4 Types Of Gurus In The Online Marketing World

Because of my unique position as a system owner in the online marketing world, I have been able to rub shoulders with tons of marketers, personally meeting and interviewing many of the self made millionaires, as well as training a lot of newbies.

From this experience I have determined that there are four types of online marketers: Guppies, Tuna, Sharks and Whales. 

Guppies: Guppies are small, uninspiring fish that don't get much attention. Ever seen a Discovery Channel show on Guppies? Nope. And you won't, because nobody really cares about them. 

But while the actual Guppy fish can't change into something else, in my analogy a Guppy Marketer can grow to be a Tuna, then a Shark, then a Whale. But unfortunately most Guppies don't try to become much better, instead they focus their resources on finding "super software" or marketing gimmicks that will solve their problems.

The only way for a Guppy to improve is to realize it's a Guppy and strive to become a better fish. The problem is never "out there," it's always "in here." 

Guppy Advice:

1. Take 100% responsibility. Nobody else will solve your financial and marketing issues, it's all up to you. That's exciting as well as challenging. 

2. Don't be needy. Stop expecting others to do things for you. Realize that the bigger fish often make their living by eating smaller fish! Don't depend on them, but do learn from them.

3. Don't let anybody steal your dream. You can accomplish anything that anybody else has, if you do what they did.

4. Find a way to fund your business. An online business needs capital just like any other business. Luckily, it doesn't need near as much, but if you don't have a steady income stream, and a small budget to feed your business, it's extremely difficult. Your business will eat capital for a while before it starts paying you back. 

Tuna. Tuna are just Guppies that didn't give up when everybody else did. Went throught he trial and error, wasted time and money, but also made some good decisions and figured out what worked.

Characteristics of Tuna: They understand the basics. They have learned how to make some money online. They have determination and are students of the business. They have also been bitten once or twice and learned form experiences that caused most Guppies to quit. 

Tuna Advice:

1. Be humble, don't act like something you're not.

2. Don't become food for Sharks and Whales (Buying everything they sell you is NOT a sound marketing plan).

3. Create a marketing plan.

4. Master the fundamentals of SEO, PPC, and Social Marketing.

5. Don't spend all your money, keep feeding your business.

6. Learn to out-source. 

7. Discover the difference between being a part time marketer and a business owner.

8. Hire a part time Executive Assistant to do your busy work (or get your kids to help you!)

9. Do at least one important money making task each day.

10. Connect with Sharks and Whales.

11. Attend all the live events you possibly can.

Sharks. Sharks have arrived! They make money! They not only attend events, they CREATE events and have others attend. They are connected with other Sharks and Whales. They can quit their job if they want to, because they make a full time income. 

Characteristics of Sharks: Sharks are independent, proud, and successful. They know internet marketing inside out. They have developed copy writing skills. They are smart with their money and use it to continually build their business, which is now mostly on auto-pilot. 

Advice for Sharks:

1. You probably make your living off of Tuna and Guppies, be careful to feed them instead of eat them! 

2. Don't be greedy, focus on giving value instead of taking value.

3. Build your team. Whether you are building an internal or external team, hire the best, not the cheapest.

4. Outsource everything!

5. Read "Good To Great." by Jim Collins.

6. Stay humble and hungry.

Whales. Whales own the ocean! They cruise at their own pace, and have seen the world. They make multiple six figure incomes, or even millions per year.

They are very well connected, and have unlimited Joint Venture possibilities. They are headliners at events. 

Advice for Whales: I have no advice for Whales, because I'm not one! When I reach that exalted position maybe I'll come back and finish this hub!

Until then, pick up more tips and training on online marketing at my other hubs or visit: http://escapethematrix.net/blog