Online Marketing can be approached in many ways and for most of us it was a big learning curve when we came online. Many of us found ourselves overwhelmed and confused. For some of us this confusion continues or comes back from time to time.
I was recently listening to a training on this very topic and the basics of online marketing.
Online Marketing – Do It Yourself or Done for You?
The speaker simplified the choices as…
- Do it yourself (DIY)
- Done for you
He then outlined that no matter which way we choose to go there are three things that have to happen in any online marketing , which are:
- Create (traffic)
- Capture (leads)
- Convert (sales)
So simplistically the choices we have for online marketing are to either to
- Create our own products and sell them online or
- We become a reseller for someone else, known a affiliate marketing
I think it is a good idea to start with the second option while you learn the skills of online marketing even if you do eventually want to sell your own products.
The DIY marketing model has the advantage of personal branding and you have control of the products and process. Against this it takes time, money and technical know how to create and market your own products. I think it makes sense to learn by selling someone else’s products.
There are other options like coaching, mentoring, building websites and technical support. These are services you can offer in exchange for a fee. This can be a good way to build up your business but there is a limit to what you as an individual can offer as there are only so many hours in a week. You should be aiming to build a business that is more than you trading your time.
In the training I referred to we were asked if we were DIY or Done for us people. I explain more on this in this video.
If you have watched my video do you clearly know whether you are a “do it yourself” person or a “done for you” type?
If you choose to be a reseller or affiliate marketer, as I said in the video there are many options for you to choose from. I believe you should include an option that will also give you a residual income. These options could be network marketing or an affiliate product that has a subscription model so you are paid on a recurring basis.
At this point in my online life I do not want to create my own products. Will I one day? I am not sure, maybe.. or maybe not. Right now I am very happy to sell an affiliate program that pays 100% commission.
Online Marketing – Do It Yourself or Done for You?
I would love to hear your feedback on this one. Which type of person are you DIY or Done for you? Do you have your own product or are you creating one?
Sue Price
Skype: sueprice
Click here to work with me personally
PS
I am very excited to be part of an amazing group of online marketers who really do offer a “done for you” system.
Raena Lynn says
Hi Sue,
You look fabulous! I enjoyed your video. I love your sincerity….very special. I think you make a great point. When I first started, all I heard was how important it was to create your own product. So I did. Did it make me rich and influential? No. Is it a bad product? No. It’s actually a really good product. Creating a product takes time and can be challenging. It also has to be promoted effectively. Since that time, my skill level has dramatically increased in all areas of marketing. I can consider marketing it differently this time or I can outsource a launch…something to think about. Everyone is different. Some people prefer to skip the “challenge” of their own product which includes merchant accounts, call backs, possible staff, distribution etc. Affiliate marketing is sort of a “done for you” approach to marketing. (except generating traffic and converting…the 3 c’s). I didn’t view it that way, but it makes sense. I like promoting high quality products or tools which I feel will help other marketers. There are thousands out there and a good review or recommendation is priceless.
As to outsourcing, I do both. I prefer doing my own thing and outsourcing. I want to have time to do the things I love and let someone else handle the tasks that don’t inspire me. However, I’m thankful that I didn’t outsource too soon. It gave me a chance to develop my skill sets first. I know hanging on is a control issue and for a long time I didn’t want to “let go” but it’s worth it. I have been looking at other outsourcing alternatives because as you said “I don’t know that anybody can do everything.” Thanks Sue!
Raena Lynn
“We have to work out what is right for us.”~Sue Price
Sue Price says
Hi Raena
Thanks for the feedback on my video. I finally got brave enough to start them again. I used to do them regularly then got right out of the swing.
I did not know you did a product when you first started. That is very brave. If it is a good product you should do a relaunch. As you say you cleverly know so much more about marketing than you would have when you started online.
I know I do not want to do the whole merchant account and other things right now and I certainly do not want to handle distribution. I have had experience in other businesses with drop shipping and handling our own distribution and I much favor a downloadable if I did a product.
I am like you with affiliate products they have to be high quality and add value.
I am glad you do some outsourcing now. I also agree it is wise to do things yourself first so you know what is involved. I have made that mistake in the past. I have had websites built for our various businesses and I have had no control over them. That is not a good thing.
Thanks for your contribution here Raena.
See you tomorrow 🙂
Sue
Viola Tam says
Hi Sue,
Loving your video! You look great! I really like the way that you share this common dilemma. Like Raena shared in her comment, some people are told to start wih their own products. This is definitely a great idea if there is a quality product to offer.
