Since June, 2009 I first began to notice what I now consider a “Revolution in Internet Marketing.” Tissa Godavitarne, the Owner of ACME People Search & GDI created a Support Forum to help his affiliates understand his program; and also to “learn to earn” to make money in Internet marketing in whatever programs they may later join. In other words, provide them the necessary tools and information to succeed in an online home business. But, this was only the beginning.

He established criteria for his Support Forum members to become Super Sponsors. Super Sponsors are basically members who have a willingness to help others. As Tissa would say it… by helping others you will build your success by building your reputation. Tissa now pays his Super Sponsors to help others, and who else does that?

Tissa loaded up his Go-to-Meeting account to conduct interactive training Webinars with his affiliates, his affiliates’ affiliates, and anyone who wants to learn affiliate marketing. This is “Relationship Marketing” on steroids! (See an abbreviated definition below.) Tissa is increasing the transparency of the ACME People Search & GDI home business. These Webinars provide anyone the opportunity to ask Tissa anything about his program or how to make money online in general. Plus, they are conducted three times a week.

Now, much more recently, Joel Therien, the President of Global Virtual Opportunities (GVO) is strongly preaching “Relationship Marketing.”
I should better define my meaning.

As I see it, there are two types of marketing that takes place on the Internet. There is Relationship Marketing; which is based on the idea that people do not want products “forced down their throats.” They want to learn more about the company or person they are buying from.

By Comparison, there is “Intrusive Marketing”; which is based simply on throwing enough “products at sufficient amounts of people to make a reasonable profit.” The Relationship Marketer supports his/her client/buyers/downline with training, support, and tools they need to succeed in a real business opportunity. The Intrusive Marketer simply recommends new program after new program, and do not support their client/buyers/downline. I’d like to refer to them as “Internet marketing strip-miners.”

Joel’s methods are a bit different from Tissa’s, but the results are basically the same. He calls it his “Know-Like-Trust” philosophy to Internet marketing. In other words, don’t try to sell someone anything until they know you, they like you, and they trust you. Joel continues by stressing that it is not the product that people are buying, they are buying you. Consequently, he emphasizes the need for marketers to “brand” themselves; and to provide value to people in the process of building a relationship based on trust.

I believe that these distinctions are important for people who want to make money in Internet marketing. This is a growth opportunity. It’s worldwide, and there is lot of money to be made. However, there are a lot of people that feel that they’ve been ripped off. My conclusion is that if they were, they were ripped off by marketers using the Intrusive marketing technique, as I described above. I am not making broad assumptions here. I’ve been ripped off as well. Assuming that home business opportunity seekers or affiliate marketers wish to steer themselves in the right direction, I’ve hopefully provided them some ideas to consider. Perhaps you have some basic characteristics to look for as you do your “due diligence” seeking your next opportunity.