Internet Marketers typically spend most of their time working on their own. If they use a time managing method they will usually spend up to 8% of their work time on activities that generate income, what are called IPA. The rest of the time they should use for skill enhancement, or for learning new skill sets. I am often asked what skills are best for Internet marketers.

I am of the school that thinks that marketing is EVERYTHING that you do to promote your online business, your products and yourself. So this gives you a broad range of subjects that you can learn or review in your 20% “downtime”. Industry guru Mike Dillard of “Magnetic Sponsoring” fame believes that personal development is the key to success in your business, and I agree.

Early in my business career, I neglected responding to questions posed by customers, prospects and colleagues, because of my pre-nascent knowledge of the industry. Many of the questions I received were a challenge to me, and I did not really make the connection between a questions, and requests for more information. I had not learned to analyse the questions and store my answers for use again.

Here is a powerful technique you can use to improve your responses to questions about your online marketing business.

1. List the questions you have received. Don’t stop there – list all the potential questions you can think of. Brainstorm, check your emails, read forums, get as large a list of potential game breakers as you can.

2. Sort into topics. Some of the questions may be stupid, but list them anyway. Whoever asked the question did not see the question as stupid. Some will seem more important than others, some will be asked more than once.

3. Any each question from as may perspectives as you can. Sometimes, a question is asked to discover what has not been mentioned, or to fulfil a need of the questioner. Some may be more of a statement than a question. Ensure that your response includes a request for more information, or asks a question of the respondent.

4. Look over you list of responses for obvious errors. Check you are not rude or combative if the question was irritating or mindless. Always remember that the question comes from a potential business partner, and in it’s basic form is a plea for more information.

5. Survey each of your questioners. Send a follow-up message asking if you were of help, and ask if there is more you can do. You will find the feedback of immense help with future questions.

Initially, your answers will not be the best possible. However you will get better with practice. Eventually you will become a Q&A expert, and your knowledge and the success of your business will grow.

Don Paul Fuller has been advising clients on-line for 10 years. If you see the benefits of using this method, you should check out Don’s web-site and read the recent entries on his informative and fun blog.