You’ve probably heard of online marketing coaching, perhaps even taken a course or two on the subject. And you may even be considering trying it out for yourself. But before you do, you should be aware of the many pitfalls that await you.

Yes, getting started can be pretty easy. You can literally copy and paste a few pieces of text, and you’ll have a website up and running in no time. If you want to keep things simple, there’s an entire app for that. You’ll find yourself falling into the trap of getting caught up in the shiny newness of technology and ignoring the more fundamental aspects of good marketing.

Here, we’ll discuss five things you should know before you make a commitment to online marketing coaching.

1. The First Year Is Free

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the cost of web hosting and email campaigns can add up quickly. Even a free trial of Bluehost, a popular web host, costs you $2.95 a month just to try it out. That’s $95 a year, in case you were wondering. In addition to that, you’re going to want to get yourself some email marketing software, which can also cost you money. So if you’re even thinking about pursuing online marketing, the cost can add up quickly. Especially if you want to do it the right way and avoid the many pitfalls that await you.

But fear not! One of the great things about online marketing coaching is that it’s fully committed to you. The first year is entirely free. You don’t need to pay anything at all to get started. Just make sure you’re signed up with a reliable email marketing provider in case you decide to try out the platform.

2. Quality Is Important

While it’s certainly tempting to throw together a quick website in no time at all using some of the many free online platforms, doing so without taking the time to find out exactly what makes for good quality content is a road to disaster. You see, you might find that some of the content is of a decent standard, but that won’t be the case for everything. Especially if you want to create a successful business.

And what is good quality content? Well, it’s fairly simple. It has to be informative and interesting. And it has to be produced well. To ensure that your readers remain engaged, you’re going to want to make sure that the material you publish is engaging and interesting. Furthermore, make sure you’ve got something to say that will be of value to your target audience. Even better, produce content that relates to a problem your target audience is facing.

In other words, take the time to find out what makes for good quality content, and don’t be afraid to spend a little money on quality over quantity. Producing good quality content doesn’t have to be hard. You can literally find a few great articles on any topic and use that to inspire you.

3. Scared Of Missing Out?

Most people don’t like missing out on things. Especially when it comes to new things. If you think back on your past, you’ll probably admit to having spent a lot of time trying out new things that you were unsure about. Sometimes these are things that you’ve regretted later. Especially when it comes to following trends.

So if you’re considering trying out online marketing coaching, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to try and stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies. By constantly learning and trying new things, you’ll be able to create a successful blog that will allow you to excel at what you do and provide you with the opportunity to work with some great coaches.

4. Blogging Is A Jockey Club

One of the things that can help you get the most from your blog is joining a jockey club. These are online communities of bloggers that provide you with tips, tricks, and suggestions for how you can improve your blog. Even more impressively, you can also connect with other jockeying clans and make some great friendships as a result. There’s also a lot of helpful information available within these communities.

By taking the time to learn from others who are more experienced than you are, you’ll be able to create a better blog. And what’s more, you’ll also be doing something good for the community. So it’s a win-win!

5. Avoid Free Blogging Bootcamp

Getting started with a free blogging bootcamp is pretty easy. All you need to do is register with Blogger, create a blog, and start posting. Simple!

But while it’s certainly easy to get started, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy to keep up with. Especially if you want to succeed as a blogger, you’ll want to avoid these types of platforms.

Why is that? Well, it’s because they don’t teach you how to build a successful blog. They don’t teach you marketing, and they don’t teach you how to connect with your audience. All they teach you is how to post. And while that may be enough for some, it’s certainly not enough for those who want to succeed on the internet.

So if you’re looking to build a successful blog, don’t get tricked by the shiny newness of technology. Instead, look for a proven platform that can help you find your audience, engage with them, and grow your blog.

How Do I Create A Business That’ll Be Sustainable For The Long Haul?

If you want to create a business that you’ll be able to grow for the long term and make a real difference to the lives of those around you, then you need to be sure about how you’re going to grow it. One of the best things you can do for your business is to build a brand for it. A brand is a unique identity that you can use to stand for your business in the eyes of your customers. And when customers know, understand, and trust that your brand is worthwhile, they’re going to be much more inclined to engage with you and your product or service.

Building a brand doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend great amounts of money on fancy marketing materials and expensive advertising campaigns. Instead, all you need is a simple, easy to remember identity that describes your business succinctly and accurately. Once you’ve got that, you can start to develop your marketing materials, including your website and social media platforms.

Do you already have a business you’d like to grow? How do I create a business that’ll be sustainable for the long haul? We’d love to know what you think about this topic! Leave us a comment below or connect with us on Twitter @FitSmallBusiness.