One of my first insights into the definition of marketing was “Marketing is the art and science of empowering, communicating and building a relationship with another human being based on their needs, not mine or yours.”  While that phrase tests the mind and even triggers a bit of emotion, I believe that the true “definition or marketing” goes deeper.

In preparation for this I did a little research on the “definition of marketing” and found several good answers to my query.

Through one resource I found that marketing is the process of creating or directing an organization to be successful in selling a product or service that people not only desire, but are willing to buy.

If we look at that in comparison to the first definition, they are nothing alike.  The first definition, when thought out, paints a better picture for customer service, mentoring or coaching than it does marketing. 

I believe that it’s of utmost importance, as an Internet marketer, that we understand EXACTLY what marketing is and how it pertains to our mission and plan to build a successful home based business.

There are many people who believe that network and social marketing are simply a method of advertising their business or product at face value.  The truth of the matter is, that when we think about “the definition of marketing” we’re looking at a method or promotion that offers the potential customer/user/ prospect/ client/member that opportunity to “taste and see” before actually making a decision to purchase whatever it is that we are selling.

This is something that is overlooked by the inexperienced marketer.  Sure, you can send samples, brochures, CD’s and DVD’s through the mail and generate a few sales, but that alone is not going to generate the “viral marketing” buzz you want to create unless you just so happen to be fortunate enough to supply your product to that one person it helps, who in turn, is so overjoyed that they begin to tell everyone.

“Good marketing must be able to create a “proposition” or set of benefits for the end customer that delivers value through products or services.” 

In order for us to be successful as a network, social, or affiliate marketer, we must know how to do our homework.  Knowing how to locate our target market, through the search engines, then being able to place strategic marketing into those traffic streams is essential for success.

“We must anticipate our customers’ future needs and wants, which are often discovered through market research.”

So, to become a successful network, social or affiliate marketer who uses the Internet as their market place, we must apply the knowledge we have about marketing if we ever stand a chance of making any real money with our home based business.

The world of Web 2.0 is a wealth of access to consumers.  Unfortunately, most of the people who use the social networks for business don’t have the first clue as to how to apply basic marketing principles to their efforts online. 

For example, as an Internet marketing specialist and coach, my target market are those who need to know how to market online and use the Internet to build their home based business.  To be successful at what I do, I need to understand the diversity of my market and present myself as the product first. This is a strategy that every Internet marketer should be implementing regardless of the business opportunity they are involved with.

I can imagine that most of the people reading this blog have probably never been confronted with any legitimate information concerning the “marketing” of their home based business.  My advice to you is to seek out those who know how to build a home based business using social and Web 2.0 based resources and let them SHOW you what it really takes.

Marketing isn’t rocket science, but without the proper application and planning, you stand a much better chance of being part of the 97% who are failing versus the 3% who are actually making money online.

I’m here to help YOU!  Contact me for more information using Skype ID swimwithus

Rex Harris – www.rexharris.net