developing skills for internet marketing
5 Keys to Stop Information Overwhelm in Internet Marketing
One of the biggest concerns for internet marketers is the overwhelming factor of information overload. Sometimes we get so much information that we feel frozen and stuck in our inability to take action. I feel for everyone who is trying to build a business online, but you can’t just keep reading about it and signing up for the next “What’s Working Now” information system. I recently came across an opportunity to spend $97 per month learning about what’s working now and thought somebody is going to spend that money instead of just taking action. Don’t let it be you. Here are 5 keys to stop information overload:
First, figure out the top two things you need to do to start promoting your business online. It may be creating a website, writing articles, networking in online communities, or writing your blog. Pick two and work on those two things for two solid weeks. Make it four. It takes 30 days to build a habit. Last year we had a bathroom redone and spent a lot of money making it look five star. I vowed to never let the moisture get out of hand so I started wiping down the walls and windows of the shower every single time I take a shower. It took me about a month to get used to it so that now I don’t even think about it; I just do it. I love my shower!
Second, write them down. Put in writing your actions and on which days you will take them. Whatever your schedule is put it on a calendar and plan for those actions at the appointed time. Make this an appointment with yourself. Keep a list of your top actions that you will be taking every day and paste it above your desk/computer. Look at it every day. Remind yourself what you will be doing every day. Stay focused!
Third, resist – no stop – clicking on every link that promises you more information! Ask yourself, “is clicking this link and reading the next thing on the internet taking a positive action toward building my business?” If the answer is no, go back to what you were doing to create momentum in your business. Review your list of actions.
Fourth, notice your thoughts. Where are they taking you? Keep a check on your goals and do only what will bring you closer to them. Discipline yourself. Talk to yourself about being disciplined. When I’m doing a difficult yoga pose, I always go back to the foundation of the pose first. I visualize where I want to go with it, and then take the baby steps necessary to build the pose. Do this with your business. Keep going back to basics until it becomes habit. Once you’ve established a flow with a certain action, you can begin to add other activities to your daily agenda. Be patient!
Finally, check your progress with each action. If after 30 days, a certain activity isn’t serving you well, change to doing something else. Do what creates the desired outcome – more customers, more readers, or more exposure. Remember, you are in charge of your business. You need to begin the process of taking action versus constant education. We learn from doing. Yes, education is important, but we need to apply our education by developing our skills. Once we master something, it becomes second nature and then we can teach others. We can only teach what we know. To review: Decide – pick two; write it down; stop clicking; discipline yourself; and review your progress. Take charge and start now!
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