One theme you may have noticed throughout this blog is that we place a high value on continually being in learning mode. We practice this by subscribing to and reading worthwhile publications, both online and off, by investing in marketing and business books that form a solid reference library, and of course, by the experience of trying and testing new ideas.
Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back. ~Chinese Proverb
Today’s 30-minute tip is to invest in your business growth by scheduling time to learn. Don’t just leave it to chance. Add it to your daily or at least your weekly schedule and treat it like you would an important appointment with a customer. Make the time for it.
Here are three free marketing magazines that we recommend and that regularly arrive in our mailbox. One deals exclusively with running a website, another with selling products online, and the third with all forms of direct response marketing. There’s no cost to you if you subscribe to these publications through any of the links below.
Website Magazine deals exclusively with the business of running a website. Each issue is chock full of practical advice and insights for website owners.
Internet Retailer is another great source of information on e-business strategies for retailers and direct merchants. The magazine also covers exclusive reports on the competitive, marketing and operational trends in e-retailing. If you are a store-based retailer, a cataloger, a virtual merchant or an e-business provider, Internet Retailer provides the information you need to make the most of your use of the internet as a retail sales channel, multi-channel integrator or a tool for supply-chain automation.
Target Marketing covers all direct response media, including direct mail, telemarketing, space advertising, the Web and direct response TV. Readers get insight into such subjects as using databases and lists effectively, acquiring new customers, upselling and cross-selling existing customers, fulfillment strategies and more.
Thanks for these great resources. I’ve signed up for all three.
Spending time learning, especially when it comes to online/website related items is so crucial as things are changing and morphing into newer and better things at a breakneck speed.
I easily spend at least three hours a week learning and reading on new techniques, etc.
That’s the first time I’ve heard of that Chinese Proverb. Thanks for sharing! I’ll share it to my readers and followers. I agree that learning is a continuous process. A lot of people make the mistake of equating learning to the four walls of the school. While in fact, it goes on every single day. Everyone should still continue learning and be open to new ideas and knowledge. The moment that you stop learning is the moment that you stop living. Life is very dynamic. You can’t be left behind. The best thing about it is there are a lot of free resources out there to help you learn. It doesn’t have to be an expensive process. On that note, thanks for sharing the links!
Glad to hear it, Michelle. I agree that it’s especially important to keep up with changing trends and technologies online.
Hi Jason – Thanks for your comment and I couldn’t agree more. I’m glad you found those links useful.
I think you are right about continuing education especially in the tech world!
If you don’t constantly keep up-to-date on what is happening and about to happen then you are lost!
The 3 magazines you mention have so much amazing content every month it’s hard to believe their free.
What else would you suggest reading to keep up on what is happening on the online world?
Thanks in advance.
Eric
These free resources looks great. I’ll sign up for them.