For a person who is just starting out, I believe that promoting other people’s quality products is a great way to go. It is easy and simple. You can DIY or ‘Have it Done for You’ relating to the initial set up. As you said, you know which type are you. There is no right or wrong way. Technology would stop me from moving forward. I outsource as much as I could.
Thanks, Sue. This is very useful for people starting out exploring Internet Marketing.
Viola Tam – The Business Mum
Sue Price says
Hi Viola
Thanks for the feedback on the video. I finally got back to doing them 🙂
I agree there is no one answer whether to have your own product or promote affiliate products. People just need to know what is involved when they come online.
Great to hear you outsource too. It is such a wise thing to do. I am with you on the technology front. 🙂
Thanks for your comment here Viola.
Sue
Barry Wells says
Hi Sue,
Another great topic covered here.
When I first came online I tried selling as an affiliate and didn’t have much success at it, but I didn’t have a blog online then.
Since having a blog online I’ve found that “my” best way of promoting affiliate products is by writing a review of the product and driving traffic to the review.
I have created my own products and you hit the nail on the head when you said about the work involved. There’s loads of it to be done. Some think that it’s just creating the product but that’s the easy part as we know what the product is about and can soon have it finished… Then comes the sales copy, the affiliate page with all the swipe files: emails 1, 2 and 3, blog posts, product reviews, tweets….
Honestly the list goes on and on BUT (and there’s always a but) it’s up to us to recognise our strengths AND our weaknesses. We should focus on our strengths and if there’s something we’re not good at the outsource it.
On my last product I completed the product, got the sales pages sorted but when it came to the affiliate swipe files I thought I’d try something new…
I approached a ghost writer and asked if they’d review my product and then write the swipe files for me, leaving me to concentrate on the finishing touches to the product and finding other marketers to review it and give me testimonials.
The ghost writer accepted and we’ve since helped each other on other aspects. Her techie skills were a concern for her and she wanted a new blog sorting out…. No problem, we exchanged skills. She done my swipe files and I done her blog, win win 🙂
I wrote a post last year (as part of a series I’m doing on the journey to success) and in the particular post I’m on about I advised people to look at what they need doing and see whether they’re going to need it done on a regular basis.
The example I used was having a bathroom suite changed. Would we go to college, train as a plumber, then go and buy all the tools to complete the job and then take a number of weekends to complete it. Or would we hire a plumber that has the skills and tools needed and can complete the job in a day?
Obviously most would choose the plumber. So I advised people that IF they’re going to have to train to complete ANY task that they’re only going to use now and again then they should outsource the work and concentrate on the areas they can complete.
So in answer to your question Sue, I’m a bit of both. I DIY what I can but areas that I struggle with I have done for me.
Once again, a great post Sue.
Hope you’re well.
Barry
Sue Price says
Hi Barry
Thanks for an awesome contribution to this topic. I can see you are a bit of both.
A blog is a good way to promote affiliate products. I only do it occasionally but it does work if you do a review.
Now I did not know you had products so thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like you made a great deal with your ghost writer. It is always good when we can trade skills. I think that is better than just outsourcing if we can do it.
As far as what to do ourselves and what to outsource, I love your example of the bathroom. It is a very good illustration and I especially like your distinction on only learning new skills you will use more than occasionally. That is a great piece of advice Barry.
Thanks for your feedback I really appreciate it.
Sue
Ryan Biddulph says
Hi Sue,
I am DIY all the way but have learned it is important to outsource what you can. I should say, I like the DIY mindset but experience teaches me that some things are better handed off to others, to free up your time.
Awesome message, post and video Sue. Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Sue Price says
Hi Ryan
Great to see you here. Thanks for that and for your feedback.
Given you are a DIY it is also very good you realize you cannot do it all.
I do not think there is any right or wrong between the two styles but none of us can do it all if we are growing a business.
Have a great day.
Sue
Sylviane Nuccio says
Hi Sue,
Great topic again!
Well, I’m definitely a do it yourself person for a lot of things, but I’m not going to be someone that’s going to be willing to learn to do certain things like trying to change my own flat tire for example, or creating my own blog headers. No, not me.
However, since I’m very picky with hygiene and stuff like that. I don’t want to pay someone to cook or clean for me, OR it would have to be someone that is more like a friend that I know and trust, but no way on earth someone I don’t know out of the directory.
But for just about everything else, I’ll pay someone to do it for me for sure.
Sue Price says
Hi Sylviane
I get you are a bit of a hybrid between the two 🙂 I know you don’t want to play in your cPanel 🙂 and glad you are not going to change your own tires. And I also know you do not trust too many people to look after your cat.
