The Three Greatest Words in Internet Marketing
February 22nd, 2013
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Author: Hi everyone! The three greatest words in Internet Marketing are:
I don’t know.
Hmmm that sounds strange. That has nothing to do with cash. You don’t believe me, right? But really, it’s the people who aren’t afraid to say this (and who act on it) who make it the farthest in this career.
Why “I Don’t Know” Is Not a Dirty Phrase
As a niche leader, which hopefully you’re trying to be, because dabblers aren’t successful, it seems like saying, “I don’t know” would be shameful. You’re supposed to know everything as a LEADER.
Not necessarily. Let’s say you’re in a deep, dark cave with 10 friends – but there’s only one flashlight. You can take the flashlight and lead the group, but it doesn’t mean you know what you’re about to encounter. You’re just brave enough to forge a path.
There are a million (and one) things I don’t know about IM. But if you ask me, I’m not afraid to go looking for a solution for you. I’m not afraid to be transparent in implementing something and show you where I’m a complete idiot, where I fail, and where I succeed.
“I Don’t Know” Is Your Ticket to Niche Growth
In an article by Doug Hall called “Reignite Curiosity & Innovation By Embracing 3 Simple Things,” he talks about how we start off curious and unafraid to say, “I don’t know,” and then over time, our EGO gets in the way and makes it hard for us to get those words out. It becomes shameful.
And if you keep saying those three words over and over again…you start to feel stupid. And who wants to feel stupid? I know I don’t!
What I love that Doug mentioned in his article is that “The only form of stupidity is arrogance – when you say, ‘I know everything, no one can teach me anything.’”
Think about that as a leader in your niche online. You probably aren’t uttering those words verbatim – that would sound really egotistical and ridiculous. But what you probably do is think to yourself, “I already know enough to teach in this niche. I’ll invest in resources once I run out of things to say.”
If you do this, then you’re being arrogant! You’re acting like a know-it-all. You’re NOT being cutting edge. You’re NOT doing your niche any favors because you’re being stubborn.
Practice “I Don’t Knowing” Daily
I am NOT happy unless I’m learning something I can share with you. Have you noticed that about me? I mean I truly get melancholy when I have nothing to learn. I get bored and frustrated if I take a course that teaches me stuff I already know, too.
As an entrepreneur online, you REALLY need to foster a love of learning. And what Hall says is, we have to practice being curious about stuff we don’t know DAILY. He says we should spend at least 20 minutes a day “mining.” Let me explain how you would mine as an Internet Marketer:
1. Look for any new technology related to your field. Health always has them. In IM it might be something like when mobile apps first came out. Even pets have new technology. I just typed in “dog technology” without quotes into Google and here’s an article that could have you blogging about a current topic for your audience: Dog Technology.
2. Spy on your competition – in a good way! Competitors are a positive thing. Means the market is healthy. I hope over to Angie’s blog and if I hadn’t already gotten the same notice, I’d learn about Amazon nixing freebie sites. That’s something I might want to mention to my own audience, and maybe curate a quote from (and link to) Angie, too.
3. See what your prospective customers are doing. I’m going to head to a forum and look in there and see what’s bugging people. I see this post: Giving Up – and I read it and look at the person’s website. It spurs in me the possibility of a post about being a niche where trust is everything (health) and how a sterile site with no authority (like the Mayo Clinic for example) probably isn’t going to fare well. Id’ either want authority, like a doctor or nurse, or someone’s personal perspective on going through a topic, like a diabetic blogging about diabetes.
Get back to the excited person you were when you FIRST found out about the opportunity to make money online. You were filled with dreams and ideas and amazement. Do this by tapping into your curiosity about your niche, regardless of how much you think you know. And then share it!
That’s how you become a niche leader – and how you develop a loyal following who trusts you and buys from you. So any of you out there worry that you’re not “big enough” yet – that makes you perfect. It makes you a person who is still willing to learn and as a prospective customer, I like that about you.
Tiff 
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Posted in Great Insight
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Tags: Blogging, curisoity, doug hall, internet marketing, niche leadership
My son gets so ticked at me every time I say “I don’t know” and he’s bad about thinking he knows everything, but I know one day he will understand. My husband and I both know we don’t know everything, that anyone can teach us, and all we need to do is be open to it. We’re trying to teach this to our kids as well. There’s nothing wrong with saying “I don’t know” as long as you’re willing to search for the answer and learn.
