Be A Professional (Rant)

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If there's one thing that really bugs me, its unprofessional "professionals" (aka "internet marketers"). Personally, I'm more interested in quality than quantity and its been that way for a long time. Maybe to a fault but I'd prefer that over erring on the other side.

I remember when I first really started getting serious about this business and started using this forum. I asked tons of questions and spent lots of time trying to learn this business because I had almost no sales experience and very little internet marketing experience. People on the forum were constantly harassing me, implying I was a tire kicker, and was just trying to get everything perfect and avoiding doing anything of value.

It really pissed me off because I felt I was being unfairly judged by a bunch of assholes because I wanted to build a good foundation for my business and know what the hell I'm doing instead of being one of those "seo internet marketers" that doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground about running a real business, promise their clients the world and end up screwing them over and give our industry a bad reputation.

Well, I've been able to work this full time since the start of the year with very little money and keep my bills paid and now I've got a pretty damn good foundation for a real business and know what I'm doing.

And when I consult with local business owners, they think I'm a genius! Why? Because I took the time to learn and know what I'm doing instead of going off half cocked, looking like an amateur (idiot) and ruining my reputation. The other thing is when I first started, I didn't have a lot of confidence which was a real killer when it came to selling. I have twice as much confidence now.

And I just started targeting bigger fish (new car dealers) and I'm not intimidated because I took the time to get a good understanding of their needs and know I can help them. No, I haven't signed any yet but have 3 in person appts over the next two days that could easily be worth $50k/year.

All this to say if you're going to be an "internet marketer" (I cringe at the term) be a professional.
Those of you who helped me and patiently put up with my constant questions along the way (esp. Claude, Misterme, Ewen, Ken), thank you so much.

And those of you who judged and hassled me, piss off!
#offline marketing #professional #rant
  • Paul,

    You and I got off to a very bad start. I was a noob like 10 months ago, and I PM'ed you trying to sell my crap. Your retort, to my reply was priceless; you didn't bother replying. Wasn't worth your time.

    I say that publicly here because I want to play both sides of the fence. I'd like for you to a) give folks like me who are idiots in the beginning a chance to redeem himself / themselves b) I feel your pain brother.

    You don't need for me to vouch for you - or tell you that an unrelenting focus on quality of work above anything else is positive ROI.

    There are often times when I dread asking questions around here because of the inevitable "snickers and giggles." When my grandma was teaching me to read she told me; "the dumbest question I've ever heard is the one you didn't ask."

    I hope your post finds itself in the eyesight of the folks who will benefit from it the most.

    KEEP GOING!!!
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Sorry, don't remember that Bigbee.

      This forum is actually pretty tame compared to the copywriting forum. Those guys were just BRUTAL man.
      • [1] reply
  • Touché Paul!

    Thanks for coming back with your progress.

    Best,
    Ewen
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • It's just forum life. It's been that way since, well, forever. You'll run into the same personalities in any forum since the bulletin boards and USENET in the 80s, AOL and on to today (I'm 72 so I know). Just try to ignore any obvious dorks/trolls/haters, learn what you can and share your knowledge.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Since I joined the forum I have found the community to be top notch. So many people have given me quality advice for nothing in return.
  • It's good that you are rolling along. Watching marketers grow reminds me of Toastmasters. Newbies come to their first Toastmasters and usually their first speech is painful to experience. Within a very short time they are speaking with confidence. Cool to watch.

    Don't be bashful about sharing what you've learned on the way (not that you haven't, more of a general comment). It helps others to see what you have done. Sometimes people get all kinds of help and never come back until they need more help.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • The important thing is you overcame the 'haters' and moved ahead. Now it's starting to pay off.

    I know when I got into IM many years ago, I would go to the MMO forum. Ones there could be very brutal and vicious at times, but after a while the ones that knew what they were talking about, were sincerely helpful would shine through. They are there if you look for them.

    I will say this, while you get a few 'haters' once in while in this section, this is one of the most helpful group I have ever participated in. Sure, sometimes they will say something that doesn't set well, but it's almost like a close friend or family member. They do it because they really care.

    Well done on moving ahead.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • People were advising you to go out and learn as well as asking on here, then coming back and asking based on actual experience rather than wanting every I dotted and T crossed before trying. Eg I bet you learned more from going out and doing it than from asking stuff on here , from memory (vague admittedly) very few were seriously insulting you just trying to get you to go and do it, and they were right cos now you have and you're moving forwards, so kudos to you
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Thanks for the kudos Mike but you don't know what you're talking about and neither did they. At that time I was working probably 70 hours per week on my business. Maybe 10 of those hours were spent researching, watching webinars and asking questions on WF. The other SIXTY were spent "taking action".

      By the way, I wasn't asking for their advice on how much time I should spend learning. I've had a successful business before built from scratch with cash and let me tell you it wasn't built by dicking around or experimenting with my customers' money.
  • Glad things are working out for you. Not sure rather you considered any replies I gave you to be "unprofessional" or not. But since I can often be a bit direct it's possible. Either way I'm glad you got helped and hope I was among those who helped you.

    It's great that you have been doing this full time and paying your bills. That is a step many don't get to. It's a step I myself haven't taken since I do this full time but working for a dealership vs. my own business. Don't let anyone discount how big that is.

    And it sounds like you have a plan in place to grow the business. So I look forward to hearing how 2013 closes out. I hope you will share openly since so few do. Also hope we will hear more in 2014 about how it goes.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
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    Be A Professional (Rant)

    If there's one thing that really bugs me, its unprofessional "professionals" (aka "internet marketers"). Personally, I'm more interested in quality than quantity and its been that way for a long time. Maybe to a fault but I'd prefer that over erring on the other side. I remember when I first really started getting serious about this business and started using this forum. I asked tons of questions and spent lots of time trying to learn this business because I had almost no sales experience and very little internet marketing experience. People on the forum were constantly harassing me, implying I was a tire kicker, and was just trying to get everything perfect and avoiding doing anything of value.