I think sometimes we just have to outsource some of our life or we can go crazy. I have had a couple of housekeepers and sure not always did they clean to my standard but they were honest and saved me time.
We all have to work out what is right for us and what we want to spend time doing.
Great to see you again today and thanks for your feedback here.
Sue
Barbara Charles says
Hi Sue,
Believe it or not, I don’t think I’m a do it yourself person. I was actually forced to become that ‘do it yourself person.’ I’d rather have someone do it for me but that has never worked out. I am also creating a new product because I know no one can do it for me for again it’s forced. Oh well, whatcha gonna do? I personally think outsourcing is the way to go as I don’t have time to do all the things I need to go. Great article and great video.
Thanks,
Barbara
Sue Price says
Hi Barbara
Now you had me fooled. I have seen you as a DIY person but I understand you can become one if you have to. I also know you are smart and therefore would outsource. As we have said no one can do it all. There are just not that many hours in a day.
Great you are doing a product. I look forward to seeing it.
Thanks for the feedback on the post and video. Thanks also for your comment.
Sue
Vijesh says
Hi Sue,
I feel its better to me to be in the group of DIY rather than DFY. You have also explained the marketing strategy in three C’s Create Capture and Convert its as simple as you wrote.
So even though it takes time its better to create our own product rather than suggesting others stuff. May be writing an eBook would suit me best but I need to work hard as to make it useful and also to make it go viral.
Thanks for such a sweet and yet effective post.
Sue Price says
Hi Vijesh
It is interesting that most people know which was is best for them.
I too would like to write an eBook at some stage I am not ready to do it yet though. Mainly because I do not know what topic. I think sometimes when you have had varied careers and experience like I have it is more difficult to know what you should choose. Do you know what you would, or will, do an eBook about? As you say it needs to be both useful and go viral.
Thanks so much for the feedback Vijesh. You have a great rest of the week.
Sue
Adrienne says
Hey Sue,
Loved the video, you look so pretty!
For the most part I’m a DIY person. I can’t help it but I love to learn how to do things myself so I’ll know what’s involved. I use to change the oil in my car until they went to metric tools! Guess that was the budget conscious person coming out in me. Oh and I’ve even built a fence myself too. I just love to learn but I also like to know what’s involved so that if I hire someone later on to do the work I will NOT be ripped off because I know what’s involved with the work and the time it takes.
If you can believe this, I actually already have two products behind me now. The first one I created myself and I thought it was darn good but I didn’t know how to market the product or myself back then so I only made a few sales but it was priced over $100 and to me it was worth it.
The second one was one I was given through a program but I made 100% commission from it and that too was a darn good product. I made sales on that one for over 8 months in a row. Now I’m on my third product and this time I know what I’m doing and how to market it.
I will have to outsource some things because I don’t know how to do it all. There are just some areas that I’m not knowledgeable in so will have to hire that work out.
But I do think it’s very important to start with affiliate marketing because a top online marketer told me a very long time ago that if you can sell someone else’s product then you can sell your own. Creating your own can give you the name for yourself and then introduce you to other people who you can joint venture with and from there the money can start rolling in. It might not necessarily be from your own product but the connections you make through this process is where that will head.
Okay, I’ve rambled enough on this subject but thanks for sharing this one with us. Great job Sue and so wonderful to see you last night. So glad all is well with you and Ivan.
~Adrienne
Sue Price says
Hi Adrienne
Thanks for the feedback on the video I appreciate it very much.
Wow girl I know you were a DIY of course but damn you did change your own oil too!!! That is funny as when I was saying that I was thinking maybe it was a bad example as no one does that 🙂
Now neither did I know you had already done two products. Are they still applicable today? I know you are working on one now and as you know I am very pleased about that. You have way too much knowledge not do do one – or more. The thing is as you say now you also know how to market and that is the important part. I do not believe it matters how good a product is if we cannot sell it so what?
I am glad you are going to outsource some of the functions because even though I am sure you could learn them there is only so many hours in a day.
Joint ventures are an amazing way to go. They always have been. Even before the internet it has been how much business is done. In our financial planning business we partnered with many others to get products sold.
Oh just back to knowing how to do something so when you do outsource you do not get ripped off is spot on and a good way to think. I used to employ IT people and I had no damn idea how to know if they were good or bad. It makes you feel very vulnerable to be in that position.
It was great to see you too yesterday. Have another awesome extended weekend with your family.
Sue
Gladys says
Hello Sue
I loved your video. You look beautiful!
As you already know I am still a newbie, but nevertheless, always learning something new.