Yes! The latter part of that last statement is key
Off topic, sorry. Tiff where do you get your images you place into posts?
Usually depositphoto.com now but many I’ve had on my hard drive for ages so no clue for all of them. I think this one was from somewhere on my son’s FB for something he’s doing.
Hey Buddy (and Tiffany)
I just saw this Squidoo lense the other day. I do not know the guy but he has lots of ideas here for comercially free images…
http://www.squidoo.com/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-2#module153142826
Mary, thanks so much! Just what I was looking for!
Thanks guys!
That’s a great squidoo lens…thanks for sharing it. I use http://flickr.com a lot (I don’t personally mind giving credit, which is one of the big requirements). I do make sure the photo has an option for commercial use since I have every intention of making money from my endeavors (now…smile)
I cant remember who it was that used to teach that there was no shame in not knowing something.
Even if you were the leader you simply had to answer “I don’t know —- but I’ll find out for you” and that way you both learned something new while not ‘losing face’ with the other person.
On a personal note, I’m not so much any more constantly looking for new things to learn…
I find myself constantly challenged enough and kind of burnt out a bit from contstant-never-ending-changes… especially in IM/AM,
I wish things would just settle down a little bit, for a little while, so we can let the dust settle and see what the lay of the land is nowadays… catch my breath.
What I more focus on now is getting better at applying the fundamentals I already know.
In life and in business, I need to get better at doing the things I already know, but don’t do enough or, or consistently enough.
Knowledge is not power… applying the knowledge is.
Tired weary cowgirl right now, off to grab some sleep. Great post, Tiff.
I remember that too – the IDK but I’ll find out for you.
Oh I’m with you on looking for IM things new to learn – except for podcasting and webinars. But I’m talking about niche leadership more than anything. Stuff you can learn and then share.
Sleep tight!
Oh Tiffany….you know I am going to have to write about that Dog Technology on my dog blog!
Mary Kathan
LOL go for it
I have to admit that I’ve become negligent in my journey to learn new things as of late.
Partly because I know there are newcomers coming aboard the Net every day; people who need to learn what I’ve already taught others.
Party because there aren’t enough hours in a day to get done what I would like to finish and know that if I started reading to learn more – I’d head into information overload.
There HAS to be a happy medium somewhere!
As luck would have it, I get Google Alerts every day. Rarely do I visit the gathered information,but ever since I knew this challenge was coming up – I’ve been researching the Alerts.
All I can say is WOW. The amount of information I uncovered today is enough to get my first 2 posts done for the challenge!
I can’t wait to get started! I already have one subscriber gift 75% done. I still need to make the instruction booklet, but I can do that over the weekend if need be.
Michigan got another 3 inches of snow today, so I have no excuses! Tucked inside the warm house is a great place to be when it’s cold outside and writing needs to get done!
I was feeling that too Bonnie but then Debi made a good point – once you have dedicated followers, you don’t want them to outgrow you. You’ll still have your fundamental tutorials up but moving forward keeps those longtimers with you, too.
Sounds COLD there! It’s in the 40s here – very cold for us
Love this, “once you have dedicated followers, you don’t want them to outgrow you.” I was in a horrible place recently where I felt like I was being held back because I had convinced myself that I was only talking to beginners. And this wasn’t just on my IM blog, I felt this way about almost all of my sites. “Beginners will be coming by today. Better talk to the beginners.”
It’s important that the people who look up to you see you grow. No one wants to follow someone into being stuck and spinning their wheels.
(And thanks for the mention today!)
Ah yes I had that same guilt feeling Angie! Until Debi opened my eyes about it.
I’m humbled by all the comments here. Sounds like that will be a good place for me to start with my new blog.
Tiff, this challenge got me moving and thinking and from that I feel revitalized and excited again about what I’m doing here. I can’t thank you and Craig enough for that.
I’m spending today setting up and planning for the big start tomorrow…it’s great to have butterflies again.
Yes it realllllly clicked for me, Debi. Butterflies feel good!
Most of the time I take my own “I don’t know”s as a challenge. That means there is something out there I should probably take the time to read up on.
