That’s my favorite quote from Rob Estes. And boy, does it apply online!

Online is not a “build it and they will come” environment. As a matter of fact it is now probably the proportionate opposite. Without any effort, plans or action, you are lucky if you get found. You must think proactive, reactive and aggressive to survive! Attitude is everything!

Without a marketing strategy that includes natural/organic search engine listings, Pay Per Click programs, ethical and logical linking campaigns, blogging, social media marketing, as well as taking advantage of the multitude of online networking opportunities, any inquiries or orders will be pure happenstance. Happenstance means a chance circumstance. You simply cannot plan your online business’s future based on “chance circumstances.”

Clients relay their frustration about the online environment to me daily. But if you really think about it, online is now not much different than off-line business. You need to plan, you need to have a product or service that folks want at a price that is right. You need to offer exemplary customer service and a professional presentation from your Web site, to your product packaging to your e-mail skills which will allow you to stand above your perceived competitors. And you need to run your business as a business, not as a hobby, part-time venture or with technology being an after thought.

Turn your frustration into action!

Attitude, perserverance, tenacity and marketing is key! And when approached strategically combined with the appropriate actions there is no limit to what you can accomplish online. You just have to start with a realistic perspective understanding the variables that can and will effect your bottom line and then go for it — aggressively!

Check out this article on the attitude start ups need to have — it applies to all businesses online:

Confronting Friction & Risk Head-On

Once you are embrace this reality — competition get out of the way! Plan on being busy — very busy!

At your service,
Judith

Things have quieted down around The IStudio the last week or so as usually happens when the “back to school” craziness kicks in.  Folks have other things (and expenditures) on their minds.

We all get a bit distracted by life’s responsibilities from time to time and when that happens, that is the very time you should make the effort to rebuild your faith in yourself.  As you are being tugged and pulled in every direction, as the economy has each of us wondering what is around the next corner — now, is the time to know you, and only you, are they key to whatever happens next.

The online world is nothing if not a magnitude of consequential choices.  You have to know enough to understand what info to trust, understand technology enough to know what service(s) fit your needs including what’s based in reality or hooey.  The choices you make will make a difference between being mediocre or being great!

Only you can make the commitment necessary to your own success. Only you can make the choice to learn, try new things and investigate new methodologies you had never thought of before.  In a way, the online world is just a mirror of the off-line world in that you, and only you, can determine your level of success.

Life is a matter of choices; the primary choice being how you choose to respond to those things around you that are out of your control to control.  So if you feel like you need to get a grip (who doesn’t feel that way every once in a while) why not check out this little flick and bookmark it for when you need a pick-me-up in the  future.

212 Movie

Then, let’s get to work!

At your service,
Judith