Mr. Ben Wehde was our guest a couple of weeks ago on our newbie’s google hangout and one of the things he said was to start small with searching for a prouduct that you believe in and become an affiliate marketer. Well, now I have a small banner for the Personal Development in Higher Awareness. I am a member of their organization and I love their products. But Sue one of my goals was to try and put my e book on kindle Publishing with Amazon and I received the letter of congradulations. So I am really trying some new things in my life and thrilled about them.
I will probably say that I use both services that you posted on. Creating my own product, (oh by the way Sylviane Nuccio did my formatting and pretty it up for me) and now learning about affiliate marketing.
Thank you for inspiring us to use either one or both.
Great topic
Gladys
Sue Price says
Hi Gladys
Thank you for your feedback on my video. I really so appreciate it.
I actually forget you are a newbie Gladys it does not show. Even when you first made mention of it I was surprised.
I think the advice you were given was good. Starting small while we learn is a good way to go to stop that overwhelm happening that is so common online.
I did not know you had an eBook. That is awesome about Kindle. I would eventually like to do that but just need to get clear on topics. Sylviane is great so excellent you had her help.
So yes you are a DIY and Done for you 🙂 You are also part of groups which is great to have that support.
Thanks for contributing to this discussion here Gladys and the best of luck with your book.
Sue
Silviu says
Hi Sue,
Thank you for the blog post. I like the video. too. You are a woman of courage and I admire you for this.
Learning curve? Oh, it’s huge. So many things to learn … You don’t know what, you don’t know where, you don’t know how … It’s awful. When you are a beginner you need help to shorten the learning curve.
I am a DIY person but only for what I like. For the rest I am just forced to do things myself because I cannot afford to outsource.
I agree with you when you say that it is better to begin by selling other people’s products.
However, this is is difficult, too. When you begin you don’t know how to do this, too.
So you need help to begin, you need help for affiliate marketing, you need help to known how to create and sell your own product etc. Confusion is high and the internet is filled with bad people who just want your money etc.
What you need is friends. No friends no knowledge, no help, no success. My favorite quote: “Nobody is an island”. Yes, you cannot succeed alone. You are lucky to have good friends.
Have a nice day
Sue Price says
Hi Silviu
Thanks for your feedback on my post and video. Oh yes I do have courage (about most things at least).
Reading what you say makes me wonder how we all learned at all but I think your comment that we need friends sort of summarizes it. I think most of us were lucky enough to meet one or more people we could learn both from and with when we started. I actually did a blogging course when I first came online. From that I met some people and we supported each other in the early days. I am still friends with most of them.
I think being a DIY for what you like is a good way to go. As you make more money you will be able to outsource more. I do not outsource as much as I would like yet but the day will come.
I agree with you even starting to sell affiliate products is confusing when you first start online. It is also very sad that there are bad people online but I guess that happens everywhere in life. We need to find who we can trust.
I agree and love that saying “nobody is an island”. It is very very true and yes we are lucky to have good friends. The blogging community in the main is awesome and I love that.
Thanks for your comment and feedback Silviu. Have a great week.
Sue
Radu says
I consider that doing yourself is the best technique since you can control what info comes out about you and your blog / company.
Sue Price says
Ah Radu the difficulty is there are only so many hours in a day and so much each of us can do. If you can figure out how to do it all yourself well done.
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
Radu says
It’s true, time has to e taken into consideration but i think, at least for the start you should do it yourself, until you become a mogul and you can afford a PR company 🙂
Donna Merrill says
Hi Sue,
I just loved your video and have to say you look Maavalous Daahling!
When I first came to this post, I was saying Yes…I am an a do it yourself person. But that only pertains to my blog and now my first product. But I’m in the creative part of doing it. All the other parts I outsource.
Well, you know me…I won’t even do a plug-in on my blog. I rather have someone do that for me. When it comes to anything technical, I do not do it myself. I just don’t want to waste time because I love being in the creative part of business.
As I listened to you on your video, I thought about all the things I have people do for me. Hmmm I can write a list of that. But what it boils down to is that anything that seems like a “chore” for me to do, I have someone else do it.
Even things in my home. I used to love to garden, but now have a landscaper do it for me. I used to love dog walking, but if my husband is too busy, we have a dog walker.
As I was looking around my home the other day, I realized there were some repairs we needed to make. David and I went to breakfast to make a list of them. As the Law of Attraction would have it, there was a man at the next table with a sweat shirt on saying “Home Repairs.” We talked, I liked him and he is coming in to do some odd jobs that we could have done ourselves, but didn’t want to waste our time doing it.
