I was first skeptical about entering the world of online marketing when it was introduced to us. The Internet and online businesses are not that prevalent in this part of the globe, after all. Online businesses are mostly owned by Americans, Australians, and the British. Sure, outsourcing is now growing and becoming competitive in third world countries such as the Philippines and India. But as majority of the population of these countries cannot really identify with the jobs related to online businesses and internet marketing, one such as I cannot help but doubt if this job will be relevant for me in the future.
These doubts are still present. The Philippines is still not as technologically advanced as we’d like it. Most of the people I come across still raise an eyebrow as I answer their question as to what my present occupation is. Many people here have no idea you can make money as an online marketer!
I cannot blame them. I was once just like them. I was already familiar with internet marketing, but I didn’t know back then that you can make a living with online businesses. My thoughts on internet marketing only bordered on the task of being a marketer marketing a local product online. That’s all. Boy, did I feel so small as I delved into the work of an online marketer. The world of online marketing and the realm of the Web was indeed worldwide.
In entering internet marketing, I discovered the many advantages working within the Internet. Vast knowledge and constant learning is one of the greatest rewards in this job. You also get to connect with long-forgotten friends and acquaintances who you thought you’d never talk to again when they left the country. Add to that the probability of meeting new people and friends. You’re working and connecting at the same time!
Of course, not everything comes in a silver platter. Online marketing requires a lot of time and effort. Projects and websites have to be checked and updated. And as the Internet becomes a very competitive place for almost every market there is, online marketers have to step things up a notch to gain a foothold in their appointed market/s. Time is constantly both a friend and an enemy, keeping you company while ticking minutes away from you. Effort is needed to be different, unique, and interesting and to stand out of the crowd.
But then, however we want to see it, as all jobs come with the ups and downs, online marketing is just as exciting and nurturing as other professions. One look at the growing number of participants in the Internet is proof of that.
