At least 90% of all online businesses fail...the netreprenuer's time and money simply run out!
So, exactly how skeptical does a newbie need to be in order to really be sensible?
Being presented countless offers and products as an Internet marketing newbie, this question is really a matter of common sense. Still, many newcomers react rather than evaluate, and fall into the trap of falling for "the hook" of the offer being presented.
Rookie marketers get excited about most things that come across their desk...and for good reason. The Internet is the most powerful non-human tool in the history of marketing, and folks are making large sums of money using it. Newbies who are truly dead set on joining the wave we call "Internet marketing" realize they have to purchase certain products and listen to certain people if they are going to learn what it takes to be successful. And, when a bullish newcomer makes his/her mind up to go for it, excitement can usually get the better of them when reading web copy. They imagine themselves making x amount of money or driving x amount of traffic to their site or believing that "this is the most amazing system...", just like they are being told to do by the sales copy of web pages.
Before they can really assess what is being presented, another senior level marketer makes another sale and one more rookie has used by far his/her most valuable resources; time and money.
Rather than waste time and money, rookies should force themselves to be skeptical if they aren't inherently skeptical already. Skepticism is a good thing...it alleviates doubt and diminishes blame. Skepticism in these terms is merely taking a step back when evaluating anything and saying "Sounds good, but, am I letting emotion get in the ay of my intellect? Did what I read, saw, or heard spark a specific feeling?".
If the answer is "yes" in any form, then the true skeptic will actually realize that happened to them before they act on that feeling. At this moment, the rookie knows he/she has reached a level where he/she can protect those 2 most valued resource; time and money.
For the newbie, skepticism will hopefully lead to research and clear thoughtful evaluation before doing anything online, especially when evaluating and product or service.
Here are 9 steps for the newcomer to take when evaluating anything, i.e., being skeptical:
Read sales copy and identify features and benefits that fulfill the immediate and long term needs
Go to Google and find other sites with similar products and repeat step 1
Compare features and benefits of all products that are being evaluated
Compare prices
Email the site owner and inquire about their guarantee is or ask about any features that are unclear. (Their response time will also give you an idea of their credibility.)
Consider who referred the product site and/or visit the sites of the people who have written the testimonials and see if they look credible
After choosing the product that will be purchased, go to any well traveled forum and post a message asking if anyone could give you feedback about the product you are evaluating
Check out the sites of the people that respond to the forum post...don't listen to just anyone!
Go back, re-read the sales copy and ensure that the product fills every need that is present...newbie should ask him/herself, "Does this product fix my immediate problem and will it be something I can benefit from for the long term based on my business plan?"
Newcomers to Internet marketing should always be skeptical about everything and evaluate with an elevated sense of logic rather than emotion. For the newbie, this skeptical yet sensible approach will save time and money, something a rookie desperately needs in order to survive online.
About the Author
Author, "9 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid When Starting An Online Business"
Publisher, "Starting Smart!" e-zine
Starting an online business
www.9mistakes-online.com