Internet Marketing - Technology Doesn’t Sell! It’s a lie!
10.06.09
“I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.”
(Eartha Kitt)
When it comes to Internet Marketing, I’m still a rookie. There’s a lot I still have to learn. Fortunately, the web designers in the company have been patient enough to teach me and show me how everything works. It’s a lot of information for someone who still relies heavily on paper, pencil and a word processor to get the job done. But I’m dealing and, what surprises me the most: I’m learning.
Being humble is one of the toughest things to assume as a commitment. Learning that you STILL have a lot to learn about anything (and, well… about everything) is not an easy task, but it is a really rewarding one. It makes me happy to be able to share what I’ve learned while working for this company.
That’s exactly why I don’t like cocky techies.
I was never good at Math when I was a student, but I had good grades in English, Literature, Spanish and any subject that would let me get away with a well-written paper. That’s why I would associate with the guys who were good at Math or Physics and we would join forces to survive through the school year.
One must know one’s flaws to find solutions. I don’t condone cheating but it DEFINITELY made my life easier back in the day. They would help me before and, sometimes during the exam (ahem) and then I would help them while writing a paper or charging them a reasonable fee to write it for them (ahem, cough…).
High School is the survival of the fittest. Don’t blame me.
… and then there’s always the Lil’ Mr./Ms. Know-it-All who would never help anyone, the one who would chew your ear off bragging about his grades and academic achievements, look you from above and mock you whenever you got an F. Remember that kind of little monster? It brings your blood to a nice rolling boil, doesn’t it?
Bear that in mind. No one likes to feel ignorant and left out. Customers are specially sensitive to this.
Dealing with a customer online is not that different from rapport. You have to listen and then replicate with an understandable answer. Web design software and some design sites offer simple alternatives anyone with some time and a bit of patience might use to create a site.
On a personal level, I strongly believe that knowledge should be shared. You cannot construct a culture if you keep everything hidden and concealed. Like I said, it only takes patience and time, so don’t feel so arrogant about your mad HTML, PHP and hardware knowledge if you cannot sell it or not even transmit it.
Some people know that they can increase the value of their companies just by having an awesome site. They don’t know about web design, but they know about businesses. Don’t you think they will be able to tell you have no clue about marketing if you insist on talking them in techie jargon, answering their questions in intricate ways and losing your patience when they don’t get the grasp of a design or programming concept?
Why tech-talk does not reach your customers?
- It’s a matter of respect: Neither your customers are stupid nor you’re selling them snake oil. They have a need and they trust in you. The closing of a business depends on how well you can read your clients and how well you can spot and suffice their needs. You don’t have to trick them. If you’re good, you’re good.
- It’s a matter of common sense: we lose interest when we don’t understand.
- It’s a matter of service. People need answers and, most of the time, they need them fast.
Internet marketing does not try to persuade machines: it is still about the people. Being humble is one of the toughest lessons ever, but it is rewarding. Makes you a better marketeer and a better person altogether.
Great article and I couldn’t agree with you more. Nothing turns me off faster than a know it all who speaks in technical jargon that makes absolutely no sense to me.
It has been proven time and again that in order to be a successful marketer, you need to first build a relationship with your potential customers. To do that, you must be a problem solver and provide answers to questions, as well as valuable resources and content. Basically, share the knowledge and you’ll gain the prospects trust and loyalty.
Yeah..I agree with your opinion. I’m a rookie too in internet marketing, and as I remember, I’ve never bought anything through internet yet..cos I’m not sure..!
Face to face is better for me, more guarantee
i agree with this post
i always same do learn..lear..and learn..
without learn we not get anything
nice post..
Some people tend to forget that marketing is a human exchange. It can be as abstract as you can imagine, but you’re still dealing with people. I concur.
This is great information for me as a newbie in internet marketing. I couldn’t agree you more. Thanks for sharing! I am still at the base of these kind of business and reading different material and yours is one of the best.