Before I was working online I was going to college to be a teacher. I’ve always loved learning and teaching. I ended up leaving college because I couldn’t afford it at that point in time. Then I found online marketing and I realize I can teach people without the formal setting of school.
I guess you could say I grew up with a love of education. My mom didn’t finish high school and I was always trying to make her proud so whenever SHE didn’t know something I made a point to learn it and explain it to her. It juts continued from there.
Isn’t that rewarding? That the net gave you a vehicle to achieve the same goals in a different way?
I was opposite – I was always boy crazy and never liked learning but I have a high IQ and when I barely tried, I did it perfectly. But once I had my son, my world changed and I wanted to give life my all.
The other side of being a great leader is being willing to say to your people,
“I don’t know that I can help you with that.”
or “I don’t know that I’m the right person to ask.”
And then pointing them in the direction of someone else, another leader who is also likely a peer.
You are a leader because you know where your strengths are.
You know to have people around you who have strengths in your areas of weakness.
Stop “tackling projects that utilize your weaknesses”.
And other gems of wisdom from your archives.
http://www.tiffanydow.com/blog/12-commandments-of-wealth/
Yes! I like that quote!
Great post on the Warrior Forum today about personal development study to develop leadership skills.
Getting some interesting replies to it I see.
You certainly are on a roll at the moment Tiff, not sure what happened, but you definitely have the bit between your teeth, and I don’t think you will let anything get in the way this time – lol!
Go Girrrrl!!!
I feel that way!
Doing it afraid though. Not all areas of my life are in conjunction with my powerful business momentum. That stinks 
On the flip side, you have to learn to let go as well. I have had to work hard to not do everything and just focus on what I need to do to grow my business – being the dietitian instead of the marketer and webmaster and graphics, etc. My husband helps me too, but you have to be clear about what your niche is and what path you are taking.
Now you have me thinking I need a call with Craig.
Yes very good point Mathea! We shouldn’t do it all.
Hiya Tiff..I usually don’t comment on lots of your posts..but this one really hit a nerve…and I mean that in a good way!
Most people get all funked out when “leadership” is talked about and yet the concept is really simple!
I don’t know..I guess if you keep making delicious posts like this…I’ll be forced to have to give you big squishy hugs!!!
Gary
Oh I can use them right about now too Gary!
Hi Tiffany:
What a fantastic post. I have been so excited about 2013 since I had my coaching call with Craig. Thanks again for having the contest. Take Care, Sam
I see a change in your Sam. Continue it!
Meant to ask my question when you posted this, then got sidetracked…
Under #3, you say, “… a niche where trust is everything (health) and how a sterile site with no authority (like the Mayo Clinic for example) probably isn’t going to fare well. Id’ either want authority, like a doctor or nurse, or someone’s personal perspective on going through a topic, like a diabetic blogging about diabetes.”
That puzzled me, since I’ve always considered the Mayo Clinic site to be reputable and authoritative. Sure, I’ll read sites by doctors or nurses and personal sites with individual perspectives on conditions and illnesses, but I’d research what they wrote to see if their info checks out. I’d go to large reputablemedical sites or sites of nationally- or world-renowned organizations (like WebMD, the National Health Institutes or, yes, the Mayo Clinic), especially those that have well-documented and peer-reviewed articles.
Now, I noticed that Mayo Clinic pages don’t have terrific PageRank, which surprised me. Yet Joseph Mercola’s site has pages ranked 2 — and I would NEVER take anything on his site at face value!
So are you referring strictly to PageRank when you say a site has no authority?
Thanks for any light you can shed on this!
No I’m sorry what I mean is that a site that doesn’t have authority like the Mayo Clinic DOES have – sorry my wording was awkward
Ahh… OK.
I did wonder if that was what you meant, then I checked PageRank and wondered whether it really was ambiguous or I had just misinterpreted what you said (or missed the point).
Thanks so much for clarifying it, Tiff!
(I did learn that being an authority site doesn’t necessarily mean you get high PageRank. Food for thought…)
Sorry sometimes it makes more sense in my head LOL!
Your idea of spying on your competition could be carried to a higher level. Not only read what they have written, but excerpt it and comment on it in your own blog. It shows you are someone who knows the niche and you are thus more of an authority than otherwise.
Ah good point Phil!