What is the definition of internet marketing success?
I’m not going to tell you that there are many answers to that question, because I don’t believe there are many answers. There is only one answer to that question and the answer is this:
The definition of internet marketing success is whatever you decide it should be for you.
You might think that sounds really obvious, but I don’t think most people have taken the time to sit down and really figure out what that means for them. Instead, they float around like a ship without a port, constantly searching for “the thing” that’s going to do it for them. That’s why it feels like they’re “chasing” something that they’re never going to get. It’s because you are. You’re chasing a destination you haven’t defined. And let me tell you, it’s a sucky way to go through life.
The reason that getting this definition crystal clear in your heart and mind is because it will allow you to block out 99% of the internet noise that is not going to help you reach your goal.
I’m going to give you an example from my own life in just a minute, but before I do that, let’s talk a little bit about the typical internet marketing success story.
The Cars, the Watches, the Clothes
You can spot the typical internet success story a mile away. You might call them gurus. I’m sure you’ve seen them. They’re wearing the new designer shoes, the jeans that look like they just came off the rack and are just a wee bit too perfect, the watch that could kill you if you got hit with it, and don’t forget the fitted button down shirt (untucked, of COURSE).
That’s the look of the successful internet marketer. I don’t have a problem with people making their own choices, I just know (finally) that those aren’t the choices I want to make.
If you want to go that direction, that’s your choice. Just make sure it’s your choice and that you’re not just doing it to be like someone else. Because if you do create internet marketing success, it would really suck to invest your resources just to look like other people. Eventually, you’ll probably feel empty.
I’ve gone through phases where I’ve fallen for that whole schtick. If you spend time around those folks (I don’t any more), then eventually that “look” starts to seep into your brain. You see the watch on their wrist and you say, “I want one of those.”
It reminds me of the days when all the network marketers wore T-shirts under suit jackets. Same type of deal.
Eventually I snap out of it and say, “Man, you don’t even WANT to wear a watch, so what in the world are you thinking?”
Here’s a hint: If you see someone having something or doing something and you say, “I want THAT,” there’s a good chance that’s not your authentic self talking.
Are You Looking for Attention or Are You Creating Success?
So here’s my personal example about why it’s so important do create my own clear definition of internet marketing success. Maybe it will save someone some wasted time and effort, or maybe it’ll just give someone a chuckle.
Over the past few years, a large portion of my business has been in professional services as a direct response copywriter, and a marketing consultant.
I wanted to be successful right?
And by most counts, I’ve been quite successful. But I always felt that there was something missing. Something that I just couldn’t catch no matter how fast I ran.
Turns out that something was “attention.”
My need to be validated was so strong that it overshadowed what should have been my primary goal, which was to build a business to support my life.
I’d write a blog post and get a warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy watching all of the tweets and the shares and the comments come in.
I’d work to please clients instead of focusing solely on increasing their profits (and mine) and ignoring whether or not anyone liked me.
I did this for a while, and I wondered why real success wasn’t showing up.
And then I grew up.
And here’s what I’ve realized:
Exposure is overrated.
Being liked is overrated.
Living your life the way YOU want to live it is underrated.
It’s not flashy, and it’s not sexy. And that’s because you simply go about your business instead of standing by the internet water cooler chattin’ it up with people who aren’t using their time more wisely.
Now I have goals that are mine alone. I don’t really care what anyone thinks about them. I don’t even mention them, because it’s no one’s business. I don’t need to tell you what they are to make myself feel important.
The funny thing is, the less I talk, the more powerful I become. The more of an impact I make in my life and my business.
The more I focus on my definition of internet marketing success and ignore everything else, the more momentum I create.
Take a moment and make sure that your goals are yours, because those are the only one’s worth pursuing.
