Table of Contents
PREFACE
Not long ago, I was a well-known and respected psychotherapist living and working in Chicago, one of the most vibrant cities in the world. I had studied many years to earn my degree, and I was working hard every day to grow my practice. I even managed to eke out enough time to co-author three psychology books. I felt fortunate to have a successful practice, a nice home, a comfortable lifestyle, good friends, and a beautiful downtown office.Yet I wasnt happy.
You see, as anyone who has lived in the northern Midwest knows, the winters can be incredibly cold, awfully gray, and very, very long. And when I say cold, I mean really cold. That bone-chilling, feet-numbing, teeth-chattering, purple-fingers kind of cold.
But the worst part about it for me was the gray sky. There were times when the sun disappeared for what felt like months.
During these times, I imagined what it would be like to live and work in a warmer climate with blue skies and sunshine.You know the kind of place where you can play tennis and swim every day of the year if you want. I imagined having time to fulfill my creative dream of writing and recording music time to experience real community with my close friends time to really live and enjoy every day. But after I basked in my dream for a while, I was always jolted back to reality. Sure, I could have moved, but the thought of starting from scratch, in a new location, giving up the steady income Id grown accustomed to, felt daunting.
THE BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT
Looking for an answer, I spent more time on the internet and noticed that there was an emerging group of coaches, counselors, and trainers starting to build virtual businesses (meaning they were conducted over the phone and internet). I immediately realized that this was an incredible opportunity for me to create a business and lifestyle that defied geographic boundaries.
I began studying the web sites and programs of the most successful online entrepreneurs, and over time I became convinced that I could learn from them and connect with people all over the world. This would enable me to do what I loved and create streams of income using the internet. I came to know, deep down, that my dream could be a reality. I decided to go for it.
In less than three years, I was earning more than enough income to leave Chicago and move to the clear blue skies of Scottsdale, Arizona, where I live today. My first breakthrough program was a joint venture with Jay Levinson, the father of Guerrilla Marketing. Combining my expertise in coaching and program development with his marketing model, I created the Guerrilla Marketing Coaching Program. There I trained small-business owners to market their companies using low-cost, high-impact strategies and helped others become Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coaches. I marketed and delivered the program over the phone and internet, through teleseminars supported by a web site and downloadable curriculum materials.
Since then Ive worked hard to improve my skills, and as a result I am now delivering a more robust and higher-quality version of my original program and have substantially expanded my product and service offerings as well. My success with the Guerrilla Marketing Coaching Program attracted another excellent partner, Michael Port, with whom I created the 90-Day Product Factory and the Traffic School. These courses, and my subsequent offerings, have attracted clients from all over the world.
LIVING THE DREAM
Now I swim in my waterfall pool daily, bask in the sunshine, play tennis often, write and produce the music I love, relax in my hot tub, enjoy time with my closest friends, and run my thriving e-commerce business from the comfort of my home. I am happy to say I am truly living my dream.
I could never have accomplished this, however, without a clear vision, effective partnerships, and the ability to market successfully over the internet.
Whatever the vision for your ideal life is, I am confident that the insights found in the pages of this book will help lead you there.
May you create the life you desire,
Mitch Meyerson
Scottsdale, AZ
www.MitchMeyerson.com
FOREWORD
I love brilliant people. I love the way their minds work. I love the adventure they take me on. I love to wrestle with them, to be challenged by them, to engage in dialogue with them. I love to listen to their words, and to follow them where they take me.
Mitch Meyerson is such a person. Its obvious that hes comfortable playing big games and has a knack for helping others to play them as well.
Much like The E-Myth, Mastering Online Marketing is not just a collection of tools and tactics. Mitch has created a solid step-by step system for you to build and sustain a thriving e-commerce business. He describes the things that will trip you up, the things that will liberate you, the things you must never do, and the things you absolutely, so help you God, must do if you want to become a kick-ass online marketer.
But perhaps the thing I love most about this book is its profound clarity. Mitch and his partner, Mary Eule Scarborough, have done an outstanding job of presenting complex information in a clear and concise, yet thorough, manner.
Many of us want to rise above ourselves. And even though we have the desire to achieve our goals we sometimes falter as we take the first few steps. Often this is simply because we do not have the power to see things clearly. Were not sure what steps to take first, second, third and so on. This book will show you the way. Read it. Digest it. Follow it letter by letter. Then get out there and do itbecause thats how youll experience the true rewards.
And then let Mitch and me know how you did. Because success stories are what we love the best.
Michael E. Gerber
Author of The E-Myth books
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to Mary Eule Scarborough for her insights, dedication, and brilliant writing on this book.Thank you also to:
Michael Port and Jay Conrad Levinson for partnering with me to create amazing programs over the internet.
Jere Calmes for believing in this book from the beginning.
Amy Belanger, David Scarborough, and Peggy Murrah for their wonderful contributions.
And finally to all the Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coaches and students in my online programs for their entrepreneurial spirit and for taking the virtual road less traveled. What a ride.
CHAPTER 1
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SHIFT
The Key to Creating an Integrated Business Mindset
In this chapter youll learnthe good news: why its a great time to build an e-commerce web site
tips for overcoming four universal success blockers
personality traits of winners
how to develop your own vision by beginning at the end
and much more. Most entrepreneurs are merely technicians... with an entrepreneurial seizure. Most entrepreneurs fail because you are working in your business rather than on your business.
Michael Gerber, author of The E-Myth
Want to start an online business? Perhaps youd like to