every "Internet Marketer" and every "Online Business" is good.

Nothing is every absolute.

The trend I've noticed is that those who call themselves "internet marketers" tend to put the marketing first and those who are building online businesses tend to put the relationship first.

Again, not an absolute, but a trend I've noticed in my business.

Thanks,

Sandy :-)