Internet Marketing Tips: Answers to “Stupid” Questions

They obviously have several doubts that need clarification. After being in the shadows for many days, reading and trying to learn as much as possible, they finally decide to ask a question or get some internet marketing tips – only to be stumped.

If you’re a visitor to some of the online Internet marketing forums, you would have seen people calling a question “stupid.”

They do this just because they’ve been around for a while and they know stuff.  But that surely doesn’t mean the entire world knows everything about marketing online.  Some of the new marketers may be so smart that it’s only a matter of time before they leave those experienced people behind.

Now that I got that out of my system, let me come back to you. No question is too stupid and the only way for you to get going is to clarify every small doubt.

Let’s take a look at some of the so-called stupid questions that you may have been putting off asking in the hope you can find the answers to them yourself.

#1 Is Selling Something The Only Way Of Making Money Online? 

If you’ve been around for a while, you‘d have heard people say “of course!”

I know selling something is not everybody’s cup of tea. So, here’s the good news. One of the most viable business models online doesn’t need you to sell a product.  All it requires you to do is create a blog with some beautiful content.

Have you heard of the Google Adsense model?

It involves having some Adsense ads on your blog or a static website that has great content.  The one essential ingredient for success with Adsense is content.  You have to make sure that your site is seen as an authority on the topic of your blog.

While you may not actually be selling a product, you still have to work at it. You have to write PLENTY of authentic and genuine content that attracts people looking for information online. Write stuff that may not be available anywhere else and that’s of interest to users.

If the Adsense ads you have are relevant, people will click on them and you get paid for every genuine click on your ads. I said “genuine” because people who try to cheat the search engines by clicking on the ads themselves will have to face the consequences of losing their Adsense sites. You won’t be able to retire on the earnings you make from Google Adsense but its very likely you will make money with it, and the more established your site becomes the more you are likely to make.

This also means that you would be working on SEO to generate enough traffic to your blog.  It takes effort but doesn’t involve selling a product.

You can also accept money from other advertisers to advertise on your website. The amount you receive would be dependant on how much traffic you are getting to your site. This is something you should consider when your blog becomes more established. Many top bloggers make a great living just from advertising space on their blog. Whilst in a way you are “selling” ad space, you are not needing to actually sell products.

So, there you are. You don’t have to sell a product as such to make money online.

#2  Is A Website Essential To Make Money Online? 

There are so many ways of making money online that a website is NOT essential. All you need is a way to take payments online.

There are things you can do that don’t involve a site or blog. You can place ads on people sites for your products and services. When people pick your product and click on the buy button, they’re directed to your payment processing system or shopping cart program.  You may need your own domain and a proper system to take payments, but a website? Not essential!

But as a newcomer, if you’re worried about creating a website, let me tell you that it helps to have your own portal online. You can create a free blog at blogger.com or a hosted Wordpress blog with the least expense. There are also paid blog alternatives that allow you to earn money from the re-sale of the blog platform itself.

The reason many people ask you to create a website or blog is because having your own web presence makes life a LOT easier.  I strongly recommend having one, even if it’s a free blog initially. It is very much the case that any presence is better than no presence so I recommend making this a priority when getting started.

Even if your business doesn’t need a website, having one can help you connect with people. Your own web portal also gives you the authenticity online.

So, to answer the question, no, it’s not ESSENTIAL but it makes things easier.

Next question, please!

#3 Do I Have To Spend Money To Make Money Online? 

NO!   It’s time people understand that it’s possible to make money without spending money!

Not everybody has a pot to spit in and just wants to make some quick cash without all the hassles. In this business, it is generally the case that investing in the business will help you and increase your capacity to earn an income, but you can get started without an outlay.

If you want a website, there’s the free blogger blogs you can start with. While it helps to have a domain name and a hosted blog, as far as permanency and authenticity is concerned, if you don’t have a dime to spend, go with a blogger blog. There are people who earn money from these free blogs.

Create a blogger.com blog and use it the way you would your website or a hosted blog.  You can also use Hub pages, Squidoo and other such Web 2.0 sites.

But when using a free portal online, you must remember you’re at the mercy of those offering them and you have to follow the rules – no exceptions there.  For example, Blogger.com is owned by Google and many blogger blogs have been taken down by Google for duplicate content issues and other reasons.

 So no, it’s not essential to spend money to make money online.

However, my suggestion is always to have a hosted blog. Keep in mind that you can have a domain name and a hosted blog for around $15 or less if you look around for offers.

#4 Is There Any Question That’s Really Stupid Where Online Marketing Is Concerned? 

By now you know the answer to this – it’s a No!  No question is stupid!

People come online from different professions and some of us know how things work online and others just don’t have a clue. Not having a clue about Internet marketing doesn’t make you less smart than others.

It just takes a little time to gain knowledge and learn things. But how are you going to do that by not clarifying your doubts?

The only way to learn things quickly and get internet marketing tips is to read everything possible and ask plenty of questions. You may wonder if you’re questions are too silly or stupid, and some of the experienced people may say so too, but do you really care? What you’re after is knowledge, don’t let anything stop you from acquiring that.

Internet Marketing Tips: Conclusion 

Just probe deeper to get the answers and when you’re in a position to answer questions, take a deep breath and answer all the questions you can to help others.