Tim Bossie.com

I want to ask you a few questions. Do you have a few minutes?

In fact, I’d really like to ask you five very specific questions about your online marketing. I like to do this with my clients when I first meet with them and then throughout the entire time we work together. The reason for this is because I believe questions get you to think and then act.

So, this post is really for you. I am hoping to be able to set the environment where not only are you reading something, but you’re also thinking along the way. So, clear your mind and let’s go enjoy a beautiful sunny day out on the deck or in a park somewhere. If you want to grab a coffee… that’s ok too. Actually, I’d rather like one.

My Questions For You About Your Internet Marketing

Ok… comfy?

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention. You might want to grab a notebook and a pen or pencil. I prefer a pencil, but that’s me. Alright, lean close, pick up the pencil and let’s talk.

Question #1. What have you already done in your internet marketing?

If you’re going to start to go somewhere you need to know where you’ve been. One of the first things I always ask my new clients is this very question. It’s so important to realize what you’re doing now and in the past. Because when you think about that then you can see where the improvements can be made.

It’s like going on a trip. If you have a very small map of the area you’re going into and you get lost somewhere off the map, then it’s going to be much harder to find your way back. But, if you took a larger map that contained the entire city, county, state, or country then you have a much better chance of finding your way back. You have a better view.

This first question gives you the view you need to get your advertising back on track. Not only that, but you could see where shortcuts, or detours, could be made. What obstacles to be avoided. Where you’re wasting gas (money) and where you are making up time.

Go ahead and grab your pencil and paper and list everything you’ve done for advertising up to now.

Question #2. What is working and what isn’t?

You probably knew that was coming. Once you see the general overview of your advertising you begin to see what is working and what isn’t.

There really isn’t any sense in chasing after advertising that isn’t working. Especially if you’re just getting started or are struggling. It’s ok to let things drop by the wayside and concentrate on a few things that are working. Maybe it just isn’t the right time for a certain advertising method.

Your next step then is to cross out everything that isn’t working. Take no prisoners. Don’t get nostalgic here. It’s time to be ruthless. Even if you’re left with just one single advertising tactic, do it.

Question #3. What would you like to see happen, this month, with your website?

There are several things here to take note of. What I’m really talking about here is your goals for the month. These goals will cover several different areas and you must keep a very close eye on them.

Grab your pencil and write down these things to make a goal for and keep track of.

1. Website traffic – how much do you want to see.
2. Profit – how much do you want to make.
3. Money spent – how much do you want to spend.
4. Time spent – same thing… how much time will you put into it.
5. Good response from visitors, customers, or partners – yes, make a goal for positive responses.
6. How many people link to you – a pretty big thing to keep track of but many don’t.

Here’s why these are important.

Website traffic – self explanatory. Please keep this goal very, very realistic. Don’t go over the top and say, “My goal is 5000 unique visitors this month!” Great goal, might not happen. Again, since you’ve already written down everything you’ve done you should have an idea of how much traffic you get already.

Profit – again, very self explanatory. And again, keep it realistic. Something you can reach so you don’t get discouraged.

Money spent – yes, you need a budget. Don’t go over it either. If you choose to spend any keep it low to maximize your profits.

Time spent – spending too much time with your advertising is just as bad as spending too much money. Especially if it isn’t working. You have nothing to show for your time and have lost valuable time with friends and family.

Good responses from visitors, customers, or partners – might be unique to me only, but it gives a measure of who is talking about you, and what they are saying. If they say it to you, then chances are they’ll tell someone else. You should have a goal for this. Six to eight positive comments in a month, personal comments, is a great goal to start with.

How many people link to you – pick a number for how many other sites you want to link to you. This can even be ReTweets in Twitter, bookmarks in StumbleUpon or Digg, or other social networking links.

Go ahead. Write it down.

Question #4. What two advertising methods do you feel comfortable with?

Like anything else, if you’re not comfortable with it you’ll have a hard time doing it. You need to look at everything you’ve written down so far and pick two, and I’m talking only two advertising tactics to start with. You can always add a new one if/when things begin to pick up, but if you waste too much time on several different ways to advertise you’re going to fail before you get started. I’ve seen it too many times.

Back to the question at hand. What do you feel comfortable with? Article marketing? Blogging? Social Media? Pay Per Click? Viral Videos? Participating in forums? Commenting on blogs? Whichever it is, pick two.

Now, set out a plan for the month to put those two into place.

Question #5. Can you commit to doing this for the month?

Don’t automatically jump to yes. Every time I start a new advertising campaign I am almost fanatic about asking my client this question. I have to know, and you have to know, that you’re going to go through with this even if the first three weeks are rough and you see very little return.

Can you… will you commit to a full month of getting the word out about your website? If so, then write it down.

Take your answers and get advertising!

That piece of paper if your map for the month. Put it somewhere you can see it everyday. Always be thinking about it and if you need to make course corrections, you can see it before you get too far off the trail.

Good luck!