1 – GREEDY for more cash

There’s nothing wrong with getting sales, and making profit, but if it involves constantly doing hard-sells, being forceful, and direct with your marketing, just for the money and nothing else, then you will be pushing your prospects and customers away. Some marketers will even go so far as to lie to and scam their customers, just to make a quick, easy buck, it’s not worth it, unless you want to see your credibility go down the toilet – customers are not stupid.

How to make profits the right way:

Rather do soft sells instead of hard sells. Connect with your audience, customers, or prospects in a more subtle, casual, friendly and conversational manner. Studies show that a soft sell is more persuasive and effective than a hard sell. Never scam your customers, always be ethical and professional, that way, you will build trust with your prospects and customers, which then creates good credibility for you. Internet Marketing is more than just money–it’s about helping people, which you can’t put a price on.

2 – Too LAZY to…

Okay, I’m back. We can admit to ourselves that we’ve been lazy before, and feel guilty about it, but if it’s happening in your Internet Marketing business, and often, then it could become a real problem. If you’re always neglecting your tasks, goals, never finishing them, whether it’s a writing a blog post, a product, or your eBook. If you continue to neglect these responsibilities, then you may lose customers, money, and your business will suffer. You might be perceived as incompetent and unreliable.

How to kick lazy to the curb:

Set realistic tasks, and goals, stick to them, until they’re completed. Create a routine you can stick with, get rid of all distractions when working. You can reward yourself after you’ve completed your task, with your favourite activities, hobbies, etc. Work at a time when you feel most energetic, such as in the morning, or whenever you feel the most productive.

3 – LUSTING after more of the wrong customers and subscribers

As an Internet Marketer, it is important to build your list of subscribers, but if you’re recklessly targeting and collecting anyone and everyone, that has no interest in internet marketing, just for the sake of growing your list, then you won’t get many results–most of your emails to your subscribers will end up in the spam folder.

How to control it in the right path:

Start targeting and attracting the right customers, whom are interested in what you are selling–do some research on finding the right customer, by studying them, analyzing their behavior, and doing some investigating on the internet. Now I’m not saying you should literally stalk them, you’re just observing their behavioral patterns, such as what your ideal customer is doing before they come to you, where are they usually going, and what persuades them to buy a product. You want to understand where your prospects and customers are coming from. You wouldn’t target customers whom are interested in fashion design, wool knitting, or cooking for instance, since it would have nothing to do with your Internet Marketing niche. When you’ve found your ideal customers, you can then make your move to attract them into your business and keep them.

4 – GLUTTONOUS with buying every single Internet Marketing product

There’s always an internet marketing product out there that you feel you have to buy, and when you do buy it, then you find another one around the corner and go for that one as well. Most people call this ‘Shiny object syndrome’; it’s when you go after the next fad, and then the next after that, purchasing the next big course, or product that’s been hyped about. Some do it because of the sense of excitement, a rush, a good feeling when they buy the next big thing, kind of like what a shopaholic would do, it’s also kind of like comfort food. You never get to use the full potential of the product, even if it is a good one, because you’re already busy chasing after the newest, latest one, and the cycle continues… Some of the reasons for this behaviour is that the person believes that the project that they currently are on is too hard for them, so they look around for the next product in hopes that it might be better than the last. The problem with this is that they will get overwhelmed with information and products–they don’t focus on one product fully, and so end up wasting valuable time and energy. They don’t get much done, because they distract themselves of what’s important, such as they’re goals and the product they should be focusing on that will benefit their business, therefore very little or no activity, and not much work is done, and your business may suffer because of it.

How to control your diet:

Try purchasing the products you really need, and stick to them. Stick to a business model that you enjoy and can manage, and stick to it. Everything should be in moderation, regardless if you’re craving for the next big, awesome product. Move some email lists to another mailbox, or unsubscribe as a last resort, to avoid getting constantly distracted by all the noise and hype, which will also save you precious time. It’s about quality over quantity.

5 – ENVIOUS of your competitors successes

It’s okay to see what others are doing in the Internet marketing community, but if you’re constantly getting jealous, intimidated, vulnerable, even mad at other marketer’s achievements, fame, and fortune, then you won’t really progress as an internet marketer.

How to turn your envy around into something positive:

Keep an open mind, and a different attitude. A little competition isn’t bad, but don’t take others’ successes so personally, and comparing yourself in a negative light to others, it’s really draining, and self-destructive, and it’s not going help your business. Push your emotions aside, and be inspired instead of envious, learn from your competitors, maybe even be friends with them or partner with them if you can – pick each other’s brains, sometimes two heads are better than one, you never know. Competition could be a good thing, or you won’t push yourself to be better in your business without a challenge.

6 – ANGRY with difficult customers

There may come an unfortunate moment where a customer will be unhappy with your product, and ask for a refund, an unhappy subscriber will unsubscribe from your mailing list. It can be a real let down, for any internet marketer, when you’re trying to do your best, it’s not easy to just move on without taking it a little personally. It’s even worse if you receive nasty comments and insults from customers, whether it’s in an email, or other areas.

How to channel your anger the right way:

Take a deep breath, cool down, and look at the situation differently. Always handle the situation in a professional manner without any conflict. If there is criticism, try to listen and kindly ask them why they weren’t happy with your product. Get feedback so that you can improve your business. Publish a poll or survey online, find out what customers want from your product, or blog.

7 – Too PROUD to care about others’ opinions

Is your internet marketing business more about your visitors and customers, or more about you? One of the big 7 deadly sins is a big ego, if you don’t bother to take others suggestions and opinions and only care about yours, and only care about what you do, not listening to what your visitors want, chances are, your ego could be damaging your business. Too much pride can lead to destructive actions in internet marketing business. such as–

• Trying to do all tasks yourself (logo design, headers banners, that look amateurish).
• Focusing on too many low value keywords, only for the sake of ranking the highest or to keep on the number one spot in the Google page rank in the search engines, especially just to be above your competitors
• Flooding your subscribers with unnecessary emails with little or no value, just to get their attention.
• Constantly bragging about all your achievements and your life.

How to keep your ego in check:

Be vigilant about your ego, and be aware of it, so it doesn’t go out of hand and creep into your internet marketing strategies. Outsource tasks you’re not professional at when you can. Don’t ignore your customer’s comments, suggestions and ideas, instead listen to them – your Internet Marketing business isn’t only about you, your business wouldn’t be where it is now if it wasn’t for your customers. Some of your customers’ ideas may be good for your business. Always look out for what the customer wants, and what’s best for them as well. Build a relationship with them, put yourself in their shoes, and treat them how you want to be treated. Treat them like gold.

So, what are you guilty of?

Did the solutions to these issues help you? Did you experience any of the “7 Deadly Sins of Internet Marketing”? If so, how did you overcome them? Do you have any additional solutions of your own? Please share your suggestions, experiences, and questions in the comments section below.