I’m Not an Internet Marketer & You May Not Be Either

By On · 24 Comments · In Biz Dev

I’m not an internet marketer and I certainly don’t consider myself anything close to a pro blogger either. I am most definitely not in the business of making money online, by teaching people how to make money online.

…And please don’t take offense if you are in that business – this is my mantra – you don’t have to dig it – it’s just to help solidify the tribe I’m part of.

That being said here are a few things that I am (and you may be too):

  • I’m ridiculously passionate about start ups & building businesses.
  • I love the idea of making money online & off mobile entrepreneur style (i.e. you aren’t tied down to a brick & mortar location 24/7).
  • I believe in online businesses that fatten your wallet, provide great value to others and help you build a lifestyle where you enjoy more freedom and fulfillment – no snake oil salesman!
  • I like the idea of passive income & only working a 4 hour work week… but I love the idea of working really hard for a few years to build a business that becomes the next Zappos, SEObook.com or Groupon.

You may think more like me, or you may not. But the point is this is a very helpful exercise you should do with yourself at least every 6 months. It helps you stand out from the crowd, differentiate yourself from your competition &  figure out what you really love and what you have just fallen into.

Today I stared at a blank sheet of paper for an hour – I kept thinking about blogs that make money online and those that don’t. I wondered if I should have hopped on the make money online by teaching others how to make money online band wagon. The problem is, I’m not passionate about that. Not at all.

So you may say “Was Tony Hsieh really passionate about footwear when he took the helm at Zappos and turned it into a billion dollar company?”, no smart ass :) he wasn’t – but he WAS extremely passionate about building a business that mattered, creating the world’s best customer experience and growing an empire that was founded on core, community based beliefs. He was VERY passionate about that.

So does it matter what business you go into? Of course. If you hate tires and think mechanics are greasy – don’t open a Tube & Lube. Instead focus on what your core skills are… if they are business development & marketing then you can really go into any industry and succeed with the right help. If it is design & creativity then you need to find a biz dev person to team up with to make your dream a reality.

Sorry If I’m rambling – my point is this:

On the web – where everyone seems to be pitching something – it may get discouraging to think the only way you’ll achieve ultimate freedom is to be like the crowd. To sell eBooks or pitch affiliates if you don’t LOVE what you do is silliness.

Go where you want to be, that is where you’ll be happiest and do the best. And if you’re like me and believe you were destined for giant IPOs and building companies that change the world – then I beg you, do it. Don’t just sit around hoping that you’ll catch the next get rick quick online scheme.

Instead dedicate your blog, your own personal branding platform, to what you are all about – and a tribe of like minds will form around you. This community will help each other and help you. So if you feel like me and you are like minds – then PLEASE tell me, because I love to find other tribe members. If you are going a completely different route, I’d still love to hear about it – since someone else may take encouragement from your path & find out you’re part of their tribe.

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  • http://www.sexycopy.org k0zm0zs0ul

    I'm part of the tribe! ;D I'm not really into the teach how to make money online thing, but I am passionate about helping people get their shit together, and help them see that a typical job is NOT the only road to success or happiness, and that life doesn't have to be so fracken HARD all the time. :) Hmn… maybe I need a new mission statement. lol

  • http://sabbaticalscapes.wordpress.com/ Angela

    Amen!! Love this article!

  • http://twitter.com/christiantjr Christian

    Internet marketing is not a business. The internet is a place, not a strategy. I agree with your advice to “go where you want to be…” It's easy to follow the crowd, but it's usually fruitless of course.

    Here's the problem…a lot of people really do just want to “make money online”. they just want to make some damn money. They have no vision they're trying to fulfill. That's what's missing, and vision is a pretty essential part of the equation.

    All of the people running crappy mmo blogs are working on finding their vision. Maybe they don't know it yet, but that's the path they're on. I think it's awesome. It's ok to suck. It's how you get good.

  • http://twitter.com/mesfinances CC

    Wow! That posts totally rocks!

    I feel exactly like you said. Let's create and provide some value first, and be happy doing so. :D Life is so short, gotta do something great out of it!

  • http://www.virtualbusinesslifestyle.com/ Chris C. Ducker

    Nice post, Maren.

    You're absolutely, hands-down correct here.

    If you don't enjoy what you do, and you don't have genuine passion (and not just money driven passion), then you shouldn't be doing what you do.

    Like you – that's my opinion, but its one I certainly stand by.

    Hope all is good.

    Chris

  • KAMALAKARARAO

    its marvales and you are sending a message like me not to enter in to the MAD RACE

  • http://ajwalton.wordpress.com/ AJWalton

    This is why I keep returning to your blog Maren. Making money online by teaching people how to make money online is dead-end game (not everyone can do it because then we would all starve). Imagine what the world would look like if everyone learned to build something valuable, it would (will?) be incredible.