When it comes to all those things popping up on the internet like fixing broken links, protecting this or that, new changes, etc, I outsorce it.
So I guess I’m not the Do It Yourself person after all.
Donna
Sue Price says
Hi Donna
Thanks for your kind words on my video. I am making myself do them again as I have been talking about it for far too long.
Now I would not have seen you as a DIY person as I do know you outsource at least the technical stuff. You and I are very much the same in the areas we like and those we do not. I too love the creative process and absolutely hate the tech side.
I think the words you used around your garden say it all “I used to love to garden” .. see you did it when you loved it but not now. That is smart. The same with dog walking.
Ah that Law of Attraction is awesome isn’t it. There you are making a list and a person to do it appears. That is pretty quick manifestation in my book. Well done.
Robert Kiyosaki taught me most about this. He was just so clear he needed to save his energy to be creative for his business not worry about doing minutia. He helped me think of so many more things to outsource.
Thanks for your comment Donna. Have a great week creating 🙂
Sue
Jane Andersson says
Very interesting article that highlights the important points about online marketing. I have to personally mention this before I forget your video is just superb. YOu have an appealling tone and a face that connects right with the visitors. If any blogger be it for personal or professional usage wants to make it big in the competitive world of Google then he has to master online marketing techniques.
If you write a blog and have potentially no visitors then you are out for a lot of hardwork. Hence it is important to strategize your efforts for online earnings. About outsourcing, I follow this strategy of keeping the blog updates done by me only. The content is my version as I am very particular about the integrity of the blog I own. However I find the idea of guest bloggers alluring and add them to add variety and value to the site.
Sue Price says
Hi Jane
Thank you so much for the feedback on my video.
Yes we do have to master online marketing techniques to have any major type of success. I think you are wise to keep the content of your blog under your control. I do that too it is the technical things I like to outsource. Having guest bloggers is a good way of outsourcing some of the workload. I had never had a guest before just recently and I now wished I had started it a long time ago.
Thanks for your comment Jane. Have a great rest of your week.
Sue
Mayura says
Hi Sue,
Always love to see you in videos and you are so charm there 😉
Well, so far I’m a DIY person 😉 I think it’s alright with the limitations I have and probably will think about outsourcing in future when it comes to business-related online marketing stuff.
Sometimes I’m stubborn to think I’m good at something that I learnt myself recently. AND everyone praises me for doing it myself too. I know, it’s being positive. But again I find that there’s more folks do better than me when it’s not something I’m not really passionate about 😀 lol… You know, experiments are better in our own time not in SHOWTIME when it comes to business, eh? 😉
Yet I can’t think of vital areas which I MUST outsource right now. So, for now, I believe I’m safe here Sue 😉 Thank you for reminding about it as there will be a time that outsourcing is the best way to accomplish something within limited time.
You have a wonderful week Sue 🙂
Cheers…
Sue Price says
Hi Mayura
Ah I know you are a DIY person so it may be difficult for you to let go even when you decide to outsource. We all have to do what is right for us it is just that we can all only do so much in a day.
I am sure there will come a time when you do outsource as you will want to continue to grow your business.
Thanks for the feedback on my videos. I am enjoying doing them again.
You also have a great week Mayura.
Sue
Manny says
I would rather do it myself. Being the reseller has a lot of disadvantage and you do not get a whole revenue when you sold something. As the saying goes, there is no one who can help you but yourself.
Sue Price says
Hi Manny
It depends who you resell for. There are affiliate models now paying 100% commission. I have never heard that saying. I have heard it if it is to be it is up to me which is sort of the same. I think other people can help us and we can compliment each other.
Thanks for your comment.
Sue
David Merrill 101 says
I’m definitely a DIY sort, Sue.
I spend too much time trying to do things myself, although part of the reason I do is because as a coach and mentor, I like to be able to help my clients navigate their own way through things, so I find it very helpful to have a working knowledge of skills I don’t necessarily need for myself.
I also have control issues, I guess. I have difficulty delegating work to others, but I really want to get better at this. You’ve given me some inspiration here to let go of some of the skills overhead that weights me down at times.
Sue Price says
Hi David
I understand the rational behind doing things yourself so you can guide your clients but as you clearly know there is a limit to what you can do and what is a good use of your time.
I am the delegation queen so maybe I can help you with getting better at that. One of my previous business partners nicknamed me “the queen of delegation” and she was always saying I should write a book or do a product on how to delegate. I am still getting my head around what it might look like. I did work as a business coach for a bit helping people leverage themselves out of the daily grind. I am a friend of Donna’s so happy to chat with you if you would like.
Thanks for your comment David.
Sue