The Ten Commandments of Internet Marketing (Part One)

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."
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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF INTERNET MARKETING (PART ONE)
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to use the Internet, and he won't bother you for weeks." - anon (Sorry men... however, I presume this principle also applies to our women-folk!).
Introductory Thoughts:
I hope that the following article based on our experiences over the past twelve or so years may be informative and/or helpful in your online marketing.
A successful online business isn't built ove
ight; but is the result of many late nights. If anyone says that they can teach you to make a substantial amount of money without hard work, realize they are talking through "a hole in the head and are out of their trees".
After "many moons doing it" online, here are my TEN COMMANDMENTS setting out how to conduct business online (in spite of the recent demise of so many "high-profile dot-bombs"- ready availability to large amounts of capital, I believe, can be a big disadvantage to the small/home business cyberentrepreneur):
Now time to "get straight into it"...

1. Understand that technology should help you achieve your business and personal goals. It is merely a tool to move you forward with your vision: a "means to an end" to HELP and enable you, rather than being an end in itself, (or perhaps even be a disabler to "untechnos" like me). So make modern technology work to it's highest potential for you and your business. Spend time learning about various computer programmes and applications (hard though it may be for the 'technically challenged'). Then "use it repeatedly , so you don't lose it!" Accept that the vast majority of www. users are not "technofreaks" (like my "geek associate", Bill) and have great difficulty learning new computer procedures. Well, I certainly do (just ask "Billy boy")! However, by making a conscious effort and with discipline and effort the habit ingrained makes it easier and easier, as your confidence grows in leaps and bounds.

2. Don't take the competition for granted...and don't "knock" them. Never ever! Accept that no business can be the best in every facet. The convergence of computer, media, entertainment and communications means the underlying structures of the computer world will change rapidly and soon... or so my "technogeek" associate, Bill (not Gates) says. The TV/computer/music center is not far away, I hear.
The net is a world wide market-place, so don't be too zenophobic (now that's a really big word, that I tried very hard to bring in). I think many Americans (and perhaps New Zealanders too) think that theirs is the only country on earth in which to trade and is the centre of the world... and we're nearly falling off the bottom of the planet near Antarctica!
However, we can all compete fairly ("fairly") against the competition by transcending international boundaries on a "global level playing field" - whereby even the "little guys" can take on the big corporations around the world (except for their massive marketing budgets, of course!) . It may mean adjusting your marketing efforts to take into account some cultural differences (like my rather 'weird' sense of humour, or different spelling - although it's the same English language). However, I believe people around the world have more in common than their differences. Common aspirations, eg. security, to do their best for their families, etc. Enough philosophical digression, this is meant to be an article about internet marketing, Craig... so get back to your point...
Thanks to modern technology, even from isolated regions and countries, creative "netrepreneurs" can effectively market their various products around the globe in response to customer needs.

3. Consolidate your business by focusing on what you do best. Don't try to be "all things" to your customer, nor try to offer too many products. Concentrate on perfecting and marketing your "best sellers" in your CORE business activities. That is the area which produces the most profitable results for your organization. (remember the old "80-20 rule" - 20 percent of your activities produces 80 percent of your results/profit and vice versa!). When we started out, it was creative writing courses.
Define your "USP" (or "unique selling proposition") - a "fancy" term loved by "those marketing types". What is the key, that makes your product or service really special?
Now for one rather more philosophical...

4. Honour your parents, your teachers and your communities... and especially your family. Family is most precious of all and strong and stable family units make for a strong and stable country. Parenting, I believe is the most noble occupation of all - and parents want their children to be safe on line, so supervise them closely. Teach them responsibility in internet usage... so they don't push your telephone bill sky high (as my dear boys do - but then that's the price of having and educating children - a tax on sex!). Teach your children well (as Crosby, Stills, Nash ... and Young used to sing so melodiously) and wisely. Let them learn that the net is a great EDUCATION tool for the present and the future and they could be learning "practical skills on the job" and preparing for a future technological career.

5. Do not send spam (sending masses of unsolicited e-mail) - under any circumstances. You are likely to be cut off by your server. I find it rather irritating receiving "mountains" of spam and simply delete all unsolicited e-mail selling products and services... and wouldn't you do likewise; because it just clutters up your mailbox? These days filters help a lot in reducing unwanted emails (perhaps this article!). (Hope you don't see the regular submission of my articles as 'spam', as I have a genuine desire to share my knowledge and experiences through my words to attempt to help others. That is a 'mission' of mine ...and I do get a lot of positive feedback from my articles - thanks).
But then you can only please some of the people some of the time (and not all of the people all of the time)!
Finally... We have made a lot of 'cyberpals' and formed some productive associations with some talented people around the globe, together with having a lot of fun, learning as we've gone along these past twelve or so years (After all, we have all been "newbees" at some time). This article has been written in the spirit of helping others around the world through sharing our experiences of the www in the vast and unchartered world of cyberpace. So please don't get lost "out there".
Have great fun travelling the "cyber-highway"* of life
"total non-techno" Craig Lock (Eagle Production Books)

* that's a metaphor, btw!
"Eagles may fly high, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines"
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
P.S: We hope that these tips help in your article writing. In my opinion it's the best internet marketing strategy there is... and best of all it's FREE. Hope this "info" helps and best wishes in your newsletter article writing and internet marketing strategy.
Happy writing and I look forward to seeing your articles on the www.
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."
- George Washington Carver (1864 -1943)
"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.
Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Pamela Vaull Starr

"You are never given a dream without also being given
the power to make it true."
- Richard Bach
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man how to fish and you get rid of him every weekend."
PPS:
As they carry me to my deathbed, I'll be saying:
"Lord,
Can you just give me one more hour to finish off one last article. PLEASE!" - craig (as inspired by the quote of singer, Barry Manilow)