Telling people you do online marketing...

taktikz

taktikz

WF Veteran
Oct 22, 2008
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Tampa, FL
So, this guy I met at this coworking space asks me what I did and I responded with online marketing, although I have a few startup projects that I keep on the DL. When I mentioned SEM, he goes "a lot of SEO guys out there".

Not that I give a shit because this guy doesn't even know my target market or what differentiates me from the rest of the so called experts, but that sounded a bit disrespectful, especially since I just met this dude.

So, my question is... Do any of you get this type of response often?
 


I tell them...

1. I'm the guy who sells Viagra to your father... You know, that guy who can't get it up and wants to pump his overweight wife from a meaningless marriage.

2. I'm the guy who sells Berries to every girl you know.. You know, the women who want so badly to loose weight so they can find any desperate man to cheat on them with their husband or boyfriend.

3. I'm the guy that bangs out ebooks teaching you how to do things you're too much of a pussy to do yourself. But at least you'll feel better about doing nothing with your life after you buy it.

....

When people ask I just say I'm the Chief Executive Officer of xyz Brand..
If they ask further I'll explain what I'm passionate about as the business owner there; and keep it vague: Publication with retail products for "xyz", (bodybuilding; example).

...

Also lol why are you even mad man? He said SEO guys instead of SEM, he doesn't know what that even means... He's taking a guess at what it is. No reason to be upset over his stupidity...
If anything that happens a lot, people are just trying to connect with you and act like they share common knowledge. Correct him nicely and explain the difference, he might appreciate that and respect you more.
 
* WF 5 min edit time.

I would never mention SEO or SEM though, if you're running a business you're doing just that; running an business..

Just because I use the phone at work to make sales, doesn't mean I'm a telemarketer. But people will always assume if you divide your job up like that, and don't explain the real value; not just 1 part of it.

Imagine Jon saying I do SEO and SEM online. vs. Jon saying I oversee 14 online brands and companies. (BIG difference in the level of respect you'll get + the level of understanding)
 
No surprise there. Everyone is a 'entrepreneur' these days with a brilliant idea for yet another iphone app or social media website and they definitely look down upon the lowly hustling affiliate marketer. It's a fad like MLM, spurned by airport 'entrepreneur' books right next to Deepak Chokra and pop-business by Donald Trump. Who cares, if it's important to you, say that you're a digital content marketer or something.
 
contract said:
I tell them...

1. I'm the guy who sells Viagra to your father... You know, that guy who can't get it up and wants to pump his overweight wife from a meaningless marriage.

2. I'm the guy who sells Berries to every girl you know.. You know, the women who want so badly to loose weight so they can find any desperate man to cheat on them with their husband or boyfriend.

3. I'm the guy that bangs out ebooks teaching you how to do things you're too much of a pussy to do yourself. But at least you'll feel better about doing nothing with your life after you buy it.

....

When people ask I just say I'm the Chief Executive Officer of xyz Brand..
If they ask further I'll explain what I'm passionate about as the business owner there; and keep it vague: Publication with retail products for "xyz", (bodybuilding; example).

...

Also lol why are you even mad man? He said SEO guys instead of SEM, he doesn't know what that even means... He's taking a guess at what it is. No reason to be upset over his stupidity...
If anything that happens a lot, people are just trying to connect with you and act like they share common knowledge. Correct him nicely and explain the difference, he might appreciate that and respect you more.
Click to expand...

It's a web startup coworking space, so he does seem to know what it's all about. He even mentioned starting up his campaign soon for his product.
I just found it rude to make a remark like that. It's like if I meet a programmer and tell him "wow there are a lot of programmers out there."
IMO, the programmer would feel like I'm belittling his skills or something.

Anyway, not a big deal. Just thought I'd share that.
 
rusvik said:
No surprise there. Everyone is a 'entrepreneur' these days with a brilliant idea for yet another iphone app or social media website and they definitely look down upon the lowly hustling affiliate marketer. It's a fad like MLM, spurned by airport 'entrepreneur' books right next to Deepak Chokra and pop-business by Donald Trump. Who cares, if it's important to you, say that you're a digital content marketer or something.
Click to expand...

You're spot on with his biz (mobile app) and the attitude I sensed. Anyway, I don't give a shit. It's 6am and cant fucking sleep... haven't been on WF in a while!
 
All good man.. Btw, you do realize most people in this world do not actually want you to succeed and will say shit to bring you down, or get you de-motivated. (They want you to be at their level, or be lower than them). Even indirectly, like small comments and shit that you make you wonder what their intent really is after the fact...

Happens all the freaking time. (Among common/average people IRL.. My bros online are very motivating/supportive though).

Don't worry about it. :) Build that SEO, SEM business bro!
 
Dude, you gotta get better at having a rock solid frame. Here's comeback some for you that'll nullify his message:

-"out where?"
-"Yup, and I'm better than them."
-"and there's an SEO right here."
-"there's a lot of everything everywhere."
-"I feel (sad, unvalued, unappreciated) when you say that" <= emotional manipulation bro, he'll be forced to take it back.
 
They are all doubtful and think what i'm doing is not "real work". One family member told me: "Well, i asked my financial advisor at the bank about that...computer stuff you are doing. He warned me against it. It's just not realistic!"

I'd say i know noone in Real Life who would not either ignore my business ventures or try to put me down. They tell me i should train to be an office worker, "it would do me good".
 
