What is internet marketing?

Ever found yourself asking this question? Well, I have asked myself that many times. And each time the answer is almost the same - anything and everything that I can do to sell something over the internet is internet marketing. It does not matter whether it is trying to sell an idea, a place, something physical or non-physical. The main difference between the normal marketing methods that we are all brought up to and this new internet marketing is the fact that we can reach out to literally thousands and millions of people whom we need not see or even speak to and yet, be able to sell them something.

So, how is this done? Well, the main thing is the 'speech'. Since you are not present to speak 'personally' to the other party, you have to ensure that you package your product in the best way ever on a piece of paper (or better known as the computer screen) that will be seen by all who gets access to it.

Does this mean we have to be excellent script writers? In many ways, the answer is yes. In internet marketing, your competitors are the world, not just your neighbourhood, your state that you stay in or even your country alone. If you cannot position your product to be better then the others, then you will lose out easily. So, how do we position ourselves and how do we make ourselves visible to the rest of the world?

There will be many more questions that you will ask yourself as I have done to myself. In the next post, I will hope to share some ideas that I have tried, some successful, others not.

Slight background on myself

Here's a little background about myself.

I spent 25 years designing and developing software solutions for the mobile and wireless industry. Over the years, I have seen computers developed from just using punch cards to now DVDs for storage. In the early years, having a computer with just 64KB was a luxury but today, even having a computer with 1024MB Ram is slow.

In my years of working, customer datelines are extremely important. Equally important is the fact that our systems have to be functional at all times. Many of the solutions designed are for the main core of the business eg a salesman taking orders out in the field using a handheld computer, a warehouse personnel picking goods against delivery orders using a wireless handheld computer, a factory line capturing each and every single product produced from its line using automated scanners. With scenarios like this, you can imagine the kind of pressure I face each day.

Well, after 25 years, I thought it was ample time to take a good break and semi-retire in a nice idyllic island. With that in thought, I shifted to Koh Samui, Thailand. Koh Samui is a very beautiful island and even with the amount of development today, it remains very much a place that gives you a feeling of holiday all year around. And this is precisely what I was looking forward to.

Unfortunately, with all the hectic life style that I have led in the past, I find myself too free. Bad habits are hard to break, I guess. So, instead of enjoying myself, I find myself looking for things to do and mainly in areas involving the computer where at least I felt my years of knowledge could help.

After two years of slow research (remember, I am semi-retired, so there is truly no hurry), I finally think that 'working from home' or what is commonly called 'internet marketing' would be suitable for me. It would allow me to work at my pace and wherever I am. So, I began a more intense research into it.

This is where my nightmare starts. There are so many advertisements all over the net. All claiming to be the one that is going to make a rich and yet, have a easy life. Is it truly that easy? I ask myself. If so, why isn't everyone doing it?

Well, guess what? It is definitely not as easy as mentioned in all those lovely enticing articles and newsletters and mailers. But I am getting somewhere now. Nowhere near to earning big bucks yet but at least, I think I have gathered what is necessary to move forward and hopefully achieve good results for myself.

And this is what this blog is going to be about. I hope to share my experiences with those of you who might want to embark in this line of career. Also, if there is any out there who would want to share your experiences with me, please do leave a comment here.