  • Doug

    Let me say first that I really enjoy your blog and feel like I am a member of your tribe. I am deluged with emails on how to make money on line by telling people how to make money on line and most of it is nonsense, like servers crashing because of overwhelming response to the latest, greatest launch. What is sort of ironic is that I think I found your blog because it was mentioned by some ” guru “. My blog is a golf instructional blog. I am passionate about golf as it has been my career all of my adult life. I am currently looking as you are for like members for my tribe. Keep writing good stuff!!!
    Regards,
    Doug
    oldproblog.com

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    Thanks so much Doug :) golf is a good business I hear, mainly because it is a sport where people are willing to pay money to get better. So you should have a great niche! Thanks again for the nice words!

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    I know, that is what I'm talking about – more & more I ask myself how what I am doing will either benefit a small group of people or hopefully change the world – it's a good goal to reach for.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    Rat race?

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    Agreed Chris! I think trying to make money for money's sake seems like a good idea at first – it did to me – but then I got to the point where I realized the wisdom in really providing something of value. Things are great, hope you're well too :)

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    I think life is short when you do what you hate, but long when you do what you love :) that is what I always tell myself, thanks for dropping by!

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    That is a good point – because you'll flop around (I'm done my share for sure!) and then one day you'll hit upon it. Better to do a bunch of stuff and only 1 out of 100 hit it home than to never get off the couch. Great perspective, thanks Christian~

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    Thanks Angela :)

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    I like what you said “That life doesn't have to be so hard all the time” i think that is one of our world's biggest problems – that we are born & taught that life ALWAYS is a struggle, that money is scarce and that negativity is a way of life.

  • http://www.sexycopy.org k0zm0zs0ul

    EXACTLY. :) Only that's bullshit. Life isn't always a struggle, life is
    what you make it. If money is scarce, find a way to fix it. And don't let
    negativity rain on your parade. Something I am totally struggling with at
    this single moment in time, and that I refuse to let beat me. :)

  • http://projecth2o.net SanamiOnline

    In today's world, people will simply believe that they are destined to their “stupid” 9-5 job that they “hate” just to get money to put food on the table. I produced a video – on my youtube channel somewhere called “Lost in Time” as a second generation potter the skills are still around it is just the passion that is lost. You see it clearly when you travel, the craftwork you buy is crappy and ready to fall apart, the tourists are not interested in “art” but an authentic/crafty deal so the craftspersons are just encouraged by these tourists to mass produce junk, forget their minority language/dialect speak the language of the majority and mass produce junk without the passion that their great grand parents once had. Nice to see someone here who appreciates passion for work, if you love something then go after it and do it.

  • http://www.sophisticatedinvestorblog.com/ Khary Reynolds

    Maren, your blog is awesome and I can tell you are passionate about what you do because I see you everywhere and I know that takes dedication and hard work. You simply couldn't sustain the energy it takes to hustle like that if you were not passionate about what you do.

    I am definitely a member of your tribe. I feel that I am destined for the giant IPO as well, but I used to sell myself short and pursue the latest and greatest money making opportunity or technique only to fizzle out when the road got tough.

    I think that following your passion is spirit led. If you are passionate about what you are doing, it is generally because that is what you are meant to do. It is your “calling”. Like you said in your post, if you go to where you want to be and do what you want to do, you will be successful. That may not necessarily equate to millions of dollars but it will lead to something much more important…”peace of mind” and “contentment”.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    Passion for one's work seems like a lost art – but hopefully more people that are likeminded can start bringing it back :)

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    That is great that you feel that same urge towards big things – I have always felt that way but then I'd doubt myself or talk myself out of it because I thought to think in such a way was “prideful”. Now I realize that it's only doubt and fear that holds people back.

  • http://girlstartup.com Simone

    Beautifully said :)

  • http://www.travelpersonality.com Travel Personality

    Maren Kate hits it on the head. You've got to love what you to if you plan to be independent and successful. Most peoples passions can be turned into income with the right plan and thought process. I agree with the concept that internet marketers making money from one affiliate to another and one eBook to the next. How can they really enjoy that process? They may be independent, but are they happy? Do both, find the right formula. Thats what we did with TravelPersonality.com We love to travel. We are travel agents. We are independent. Done!

  • http://twitter.com/AllofUsRev All of Us Revolution

    Hi Maren, I'm so happy I found this post on your site. My business partner, Kristin, and I just recently launched our website and we definitely identify with the tribe you're talking about. (We're actually posting about it tomorrow.) We're determined to do it differently and not fall into the 'get-rich-quick-scheme.'

    Anyway, your posts have been so helpful for us in the beginning stages of our start-up, so thanks for everything. Good luck with your next venture!