Well, I've settled down in the office on my tod for the start of the 2010 year of my work life. The outlook looks good, with a great business to be working in, an industry that I love (and hate, at times - there is a fine line isn't there?), and top quality people to be to be working with. I'm really looking forward to 2010 with toinfinity ...and beyond.
My blog here is going to be another key focus for me - this year is going to be full of exciting events and challenges and I know that I need to journal these down to be able to keep a record of them and look back.
I have already posted something looking forward - What will graphic design look like in 2010 - just a prediction from my own views on the graphic design industry... but I also wanted to share with you, about the flavour of what some of my other posts will be about.
Another passion of mine, Internet Marketing
Over the next 12 months I will be researching this marketplace and letting you know about any SCAM's, false selling/claims that I hear of, hot tips for new techniques that really work in ethical ways and also be on hand to answer any questions you might have on the subject.
This type of 'insider' 'secret' information normally only comes with a $49.95 subscription payment or a £29.99 ebook that you can only download for 4 hours before the price trebles. My Fee = No charge at all! FREE. Not even any shipping and handling charges or the need to take your email address! Just subscribe to my RSS feed (http://anthodges.co.uk/rss.xml), twitter (http://www.twitter.com/anthodges). I don't think some of this 'paid for' information that is said to be a big secret is a secret at all.
Why do this and focus on Internet Marketing in this way?
It's one of those things that you alway hear other people talking about on the internet, on your tweetdeck or when flicking through your facebook. Many people get either scared off with the shockingly bad too good to be true copy lines with statements of 7 figure incomes, overnight millions and earn while you sleep type of sentiments riddled through them. Others get hooked in by the possible illusion of grandeur and earning loads, driving fast cars and working from the beach.
It is something that could transform your business and earning potential, but also something that could scam you out of our hard earned wages.
It is possible, and true that you can make a living and earn loads of wonga by being an internet marketeer, but in my first post in this, I wanted to point out some of the ways that people can get sucked in by unethical ways. But the main reason - I have been burned a few times and let me tell you... It won't be happening again.
The list of things below is NOT how all internet marketers operate. There are some real good guys and girls out there. But there are some real rotten apples that have soured the barrel and give the industry it's negative reputation that it can have in some peoples minds.
Some things to watch out for and avoid if possible:
Completely Automated Systems: Do you really want to buy into a system that produces the same websites, with the same copy, the same graphics and the same flavour as everyone else that buys into it? Not only will you just be another sheep in the same flock but you will not enjoy the rankings in Google as they will see all these sites with the same stuff in them! You are an individual. Be individual.
FREEBIES that are quite clearly not FREE in the slightest: A clever trick that many internet marketers try and use is the old "I will send you my £5,000 worth of information for FREE" ... then in the small print, after you have put in your email address to add to their list, you are presented with a screen asking you to pay £29.95 shipping and handling. This is not FREE! It is a blatant lie! To get this package I have to pay you some money so therefore it is not FREE! If an internet marketer is offering something to you for FREE there is normally something you will have to pay. It could be as small as $1 - but this is still not FREE. I urge any internet marketers to be completely honest with their fees.
The low entry fee then the hike in charges, automatically: This is not a scam it is a well thought through way of generating more cash but in most cases the people that operate these give you a product for maybe £1 or $1, then in the small print it says something like "This will give you access to the site and sign you up to receive our regular updates for a charge of $49 per month. These charges will start in 3 days after your $1 payment has been made unless you cancel beforehand" - When ever you look to possible take up these offers, be sure to read the small print and see what you are actually buying into. Some of the squeeze pages that offer these products/services can be so long and so boring - but the one line that tells you you will be charged this extra regular fee will be in there somewhere, make sure you read it all.
FAKE testimonials: A persons name, a link to their website or another way to authenticate that they are a genuine user or the product/system should be provided to give you piece of mind that they are not just an actor. Customer testimonials are one of the best ways to sell a product or service. Beware of the fake ones! Hard to spot but easy to believe.
And my pet hate...?
Do as I say not how I'm doing: Internet marketers that promise all the wealth and money in the world, sat using their webcam and dressed like a scruff bag in a dreary office, peeling wallpaper and bad lighting. If these guys and girls are promising you massive incomes, why do they not invest in proper recording of their own videos, dress a little smarter (this is business at the end of the day) and even show you (by walking around their office / house, not pictures) what their wealth has brought them. The internet marketers that have the credibility and operate with integrity are the people to hook up with... watch out for the cowboys.
