This Applies to Internet Marketing

A little while ago I was looking back on the time I have spent learning Internet Marketing, experimenting, studying, applying what I learned, making mistakes, learning from them, figuring things out, and accomplishing big and little victories along the way.

During most of that time, Internet Marketing was a sideline activity which I played around with whenever I had time and when offline life wasn’t too distracting.  Sometimes I had a lot of time to work on it, sometimes I had none.  And at some points I realized that it was more of a hobby for me than a business.  I wasn’t desperate for money, but I enjoyed the game and I loved having another universe all of its own, separate from my offline life, with its own friends, enemies, barriers, goals, and learning curves.

While my online income was steadily increasing throughout this time (encouraging me to keep going) I was definitely not yet a millionaire and was not earning enough to live off of as a full-time income.  But what I was gaining was even more valuable.

The education, the experience, and the foundations of knowledge of everything that goes into Intermet Marketing, are the most valuable things I have gained in this time.

When I look back on what I knew two years ago versus what I know now, I almost feel like, “good, I’m ready to get started now.”

The fact is, Internet Marketing is a field.  It is its own endeavor and it encompasses so much more than one might realize.  Look at all of the individual sciences which one must become at least familiar with, if not professional – html, website building, keyword research, statistic analysing, SEO, scam-avoiding, socializing, Web 2.0, RSS feeds, social networks, social bookmarking, WordPress, plugins, article marketing, affiliate advertising, pay per click advertising, eBook creation, link building (the right way), viral marketing … the list goes on and on.  Even learning how to fully and correctly use your Internet browser is a little technology which is in itself one aspect of Internet Marketing.

And that’s not to mention more basic concepts such as honesty, hard work, exchange, service, persistence, organization, diligence, and focus.

I could add much more to this list.  But you understand.

How important is a continous willingness and ability to learn, apply, practice, act … and, not to forget, be willing to make a few mistakes along the way and learn from those as well.  I believe these are integral to success and I’m sure you will agree.  I believe we have all learned quite a lot along the way.

What have you learned?  I would love to have feedback on this point – realizations, new skills, increased understandings that you have experienced along the way.  Don’t underrate those!  They are what will make the difference in the long run – that, and being able to actually apply what you learn.