Anybody can call themselves an expert but in reality, only a few are really worthy of being called one. This holds true even in the field of Internet marketing. Because there is no college degree that makes someone a certified Internet marketing expert, most Internet marketing veterans take the liberty of calling themselves expert. And while there is nothing wrong with this scenario (Internet marketing is all about practice and not just theory), ecommerce merchants in need of an Internet marketing expert to help boost sales should be wary about individuals and companies claiming to know the ins and outs of online marketing.
Here are some guidelines to help you assess whether your Internet marketing expert is really an expert.
1. Background of success. An Internet marketing expert must have a solid background of success. Refer to previous clients and look at statistics. Ask them what their goal is for your business and have them present a timeline for the tasks to be accomplished.
2. Realistic. Internet marketing requires time, money and effort; and a real Internet marketing expert will not hesitate to give you the lowdown on sensitive issues such as a budget. Successful online marketing also does not happen overnight so a real expert should give you pragmatic expectations.
3. Knowledgeable. An Internet marketing expert should know what Internet marketing is really all about. They should be able to present goals and strategies for various forms of Internet marketing services such as, but not limited to, social media marketing, pay per click management, e-mail campaigns, search engine optimization, and blogging, among others. An expert always comes prepared and they should give you data on the industry under which your business belongs to.
4. Network. The Internet is one big community. A real Internet marketing expert knows the right people who can help provide valuable information and updates. Successful people hang out with other successful people so make sure your Internet marketing guru is part of that clique.
