Guest Author: Donna Thomas
Oh the lists, long, detailed, technical, but I digress…let’s start at the beginning…
Well, like so many of you, I got extremely tired of being pushed around, watching my job responsibilities expand, my pay decrease and my job security disappear. So I did a little reading and looked around the web and decided, why not, if the numerous 20 year olds out there making a decent income online can do it why not me?
So I jumped in, feet first, to learn, acquire and slay that dragon of entrepreneurial know how to make my first 6 figure income pay check. I enrolled in several programs, affiliate marketing, list building, video marketing etc, etc. While all of these provided valuable content, I reached a point after several months when my head was ready to explode… what to do first, where should I invest my time, resources, efforts, money… ???
Ok, everyone agreed I needed a presence, i.e. branding. Best place to do that, yep you got it the third largest country in the world, Facebook! So off I went Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google. Built the profiles and put in my hobbies, jobs, education…all they asked for. Added my email list to all of them. Now what? Ok another class on social media marketing, build that list, add friends, and attract them by posting valuable content. Check, check and double check.
Must have a blog, it’s your home, the place where everyone will get to know who you are and what you are about. Ahhhh, but now that means you have to post valuable content and what do you want to post and where will you get the new fresh ideas about that content? More to add to the “to do” list!
Twitter, don’t forget to tweet and retweet, check your replies, respond to your messages. Ah but don’t overlook how valuable video marketing can be it will improve your SEO and get you on top in Google. Next, make some videos, talk about your product, and add content. Once you create your channel in YouTube make sure you are checking for responses. Post those videos at multiple sites and get a video distribution site. Check out traffic geyser, tweet meme, social oomph, jing, bit.ly, tweet deck, mashable, and on and on and on…
But when the dust clears and you have spent several thousand dollars at a minimum and hours, no days of reading, no wrong again, weeks examining and testing and listening are you any further ahead. Well, I would say yes, it’s all part of the learning curve in acquiring the skills, expertise, and knowledge needed to develop a presence/brand online.
However I would add one little bit of advice as you approach that dragon, don’t go alone. Find a coach, mentor, knowledgeable expert to clear the trail on your path, someone who has a proven track record and can guide and support you along your voyage. In fact, create a tribe of supportive experts that have the capabilities to forge ahead. Besides who wants to eat dragon alone?
Wishing you the very best on your quest for success in your online marketing campaign but please talk to a person who can lead you along the trek to six figure triumph!
Best wishes and have fun on your journey, Donna Thomas
Nice one Donna and I think every Blogger reading this will agree with your thoughts and feelings. Isn’t it great to be able to create your own destiny? I used to project manage major residential construction but the ‘recession’ put an end to that; luckily my marketing skills and experience helped put me back on the map. My marketing experiences in Qatar were fantastic and based on that I got a Marketing Managers job here in the UK and based on that I’ve ventured into my own business. Some say I’m crazy given the state of construction in the UK, but I know that Social Media and Social Media marketing IS the way to go! We are the ‘early adopters’, not quite as early as Seth and Brian though!
Great post Donna. I can relate to your situation and that is why I decided to ignore all other opportunities, courses, trainings etc.. and only focus on one thing. My blog and from there I can re-build my business. Having a mentor is a big factor to progress in your business and I am grateful to have many mentors. In business focus is everything.
Good food for thought, Donna. It is so easy to go on information overload in this business! I have been taking your advice and slowly unsubscribing to the “Guru” lists I’m on, and narrowing down my focus to a select few. I love the Social Spin guys and find them the easiest to learn from, and have fun while I’m doing it!
Nice post. Bookmarking so I can come back and spend more time on it along with all the other posts I saw that I like.
That’s very cool Linda! Donna is a good blogging friend and I love her writings, she really knows how to express herself and come across in a positive way. And I appreciate you looking around – hope there is other information that may be of help.
Thanks Donna for guest authoring on my blog, I love the information you provide here and you have such a great way to say and write things. I believe it will help to inspire and build confidence each other. I sure hope you will accept my invite to come back and guest author again!
Donna, I got tired just reading all that you’ve done of take control of your life and your career. I was so fried last night after the session was over I was about to chuck it all, but I will press on. I have such a big learning curve to master. You guys are way ahead of me, but I’m going to keep trying, thanks to you guys. Loved your work!! Dottie