I wouldn't get so touchy about it. There are a lot of SEO guys out there. He was probably just trying to make conversation.
 
Was he any cute?

kryaa said:
One family member told me: "Well, i asked my financial advisor at the bank about that...computer stuff you are doing. He warned me against it. It's just not realistic!"

I'd say i know noone in Real Life who would not either ignore my business ventures or try to put me down. They tell me i should train to be an office worker, "it would do me good".
Click to expand...

They do that until you shit on them financially in every way. Then they ask for some, make up excuses while they're at it, pretend like they always believed in you/had your back, and everyone's your best friend. people gon people
 
"I run a marketing agency."
"Ah, what does the agency focus on?"
"Developing & implementing marketing strategies for business-to-business companies selling products and services primarily in the technology and professional service sectors. We focus on the lower end of the market, so companies turning over 1-25 million that get neglected by the huge agencies in London/New York."

You can make most things sound a lot more interesting than they are to the ignorant public by avoiding all the buzzwords they get spammed with every time they go online. Everyone that has a LinkedIn account has seen SEO spam. The above kinda comment generates a much more positive impression than if I say:

"We generate sales leads for companies using the internet and things like SEO, PPC, Social Media, etc.."

= "'SEO dude' box"

It's only important for meeting new people, anyway. If you're struggling with friends/family, they'll change their tune soon enough, once they see you're making decent money. All they see is "oh if he went to university, did xyz, and abc, took an internship, then worked for 2 years, he'd be middle management in the city by now, working a REAL JOB."

People just don't get entrepreneurship, at all. I've been told countless times by family to throw in what I do and get a job "earning £30-35k a year". The easy way to respond is to say, well, why would I do that when I earn X times that now? But that's not the right way to respond. You'll get a "but how long will that last?". You just have to accept that until you're balling out of control that people are going to doubt your every move, because it's not the societal norm.
 
mituozo said:
"I run a marketing agency."
"Ah, what does the agency focus on?"
"Developing & implementing marketing strategies for business-to-business companies selling products and services primarily in the technology and professional service sectors. We focus on the lower end of the market, so companies turning over 1-25 million that get neglected by the huge agencies in London/New York."

You can make most things sound a lot more interesting than they are to the ignorant public by avoiding all the buzzwords they get spammed with every time they go online. Everyone that has a LinkedIn account has seen SEO spam. The above kinda comment generates a much more positive impression than if I say:

"We generate sales leads for companies using the internet and things like SEO, PPC, Social Media, etc.."

= "'SEO dude' box"

It's only important for meeting new people, anyway. If you're struggling with friends/family, they'll change their tune soon enough, once they see you're making decent money. All they see is "oh if he went to university, did xyz, and abc, took an internship, then worked for 2 years, he'd be middle management in the city by now, working a REAL JOB."

People just don't get entrepreneurship, at all. I've been told countless times by family to throw in what I do and get a job "earning £30-35k a year". The easy way to respond is to say, well, why would I do that when I earn X times that now? But that's not the right way to respond. You'll get a "but how long will that last?". You just have to accept that until you're balling out of control that people are going to doubt your every move, because it's not the societal norm.
Click to expand...

Would you say that is more of an European thing or just a human thing in general? I am in the UK, people are amazed that I don't want to do the whole grad scheme thing based on the degree I have. They have said to me that I am throwing all of my education away and could make a difference in the corporate world in a "real career in the city". I used to respond to them but these days I just go "whatever..". I see entrepreneurship as a way more appealing way of living. It's weird that my whole have their own businesses but think that just because I have a degree I should get a job in the city. I would rather work 16 hours a day for my own business than work 8 hours a day for some corporate grad role. Tried the whole city job thing, hated it, I am earning less money for now but I am enjoying my work.

Edit: I don't actually believe in the idea of a career. I believe that working is just a means to an end: stacking up as much money as possible.
 
taktikz said:
So, this guy I met at this coworking space asks me what I did and I responded with online marketing, although I have a few startup projects that I keep on the DL. When I mentioned SEM, he goes "a lot of SEO guys out there".

Not that I give a shit because this guy doesn't even know my target market or what differentiates me from the rest of the so called experts, but that sounded a bit disrespectful, especially since I just met this dude.

So, my question is... Do any of you get this type of response often?
Click to expand...


No.

When I do get a response like that, I purposely point my rolex at them and say something like "Yeah, and a lot of them are really bad at it. I don't really work for other people."

I don't close off all doors when that spontaneous discussion goes down. In reality, nearly everyone works for other people, as do I. If it's not a client, it's a customer. I work for someone, or many someones, for sure.

Point being, I'd not try to drum up business in that situation. He just asked you to qualify yourself to him. (for no reason, really...) I'd keep my frame, not be snarky, and not care either way. Tell him as little as possible.
 
And you didn't mention what he does. That is a part of the conversation that shouldn't be left out when you're asking us to evaluate it for you.
 
Van_Basten said:
people are amazed that I don't want to do the whole grad scheme thing based on the degree I have. They have said to me that I am throwing all of my education away
Click to expand...

50LOq.jpg


And what your education exactly is? Kicking a round ball?

:arcadefreak:
 
I've said it here before. Just tell them you're unemployed. They'll shut the hell right up and feel sorry for you at the same time. Maybe even buy you a cup of coffee or some McDonalds.
 
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